Are snus and nicotine pouches legal in Italy?
Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are legal in Italy for adults aged 18 and over. Since 2022 they are taxed under Article 62-quater.1 of the excise code (EUR 22 per kg) and may only be sold through licensed tobacconists, authorised neighbourhood shops, pharmacies and parapharmacies; distance and online sales to consumers are prohibited and products carry a tax stamp since 1 January 2023. Tobacco snus cannot be sold in Italy (D.Lgs. 6/2016, Art. 18, implementing the EU oral tobacco ban), but possessing it and bringing in a personal supply is allowed.
Southern Europe, EU member
Italy at a glance
| Nicotine pouches (tobacco-free) | Tobacco snus | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale to adults | Legal with restrictions | Banned |
| Possession and use | Legal | Legal |
| Personal import (mail order, bringing in) | Allowed | Allowed |
| Online sale inside the country | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Regulated | as a nicotine product (own category) | as a tobacco product |
| Minimum age | 18 | 18 |
| Nicotine strength cap | No legal cap found | No legal cap found |
| Flavours | No flavour restrictions | Unclear |
| Excise tax | EUR 22 per kg of product (imposta di consumo), including functional packaging weight | Unclear |
| Legal basis | Art. 62-quater.1 D.Lgs. 504/1995 (Testo unico accise); ADM Determinazione 406606/2022 as amended by 82915 of 9 Feb 2023 | D.Lgs. 12 gennaio 2016, n. 6, Art. 18 (implements Directive 2014/40/EU Art. 17); Art. 24 (sale to under-18s) |
| In force since | 1 January 2022 | 2 February 2016 |
High confidence: Checked against legislation or an official government source. Research tier 1. How we verify.
Nicotine pouches in Italy
Legal, 18+, licensed shops only, no online.
Defined in the excise code as products containing nicotine 'preparati allo scopo di consentire, senza combustione e senza inalazione, l'assorbimento di tale sostanza', excluding authorised medicines. Manufacturers and importers need ADM authorisation (four years, renewable). Sale only through rivendite di generi di monopolio (tobacconists) and, with authorisation, esercizi di vicinato, farmacie and parafarmacie. Distance selling to consumers is prohibited, with fines from EUR 500 to 150,000. Sellers must be able to guarantee the ban on sale to minors. No statutory nicotine cap per pouch; no flavour ban.
Tax: Consumption tax under Art. 62-quater.1 D.Lgs. 504/1995, inserted by DL 228/2021 (Art. 3-nonies) and amended by the 2023 budget law. Products need an ADM tax stamp (contrassegno di legittimazione) since 1 January 2023.
Sources: Normattiva, Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli
Tobacco snus in Italy
Banned for sale, legal to use.
Art. 18 reads 'È vietata l'immissione sul mercato di tabacco per uso orale.' The ban covers placing on the market, not possession or personal use. GSTHR notes that importing snus for personal use is possible while import for trade or online purchase is illegal. Selling tobacco products to under-18s is punishable under Art. 24 (fines EUR 500 to 3,000 and licence suspension).
Tax: Not marketable, so no retail excise in practice.
Sources: Normattiva, Normattiva, Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR), Tobacco Control Laws (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids)
Bringing snus or nicotine pouches into Italy
| For personal use | Allowed From another EU country: quantities regarded as personal use are 800 cigarettes or 1 kg of smoking tobacco. From outside the EU: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 g of smoking tobacco duty-free per adult, plus other goods up to EUR 430 (air/sea) or EUR 300 (land). |
| Declaration | Not required within the allowance Dry goods; no restrictions in carry-on or checked baggage. |
| Penalties | No specific penalty information found. |
Source: ADM 'Carta doganale per chi viaggia' (August 2026 edition). Nicotine pouches have no specific quantity allowance and fall under the general value allowance. A personal supply of snus is tolerated even though it cannot be sold in Italy.
Full travel guide: can you bring snus and nicotine pouches to Italy?
Buying snus and pouches in Italy
- Nicotine pouches sold in shops: Yes
- Tobacco snus sold in shops: No
- Brands commonly seen: VELO, ZYN, Nordic Spirit
Pending and proposed changes
- EU Tobacco Products Directive revision may bring nicotine pouches under EU-wide rules. Expected: 2026. Status: consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Are nicotine pouches legal in Italy?
