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.
Medical Certificates for University in Spain: Missed Exams, Attendance and the Justificante Médico
Medical Certificates for University in Spain: Missed Exams, Attendance & the Justificante Médico
Fall ill before an exam at a Spanish university and you enter a process called evaluación por incidencias. Whether you can reschedule — and what document you need — depends on your university, and the rules are not the same everywhere. This is the complete, sourced map for international, Erasmus and exchange students.
If you are studying in Spain on Erasmus, an exchange, or a full degree, this scenario is more common than you would think: you wake up genuinely ill on the morning of a final exam, or a fever keeps you out of a week of mandatory classes, and your faculty asks for a justificante médico before it will let you reschedule or excuse the absence. In a foreign country, in a language you may not speak fluently, with a deadline ticking, that is a stressful place to be — and most English-language guidance on it is either wrong or dangerously vague.
Spain hosts more of these students than anywhere else in Europe. It is the world's leading Erasmus+ destination, receiving close to 200,000 Erasmus+ participants in 2023 — the most of any EU country — and the Spanish university system recorded a high of 149,278 inbound international students in 2022–2023, up more than 10% year on year, according to the Ministry of Universities. Italy, France, Colombia, China and the United States send the largest contingents, and the highest concentrations are in Navarra, Castilla y León, Catalonia, the Valencian Community and Madrid.
The good news: there is a well-defined, lawful route to sit a missed exam or excuse a justified absence. The catch is that the route — and the exact document it requires — is set by each university, and sometimes each faculty. This guide explains the common mechanism, the single distinction that trips most students up, and then the specific rules at the universities that host the most international students.
How a Missed Exam Works: Evaluación por Incidencias
When you cannot sit an exam for a justified reason, you are not simply marked as failed. You request what almost every Spanish university calls evaluación por incidencias (in Catalan, avaluació per incidències; sometimes examen de incidencias or prueba de incidencias): a separate sitting of the same exam, on an alternative date.
The framework comes from the Estatuto del Estudiante Universitario (Real Decreto 1791/2010), which guarantees students certain rights around assessment, but the operational rules live in each university's normativa de evaluación y calificación. The shape is consistent across institutions, with the details — article number, deadline, who decides — varying:
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Notify & apply | Submit a request (a form, the sede electrónica, or an email) to the named authority — usually the course coordinator, head of department, jefatura de estudios, or the dean's office — stating the reason and attaching your medical certificate. |
| 2. Meet the deadline | For foreseeable absences, apply in advance (often 7–15 working days). For sudden illness — a causa sobrevenida — you can usually apply the same day or within a short window afterward (48 hours to 5 days, depending on the university). |
| 3. The faculty decides | A genuine, documented medical reason is normally accepted. Reasons the rules explicitly reject include leisure travel, driving tests and anything you could have planned around. |
| 4. New date is set | The faculty or department fixes the alternative exam date. If you then sit the original exam anyway, your incidencias request is voided — never do both. |
Need a justificante médico for your university?
A licensed Spanish physician reviews your case and issues a valid certificate in Spanish — exactly the document your faculty needs. English-speaking support, digitally signed, no video call.
Request a medical certificate — €20 →€20 · Licensed Spanish physicians · Issued in Spanish · Sent to your phone
The One Question That Matters: Which Document Do You Actually Need?
This is where most guides — and many students — go wrong. There are three different documents that can prove illness, and Spanish universities do not all accept the same one. Getting this right is the difference between a clean rescheduling and a rejected request.
| Document | Who can issue it | When you need it |
|---|---|---|
| Ordinary justificante médicoA dated, signed doctor's note | Any colegiado physician — public, private or telemedicine | The default. Accepted for most universities' incidencias and for attendance absences. |
| Certificado médico oficialThe official OMC numbered form | Any colegiado physician on the official form (not public-system only) | Required by Andalusian universities such as Granada and Málaga. |
| Public-system reportCentro de salud or hospital urgencias | Public health service physician (SAS, SERMAS, CatSalut, etc.) | Typically required for university entrance exams (EBAU/PAU) and a small number of faculties. |
As a rule of thumb: most universities in Madrid, Catalonia, the Valencian Community and the Basque Country accept any documentary proof signed by a registered physician. Andalusian universities lean toward requiring the official certificate. And entrance exams are the one context where the public health system is usually the only accepted source. When you are unsure, the official certificate or a public-system report is accepted everywhere — so those are the safe choices for high-stakes situations.
