Doctor's Letter For Travelling With Medication
Carrying prescription medication through customs without the right documentation can cause unnecessary delays. A signed letter from a GMC registered UK GP confirms the medical necessity of your medication at border control.
Each letter follows a clinical review by a licensed UK doctor, giving customs and security a credible document confirming your prescription is legitimate.
✔ Issued by a GMC registered UK GP following clinical review
✔ Suitable for airport security, customs, and international travel
✔ Most requests reviewed same day, from £39
LET'S GET STARTED 
Dr Maria Knobel Medical Director 
Get your medical certificate delivered straight to your inbox from £37
How It Works
Complete a short online questionnaire
No appointment required. Complete a short medical questionnaire and upload any supporting evidence.
Doctor reviews your evidence
A GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission individually. No automated approvals.
✔ Full refund if the GP cannot issue.
Receive your certificate
Certificates arrive most same day, all by 9AM next morning, delivered as a signed PDF direct to your inbox.
Very happy, I ordered my Medical Certificate in the early morning hours and before noon time of same day I had it on my inbox. Speedy service and they present the health condition precisely, get to the point.
They meet the incredibly fast turnaround stated (certificate/letter sent before 9am the following morning if the doctor feels that a letter/certificate is appropriate) which is incredibly quick and I am really grateful for the help provided!
Very easy and quick to get my certificate. And the certificate was approved from the specific company to travel with my dog. I will use them again. Well done.
Second time using this company and they are fabulous! Always great, fast, friendly service. Highly recommend!
This was my second time using Medical Cert, and once again the service was exceptionally quick and professional. Everything was handled efficiently, with clear communication throughout.
I found the service very straight forward and quick. Exactly what I needed to get my Padi medical form signed before our holiday. Thank you very much.
Process was easy and responses were quick. I would recommend their service.
Fast efficient service for medical certificates. I used the not fit to fly service and was provided with a certificate the next day, the price is very reasonable and enabled a flight credit refund with my airline. Would recommend and would use again if needed.
A fast and efficient service. It wasn't complicated and the Fit-to-fly note was accepted by the Airport without any further questions. Thank you.
Ideal for me, I am looking to get a certificate for some medical issues I have. So this is the perfect solution for me, uploading docs was easy and the forms very straightforward to fill in. Will definitely use them again. Many thanks.
Excellent service. Easy to use and certificate issued in less than 24 hours. £39 as opposed to the £150 my GP charges. Highly recommended.
Quick and reasonably pain-free. Received their standard certificate as well as my requested bespoke certificate, by email, by 9am the following morning. Both completed properly, signed and stamped as required. More expensive than my GP, but infinitely quicker and easier.
One of the best experiences. It's easy to get a GP note.
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Doctor's Letter for Travelling with Medication
A doctor's letter for travelling with medication confirms that your medicines have been lawfully prescribed in the UK. Issued and signed by a GMC-registered doctor, it lists each medication by generic and brand name, dose, frequency, and the total quantity carried, alongside your travel dates and destination country. The UK Home Office recommends carrying this letter for any controlled drug classified under Schedule 2, 3, or 4 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 when entering or leaving the country. UK Border Force, airport security, and overseas customs agencies routinely expect supporting documentation for injectables, sharps, liquid medicines over 100ml, and supplies covering more than 30 days.
One MedicalCert letter covers your full medication list in a single document. Most letters are approved same day or by 9AM the next morning, signed by a GMC-registered UK doctor with a unique QR code for verification at customs.
When Do You Need a Medication Travel Letter?
Controlled drugs (Schedule 2 to 4)
The Home Office recommends a doctor's letter for any controlled drug carried into or out of the UK. This includes opioids such as morphine, oxycodone, and codeine, plus benzodiazepines, methylphenidate, tramadol, and pregabalin, all classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001.
Injectables and medical devices
Insulin, anticoagulant injections, EpiPens, insulin pumps, and other injectables require a letter for airport security screening. Liquid medications over 100ml carried in hand luggage also require supporting documentation under Department for Transport aviation security rules, as published on GOV.UK.
Large supply quantities
Carrying more than 30 days of supply draws attention from UK Border Force and overseas customs. Up to a 3-month supply of controlled drugs may be carried without a Home Office personal export licence, but a doctor's letter confirming the supply matches your prescribed treatment plan is strongly advised.
Restricted medications at destination
Medications freely available in the UK may be controlled or banned abroad. Codeine, tramadol, certain antihistamines, and CBD products are restricted in numerous countries. Always check with the destination country's embassy before travel, as a UK doctor's letter does not override the importing country's legislation.
