Europe is the world’s fastest-growing major cannabis market in 2025. While North America accounts for the lion’s share of global legal cannabis revenue today, the European opportunity is fundamentally different in scale. The European Union alone has 450 million residents with an estimated cannabis use prevalence of 8.4% among people aged 15 to 64, representing a market potential that dwarfs any single country.
Europe at a Glance: 2025 Key Statistics
Germany’s medical cannabis market was valued at more than 670 million euro in 2025, expected to reach 1.32 billion euro by 2029. The UK medical cannabis market exceeded 300 million euro in 2025 and more than doubled in size throughout the year. The total European legal cannabis market contributed approximately $1.4 billion in global legal sales in 2025, a figure that understates its trajectory given the early stage of most regulatory frameworks.
Germany: The Engine of European Cannabis
Germany is the largest medical cannabis market in Europe and the most important regulatory laboratory for what adult-use legalisation looks like across the EU.
On the medical side, Germany’s market exceeded 670 million euro in 2025. Cannabis flower dominates German medical prescriptions at 86% of all products. Average flower prices fell from 10.19 euro to 7.42 euro per gram as competition increased. Imports doubled in 2024 to 72,000 kg, with Canada, Portugal, and Denmark as leading suppliers.
On adult-use, Germany passed the Cannabis Control Bill (CanG) in 2024, allowing adults to legally possess up to 25 grams in public, keep up to 50 grams at home, and grow up to 3 personal plants. More than 230 cannabis cultivation associations now operate legally. Twenty-eight districts across 10 German states have applied to run adult-use pilot retail shops. Full commercial recreational retail remains in a pilot phase with broader rollout anticipated in coming years.
United Kingdom: Prescription-Led Growth
The UK is Europe’s second-largest medical cannabis market. Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in November 2018, but early access was limited. The growth of telemedicine clinics from 2021 onwards dramatically changed accessibility. The UK market exceeded 300 million euro in 2025 and more than doubled in size throughout the year. The UK had approximately 63,000 registered medical cannabis patients in 2024, forecast to grow to over 140,000 by 2028. More than 30 telemedicine platforms now facilitate online cannabis prescriptions. Recreational cannabis remains a Class B controlled substance in the UK.
Other Notable European Markets
Poland had a medical cannabis market of approximately 72 million euro, experiencing regulatory headwinds. The Czech Republic exported 1,300 kg to Germany in 2024, emerging as a regional supplier. Denmark exported over 7 tonnes to Germany in 2024. Portugal exported over 18 tonnes in 2024, a 54% year-on-year increase, establishing itself as Europe’s primary cultivation and export hub. Switzerland has 10,000 or more participants across 7 adult-use pilot studies since 2023. The Netherlands has regulated supply pilots underway under its long-established tolerance policy.
Portugal: Europe’s Cannabis Farm
Portugal has positioned itself as Europe’s primary cannabis cultivation and export hub. The country exported over 18 tonnes of medical cannabis in 2024, a 54% year-on-year increase. Germany accounts for nearly half of these exports, followed by Spain, Poland, the UK, and Australia. Domestically, patient access in Portugal remains limited due to high costs and a strict approval process.
What Comes Next for Europe
Germany’s 28 pilot retail shop districts represent a significant step toward commercial recreational retail. France, Europe’s largest population with significant cannabis consumption, is watching Germany closely and has active policy debate underway. The Netherlands’ regulated supply model pilots are influencing EU-wide discussions. EU-wide regulatory harmonisation remains a longer-term industry lobbying goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest cannabis market in Europe?
Germany is the largest medical cannabis market in Europe, valued at more than 670 million euro in 2025 and projected to reach approximately 1.32 billion euro by 2029. Germany also became the first major EU country to decriminalise personal possession and allow cannabis social clubs under the CanG law passed in 2024. The UK is Europe’s second-largest medical cannabis market at over 300 million euro.
Is cannabis legal in Germany?
Medical cannabis is legal in Germany and available via prescription. Under the Cannabis Control Bill (CanG) passed in 2024, German adults may legally possess up to 25 grams of cannabis in public, keep up to 50 grams at home, and grow up to 3 personal plants. Non-commercial cannabis cultivation clubs with up to 500 members are permitted. Full commercial adult-use retail is in a pilot phase as of 2025.
Is medical cannabis legal in the UK?
Yes. Medical cannabis was legalised in the UK in November 2018. More than 30 telemedicine platforms now offer online consultations for medical cannabis prescriptions. The UK market more than doubled in size in 2025 and had approximately 63,000 registered patients. Recreational cannabis remains illegal in the UK as a Class B controlled substance.
Which European country exports the most medical cannabis?
Portugal has emerged as Europe’s primary cannabis cultivation and export hub, exporting over 18 tonnes of medical cannabis in 2024, a 54% year-on-year increase. Denmark and the Czech Republic are also significant exporters. Canada remains the largest international supplier to the European medical cannabis market overall.
How big could the European cannabis market become?
The potential scale of the European cannabis market is enormous given the combined population of over 500 million across the EU and UK and an estimated cannabis use prevalence of 8.4% among EU adults. Germany’s successful transition to commercial adult-use retail would be the single biggest accelerant for European market growth. The global cannabis market is projected to grow from approximately $62 billion in 2025 to over $200 billion by 2033, with Europe’s share expected to grow significantly.