Is CBD legal in Spain in 2025?
Is CBD legal in Spain in 2025? As the demand for CBD in Spain grows, many consumers and businesses are eager to understand its legal status. Searches such as "Is CBD legal in Barcelona?" and "is CBD oil legal in Spain?" reflect the increasing curiosity about Spanish regulations.
Spain is known for being one of the most liberal hemp-producing countries in the European Union, second only to the Netherlands. However, despite aligning with EU laws on industrial hemp, Spain has its unique regulatory framework. With changes in EU Novel Food regulations and shifting local laws, the Spanish CBD market remains both promising and complex.
In this guide, we will break down the latest updates on the legal status of CBD in Spain, including regulations on CBD oil for sale in Spain, growing hemp, and what businesses need to know to enter the Spanish market in 2025.
The legal status of CBD in Spain
Spain is one of the most liberal hemp-producing countries in the European Union, second only to the Netherlands. Spanish laws align with EU regulations, allowing the production and sale of CBD products with less than 0.2% THC. However, while some autonomous regions permit the sale of medical products with higher THC levels, this is not permitted nationwide.
In 2018, the EU classified CBD oil for human consumption as a 'novel food', requiring authorization before it can be marketed. As a result, in Spain, CBD products are mainly sold for external use, such as cosmetics, and must contain less than 0.2% THC. The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) regulates these products and maintains a restrictive stance on CBD for ingestion.
Spain is a hub for industrial hemp cultivation and cannabis research, hosting Spannabis, Europe’s largest cannabis event, held annually in Barcelona since 2002. The 2025 Spannabis edition is set for March 14-16 at Fira de Cornellà, showcasing cannabis-related products such as cosmetics, textiles, building materials, and food.
Is it legal to grow hemp in Spain?
Cannabidiol (CBD) is one of 113 cannabinoids that come from the cannabis plant. CBD is extracted from the cannabis plant in such a way as to make it isolated from other cannabinoids. Most importantly, it is separated from THC, the psychoactive element in cannabis, which makes CBD legal in Spain. CBD is then added to a carrier oil to make CBD oil.
Medical cannabis is not regulated in Spain and cannabis cultivation in Spain for extraction of cannabinoids is subject to prior authorization from the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Medical Products or AEMPS.
Cannabis can be cultivated and used only for personal purposes. As long as the plants are not visible from any public areas, there is no ban on growing hemp and producing your own CBD oil. Any purpose other than trade or sale of cannabis is legal.
This grey area led to the formation of cannabis clubs and user associations. These clubs and associations were formed as non-profit organizations and sold cannabis to its members.
Although Spain is a major cultivator of hemp and hemp products, the country is exporting the majority of its product to foreign markets, where Cannabis legality is in a grey zone, or outright illegal.
Where can you buy CBD Oil in Spain?
If you want to buy CBD in Spain, there is a wide range of products available within the legal framework. Popular options include CBD skincare products and treatments for various skin conditions. You can typically find these items in alternative medicine shops or pharmacies.
For businesses looking to source CBD in bulk, Essentia Pura offers high-quality wholesale CBD products, ensuring compliance with EU and Spanish regulations.
Wherever you choose to purchase CBD, make sure it is from accredited buyers and licensed distributors. This helps reduce the risk of buying low-quality or non-compliant products.
Regulations on buying and shipping CBD
CBD oil has become increasingly popular in recent years, but its sale and shipping are still subject to important regulations. While CBD is legal in Spain, different rules apply across countries, making it essential to understand both Spanish and international laws.
Buying CBD in Spain
- CBD oil products are legally sold through various channels, including many online shops, reflecting Spain’s acceptance of CBD within permitted limits.
- EU and international laws primarily govern CBD sales, as Spain lacks specific national laws for CBD consumption. Products produced within Spain or other EU states are legal for sale if they comply with EFSA Novel Food regulations.
Shipping CBD in Spain and Internationally
- CBD with less than 0.3% THC can be legally purchased and shipped within most EU countries and the USA.
- Novel Food status: The EFSA currently considers CBD a Novel Food, and applications for approval are on hold, citing insufficient safety data. This creates uncertainty for CBD edibles or oral products like oils and gummies.
High-THC Products and Regional Differences
Spain’s autonomous regions may impose different rules on the sale and import of CBD, so businesses should seek local legal advice when planning operations across regions.
In 2022, the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) took steps to legalize high-THC products for sale through pharmacies, though these rules apply only to medical cannabis and do not affect CBD producers.
Which countries have legalized CBD oil?
CBD oil laws across Europe vary, but most countries allow products containing less than 0.2% THC, following EU regulations. However, national laws differ regarding medical and recreational use. Here’s a 2025 update:
Countries Where CBD Oil Is Legal (with Restrictions)
- Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Switzerland: CBD with up to 0.3% THC is permitted for sale and use.
- France: Legal if containing less than 0.3% THC, but marketing must not imply medical claims.
- Italy: "Cannabis light" products are allowed, but restrictions on hemp flower sales are tightening.
- Luxembourg: Personal cultivation of up to four plants is legal, showing a progressive approach to cannabis use.
CBD as a Novel Food in the EU
- The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) classifies CBD oil and edibles as Novel Foods, requiring approval for market placement. As of 2025, no CBD product has received EFSA authorization, impacting the sale of ingestible CBD items.
Regional Variations Within Spain
Spain’s autonomous regions may have differing regulations, with some regions allowing more liberal sales of CBD cosmetics and oils for external use.
Conclusion: Is CBD Oil Legal in Spain in 2025?
In 2025, the use and production of CBD-rich products remain legal in Spain, but under specific conditions:
- Topical CBD products, such as skin care items, balms, and medicinal oils, are fully legal, provided they contain less than 0.2% THC.
- The Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS) regulates topical CBD products and oversees compliance with national standards.
Oral CBD Products and Legal Uncertainty
- The legal status of oral CBD products, including CBD oils and gummies, remains unclear. Spain has no specific local framework, and the EFSA’s Novel Food authorization process is still on hold, making it difficult to sell CBD products for ingestion.
While Spain continues to make progress, such as exploring the legalization of medical cannabis, the oral CBD market remains in a grey area. Businesses should carefully monitor changes in EFSA regulations and AEMPS policies. Hopefully this blog managed to answer your question, about whether is CBD legal in Spain.
About us
At Essentia Pura, we specialize in manufacturing high-quality white-label and private-label CBD products, helping businesses launch their own unique CBD brands. With cutting-edge hemp extraction methods and a commitment to compliance and quality, we support companies in the nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Whether you’re looking for ready-to-market formulations or custom solutions, we’re here to help you succeed in the growing CBD market.
