Spain: How to buy medicines safely — online and in person
If you need medicine in Spain, knowing the rules saves time and keeps you safe. Pharmacies in Spain are called "farmacia" and many offer both in-person service and online stores. Some drugs are over-the-counter (OTC) and easy to get; others need a prescription (receta). Below I’ll give practical steps to buy meds safely, what to check on a website, and quick tips for travelers and residents.
How to buy meds online in Spain
Only buy from pharmacies that show official registration. Spanish pharmacies must be registered with AEMPS (Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios) and display the EU common logo for online pharmacy sales. Click that logo — it links to the national register. If a site hides contact info, a pharmacist name, or a local address, walk away.
Many legitimate Spanish online pharmacies will ask for an electronic prescription (receta electrónica) for Rx drugs. If you have a paper prescription, you may need to visit a physical farmacia to have it filled. Telemedicine services can issue prescriptions online, but verify the provider is licensed in Spain and the prescription meets Spanish rules.
Quick, practical safety checks
1) Check registration: look for AEMPS details or the EU verification logo and test the link. 2) Confirm pharmacist contact: a real pharmacy lists a working phone number and a local address. 3) Compare prices: unusually low prices or bulk-only offers are red flags. 4) Read shipping details: EU deliveries inside Spain are straightforward, but international shipping may require customs clearance and extra checks. 5) Protect your data: pay with secure methods and avoid sites that ask for extra personal info beyond what’s needed for a prescription.
If you’re traveling, know that many Spanish pharmacies speak some English, but have the generic drug name handy. For chronic meds, bring a copy of your prescription and your doctor’s contact info. If you run out outside pharmacy hours, look for the "farmacia de guardia" sign — those are the on-duty pharmacies open nights and weekends.
Controlled drugs like certain painkillers and some psychiatric meds have tighter rules. Spain uses an electronic prescription system in many regions; pharmacies can check validity and refuse to dispense if the prescription is suspicious. Don’t try to bypass this — it risks illegal supply and health problems.
Finally, ask questions. A good pharmacist will explain dosing, side effects, and interactions in plain language. If something seems off with the packaging, batch number, or expiration date, don’t use the medicine and report it to the pharmacy or AEMPS. Buying meds should be simple — but a few checks keep it safe.