24-Hour Pharmacies in Madrid: How to Find One Open Right Now (2026 Guide)
24-Hour Pharmacies in Madrid: How to Find One Open Right Now (2026 Guide)
It's 3 a.m., your child has a fever, or you've run out of an essential medication — and the pharmacy on the corner is shuttered behind a metal grille. In Madrid, finding a pharmacy open late at night, on a Sunday, or during a public holiday is entirely possible, but it works differently from what most visitors expect. Spain does not rely on a few big 24-hour chains. Instead it runs two parallel systems: a small number of pharmacies that are genuinely open round the clock, and a legally guaranteed rotation of "duty" pharmacies that ensures at least one is always open near you.
This guide gives you the verified, currently-open 24-hour pharmacies in Madrid, flags the famous ones that have quietly stopped being 24/7, and shows you exactly how to find tonight's duty pharmacy in under a minute. It's written for tourists, expats, and students who need clear answers fast — not a list of addresses copied from a directory that hasn't been checked since 2018.
⚡ Need a pharmacy open right now?
Open 24/7, every day of the year:
- Farmacia Mayor 13 — Calle Mayor 13, by Puerta del Sol (city centre)
- Farmacia Astura — Calle Francisco Silvela 36 (Salamanca)
- Farmacia Soria Puertas — Paseo de la Castellana 181 (north Madrid)
Not near one of these? Overnight, the duty-pharmacy rotation guarantees an open pharmacy in every district — find tonight's via the official COFM locator or by calling 010. For a medical emergency, call 112.
Need prescription medicine but don't have a Spanish prescription? A licensed Spanish doctor can issue a valid e-prescription online in as little as one hour.
Get a prescription online — from €15 →Two systems: permanent "24 horas" vs. rotating "de guardia"
Before the list, understand the distinction — it's the single thing that trips up visitors, and it's what most English-language articles get wrong.
Permanent 24-hour pharmacies (farmacia 24 horas) are private pharmacies that choose to stay open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They're the gold standard because you can rely on the same address at any hour. Madrid has only a handful of them, and the number has shrunk in recent years because overnight pharmacist shifts are hard to staff.
Duty pharmacies (farmacia de guardia) are ordinary pharmacies fulfilling a legal obligation: Spanish regulations require continuous access to medicine across every area, so pharmacies take turns covering nights, Sundays, and holidays. The catch is that which pharmacy is "on duty" changes every day and varies by district — so you can't memorise it; you have to look it up in real time.
The practical upshot: even when no permanent 24-hour pharmacy is close, there is always a duty pharmacy open somewhere nearby. You're never truly stuck.
Verified 24-hour pharmacies in Madrid
These pharmacies are open 24 hours, every day of the year, based on the most current information available (2025–2026). Even so, hours can change with staffing — call ahead before crossing the city late at night.
| Pharmacy | Address & area | Nearest Metro | Phone | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farmacia Mayor 13 Most central option |
Calle Mayor 13, 28013 Centro · by Puerta del Sol |
Sol (L1/L2/L3) Ópera (L2/L5) |
913 664 616 | 24/7 |
| Farmacia Astura 24/7 since 2005 |
Calle de Francisco Silvela 36, 28028 Salamanca / Guindalera |
Diego de León (L4/L5/L6) | 913 563 573 | 24/7 |
| Farmacia Soria Puertas | Paseo de la Castellana 181, 28046 North · near Plaza de Castilla |
Cuzco (L10) Plaza de Castilla (L1/L9/L10) |
915 796 025 | 24/7 |
| Farmacia Central | Paseo de Sta. María de la Cabeza 64, 28045 Arganzuela · near Atocha/Delicias |
Delicias (L3) | 914 730 672 | Verify |
| Farmacia Madrid Sur Outer district |
Av. Pablo Neruda 91 (CC Madrid Sur), 28018 Puente de Vallecas |
Buenos Aires (L1) | 914 370 094 | Verify |
24/7 independently confirmed open round the clock. Verify advertised as 24h but worth a quick phone call before a late trip.
Famous "24 horas" pharmacies that aren't anymore
Several of Madrid's best-known pharmacies still carry "24 horas" in their name, branding, or in old directory listings — but have reduced their hours because of the overnight staffing problem. They're still excellent pharmacies; just don't count on them in the middle of the night.
| Pharmacy | Location | Actual hours now (approx.) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farmacia del Globo Historic, founded 1870 |
Calle de Atocha 46 Antón Martín |
~09:00–22:00, Mon–Sat Closed Sunday |
Not 24h |
| Farmacia Lastra Spain's first 24h pharmacy, 1996 |
Calle Conde de Peñalver 27 Salamanca |
~08:00–23:00, daily | Not 24h |
| Farmacia Velázquez 70 | Calle de Velázquez 70 Salamanca |
~08:00–23:00 Weekends ~09:00–22:00 |
Not 24h |
| Farmacia Goya 89 | Calle de Goya 89 Salamanca |
~09:30–23:00, daily Fri to ~22:00 |
Not 24h |
How to find tonight's duty pharmacy (farmacia de guardia)
If a permanent 24-hour pharmacy isn't convenient, here's how to find the duty pharmacy covering your area right now:
- The COFM official locator (most authoritative). The Colegio Oficial de Farmacéuticos de Madrid publishes the live duty roster at cofm.es (Farmacias → Farmacias de guardia). It's the source the city itself uses.