Yes. Tobacco-free nicotine pouches are legal for adults aged 18 and over and are sold in tobacconists (tabaccherie), authorised shops, pharmacies and parapharmacies. They carry a consumption tax of EUR 22 per kg and an ADM tax stamp.
Can I buy nicotine pouches online in Italy?
No. Distance selling of nicotine pouches to consumers in Italy is prohibited under Art. 62-quater.1 of the excise code, with fines from EUR 500 to 150,000.
Is snus legal in Italy?
Tobacco snus may not be sold in Italy under Art. 18 of D.Lgs. 6/2016, which implements the EU ban on oral tobacco. Using it and bringing in a personal supply are allowed.
How much snus or how many nicotine pouches can I bring to Italy?
From another EU country, up to 1 kg of tobacco is regarded as personal use. From outside the EU you may bring 250 g of tobacco duty-free; pouches without tobacco fall under the general EUR 430 goods allowance for air travellers.
What is the age limit for nicotine pouches in Italy?
18. Sale of tobacco products, e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches to minors is prohibited and sellers must ask for ID.
Nearby in the atlas
- Albania – pouches unregulated (sold openly), snus banned
- Andorra – pouches no specific rule found, snus no specific rule found
- Austria – pouches legal with restrictions, snus banned
- Belarus – pouches unregulated (sold openly), snus legal
- Belgium – pouches banned, snus banned
- Bosnia and Herzegovina – pouches no specific rule found, snus legal
- Bulgaria – pouches legal with restrictions, snus banned
- Croatia – pouches legal, snus banned
- Cyprus – pouches prescription only, snus banned
- Czechia – pouches legal with restrictions, snus banned
Where are nicotine pouches legal?Where is snus legal?Strength limits by countryAge limits by countryThe EU snus ban explained
Sources
- Decreto legislativo 12 gennaio 2016, n. 6, Art. 18 (Tabacco per uso orale) – Normattiva (Legislation, 18 January 2016; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“È vietata l'immissione sul mercato di tabacco per uso orale.”
- Decreto legislativo 26 ottobre 1995, n. 504 (Testo unico accise), Art. 62-quater.1 (Imposta di consumo sui prodotti che contengono nicotina) – Normattiva (Legislation; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“preparati allo scopo di consentire, senza combustione e senza inalazione, l'assorbimento di tale sostanza ... 22 euro per chilogrammo”
- Determinazione 82915 del 09/02/2023: Modalità e requisiti per l'autorizzazione alla fabbricazione, circolazione e vendita dei prodotti contenenti nicotina (nicotine pouches) – Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (Regulator, 13 February 2023; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“attraverso la cessione dei medesimi prodotti alle rivendite, agli esercizi di vicinato, farmacie e parafarmacie”
- Decreto legislativo 12 gennaio 2016, n. 6, Art. 24 (Misure a tutela dei minori) – Normattiva (Legislation, 18 January 2016; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Chiunque vende o somministra ai minori di anni diciotto i prodotti del tabacco o sigarette elettroniche”
- Italy country profile – Global State of Tobacco Harm Reduction (GSTHR) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“While it is illegal to import snus for trade or buy the product online, it is possible to import it for personal use.”
- Determinazione 406606 del 09/09/2022, testo consolidato con la determinazione 82915/2023 (attuazione art. 62-quater.1 D.Lgs. 504/1995) – Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (Regulator, 13 February 2023; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“l'articolo 3-nonies, comma 2, che inserisce, dopo l'articolo 62-quater del testo unico di cui al decreto legislativo 26 ottobre 1995, n. 504, l'articolo 62-quater.1 rubricato "Imposta di consumo sui prodotti che contengono nicotina"”
- Italy: legislation summary – Tobacco Control Laws (Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids) (NGO / research; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“The sale of tobacco products is prohibited to persons under the age of 18.”
- Carta doganale per chi viaggia (edizione agosto 2026) – Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (Customs, 1 August 2026; accessed 4 September 2026) ✓ verified
“Quantitativi ammessi per acquisti effettuati fuori dall'Unione Europea. Prodotti del Tabacco: Sigarette 200 pezzi, oppure Sigaretti (massimo 3 g. ciascuno) 100 pezzi, oppure Sigari 50 pezzi, oppure Tabacco da fumo 250 grammi”
Record last verified 4 September 2026. Found an error or a newer rule? Tell us and we will re-check the source.