Are Nicotine Pouches Legal in Belgium? (No, Banned Since 2023)

By PouchGuide Editorial Team · Published October 12, 2026

No, nicotine pouches are banned in Belgium. A 2023 royal decree prohibits placing tobacco-free nicotine pouches on the Belgian market, including by distance selling. Wholesalers had to stop selling on July 1, 2023, and retailers on October 1, 2023. Traders who break the ban face fines of €208 to €120,000.

This is general information, not legal advice. Check official sources before you buy or travel.

Why did Belgium ban nicotine pouches?

The ban was part of federal Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke’s anti-tobacco plan. The government argued that pouches act as a substitute for tobacco products and could lead users toward snus, which was already banned in Belgium. Belgium notified the decree to the European Commission before adopting it. The decree also covers pouches containing cannabinoids.

What exactly is banned?

The decree bans placing pouches on the market. That covers selling in shops, wholesaling, and selling online or by mail to Belgian customers. It doesn’t create a separate offence for using or possessing a personal supply.

BAT and Philip Morris challenged the decree at the Council of State. According to anti-tobacco group Génération Sans Tabac, an interim ruling suspended only the parts on manufacturing, production and export. The sales ban remained in force.

Is the ban enforced?

Yes, though not perfectly. In one round of inspections, officials visited 1,781 shops and found more than 300 still selling pouches. They seized more than 3,200 boxes. Some retailers hid the products under the counter.

Can tourists bring nicotine pouches to Belgium?

The decree targets sales, so a traveler with a small personal supply isn’t the focus. But you can’t buy pouches legally in Belgium, and orders shipped to a Belgian address can be stopped. Bring what you need for a short trip in original packaging. See our travel guide.

How Belgium compares

Belgium was one of the first EU countries to ban pouches outright. The Netherlands followed with a sales ban from 2025, and France went further in 2026 by banning possession and use too. Neighboring Germany is a gray area, while Denmark regulates strength and flavors.

Bottom line

Nicotine pouches have been banned from sale in Belgium since October 2023, in stores and online, with fines of up to €120,000 for sellers. See countries where pouches are banned.