What Makes a Medical Certificate Valid in Spain
Spanish law defines a medical certificate in Article 3 of Ley 41/2002 as the written declaration of a doctor attesting to a person's state of health at a given moment, and Article 22 gives every patient the right to obtain one. Whatever the format, your faculty will check that the document carries a short, specific set of features. A certificate missing the registration number or a clear date is the most common reason a faculty bounces it back.
| Must include | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Physician's name & colegiado number | This is how the faculty verifies the certificate is real and the doctor is registered. |
| Signature | Handwritten or a qualified electronic signature; both are legally valid under the eIDAS framework. |
| Issue date | Set on the day the certificate is issued. A certificate cannot lawfully be back-dated to attest illness the doctor did not witness. |
| Statement of incapacity | That you were unfit to attend on the relevant date(s). The diagnosis itself is not required and is protected by patient confidentiality. |
| Spanish language | It is a Spanish administrative document; that is the version your secretaría processes. |
Telemedicine certificates are legally valid. A certificate issued and signed by a Spanish-registered physician after an online consultation has the same legal weight as one issued in person, under the Ley de Ordenación de las Profesiones Sanitarias (LOPS 44/2003), the eIDAS Regulation (EU 910/2014) and Chapter XXIII of the 2022 CGCOM Code of Medical Deontology. The CGCOM's only caveats are that the issuing physician must be identifiable by name and number and that the medical act be recorded — not that the consultation be face to face.
One thing a private or online doctor cannot issue is the parte médico de baja, the document that opens paid sick leave (incapacidad temporal) through Social Security — that is reserved to public-system and mutua physicians under Real Decreto 625/2014. For students, this almost never matters: justifying an academic absence needs a justificante or an official certificate, not a baja.
University-by-University Guide
Below are the rules at the institutions that host the most international students, grouped by city and region. For each we give where the rule lives (and, where verifiable, the article number), the deadline, and which document the university expects. Regulations are periodically amended and faculties add their own procedures, so always confirm the current article and deadline on your own centre's website or with its secretaría.
Barcelona & Catalonia
| University | Rule & deadline | Document & who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Universitat de Barcelona (UB) | Normativa reguladora de l'avaluació i qualificació (2024). Notify immediately; alternative test set by the professor. | Any colegiado; request via the cap d'estudis or coordinator. |
| Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) | Normativa acadèmica, Art. 115 (assessment calendar). Exceptional, duly justified cause; faculty reprograms. | Any colegiado; faculty "reprogramació de prova" form. |
| Pompeu Fabra (UPF) | Normativa acadèmica de grau, Art. 11.5.3 (renúncia for force majeure). Written request to the dean within 7 days; resolved in 10. | Any colegiado; dean decides. Note: an alternative test is not guaranteed. |
| Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) | NAGRAMA; handled at school (ETS) level. | Any colegiado; apply to your escola. |
| Rovira i Virgili (URV, Tarragona) | Normativa Acadèmica i de Matrícula de Grau (around Art. 20). | Any colegiado; centre level. |
Girona (UdG) and the Ramon Llull schools (ESADE, La Salle, IQS) regulate incidencias at centre level; confirm the procedure with your faculty, as these were not verifiable at article level from a single official source.
