Getting Access to Medical Cannabis in Europe: 8 Clinics Worth Knowing

As of 2025, medical cannabis is fully or partially legal in many European countries, including Germany, Italy and Sweden, supported by regulatory frameworks and clinical standards. We’ve selected eight European cannabis clinics that showcase diverse approaches — from research-driven care to digitally facilitated access.

Germany

With Germany’s 2024 Cannabis Act easing access to medical cannabis and officially endorsing telemedicine, a new wave of clinics — both online and physical — is shaping how cannabinoid therapy is delivered across the country. These clinics offer fast, reliable access to prescriptions for a range of conditions, including chronic pain, anxiety disorders, sleep issues, and more.

Canify Clinics

The clinic provides treatment to patients with treatment-resistant conditions such as chronic pain, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, sleep disorders, migraines, nausea and vomiting, anxiety disorders and ADHD. Therapy begins with a detailed medical consultation; cannabis is only prescribed when standard interventions have proven insufficient. Notably, the clinic excludes mild or undiagnosed conditions such as occasional stress or headaches.

If your doctor determines that cannabis is a good fit for your condition, you’ll get a personalized treatment plan and a prescription. Canify will then help forward it to a trusted pharmacy, where you can access your medication, whether it’s dried flower, oil, or another approved form.

A prospective study on the acute and long-term effects of medicinal cannabis in patients new to treatment found that within three months of starting THC-dominant cannabis, participants experienced clinically significant reductions in anxiety and depression.

What distinguishes Canify is its national network of cannabis-specialized physicians. Patients are matched with doctors trained in cannabinoid medicine, ensuring care is tailored and evidence-based. All consultations, initial or ongoing, are conducted through a secure online platform, with ongoing support from a dedicated care team.

Canify also plays an educational role, cautioning against black-market use due to risks like contamination and dosage inconsistency. By providing verified products and personalized guidance, it positions itself as a safer alternative to self-medication.

5Swan 

5Swan is a fully online clinic that supports people dealing with a variety of tough, long-term conditions like fibromyalgia, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, ADHD, chronic pain, sleep issues and depression that hasn’t responded to other treatments. Their doctors follow clear medical guidelines and don’t prescribe cannabis for mild or vague symptoms.

Most doctors on the team have several years of experience in cannabis therapy and the clinic maintains a training system in which physicians regularly review case studies and clinical developments in cannabinoid medicine. 

Case studies offer valuable insights into how medicinal cannabis helps patients achieve treatment goals, demonstrating benefits like reduced hospital visits and medication use, especially in rare or hard-to-treat conditions where traditional research is limited.

Patients begin with a 25-minute video consultation priced at €25, during which physicians assess eligibility based on documented medical need. If therapy is appropriate, the physician issues a prescription and develops a customized plan, adjusted over time through structured follow-ups (€65 for the second consultation including prescription; €25 for repeat prescriptions if no changes are needed). The prescription is forwarded securely to the patient’s chosen pharmacy, where they can access regulated products such as dried flower, oils, or extracts.

Note that 5Swan operates outside the statutory health insurance system, and all consultations, prescriptions, and medications must be paid out-of-pocket by the patient. Treatment is not eligible for public reimbursement, even with a valid medical indication.

CanDoc

Unlike most cannabis clinics that focus on diagnosis-first consultation, CanDoc model rests on a platform that merges medical legitimacy with user control. Patients select a product before initiating a medical review, complete a brief online health questionnaire, upload ID for verification, and choose a preferred pharmacy. 

All physicians are qualified in cannabis therapy and prescriptions are issued only if the condition is clinically indicated. Commonly treated conditions include sleep disorders, migraines, ADHD, chronic pain, and depression — backed by emerging studies that report symptom relief in 80% of insomnia cases and 92% of ADHD cases. Importantly, CanDoc outlines clear exclusion criteria: patients under 18, those pregnant or breastfeeding, and individuals with certain psychiatric or cardiovascular conditions are not eligible for therapy. 

A 2025 study on German cannabis consumers identified three segments: Otto Normal Consumers (63.7%) who prefer moderate calming and stimulating effects; Light and Soothing (21.9%) favoring low-THC calming products; and Cheap and Hard (14.4%) seeking high-THC, stimulating products at low prices.

If a cannabis-trained doctor determines the therapy is suitable, the prescription is sent directly to the pharmacy. The patient pays the prescription fee online and receives their GMP-certified and lab-tested medication via discreet mail delivery, typically within 72 hours. This streamlined process eliminates the lag of traditional scheduling and pharmacy queues. All medications come from GMP-certified producers such as Aurora, Somai, AlephSana, and 420 Pharma.

