Can I bring my medicines into Spain? What travellers need
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, MD
Licensed Physician No. 484814280 · Official Medical College of Bizkaia (Spain)Last reviewed: 21 October 2026
Bringing medicines into Spain: how much you can carry, which papers to pack, the permit some controlled medicines need, and what to do if you run out.
You don't have to figure this out alone
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is an independent, bilingual GP licensed in Spain. Book a 15-minute video consultation in English or Spanish for €50, with a private electronic prescription issued under Spanish law when clinically appropriate.
Many people coming to Spain take a regular medicine. Most can bring it with them without trouble. A few rules apply, and some medicines need an extra permit. This guide explains what Spain's medicines agency, the AEMPS, says, and what to do if your supply runs out.
- You can bring medicines for your own treatment. As a rule, up to three months' supply.
- Carry a prescription or a doctor's letter. You may be asked for it when you enter or leave Spain.
- Some controlled medicines, such as strong pain relievers and some sleep or ADHD medicines, may need a permit from the AEMPS. Apply at least ten days before you travel.
- If you run out in Spain, a foreign prescription may not be accepted. A doctor in Spain will need to assess you.
Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera is a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280).
For a medical emergency, call 112 or go to the nearest local emergency department. Do not wait for a video consultation or an online reply.
How much can I bring?
The AEMPS allows travellers to carry medicines for their own treatment. The amount should match your prescription. As a general rule, it should not go over three months of treatment. For cannabis-based medicines, the limit is 15 days.
Larger amounts may be allowed in some cases, if you can justify them. If your stay is longer, plan how you will get your medicine in Spain before you run out.
What papers should I carry?
The AEMPS advises carrying a prescription or a medical report. This helps you avoid problems at customs. A good set of papers includes:
- A copy of your current prescription.
- A short letter from your doctor with your name, the condition, the medicine's generic name, its strength and how you take it.
- A list of all your medicines, using generic names. Brand names often differ in Spain.
Keep medicines in their original packs, with the pharmacy label if there is one. Pack them in your hand luggage, in case your suitcase is lost. Check any special storage needs, for example medicines that must stay cool.
Controlled medicines need extra steps
Some medicines are controlled under Spanish law. They are listed as narcotics (estupefacientes) or psychotropics (psicótropos). Examples are strong opioid pain relievers, some sleeping tablets, some anxiety medicines and some ADHD medicines.
For these, the AEMPS may require a permit to enter Spain, and a certificate to leave it. In short:
- Apply to the AEMPS by email at least ten days before you travel, with all papers in PDF.
- You will need a signed form, a signed and stamped medical certificate with the dose, your current prescription, a copy of your passport and your travel tickets.
- The permit lasts up to three months, so do not apply too early.
- Check the rules of the country you are coming from or going to as well. Rules differ.
The AEMPS website has the forms and the current details. Rules can change, so check them before each trip.
This practice does not prescribe controlled medicines online. Our guide on controlled medicines and online GPs in Spain explains why, and what to do instead.
Before you travel: a short checklist
- Count how much you need, plus a few spare days for delays.
- Ask your usual doctor if any of your medicines are controlled.
- If so, apply for the AEMPS permit in good time.
- Pack the papers listed above and keep copies on your phone.
- Plan how you will get more if you stay longer than your supply.
The US CDC and the UK NHS give similar advice for travellers.
Running low on a regular medicine in Spain?
You can book a video visit with a GP licensed in Spain, in English or Spanish, to talk through your options.
What if I run out while in Spain?
Start at a pharmacy. Show the box, or a photo of it, and your prescription. Some medicines can be bought without a prescription in Spain. Many cannot.
A prescription from another country may not be accepted by Spanish pharmacies. If you are from the UK, read can I use my UK prescription in Spain?. If you lost your medicine, see our guide to lost or forgotten medication.
For a prescription-only medicine, a doctor in Spain needs to assess you first. Do not stop a regular medicine suddenly without advice. Some, such as those for epilepsy, blood pressure or mood, can cause problems if stopped.
When to get urgent help
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if, after missing a medicine, you have:
- A seizure.
- Chest pain or trouble breathing.
- Very high or very low blood sugar with confusion or drowsiness, if you have diabetes.
- Thoughts of harming yourself.
How a video GP can help
Dr. Yelamo is a GP licensed in Spain. He sees adults by video, for urgent, non-emergency care. Visits run every day, 07:30–20:30 (Spain time). If your supply is running low, he can:
- Review your prescription, letter and medicine boxes from home.
- Find the Spanish equivalent by its generic name.
- Decide whether a supply can be safely continued, after assessing you.
- Tell you if you need a local doctor or a specialist instead.
Where clinically appropriate, following a genuine evaluation. Treatment and prescriptions are issued solely at the doctor's discretion based on evidence-based clinical guidelines. Any prescription is a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. No controlled medicines are prescribed online.
See how private e-prescriptions and travel medicine visits work.
Frequently asked questions
How much medicine can I bring into Spain?
Enough for your own treatment, as a rule up to three months' supply. For cannabis-based medicines the limit is 15 days. Larger amounts need a good reason.
Do I need a prescription to bring medicines into Spain?
It is strongly advised. The AEMPS says you may be asked for a prescription or medical report when entering or leaving Spain. Keep medicines in their original packs.
Do I need a permit for controlled medicines?
Some controlled medicines need a permit from the AEMPS. Apply by email at least ten days before travel. The permit lasts up to three months.
Will a Spanish pharmacy accept my foreign prescription?
A prescription from another country may not be accepted. For prescription-only medicines, a doctor in Spain usually needs to assess you first.
Can an online GP help if I run out?
Dr. Yelamo can assess adults by video and decide whether a supply can be continued safely. Prescriptions are never guaranteed, and no controlled medicines are prescribed online.
Sources
- AEMPS: Medicines for travellers' own treatment (in Spanish)
- AEMPS: Questions and answers on controlled medicines for travellers to Spain (in Spanish)
- AEMPS: Certificates and permits for travellers carrying controlled medicines (in Spanish)
- CDC: Traveling abroad with medicine
Related guides
Medical Citations & Sources
This content is written and reviewed by a licensed physician with reference to the following official health authorities.