Madrid
| University | Rule & deadline | Document & who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Complutense (UCM) | No single university-wide rule; faculty exam normativas. Estatuto del Estudiante UCM Art. 19 lets the Decanato arbitrate exam clashes. | Any colegiado; apply to the faculty / Jefatura de Estudios. |
| Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) | Normativa de Evaluación Académica (2023, mod. 2024), Art. 10. Min. 7 working days' notice (15 for clashes), except sudden cause. | Any colegiado; documentary proof, no public-system requirement. |
| Carlos III (UC3M) | No grado-wide incidencias rule; each centre issues instructions. Uses a dispensa granted by the Vicedecano. | Any colegiado; apply to your centre. |
| Politécnica (UPM), Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), Alcalá (UAH) | Own normativas de evaluación; incidents handled at centre/department level. | Any colegiado; apply to your centre. |
| Comillas (private) | Normas Académicas; uses dispensa de escolaridad and anulación de convocatoria for illness. | Any colegiado; apply to the Jefe de Estudios / Decano. |
| IE, Europea, Nebrija, CEU (private) | Own academic regulations; attendance often stricter. Confirm with your coordinator. | Any colegiado (verify per institution). |
Granada — the strict case
Valencia & Alicante
| University | Rule & deadline | Document & who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Universitat de València (UV) | Reglament d'Avaluació i Qualificació, Art. 9 (procediment d'incidències). | Any colegiado; the facultat/escola assesses the justification. |
| Politècnica de València (UPV) | NRAEE 016/2022. Request to the responsible professor; centre rules often require ~4 working days, except sudden cause. | Any colegiado; department director decides if refused. |
| Alicante (UA) & Miguel Hernández (UMH) | No common UA rule; each centre regulates clashes (e.g., 15 days' notice). UMH has its own normativa. | Any colegiado; apply to your centre. |
Seville & Andalusia
| University | Rule & deadline | Document & who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Universidad de Sevilla (US) | Normativa Reguladora de la Evaluación (2009/2010). Art. 18 covers official representation/elite athletes; the illness route is handled by the faculty (Art. 20 "incidencias" was left without content). | Faculty practice favours the official certificate; apply to the responsible professor / faculty. |
| Pablo de Olavide (UPO) | Normativa de Régimen Académico, Art. 19 (exam coincidence; 15 days' notice). | Any colegiado for illness; apply to the professor. |
| Málaga (UMA) | Normativa de evaluación (2019), Art. 5 ("Evaluación por incidencias"). For sudden cause, send documentation within 48 hours. | Requires "informe o certificado médico oficial"; apply to the centre / department / coordinator. |
| Córdoba (UCO) & Cádiz (UCA) | Own normativas de evaluación; Andalusian official-certificate pattern. | Lean toward the official certificate; confirm with your faculty. |
Salamanca & Castile
| University | Rule & deadline | Document & who decides |
|---|---|---|
| Salamanca (USAL) | Reglamento de Evaluación (2025). The Comisión de Docencia del Centro may authorise alternative assessment dates for justified reasons. A major hub for language and exchange students with mandatory-attendance courses. | Any colegiado; apply to the centre. |
| Valladolid (UVa) | Reglamento de Ordenación Académica; incidents at centre level. | Any colegiado; apply to your centre. |
Basque Country, Navarre, Galicia & the North
| University | Rule & deadline | Document & who decides |
|---|---|---|
| País Vasco (UPV/EHU) | Normativa de Evaluación (2016/2017); Reglamento del Estudiantado, Title V. Right to a justificante after each test. | Any colegiado; documentary proof, no public-system requirement. |
| Navarra (private, Pamplona) | Normativa general sobre la evaluación. No dedicated illness article; the faculty's Junta Directiva sets the procedure. | Any colegiado; apply to the Decano. (Distinct from public UPNA.) |
| Deusto (private, Bilbao) | Own evaluation regulations; confirm with your faculty. | Any colegiado (verify). |
| Santiago de Compostela (USC) | Normativa de avaliación (2011). No formal illness make-up centrally; Art. 4.3 lets the dean modify dates for force majeure / supervening impossibility. | Documentation standard delegated to faculties; confirm with the secretaría. |
| Oviedo (Asturias) | Reglamento de evaluación (2013, mod. 2025), Art. 15 ("Ausencia justificada"). Accredit to the dean within 5 days; exam reprogrammed ±15 working days. | Any colegiado; public vs private not specified. |
| Zaragoza (UNIZAR) | Reglamento de Normas de Evaluación (2010, mod. 2023), Art. 5. Anulación de convocatoria for force majeure via the Comisión de Permanencia; clashes need 15 days' notice. | Any colegiado; apply to your centre. |
| Cantabria (UC) & A Coruña (UDC) | UC Reglamento de Procesos de Evaluación, Art. 34–35 (centre may exceptionally authorise a change). UDC has its own normativa. | Any colegiado; apply to your centre. |
Distance & online universities
UNED and the UOC follow their own academic regulations, and their distance methodology changes how incidents are handled — typically through alternative test windows rather than a single rescheduled sitting. Check your guía docente and the assessment regulations on the virtual campus.
Whichever university you're at — get a valid certificate fast
PrescribeMe is run by physicians registered with the Colegio de Médicos. We review your case and, where clinically appropriate, issue a justificante médico ready to hand to your faculty — with English-speaking support throughout.
