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Updated: 5 September 2025. Regulations change fast. Always check your local rules before you buy or travel with nicotine products. This guide focuses on adult users only. Not for youth or non-nicotine users.
Big picture: there is no single EU-wide rule for nicotine pouches in Europe. They are not covered by the EU Tobacco Products Directive, so each country sets its own approach on sale, tax, packaging, and flavors. The European Commission is working on tax updates that could include these products, but proposals are not yet law.
Right now, nicotine pouches are outside the 2014 EU tobacco rules, which means member states decide how to regulate them. Some treat them like consumer goods, others like foods, and some are moving toward bans or strict caps.
On 16 July 2025 the European Commission proposed modernising the Tobacco Taxation Directive. Discussion is ongoing and not yet enacted. Expect more clarity on if and how pouches will be taxed EU-wide.
Federal and state authorities have treated nicotine pouches as unauthorised novel foods. Without an EU novel food authorisation, products are withdrawn from sale. Several court decisions and local authority notices reflect that practice.
Heads up: If you are browsing our nicotine pouches collection from Germany, check the latest local guidance before purchasing. We’re here to help you stay compliant.
Italy explicitly allows the sale of nicotine pouches through licensed tobacco retailers and other authorised outlets (so-called patentini), under oversight by the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (ADM).
ADM has issued multiple notices on authorisation, distribution, and excise handling for nicotine products, confirming that pouches fall within the national excise framework. Rates and procedures are set by ADM determinations and circulars and are updated periodically.
Practical tip: If you enjoy a cool mint snap or a mellow coffee note, Italy’s regulated channels make it easy to find a compliant pouch with a clearly stated nicotine strength and flavour profile. Start with our curated picks from ZYN and VELO.
Spain has notified the EU of a draft Royal Decree that would introduce “nicotine pouches” as a defined product category and set rules alongside heated herbal products. The Ministry of Health has outlined transition periods for labelling, packaging, and retail sell-through once the rule is adopted.
Debate in 2025 has centred on banning all flavours except tobacco and capping content at 0.99 mg per pouch. These proposals would be among the strictest in Europe and, if enacted as drafted, would effectively remove many current SKUs from the Spanish market. Final terms are pending.
For shoppers: until a final decree is published and in force, availability may vary by retailer. Keep an eye on official updates before ordering or traveling with products.
France notified the EU of a draft decree to ban oral nicotine products (production, sale, and other activities). Several EU countries issued detailed opinions, which extended the standstill period. As of today, implementation is postponed until at least 25 August 2025 while the notification process runs its course. Final adoption and timing are still evolving.
Some media reported a ban earlier in the year, but official TRIS records show the draft under EU scrutiny through summer 2025. Always verify the latest publication on Legifrance before travel or purchase.
| Country | Sale status | Key rule | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | Not permitted for retail sale | Classified as unauthorised novel food | Enforced under food law. Snus ban still applies EU-wide. |
| Italy | Permitted | Licensed sales with excise oversight | ADM circulars authorise sales by tobacco shops and other outlets. |
| Spain | Regulation pending | Draft Royal Decree defines pouches | Proposed flavour ban and 0.99 mg cap under discussion. |
| France | Ban proposed | Draft decree notified to EU | Standstill extended to 25 Aug 2025 pending EU process. |
If you are in a country where pouches are legal, pick a nicotine strength that fits your routine. Expect a gentle lip tingle and a steady lift rather than a throat hit. Mint gives a crisp, icy feel. Citrus lands bright and zesty. Coffee brings a cozy, mocha-like warmth. Rotate placement to keep your gums happy.
Look for clear labelling with strength per pouch, ingredients, and best-before. In regulated markets like Italy, authorised outlets simplify this step. When in doubt, choose reputable brands in our nicotine pouches collection or explore brand pages for ZYN and VELO.
There is no single EU answer. Rules are national. Italy allows licensed sales with excise. Germany restricts sales under food law. Spain is drafting rules. France has proposed a ban but timing is pending.
Check both departure and destination rules. For France, watch for final Legifrance publication of any decree. For Spain, watch the Ministry of Health and the BOE for the final text of the Royal Decree.
Tax is country by country for now. The European Commission proposed updates on 16 July 2025, but they are not in force yet. Italy already treats pouches within its excise system.
Nicotine is addictive. Products are for adult nicotine users only. Not for youth, non-users, or during pregnancy. If your goal is to quit, speak to a healthcare professional about medically approved options.
