How to Get Prescription Medicine in Spain as a Tourist
Need prescription medication in Spain? A doctor explains what you can buy over the counter, what needs a receta, and how to get a prescription as a tourist.
Running out of medication on holiday is stressful. Knowing how Spanish pharmacies work — and what you can and cannot buy without a prescription — saves you time and worry.
What You Can Buy Without a Prescription
Spanish pharmacists (farmacéuticos) are highly trained and can sell many common medications directly. No appointment needed — walk into any pharmacy (look for the green cross sign) and explain your symptoms.
Available over the counter: ibuprofen (up to 400mg), paracetamol, antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine), anti-diarrhoea tablets (loperamide), antacids (omeprazole 20mg — limited supply), cough syrup, decongestants, topical antibiotic cream, antifungal cream, motion sickness tablets, eye drops, and sunburn treatments.
Spanish pharmacists can also assess minor conditions and recommend appropriate treatment — a service that would require a GP appointment in many other countries.
What Requires a Prescription (Receta)
Antibiotics, strong painkillers (codeine, tramadol), sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication, contraceptive pills, asthma inhalers (salbutamol), blood pressure medication, insulin, and most chronic disease medications all require a receta médica.
If you've brought your own medication from home but run out, a Spanish doctor can write you a new prescription. Bring the original packaging or a letter from your home doctor showing the medication name and dose.
How to Get a Prescription as a Tourist
Three options, from cheapest to most convenient:
Public health centre (Centro de Salud): Free with EHIC/GHIC card. Walk in and ask for an "urgencia" appointment. Wait times vary — 1-3 hours is typical. The doctor will write a prescription for the national health system, which gives you heavily subsidised medication prices.
Private clinic: €50-150 for a consultation. Faster, usually same-day. The doctor writes a private prescription (receta privada). You pay full pharmacy price for the medication, but it's still much cheaper than in the UK or US.
Home doctor visit: €150 for a doctor to come to your accommodation. Most convenient if you're too unwell to go out, have mobility issues, or are travelling with children. The doctor brings common medications and writes prescriptions for anything else.
Pharmacy Costs
Spanish medication prices are regulated and generally lower than the UK, US, or Germany.
Examples: a course of amoxicillin costs around €4-8, salbutamol inhaler €4-7, omeprazole (28 tablets) €3-5, ciprofloxacin €5-10.
With an EHIC and a public health prescription, you pay even less — typically 0-40% of the pharmacy price depending on the medication category.
Pharmacy Opening Hours
Most Spanish pharmacies open Monday-Friday 9:30am-1:30pm and 5pm-8pm, Saturday mornings. Every town has at least one 24-hour pharmacy (farmacia de guardia) on rotation — look for the illuminated green cross at night, or Google "farmacia de guardia [city name]."
If You Need a Doctor for a Prescription
OnCall Clinic sends a licensed doctor to your hotel or accommodation across Spain. The doctor can assess your condition, write prescriptions, and advise on the nearest open pharmacy.