No public insurance is accepted; patients pay privately — €25–65 per consultation, plus product cost. Combined with responsive support and a clear refund policy, CanDoc has earned high marks for patient satisfaction — 4.6/5 across nearly 3,000 reviews.

Bloomwell

Getting a medical cannabis prescription through Bloomwell can be done via their website or app, which lets you book doctor appointments, manage prescriptions and track orders. 

To get started, you’ll need a valid ID and be at least 18 years old. Your account is typically activated within 24 hours. Once it is, you can either upload an existing cannabis prescription or get a new one by completing a simple medical questionnaire and having a private video consultation with a specialist doctor.

A 2025 survey by the German Cannabis Business Association found that 70% of respondents support obtaining medical cannabis prescriptions through an online questionnaire, with nearly half also supporting this method for other prescription drugs.

Normally, a prescription after an online exam with an EU-licensed doctor costs around €25, but there are often promotions that let you get your prescription online for free. If you want a full consultation with a German-speaking doctor, prices range from about €53 for a 20-minute video call to €71 for an in-person appointment. Follow-up visits and repeat prescriptions are similarly priced, and many private health insurance plans may cover these costs.

Orders start from five grams. Simply choose your preferred strain, and your medication will be delivered either to your selected pharmacy or directly to your home.

Italy

Medical cannabis is legal and can be prescribed for conditions like chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, and nausea from chemotherapy. Its production is controlled by the military and dispensed through pharmacies, though supply shortages remain a recurring issue.

CLINN

CLINN is an Italian network that operates both digitally and in person: doctors are available in major cities like Milan, Rome, Savona, Lecce, Bologna, and Naples, as well as through video appointments. Patients begin by submitting a medical questionnaire and relevant documents for review; initial eligibility assessments are free and typically processed within 48 hours by licensed physicians.

Under Italy’s current regulations, medical cannabis treatment is legal — but still complex to access and strictly limited for eligible conditions such as chronic pain, chemotherapy-induced nausea, Tourette’s syndrome, and certain types of anorexia and glaucoma. 

Research, published in Journal of Eating Disorders in 2023, suggests cannabis may help with anorexia nervosa by improving changes in weight, eating disorder symptoms and physical activity, but highlight risks of increased cannabis use disorder.

If approved, prescriptions are valid for 60 days and can be used to obtain cannabis-based medications from partner pharmacies or via home delivery. Treatment plans are personalized and include ongoing follow-up, with the CLINN Care platform used to track symptoms like pain, anxiety, and sleep, while also giving direct access to doctors.

In addition to clinical care, CLINN offers legal support for patients who may be questioned during roadside checks or inspections. This is an important feature given that, despite legal access, many patients still face complications when transporting cannabis medications. It is available through the CLINN Card, a digital or physical ID (€20–25) that links the patient, prescription, and medication through a unique code. 

Legal coverage includes up to ten free cases per year, provided the patient’s documents are valid and the prescription was issued through CLINN. However, it is only valid within Italy, and patients must renew prescriptions on time and follow strict documentation rules to maintain legal protection.

Malta

Malta legalized medical cannabis in 2018, allowing doctors to prescribe it for a range of serious conditions. While the framework exists, access requires approval from the Superintendent of Public Health.

The Pain Clinic 

The Pain Clinic supports people living with chronic pain and conditions that don’t respond well to standard treatments, including stress, anxiety, and depression. Its approach is holistic, based on the belief that real relief often takes more than medication alone. Alongside medical specialists in anaesthesiology, psychiatry, and neurology, the clinic works with physiotherapists, nutritionists, aromatherapists and practitioners of yoga, mindfulness, and breathwork. This combination of clinical care and supportive practices is designed to ease symptoms and help patients feel more grounded and well in their everyday lives.

Meta-analyses of multiple studies indicate that breathwork interventions can produce small to medium reductions in self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms, with some reviews highlighting promising effects linked to improved heart rate variability

Patients at The Pain Clinic start with a thorough one-hour consultation, where their medical history and previous treatments are reviewed. If medical cannabis is considered appropriate, the clinic applies for approval — a process that usually takes two to three weeks. Once approved, patients receive a 30-day prescription, with renewals required every six months. Regular follow-ups and a narcotics control card are mandatory for ongoing access.

Medical cannabis is dispensed through licensed pharmacies and is available either as oil or dried flower (intended only for vaporization as smoking remains prohibited in Malta). Products containing THC require a prescription, control card, and permit, while hemp-derived cannabinoids like CBD with less than 0.2% THC are legally available without a prescription.

