Holiday Medical Kit for Spain: What to Pack (Doctor's Checklist)
A doctor's packing checklist for your holiday medical kit to Spain. What medications to bring, what you can buy at Spanish pharmacies, and what you'll wish you had.
Holiday Medical Kit for Spain: A Doctor's Packing Checklist
As an emergency doctor in the Balearic Islands, I see tourists every week who wish they'd packed a few basic items. Spain has excellent pharmacies (farmacias) open late and on weekends, but having essentials on hand saves you a trip when you're feeling awful.
The Essentials: Pack These From Home
Pain & fever:
- Paracetamol (500mg/1g) — available in Spain but bring enough for day 1
- Ibuprofen (400mg) — also available, but your brand may differ
Stomach issues:
- Oral rehydration sachets (ORS) — lighter to pack than buying bottles
- Loperamide (Imodium) — for travel diarrhoea that hits at the worst moment
- Antacid tablets — Rennie/Gaviscon for rich holiday food
Allergies & bites:
- Antihistamine tablets (cetirizine/loratadine) — mosquitoes are relentless in Ibiza, Mallorca, and the Costa del Sol
- Hydrocortisone cream 1% — for bites and minor rashes
- Insect repellent (DEET-based for mosquito-heavy areas)
Sun protection:
- High SPF sunscreen (50+ for children) — Spanish sun is significantly stronger than Northern Europe
- After-sun aloe vera gel
Wounds & basics:
- Plasters/band-aids (waterproof)
- Antiseptic wipes
- Tweezers (sea urchin spines, splinters)
- Digital thermometer
Your prescription medications:
- In original packaging with pharmacy label
- Enough for the trip + 3 extra days (delays happen)
- Doctor's letter for controlled substances
What You DON'T Need to Pack (Buy at Spanish Pharmacies)
Spanish pharmacies (farmacias) are more powerful than most tourists realize. The pharmacist can sell you — and recommend — many things that require a doctor's visit in other countries:
- Ibuprofen 600mg — stronger than UK OTC, no prescription needed
- Antibiotic creams (Fucidin/fusidic acid) — for infected cuts
- Eye drops (antihistamine or lubricating)
- Swimmer's ear drops — essential if your kids swim daily
- Motion sickness tablets — for boat trips
- Throat lozenges with antiseptic — stronger than supermarket versions
- Antifungal cream — for athlete's foot (common in hot, humid conditions)
Price guide: Most OTC medications cost €3-8 at Spanish pharmacies — significantly cheaper than the UK or Germany.
What the Pharmacy CAN'T Give You (Need a Doctor)
- Antibiotics (oral — amoxicillin, azithromycin, etc.)
- Prescription-strength painkillers
- Antibiotic ear/eye drops (prescription-only)
- Anti-nausea medication (ondansetron)
- Prescription anti-inflammatories
For these, you need a doctor's prescription. Options: public health centre (free with EHIC, but waits), private clinic, or home doctor visit (OnCall Clinic — €150, prescription included).
Special Packing Notes by Destination
Ibiza & Formentera: Extra insect repellent (mosquitoes near salt flats), after-sun (UV index regularly 10+), ear plugs (clubs + swimmer's ear prevention combo)
Mallorca: Hiking first aid if doing Serra de Tramuntana (blister plasters, compression bandage, electrolyte sachets)
Marbella & Costa del Sol: Extra sunscreen (beach days are long), ORS sachets (food poisoning from seafood is common)
Tenerife & Canarias: Altitude sickness awareness if visiting Teide (headache tablets), stronger SPF (altitude + proximity to equator)
Finding a Pharmacy in Spain
- Look for the green cross (cruz verde) — illuminated when open
- Tourist areas: Often open 9:00-22:00, 7 days/week
- Farmacia de guardia: 24h duty pharmacy — rota posted on closed pharmacy doors
- Google Maps: Search "farmacia de guardia [city name]" for the nearest 24h option
When Your Medical Kit Isn't Enough
If you need a doctor, OnCall Clinic sends a licensed, English-speaking doctor to your accommodation in 1-2 hours. They can prescribe medication, administer IV fluids, and provide insurance-compliant invoices. Book at oncall.clinic — €150, pay by card.