How to get a prescription in Spain

Pharmacies are ubiquitous in Spain – much like a CVS or Boots – and provide a number of services to customers. The most obvious? Pharmacies are the place to fill a prescription! Wondering how to get a prescription in Spain? This article will take you through the basics.

How can I find a pharmacy, and what are their hours?

Pharmacies can be found in nearly every village in Spain, and they’re in every neighborhood of larger cities. Green, illuminated crosses are standard in front of farmacias; hours can vary but are usually open Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m and 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and during morning hours on Saturdays.

Don’t fret if you need something off-hours, on a Sunday or even on a holiday: you can use a search engine to find 24-hour pharmacies or farmacias de guardia that are open, and they’re also often listed on the door of large pharmacies. In Seville, for example, every district has at least one pharmacy open on Sundays and holidays. Where you may have a bit more trouble is in rural areas.

What sorts of medications need a prescription?

Like a CVS or Boots, Spanish pharmacists are trained to be able to recommend common over-the-counter medications for common illnesses and ailments. Many items are available over the counter, like ibuprofen or paracetamol or even certain dosages of allergy medicines. You can usually purchase anticontraceptive pills as well as condoms without the scrip, too.

Medications that require a prescription are stronger painkillers and antibiotics, among others.

Are prescriptions covered in private Spanish healthcare? What about public healthcare?

As a general rule, no. Prescriptions are typically not covered by private or public healthcare, though the government subsidizes costs up to 70% for many medications that require a prescription and heavily regulates their prices. What’s more, requesting a medication with a prescription is nearly always cheaper than acquiring it without one.

If you have private insurance, check your T&Cs. Some insurers include up to 100€ of refunds for pharmacy prices per year per policy holder – even the most basic or childhood vaccines! 

An exception would be vaccinations for children according to the official regional calendar, which are administered for free, or for fertility treatments, which have heavily restricted access and are often pai by the patient out-of-pocket.

Further, since 2019, income brackets determine the cost you pay for medication, and this happens on a sliding scale. 

What’s the difference between a pharmacy and a parapharmacy?

For expats used to a Boots or Walgreen’s, there are very big differences between a pharmacy that you’d find on a street corner in Spain versus something with a parking lot and shelves with just about everything on them.

Merchandise in a Spanish pharmacy is, of course, the prescription medicine. Depending on the time of year, the size of display cases and the population it serves, a pharmacy might also carry sunblock, cosmetics, baby products or even remedies against lice (yes, that’s a thing here in Spain). 

For example, a teeny corner pharmacy a block away from me is close to a residence for the aging population, and many of the products is carries are geared towards older citizens – think, reading glasses, canes, pain medicines and denture care. A few blocks down, there’s a pharmacy right next to a nursery school. That pharmacy has larger selection of products for children, such as dental care items, nappies and even bottles, teethers and pacifiers.

A parapharmacy will likely carry the aforementioned items: child wellness, sunscreens, ointments and lotions, skin care and even makeup, but it will not be able to administer any over-the-counter medications. Typically, parapharmacies will have a blue cross in place of a green cross, and they can also be found in large supermarkets or department stores.

How to get a prescription in Spain?

Your doctor will provide you with a prescription, often a printed piece of A4 paper with the doctor’s signature and professional license number. There will also be a barcode that contains information about the prescription and any important dosage or usage instructions.

Or, if you have a public system health card with an embedded chip, the doctor will load the prescription onto your card for the pharmacist to read. Upon receiving the medicine in hand, you will be expected to pay if there is a charge.

Another great thing to keep in mind: pharmacies can order specialty medicines for you, such as unique allergy vaccines. Simply take in your prescription, then pick it up when it’s ready. Most pharmacies will be able to order anything they don’t normally carry for you, too, and you can receive it within 36 hours.

Remember that not everything in Spain needs a prescription: you can buy dandruff shampoo, cough drops and blister pads at a pharmacy! 

Can I get a prescription from my home country in Spain?

If you are a third part national, it is extremely difficult to get prescriptions covered in Spain. If you can, bring as many blisters or bottles to cover your residency period, and ask your GP if s/he can write a prescription for you to orient your new medical doctor once in Spain. EHIC cards do not cover prescriptions for EU citizens, though you can ask your doctor for a cross-border prescription that includes active ingredients and doses to be filled in Spain.

MiDoctorCaser: a new way to get a prescription from your couch!

Sometimes when you’re sick, the last thing you want to do is drag yourself to the doctor for a prescription and then schlep to a pharmacy to get your meds. With Caser Expat Insurance’s new app, you can see a doctor via online consultation and get a prescription sent right to your phone without the transit time or waiting!

If you have any of Caser’s health insurance plans for expats, you can take advantage of telehealth appointments – often without a co-pay and in a range of specialties – to not only get a medical opinion but also ask for a prescription or referrals for medical tests so that you’re on the mend as soon as possible. It’s as simple as downloading the app and scheduling an appointment, then downloading your scrip in the app.