Poland

Medical cannabis has been legal since 2017 and is available with a doctor’s prescription. Access remains inconsistent due to limited physician knowledge and supply-chain obstacles.

Fitokan 

Fitokan is a nationwide network of cannabis clinics in Poland offering medical consultations for patients with chronic or treatment-resistant conditions. With locations in cities like Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław, Gdynia, and Poznań, the clinics provide appointments with physicians trained in cannabinoid therapy in fields such as neurology, psychiatry, oncology, internal medicine, and pain management.

Treatment is typically used to manage symptoms linked to chronic pain, cancer, multiple sclerosis, anxiety, depression, epilepsy, and other complex conditions where conventional therapies have fallen short. 

If a patient qualifies, the clinic offers a prescription for medical cannabis (at no additional cost) and helps with the paperwork, including a certificate of medical marijuana therapy. Ongoing support is part of the process too — patients are guided through their treatment and follow-ups to make sure everything stays on track.

In a prospective, observational, longitudinal study of adults newly recommended medical marijuana, participants — mostly treated for anxiety and chronic pain — reported significant improvements across all health-related quality of life areas after three months, with younger patients generally experiencing greater benefits than older ones.

Alongside conventional medical expertise, some team members bring backgrounds in nutritional therapy and lifestyle medicine. The first visit to start therapy costs 199 PLN (about 47 euros) and includes a review of your documents, assessment for treatment eligibility, a medical consultation, education on the therapy and the prescription if needed. Consultations are available in Polish, English, Ukrainian and Russian.

Sweden

Sweden permits medical cannabis only in exceptional cases, usually involving severe chronic illness and after all other treatments have failed. Access is tightly regulated, and only a handful of patients receive cannabis-based medications.

Sapphire Clinics 

In 2024, Curaleaf International, one of the world’s leading medical cannabis providers, launched Sapphire Clinics in Sweden — a country where medical cannabis is legal for certain medical conditions and requires a doctor’s prescription.

Sapphire Clinics mainly focuses on treating chronic pain: to become a patient one must have a confirmed diagnosis of long-term, severely disabling pain. Their team includes specialists in pain management, neurology, psychiatry, and pharmacology, all trained in cannabinoid-based therapies to provide expert, tailored care.

A three-month pilot study on medical cannabis for chronic pain showed that most people found it helpful, with less pain, anxiety, and medication use, plus better sleep and mood, but some had trouble finding the right dose and experienced side effects.

The treatment starts with a thorough medical assessment, which can be done in person or online. If medical cannabis is considered suitable, patients begin a trial period of about four months. During this time, doctors closely adjust the medication to find the right dose. Follow-up appointments take place every three months to review progress, renew prescriptions, and ensure the treatment remains safe and effective, with a focus on each patient’s individual response.

Alongside offering clinical care, Sapphire Clinics supports research by contributing patient data to an ongoing study at the Karolinska Institute, Sweden’s top medical university. This study is one of the first in Sweden to explore the safety and effectiveness of medical cannabis, helping to close knowledge gaps and improve future treatments based on real-world evidence.

FAQ: 

Is medical cannabis legal across Europe?

Medical cannabis is legal or partially legal in many European countries, including Germany, Italy, Malta, Poland, and Sweden, though access and regulation vary widely.

What conditions qualify for medical cannabis treatment?

Qualifying conditions often include chronic pain, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chemotherapy-induced nausea, and treatment-resistant depression, among others. Each country has its own list of approved conditions.

Do I need a prescription to access medical cannabis?

Yes, a doctor’s prescription is required in all European countries that allow medical cannabis use.

Can I get medical cannabis through telemedicine?

Yes. In countries like Germany, Poland, and Italy, telemedicine clinics now offer secure consultations and digital prescription systems.

Is medical cannabis covered by health insurance in Europe?

It depends on the country. In Germany, some public insurers reimburse cannabis treatments; in many others (like Poland, Italy, or Malta), treatment is out-of-pocket.

Can I travel across borders with my medical cannabis prescription? 

Generally, no. Traveling with cannabis is restricted, even if prescribed. Always consult legal guidance in both the departure and destination countries.

What forms of cannabis medication are available? 

Common formats include dried flower (for vaporization), oils, tinctures, and capsules. The form prescribed depends on your condition and local regulations.

How long does approval take? 

Approval times vary. In telemedicine models, it can be under 48 hours. In countries like Malta or Italy, it may take 2–3 weeks.