- The sign on any closed pharmacy's door. Every pharmacy is legally required to post the nearest duty pharmacies for that day — often on a small illuminated screen — with the closest one highlighted.
- Google Maps. Search farmacia, tap "Open now." Quick and reliable for spotting what's genuinely open near you at any hour.
- Call 010. Madrid's city information line (Línea Madrid) runs 24/7 and can tell you the nearest duty pharmacy. From outside the city, dial 914 800 010.
- Follow the green cross. The illuminated green cross outside every pharmacy signals when it's open; many also show the duty list.
One thing to expect: late at night, a duty pharmacy may have its shutter partly down and serve you through a window or after you ring a bell. That's normal overnight security — don't assume it's closed.
Can't get the medicine you need without a Spanish prescription?
A licensed Spanish doctor can review your case online and issue a valid e-prescription (REMPe) you can collect at any pharmacy in Spain — no clinic visit, no waiting room.
Get a prescription online — from €15 →Reviewed by Spanish-licensed physicians · Valid nationwide via REMPe
Do you need a prescription? What you can and can't buy
This is where visitors most often get caught out at 2 a.m. Many medicines that are sold off the shelf in the US, UK, or Australia require a Spanish prescription here — and a pharmacy, even an open one, legally cannot dispense them without it.
Always requires a prescription
Antibiotics (no exceptions), salbutamol inhalers (Ventolín), most codeine combinations, all chronic-condition medication (blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, thyroid, contraceptive pills in many cases), higher-dose painkillers such as ibuprofen 600 mg and paracetamol 1 g, and many prescription-strength antihistamines.
Usually available over the counter
Lower-dose painkillers, common cold and flu remedies, antacids, rehydration salts, and many allergy products. Spanish pharmacists dispense by active ingredient, not brand name — so it helps to know the generic name or simply show the box. Generics are marked EFG and cost less.
Common medicines — what to ask for in Madrid
| You know it as | Active ingredient | Ask for (Spain) | Prescription? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advil / Nurofen | Ibuprofen | Neobrufen, Espidifen | 400 mg OTC · 600 mg Rx |
| Tylenol / Panadol | Paracetamol | Gelocatil, Termalgin · Apiretal (kids) | OTC · 1 g Rx |
| Aspirin | Acetylsalicylic acid | Aspirina, AAS | OTC |
| Imodium | Loperamide | Fortasec | OTC |
| Ventolin inhaler | Salbutamol | Ventolín | Prescription |
| Antibiotics (any) | — | — | Prescription |
Will my foreign prescription work in Spain?
EU/EEA prescriptions: Accepted across Spain as long as they include your full name and date of birth, the prescriber's details, and the medicine's generic (active-ingredient) name and dosage. This is the cross-border "European prescription" created by EU Directive 2011/24/EU and implemented into Spanish law by Real Decreto 81/2014. Ask for a paper copy before travelling — foreign electronic prescriptions generally can't be pulled up in a Spanish pharmacy's system.
UK and US prescriptions: Generally not accepted. A pharmacy cannot dispense prescription medicine against them. You'll need a Spanish doctor — a public centro de salud, a private clinic, or a telehealth service — to reissue the prescription locally.
Bringing your own supply: Travellers may carry up to a three-month personal supply in original packaging with a prescription or doctor's letter. Controlled substances (narcotics/psychotropics) require prior authorisation — check with the AEMPS or your consulate before you fly.
Costs, cards, language, and opening hours
- Typical daytime hours: Most pharmacies open roughly 09:30–14:00 and 17:00–20:30, Monday–Friday, with a midday closure. Saturdays are often mornings only. Larger central pharmacies advertise as "Farmacia 12 horas" (commonly 09:30–21:30 without a break).
- Sundays & public holidays: Most pharmacies close; coverage falls to the duty rotation and the permanent 24-hour pharmacies.
- Cards: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted; cash is fine too. Keep the receipt (ticket) for travel-insurance reimbursement.
- English: In central and tourist areas, many pharmacists speak at least some English. Knowing your medicine's generic name removes most friction.
- Advice: Spanish pharmacists are highly trained and can advise on minor ailments, recommend an over-the-counter treatment, or tell you when to see a doctor.
- Prices: Prescription-medicine prices are regulated and identical at every pharmacy (non-residents pay full price, as subsidised rates apply to insured residents). Over-the-counter and parapharmacy prices can vary by shop.
Airport & major stations: plan ahead
Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport: There are pharmacies across the terminals, but none are open 24 hours. The T4 pharmacy runs roughly 06:00–22:00/23:00; other terminal points keep daytime/evening hours. If you land late, buy essentials beforehand or head into the city for a 24-hour or duty pharmacy.
