Can I Use My UK Prescription in Spain? How to Get Your Medication
Informational content from Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera's site. This version is not documented as medically reviewed by him.
Since Brexit, Spanish pharmacies can't dispense UK prescriptions. What to bring when you travel and the fastest legal way to get a Spanish prescription in English.
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Running low on your regular medication in Spain, or planning a long stay and wondering whether your NHS or private UK prescription will work at a Spanish pharmacy? This guide explains the rules for British visitors, second-home owners and new residents, and the fastest legal way to get a prescription in Spain, from Malaga and Alicante to Lanzarote and Mallorca.
Quick Answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Will a Spanish pharmacy accept my UK prescription? | No. Since Brexit, UK prescriptions are not dispensed in Spain. |
| Can I bring my own medication from the UK? | Yes, for personal use. Keep it in its original packaging with a copy of your prescription. |
| Can I get a new prescription in Spain? | Yes, from a doctor licensed in Spain, in person or by video. |
| Does it work the same in the Canary and Balearic Islands? | Yes. The same national rules apply across Spain. |
| Can my UK GP send a prescription to Spain? | No. It still would not be accepted by a Spanish pharmacy. |
Why Your UK Prescription Doesn't Work in Spain
Spanish pharmacies can dispense prescriptions issued in other EU countries under European cross-border rules. The UK is no longer part of that system, so a prescription from an NHS GP, a UK private doctor or a UK online service cannot be used at a farmacia. This applies to paper prescriptions, NHS app screenshots and emailed copies.
Option 1: Bring Enough Medication With You
If you are visiting, the simplest plan is to bring enough of your regular medicines for the whole trip, plus a few spare days.
- Keep medicines in their original labelled packaging.
- Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your GP listing each medicine by its generic name (active ingredient) and dose.
- Pack medicines in your hand luggage in case your suitcase is delayed.
- If you take a controlled medicine (for example some strong painkillers, ADHD medicines or sleeping tablets), check the rules before you travel, as extra documents may be needed.
Option 2: Get a Spanish Prescription From a Doctor in Spain
If you have run out, lost your medication or are staying longer, you need a prescription from a doctor practising in Spain:
- Book a doctor. You can use a public health centre with your GHIC as a temporary visitor, a private clinic, or an online video consultation with a doctor licensed in Spain.
- Share your details. Have your UK prescription, repeat slip, medicine boxes or GP letter to hand. Photos are fine for a video consultation.
- Clinical review. The doctor checks the medicine, dose, interactions and whether it is still right for you.
- Electronic prescription. If it is appropriate, a private doctor can issue a Spanish electronic prescription that you show on your phone at any pharmacy in Spain.
A prescription is never automatic. It is issued only if it is clinically appropriate after a real medical assessment.
Brand Names Are Different in Spain
Many medicines are sold under different brand names in Spain, and a few UK products are not available at all. Always know the generic name of each medicine, for example amlodipine rather than a brand name. A doctor in Spain can find the local equivalent at the same dose.
Visiting vs Living in Spain
- Visitors and second-home owners: use your GHIC or EHIC for necessary public care, or a private or online doctor for speed and English-language care.
- New residents: once you are resident, register with the Spanish health system (through work, the S1 form for UK state pensioners, or the relevant scheme) and get your tarjeta sanitaria. Until then, a private doctor can bridge the gap.
Our guide to lost or forgotten medication in Spain covers urgent replacements in more detail, and EHIC and GHIC cover in Spain explains what the public system covers.
When Not to Wait
If running out of a medicine has already made you unwell, for example chest pain, severe breathlessness, very high blood sugar readings, confusion or a seizure, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department (Urgencias).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my UK prescription filled in Spain?
No. Spanish pharmacies cannot dispense UK prescriptions. You need a new prescription from a doctor licensed in Spain.
How do I get a prescription in Spain as a tourist?
Book an appointment with a doctor in Spain. A video consultation is often fastest. If the medicine is appropriate, you receive an electronic prescription to use at any Spanish pharmacy.
How do I get a prescription in Lanzarote, Tenerife or Mallorca?
The process is exactly the same as on the mainland. An online consultation with a doctor licensed in Spain works across the Canary and Balearic Islands.
Can an online doctor prescribe any medicine?
Many regular medicines can be prescribed after an online review. Some controlled medicines and treatments that need tests or an examination may require an in-person specialist.
Will my UK travel insurance pay for it?
Many travel insurance policies reimburse private medical consultations abroad. Keep your invoice and check your policy.
Need a prescription in Spain and want to speak to a doctor in English? Book a video consultation with an online doctor in Spain. This content is educational and not a substitute for medical advice. For emergencies in Spain, call 112.