Do airports conduct drug tests when you arrive from another country?

Question

I have had marijuana in the last 3 months, and am now planning a Europe trip. I am not taking any drugs with me.

It is my first time travelling to another country so I am now feeling paranoid that I’ll get drug tested and they’ll find that I’m positive.

My brother told me he got a random drug test done in Greece, so now feeling paranoid.

I’m thinking of going to

• United Kingdom
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Germany
• Italy
• Iceland
• Turkey

Any thoughts? Why would they drug test passengers? What happens if it is positive? I know this is probably a dumb question but I am feeling very paranoid so would appreciate if someone could provide some guidance or advice.

Answer 1

Airports don't test for drugs. Law enforcement may be able to compel a test on you, but in democratic countries this is not done "at random". Only if there's a suspicion that you're doing something you're not allowed to do when under the influence (driving, for example). Your belongings may be searched at the airport, at random, by the customs or security personnel. So don't bring any drugs with you.

Generally, traveling under the influence (even of illicit drugs) is not illegal unless you become disruptive or unruly.

It is more likely that your brother is trolling you than that he got "a random test in Greece".

Answer 2

The word "drug test" means different things at different times. It might mean:

• testing your blood, breath, or the like to see if you are under the influence right now
• testing your hair or urine to see if you have used recently
• testing your possessions and person (eg swabbing your hands and bag) for residues
• testing mysterious bags of powder found in your bag to see what you're smuggling

All of these could be called "a random test" and it's clear you're worried about the second one, but it's the least likely of the bunch. The first and third are generally done to have a reason to search your bags super thoroughly. You might be chosen randomly, or because of the origin of your flight, or the clothes you're wearing, or for some other reason that makes sense to the person choosing even if not to anyone else. Then they screen a little further (literally just smell you, maybe ask you some things) and possibly start in on a thorough search if they are suspicious. But being searched isn't the same as being sent home or being arrested.

An aside: these tests may be done at the airport but they are not done by the airport, rather by border officers employed by the country you are entering. Security does some hand-and-bag swabbing too, but that is for explosives, not drugs.

If you are not smuggling (and half a forgotten joint in a jacket pocket in your suitcase might be considered smuggling in some cases) then these tests should not worry you. I watch Border Security and people can smell like pot, can have pot paraphernalia with them, can tell the officers they smoked an hour ago, and are still let in with minimal delay. As long as they are not bringing any. (It being an accident and you not meaning to are not accepted, you have to truly truly not be bringing any.)

Only one place in the world does blood tests to check for prior use: Singapore. And they don't test visitors, only citizens and permanent residents who are returning. Further, they warn about it:

(From https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/changi-airport-drug-check-enforcement-traveller-thailand-cannabis-2957591 which has more details.)

Bottom line: don't bring any pot across borders, or any cannabis related products like edibles. While there is a small chance some sort of testing will occur (someone smelling you, or swabbing something), it will not be intrusive and the strongest consequence these tests can have is a thorough search. The search may delay you, embarrass you, worry you and those waiting for you, but if you do not have any cannabis with you, that is all that will happen. The search will come up empty and you will be on your way, with a story to tell about "that time I got randomly tested in [country]".

Answer 3

According to this article, in Greece possession of even small quantities of drugs can lead to lengthy (up to and including your entire life span) imprisonment, so perhaps they random test more arrivals than elsewhere. Spain and Italy are listed as having harsh sentences.

Apart from the obvious (don’t bring any drugs with you), if you’ve taken marijuana in the past, make sure your luggage and belongings/clothes don’t contain any minute trace from previous use that sniffer dogs might pick up on. Also check that any travelling companion(s) are not carrying any drugs.

As others have commented, the minimum repercussion of testing positive would likely be denial of entry and an unexpectedly swift trip back to your home country at your own expense.

Answer 4

About Singapore, see travel.state.gov:

Singaporean authorities may conduct unannounced drug tests and property searches, including upon entry into the country, on foreign citizens who are suspected of consuming or possessing illegal drugs.

Answer 5

While I agree on the various answers already given special consideration must be made for Iceland.
If you arrive in Reykjavik from Europe, especially on a flight coming from Amsterdam, there is a VERY high chance you will be sniffed by a narcotics dog. It is almost standard procedure in Iceland.

The dog may pick up on substances that you handled several days before your travel. Even stuff transferred from another person you shook hands with several days before the travel.

Especially cannabis is notorious for having a lingering smell that humans can't smell (unless it is really fresh/strong), but the dog can still smell it days later.
As long as you're not carrying anything on your person or in your luggage you will be fine, but you can be held several hours at the airport before they release you.

I have travelled to Iceland about a dozen times (work related) and I got the sniff-test on all but one occasion. Was detained 3 times. Even though I don't use any recreational substances myself.
1 time because of transfer from the guy sitting next to me on the plane. (His clothing reeked of pot, I could smell it myself on the plane.)
Both other times I had no idea how or when I had come in contact with any illicit substance.
But anyway after some questioning and a thorough examination of my luggage, which turned up nothing, I could go after 2 or 3 hours.

Answer 6

germany has legalised Cannabis, although tourists must not buy it.

Drug consumption is not illegal anyways in Germany (only posession). As other answers have stated, it would still be illegal to drive, operate heavy machinery, etc. under the influence. But since your last use was 3 monthes ago, you should be fine.