Atocha station: Pharmacies in and around Atocha keep extended daytime hours, not 24/7. The nearest reliable overnight options are the duty rotation and Farmacia Central on Paseo de Santa María de la Cabeza.
Chamartín station: A pharmacy operates in the station concourse during the day; the 24-hour Farmacia Soria Puertas (Castellana 181) is a short hop north.
Green cross, and the farmacia vs. parafarmacia trap
Every legitimate pharmacy in Spain is marked by a large illuminated green cross (often alternating with the time and temperature). Use the word farmacia — not "chemist" or "drugstore." A pharmacy is the only place legally allowed to dispense medication in Spain; you can't buy even paracetamol in a supermarket.
Watch for the difference between a farmacia and a parafarmacia. A parafarmacia sells cosmetics, supplements, baby care, and herbal or wellness products, but cannot dispense prescription medicines and doesn't stock the full medicine range. Parafarmacias sometimes display a cross too (often blue), which causes confusion — visitors have been sold a herbal substitute instead of the actual medicine they needed. For real medication, make sure the green cross says farmacia.
Frequently asked questions
Are there any pharmacies open 24 hours in Madrid?
Yes, but only a handful. The most reliable verified 24/7 pharmacies are Farmacia Mayor 13 (Calle Mayor 13, by Puerta del Sol), Farmacia Astura (Calle Francisco Silvela 36), and Farmacia Soria Puertas (Paseo de la Castellana 181). Every other overnight need is covered by the rotating duty-pharmacy system.
How do I find a pharmacy open late at night in Madrid right now?
Three pharmacies are open 24/7 every day: Farmacia Mayor 13 (central, by Puerta del Sol), Farmacia Astura, and Farmacia Soria Puertas. If none is nearby, the duty-pharmacy rotation covers every district overnight — find tonight's via the official COFM locator at cofm.es, the list posted on any closed pharmacy's door, or by calling Madrid's 010 line, which operates 24/7.
What is a "farmacia de guardia"?
It's a duty pharmacy. Spanish law guarantees continuous access to medicine, so pharmacies take turns staying open overnight, on Sundays, and on public holidays. The pharmacy on duty changes daily and varies by district, so it must be looked up in real time rather than memorised.
Do I need a prescription to buy medicine in Madrid?
For many medicines, yes. Antibiotics, salbutamol inhalers, higher-dose painkillers (ibuprofen 600 mg, paracetamol 1 g), and all chronic-condition medication require a Spanish prescription. Lower-dose painkillers, cold remedies, and many allergy and stomach products are available over the counter.
Will a UK or US prescription work in a Spanish pharmacy?
Generally no. EU/EEA prescriptions are accepted if they contain the required details, but UK and US prescriptions are not, and a pharmacy cannot dispense against them. You'll need a Spanish doctor — in person or via telehealth — to reissue the prescription locally.
Are the pharmacies at Madrid Barajas airport open 24 hours?
No. Barajas has pharmacies in its terminals, but none are 24-hour. The T4 pharmacy typically runs until around 22:00–23:00. If you arrive late, buy what you need before flying or head into the city for a 24-hour or duty pharmacy.
Do Madrid pharmacies take credit cards and speak English?
Cards are widely accepted, and in central and tourist areas many pharmacists speak at least some English. Knowing the generic (active-ingredient) name of your medicine makes the exchange much easier.
What's the difference between a farmacia and a parafarmacia?
A farmacia can dispense prescription and over-the-counter medicines and is marked by a green cross. A parafarmacia sells supplements, cosmetics, and wellness products but cannot dispense prescription medication. For real medicine, you need a farmacia.
Sources & references
- Colegio Oficial de Farmacéuticos de Madrid (COFM) — official duty-pharmacy (farmacias de guardia) locator.
- Ayuntamiento de Madrid — Farmacias de guardia (open-data portal, with monthly duty rosters).
- esMadrid (Official Tourism Office of Madrid) — emergency services & healthcare information for visitors.
- Your Europe (European Commission) — presenting a prescription in another EU country (legal basis: EU Directive 2011/24/EU; transposed in Spain by Real Decreto 81/2014).
- AEMPS — Spanish Agency of Medicines & Medical Devices — rules for travelling with medication and controlled substances.
- Línea Madrid (010) — 24/7 city information line (914 800 010 from outside Madrid).
Out of medication in Madrid? Get a valid prescription today.
Skip the search for a 24-hour pharmacy that can't help without a Spanish prescription. A licensed Spanish physician reviews your request online and issues an e-prescription you can collect at any pharmacy nationwide.
Start your online consultation →Prescriptions from €15 · Express options available · Issued by Spanish-licensed doctors
This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. Pharmacy hours and "24-hour" status change with staffing and ownership — always confirm a specific pharmacy on Google Maps or by phone before relying on it overnight. For a medical emergency, call 112. PrescribeMe connects patients with independent, Spanish-licensed physicians for online consultations and e-prescriptions; it does not dispense medication.