Get your certificate — €20 →€20 · Need the official OMC certificate for Granada or Málaga? Tell us at intake.
Mandatory Attendance, Labs, Language Courses & Placements
Missed exams are not the only reason students need a certificate. Many courses carry mandatory attendance: language classes, laboratory sessions, seminars, studio work and clinical placements often require a minimum number of hours, and Erasmus and exchange programmes — and most private universities — are frequently stricter about this than a standard lecture course. Salamanca's language programmes are a classic example.
When illness keeps you out of those sessions, the certificate protects your attendance record and your continuous-assessment marks. Submit it directly to the professor or programme coordinator promptly — ideally the same week — and keep a copy. Unlike an exam incidencia, an attendance absence is usually justified informally to the teaching staff rather than through a formal departmental request, but the same valid certificate is what they expect to see.
Exam Clashes: No Medical Certificate Needed
One situation students often mistake for an incidencia is a timetable clash — two exams of different subjects scheduled at the same time. This is a recognised ground in its own right and does not require any medical document. The Estatuto del Estudiante Universitario protects students from having global exams of different subjects of the same year coincide, and universities set rules for which subject moves (commonly the higher-course or the optional subject gives way). The catch is the deadline: clashes are foreseeable, so most universities require advance notice — frequently 15 days. If your problem is a clash rather than illness, use the coincidencia procedure; do not request a medical certificate you do not need.
University Entrance Exams (EBAU/PAU): The Public-System Exception
The clearest case where a private or telemedicine certificate is not sufficient is the university entrance exam — variously called the EBAU, EvAU, PAU or, colloquially, Selectividad. Because these are high-stakes, regionally administered exams, the autonomous communities route illness incidents through a special tribunal de incidencias and generally require documentation from the public health system: a report from a public centro de salud or a hospital emergency department stating that the student was unfit to sit the exam on the specific day. If you are sitting an entrance exam and fall ill, go to the public system and follow the tribunal's instructions — do not rely on a private certificate.
What to Do If You Fall Ill Before an Exam
If you are an international student and you wake up unwell before an exam, the sequence below gives you the best chance of a clean rescheduling.
| Do this | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1. Act the same day, in writing | Email the course coordinator and the faculty secretaría before the exam if at all possible. The sudden-illness windows are short (48 hours to 5 days). |
| 2. Get the right document | Default to a justificante from a colegiado physician. For Granada, Málaga and other Andalusian universities, get the certificado médico oficial. For an entrance exam, use the public system. |
| 3. Cite the article | Reference your university's specific provision when you apply (e.g., UGR Art. 9, UMA Art. 5, UV Art. 9, Oviedo Art. 15, UAM Art. 10) — it speeds resolution. |
| 4. Keep copies & confirm | Save the certificate and your submission. Confirm the new date in writing, and do not sit the original exam once incidencias is requested. |
What a Student Medical Certificate Costs in 2026
| Option | Typical 2026 cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PrescribeMe online justificanteLicensed Spanish physician, issued in Spanish | €20 | Digitally signed, sent to your phone, no video call. |
| Public-system attendance slip | Free | Requires a centro de salud appointment; confirms the visit only. |
| Private in-person justificante | €30–100 | Walk-in private clinic or GP. |
| Certificado médico oficial (form + exam) | €30–80 | The official OMC form alone is ~€3.63; the rest is the consultation. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my Spanish university accept a private doctor's justificante?
For most universities and ordinary situations — a missed exam or missed classes due to illness — yes. The exceptions are Andalusian universities such as Granada and Málaga (which require the certificado médico oficial) and university entrance exams (which require public-system documentation). Always confirm with your faculty's secretaría.
What is evaluación por incidencias?
The formal process for sitting an exam on an alternative date when you could not sit the original for a justified reason — illness being the most common. Almost every Spanish university regulates it in a numbered article of its normativa de evaluación.
I already missed the exam — is it too late?
Usually not, if you act fast. Most universities require advance notice for foreseeable absences but allow a request after the exam for sudden illness, within a short window (48 hours at Málaga, within 5 days at Oviedo, "as soon as possible" at Granada). Submit the same day or the next working day.
Does the certificate have to be the certificado médico oficial?
It depends on the university. The official certificate is the OMC form and can be issued by any colegiado — public or private. Granada and Málaga require it; many other universities accept any documentary proof from a registered physician. When unsure, the official certificate or a public-system report is accepted everywhere.
