Yes, Kava is legal in Greece for personal use under strict conditions. The Hellenic Food Safety Authority (EFSA) permits its sale as a food supplement, but only in dried root or powder form—no extracts or infused beverages. Recent 2026 EU-wide harmonization efforts under the Novel Food Regulation (EU 2015/2283) require pre-market authorization for processed kava products, tightening oversight.
Key Regulations for Kava in Greece
- Permissible Forms: Only raw, dried kava root or powder is legally sold; processed extracts, capsules with isolated kavalactones, or kava-infused drinks are prohibited without Novel Food approval.
- Novel Food Compliance: Any kava product not traditionally consumed in the EU before May 1997 requires EFSA authorization, with applications pending for certain powdered forms as of 2026.
- THC Threshold: Kava products must contain <0.2% THC to avoid narcotics classification under Greek Law 4139/2013, aligning with EU hemp regulations.
EFSA’s 2025 risk assessment flagged potential liver toxicity risks for concentrated kava extracts, prompting Greece to enforce stricter labeling mandates. Retailers must display warnings about potential hepatotoxicity and limit sales to licensed health food stores. Imports require phytosanitary certificates from the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, verifying kava’s non-narcotic status. Non-compliant products face seizure under customs regulations (EU Regulation 2019/2122).