Can I Use My UK or US Prescription in Spain?

Not reliably. GOV.UK says a UK prescription can be used in Spain, but the pharmacist decides, and many say no. US prescriptions are not valid. The simplest way to get a prescription in Spain is to see a doctor licensed here, such as Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a GP who sees patients by video.

Which prescriptions can a Spanish pharmacy dispense?

A prescription from a doctor licensed in Spain is valid at any pharmacy in the country, on paper or electronic. Prescriptions from other EU countries are recognised by law, with some exceptions. A UK prescription has no legal guarantee: the pharmacist decides. US and other non-EU prescriptions are not recognised.

Rules checked on 28 October 2026 against the BOE, EUR-Lex, the Spanish Ministry of Health, Your Europe and GOV.UK.

Can I use my UK prescription in a Spanish pharmacy?

Sometimes, but you cannot count on it. A UK paper prescription is accepted only if the pharmacist agrees, and many pharmacies decline.

GOV.UK says UK visitors can use a UK prescription to get medicines in Spain. But the Spanish rules that guarantee recognition, Royal Decree 1718/2010, cover prescriptions from EU countries only. Since the UK left the EU, a British prescription has no such guarantee. Electronic NHS prescriptions, NHS App screenshots and emailed copies cannot be dispensed at all. The same rules apply everywhere in Spain, from Malaga and Alicante to Lanzarote and Mallorca.

Can I use a US prescription in Spain?

No. Prescriptions from the US, Canada and other countries outside the EU are not valid in Spanish pharmacies. You need a new prescription from a doctor in Spain.

Your US doctor cannot send a prescription to a Spanish pharmacy either. Bring a summary letter instead, so a doctor here can see what you take and why.

How much medicine can I bring when I move to Spain?

The AEMPS lets you bring your own medicines, as a rule up to the amount you need for about three months of treatment. Carry the prescription or a medical report, as you may be asked for it when you enter or leave Spain.

• Larger amounts are allowed only in special cases, if you can justify them.
• Controlled medicines, such as strong painkillers, some sleeping tablets and ADHD medicines, need a permit from the AEMPS before you travel.
• From the UK, GOV.UK says you need a letter for a medicine that contains a controlled drug. You may also need a licence if you carry more than three months' supply. Contact the Spanish consulate before you travel.
• Keep medicines in their original labelled packs, in your hand luggage.

Our guide to bringing medicines into Spain explains the permit steps in more detail.

What should I ask my doctor before I move?

Ask your UK GP or US doctor for a summary letter and enough medicine to bridge the gap. These two things make your first visit in Spain much easier.

• A summary letter listing each medicine by its generic name (active ingredient), its strength, how you take it and the diagnosis.
• Recent test results and specialist letters, for example blood tests for thyroid, kidney or diabetes treatment.
• Your allergies and any medicines that did not suit you.
• Enough supply to cover the weeks until you see a doctor in Spain. Some NHS practices stop repeat prescriptions once you live abroad, so ask early.

Why does my medicine have a different name in Spain?

Brand names and some generic names differ between countries. Spain prescribes by active ingredient (principio activo), so knowing the generic name matters more than the brand.

Some US medicines are not marketed in Spain, for example mixed amphetamine salts (Adderall) and hydrocodone combinations. Both are controlled medicines, so a doctor must see you in person, usually a specialist, to decide on an alternative. Strengths and pack sizes can differ too. You can look up the Spanish name of any medicine in CIMA, the AEMPS database.

How do I get a prescription in Spain once I live here?

Register with the public health system and see a public GP (médico de cabecera), or see a private doctor. Until you are registered, a private or online doctor can bridge the gap.

• Public GP. Once you have your health card (tarjeta sanitaria), your GP can take over your repeat prescriptions. GOV.UK says residents usually pay between 10% and 60% of the price of prescription medicines.
• Private doctor. You pay for the visit, and a private prescription is paid in full at the pharmacy.
• Online with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera. A medication review by video costs €50 for 15 minutes, every day from 07:30 to 20:30 (Spain time). A private e-prescription is issued only where clinically appropriate. Long-term treatment may need checks in person, such as blood tests.

How do UK nationals join public healthcare in Spain?

It depends on your situation. UK state pensioners use an S1 form, workers join through social security, and others may join the Convenio Especial.

• State pensioners: get an S1 form from the UK and register it with the INSS, Spain's social security office.
• Working or self-employed: you are covered on the same basis as a Spanish worker, and so are your dependants.
• Others: after at least one year on the padrón (your town hall register), you can apply for the Convenio Especial, a public scheme with a monthly fee.

Read more in our guides to EHIC, GHIC and S1 cover in Spain and the Convenio Especial.

What about Americans moving to Spain?

Medicare does not cover care abroad, so most Americans rely on private health insurance in Spain. Visas such as the non-lucrative visa require private health insurance anyway.

You can join the public system later, through work or through the Convenio Especial once you qualify. Until then, check what your policy pays for doctor visits and medicines. Keep invoices: a private visit comes with an itemised invoice you can send to your insurer.

How do I get a prescription in Lanzarote, Tenerife or Mallorca?

The same way as on the mainland. The rules are national, so a public GP, a private doctor or a video appointment with a doctor licensed in Spain works across the Canary and Balearic Islands.

Which medicines cannot be prescribed online?

Controlled medicines are never prescribed online. These include strong opioid painkillers, benzodiazepines, sleeping pills such as zolpidem, and ADHD stimulants.

Some other treatments need an exam, blood tests or a specialist first. If that applies to you, the doctor will explain where to go.

When should I not wait?

If running out of a medicine has already made you unwell, call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department (urgencias). Warning signs include chest pain, severe breathlessness, very high blood sugar readings, confusion or a seizure.

If your medicine was lost or forgotten on a trip, read our guide to lost or forgotten medication in Spain.

Getting a medical assessment

If you need your regular treatment reviewed in Spain, you can book a video appointment with Dr. Pedro Yelamo Vera, a GP licensed in Spain (Colegiado No. 484814280). See also prescription refills for UK and US patients and e-prescriptions in Spain. A prescription is never guaranteed: it is issued only where clinically appropriate after a genuine evaluation, as a private electronic prescription under Spanish law. This service is for urgent, non-emergency care. In an emergency, call 112.

Frequently asked questions