Do I need a public-health-system certificate?
For ordinary university exams and class absences, no. The main case that requires a public centro de salud or hospital report is the university entrance exam (EBAU/PAU), and occasionally specific faculties.
Is an online or telemedicine certificate valid?
Yes. A certificate issued and signed by a Spanish-registered physician after an online consultation has the same legal validity as one issued in person, under the LOPS, the eIDAS framework and the 2022 CGCOM Code. It must identify the doctor by name and colegiado number.
Does the certificate need to be in Spanish?
Yes. It is a Spanish administrative document, and that is what your faculty processes. A foreign note may be accepted by some faculties if translated, but a Spanish certificate from a Spanish-registered doctor is the safest.
Can I use it for mandatory attendance, labs or language classes?
Yes. Submit it to the professor or programme coordinator promptly. In continuous assessment, an unjustified absence can cost marks, so documenting a genuine illness is worth doing properly.
Two of my exams clash — do I need a medical certificate?
No. A clash between exams of different subjects is its own recognised ground, separate from illness, and needs no medical document. Notify your faculty in advance — many require 15 days' notice.
I'm an Erasmus or exchange student — does this apply to me?
Yes. Exchange students sit the same exams and follow the same incidencias procedure, and attendance rules are often stricter. Submit your certificate through the host faculty's secretaría or your coordinator.
How fast and how much?
Through PrescribeMe, €20, signed digitally and sent to your phone, with no video call. A private in-person justificante typically costs €30–100; a public-system attendance slip is free but requires an appointment.
What Genuinely Varies or Is Contested
A few points deserve honesty rather than false certainty. University rules differ not only between institutions but between faculties, and article numbers are periodically renumbered when regulations are amended — always verify the current text on your centre's site. The line between an "official certificate" requirement and acceptance of any justificante is sometimes applied loosely by individual faculties, which is why the official OMC form or a public-system report is the safe choice when stakes are high. Universities such as Santiago de Compostela and Navarra do not set a dedicated illness make-up article centrally, delegating both procedure and documentation standard to faculties. And while telemedicine certificates are legally valid, an individual professor may still prefer an in-person assessment for a sudden illness — a practical preference, not a legal barrier. Several private universities (IE, Universidad Europea, Nebrija, CEU, Deusto) and a few public ones publish their rules only at faculty level; for those, the faculty secretaría is the authoritative source.
Sources & References
All regulatory references in this article are drawn from primary sources: official university evaluation regulations, regional gazettes, CGCOM guidance and government statistics, verified in June 2026. Key sources:
- Estatuto del Estudiante Universitario, Real Decreto 1791/2010 — BOE-A-2010-20147.
- Universidad de Granada, Normativa de evaluación y de calificación de los estudiantes (Art. 9, evaluación por incidencias) — consolidated text (PDF); faculty procedure — UGR Filosofía y Letras.
- Universidad de Málaga, Normativa reguladora de los procesos de evaluación (Art. 5) — UMA evaluación por incidencias.
- Universitat de València, Reglament d'Avaluació i Qualificació (Art. 9). Universitat Politècnica de València, criterios de evaluación — UPV (PDF).
- Universidad de Sevilla, Normativa Reguladora de la Evaluación y Calificación — US (PDF).
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Normativa de coincidencia de exámenes — UCM (PDF).
- Universitat de Barcelona, Normativa reguladora de l'avaluació i la qualificació — UB (PDF).
- Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, evaluación única / normativa acadèmica — UAB.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Normativa acadèmica dels ensenyaments de grau — UPF.
- Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU), Reglamento del Estudiantado / justificante de asistencia a examen — EHU.
- Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Normativa de avaliación do rendemento académico (DOG 21/07/2011) — DOG.
- Universidad de Oviedo, Reglamento de evaluación (Art. 15, ausencia justificada) — Uniovi (PDF).
- Universidad de Zaragoza, Reglamento de Normas de Evaluación / coincidencia de exámenes — UNIZAR.
- Universidad de Salamanca, repositorio de normativa (Reglamento de Evaluación) — USAL.
- Example faculty incidencias procedure (deadlines for sudden cause) — USJ declaración de imposibilidad.
- Ley 41/2002, de autonomía del paciente (definition of a medical certificate) — BOE-A-2002-22188.