Long-term conditions on regular medication
For travellers managing chronic conditions including diabetes, epilepsy, COPD, and heart disease, a letter listing current medications provides essential backup if medication is lost, confiscated, or if emergency treatment is needed abroad. NHS travel health guidance recommends carrying documentation alongside original pharmacy labels.
Unlabelled or repackaged medications
Medications should always be carried in the original labelled containers dispensed by a UK pharmacy. If packaging is missing, or if international brand names differ from UK equivalents, a doctor's letter verifies the supply is legitimately prescribed and dispensed in the UK.
What Documentation Do You Need? Quick Reference
Requirements depend on what you are carrying and how long you are travelling. This table summarises expectations from the UK Home Office, Department for Transport, and UK Border Force:
| Travel scenario | Documentation required | Source of requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Controlled drug, trip under 3 monthsUp to a 3-month supply | Doctor's letter recommended, stating medication name, dose, quantity, travel dates, and destination. Carry on your person with original pharmacy packaging. | Home Office: "Travelling with controlled drugs" (GOV.UK) |
| Controlled drug, trip over 3 monthsOr more than a 3-month supply | Home Office personal export licence required, applied for at least 14 days before departure, supported by a doctor's letter. | Home Office Drugs Licensing and Compliance Unit (GOV.UK) |
| Non-controlled prescription medication | Doctor's letter recommended for international travel, particularly to countries with strict import rules. No UK licence needed. | NHS travel health guidance; GOV.UK foreign travel advice |
| Injectables, syringes, sharps in hand luggage | Doctor's letter confirming medical need, required by airport security under Department for Transport rules. | Department for Transport: "Hand luggage restrictions" (GOV.UK) |
| Liquid medication over 100ml in hand luggage | Doctor's letter plus airline approval in advance. Exempt from the standard liquids limit with documentation. | Department for Transport: "Hand luggage restrictions" (GOV.UK) |
| Medication banned at destination | A UK doctor's letter does not grant entry. Contact the destination country's embassy and seek alternatives from your prescriber if needed. | Destination country law; International Narcotics Control Board country guidance |
Controlled Drugs: What UK Law Requires
Home Office guidance for travellers carrying controlled drugs
The UK Home Office recommends that all travellers carrying controlled drugs hold a doctor's letter when entering or leaving the country. Under the GOV.UK "Travelling with controlled drugs" guidance, the letter must include your name, dates of travel, destination, medication name and dose, and the total quantity carried. For trips under 3 months, a letter is recommended rather than legally mandated, but it must be evident you are not carrying more than a 3-month supply.
Controlled drugs are classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and regulated by the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001, which set out five schedules of controlled substances. Medicines must have been lawfully prescribed and dispensed in the UK, and must be carried on your person when passing through UK Border Force. Medicines cannot be posted to you from overseas.
Travelling for more than 3 months?
If you will be abroad for longer than 3 months, or are carrying more than a 3-month supply of a controlled drug, you must apply to the Home Office Drugs Licensing and Compliance Unit for a personal export licence. This is free but must be applied for at least 14 days before departure. A doctor's letter from this service can support that application.
Medications Commonly Covered
The following categories most frequently require a travel letter. All controlled substances are classified under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 and regulated by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). If you are unsure whether your medication is covered, include it in your consultation and the doctor will advise:
What Your Medication Travel Letter Includes
Letter contents
- ✔ Your full name, date of birth, and address
- ✔ Travel dates and destination country
- ✔ Full medication list, with generic and brand name, dose, frequency, and total quantity
- ✔ Brief clinical reason why the medication has been prescribed
- ✔ Confirmation the medication has been lawfully prescribed and dispensed in the UK
- ✔ GMC registration number of the signing doctor
- ✔ Unique QR code for customs or border verification
This format follows the content recommended by the UK Home Office for controlled drug travel letters. Carry the letter in your hand luggage alongside original pharmacy packaging and dispensing labels. It is your responsibility to verify the legal status of your medications at your destination by contacting the relevant embassy. A UK doctor's letter confirms the UK prescription is legitimate but does not grant permission to import substances banned in the destination country.
How to Get Your Medication Travel Letter
Complete the online consultation form
List all medications you are travelling with, including dose, frequency, and total quantity. Provide your travel dates and destinations. Upload a copy of your current prescription, dispensing labels, or GP medication summary.
GMC-registered doctor reviews your submission
The doctor confirms the medications listed against the clinical information provided. If further clarification is needed, the doctor may contact you before issuing.
Letter delivered same day
Most letters are approved same day or by 9AM the next morning. Print a copy to carry in your hand luggage alongside original medication packaging.
