Which European Countries Have Legalized Weed?

Detailed Answer

As of early 2026, the European countries with some form of legal recreational cannabis access are Malta, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Switzerland — each with distinctly different models.

Malta became the first EU country to legalize recreational cannabis in December 2021. Adults can possess up to 7 grams in public, store 50 grams at home, and grow up to 4 plants per household. Non-profit cannabis associations handle distribution. There are no commercial retail sales. Germany followed with more comprehensive legalization in April 2024, permitting possession of up to 25 grams in public, 50 grams at home, cultivation of 3 plants per person, and distribution through cannabis social clubs. Commercial retail pilot programs are planned.

Luxembourg passed legislation in 2023 allowing adults to grow up to 4 cannabis plants at home and possess limited amounts for personal use. Like Malta, there is no commercial sales framework. The Netherlands continues its decades-old tolerance policy (gedoogbeleid) where coffeeshop sales are not prosecuted, and is running the Wietproefexperiment to test a fully legal supply chain. Switzerland is conducting regulated pilot programs in Basel, Zurich, Bern, and other cities, providing cannabis through pharmacies for scientific study purposes.

Several other European countries are actively considering legalization. The Czech Republic has advanced proposals for a regulated market that could be enacted in the coming years. Italy has had referendum proposals for legalization. Various political parties in Portugal, Denmark, and Austria have proposed legalization measures. However, EU-level coordination remains limited, and the European Commission has taken a cautious stance, noting that member states must comply with UN drug conventions while having sovereignty over domestic drug policy within certain limits.