- Erasmus+ statistics, Spain — European Commission; international-student trends — ICEF Monitor; EU Education and Training Monitor: Spain.
Need a justificante médico for your university?
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Medication Names in Spain: US and UK Brand Equivalents (2026)
Medication Names in Spain: US and UK Brand Equivalents (2026)
Tylenol is Gelocatil. Advil is Neobrufen. Lipitor is Cardyl. A verified, AEMPS-sourced directory of what your medication is called in a Spanish pharmacy.
A box of paracetamol in Madrid says Gelocatil on the front. The exact same molecule in Manchester says Panadol; in Manhattan it says Tylenol. None of the three boxes mention the others. For a tourist trying to refill medication or buy something familiar, this is the central problem of foreign pharmacy: the active ingredient is the same, the dose is often the same, but every country has overwritten the box with a different commercial name.
This directory matches roughly 80 of the medications that tourists, expats and digital nomads most often look for in Spain to their US and UK brand equivalents. Every Spanish brand has been verified against the AEMPS database CIMA (the Spanish drug regulator) or Vademecum, and is currently marketed in Spain. US brands are verified against the FDA Orange Book and DailyMed; UK brands against the BNF and MHRA.
Two things to internalise before reading the tables. First: Spanish pharmacists work from the principio activo (active ingredient), not the brand. Show them the box and they will find the local equivalent in seconds. Second: a medication being a familiar OTC purchase at home does not guarantee it is OTC in Spain — and vice versa. Codeine combinations, salbutamol inhalers and 600 mg ibuprofen all need a Spanish prescription. Paracetamol 1 g, ulipristal emergency contraception and most antihistamines do not.
1. Why brand names differ across countries
A pharmaceutical brand is a marketing licence, not a global trademark. When a drug is approved in each country, the originator company (or a licensee) registers a local name that the national regulator accepts. Sometimes the same name travels — Viagra, Augmentin and Imodium are recognisable almost everywhere — but more often, marketing strategy, trademark conflicts, language preferences and local acquisitions produce different brands for the identical molecule.
Three forces drive divergence specifically between Spain, the US and the UK:
Generic substitution rules. Spanish law obliges pharmacists to dispense the cheapest bioequivalent generic unless the prescriber writes no sustituir. Most boxes carry a generic name (for example Omeprazol Cinfa or Atorvastatina Normon) plus the EFG mark (Equivalente Farmacéutico Genérico). The originator brand is dispensed less often, which means the "famous" Spanish name is sometimes a generic-house brand rather than the original.
Different licence holders. Lipitor in Spain is sold as Cardyl and Zarator (both Pfizer); Synthroid in Spain is Eutirox (Merck); Reglan is Primperan (Sanofi). The patent owner often licenses a different brand to a different European partner, producing parallel names that never made the jump across the Atlantic.
USAN vs INN. The US Adopted Name occasionally differs from the international nonproprietary name used in Europe. The two pairs that catch travellers most often: acetaminophen (US) = paracetamol (Spain and UK), and albuterol (US) = salbutamol (Spain and UK). The molecule is identical; only the nomenclature differs.
If you only remember one rule: read the box for the active ingredient. The Latin-rooted versions used in Spain are usually obvious from the English (atorvastatina, amoxicilina, omeprazol, sertralina, levotiroxina). When in doubt, hand the pharmacist the original package.
2. Quick reference: 20 most-searched medications
The fastest answer for the most common questions. Each row is expanded in the category sections that follow, with prescription status, Spanish-specific notes and ambiguity flags.
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol / acetaminophen | Gelocatil, Termalgin | Tylenol | Panadol, Calpol | Pain, fever |
| Ibuprofen | Neobrufen, Espidifen | Advil, Motrin | Nurofen, Brufen | Pain, fever, inflammation |
| Metamizol (dipyrone) | Nolotil | Not licensed | Not licensed | Moderate–severe pain, fever |
| Aspirin / acetylsalicylic acid | Aspirina, Adiro (100 mg cardio) | Bayer, Ecotrin | Aspirin, Disprin | Pain, antiplatelet |
| Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid | Augmentine | Augmentin | Augmentin, Co-amoxiclav | Antibiotic |
| Azithromycin | Zitromax | Zithromax (Z-Pak) | Zithromax | Antibiotic |
| Fosfomycin | Monurol | Monurol | Monuril | UTI (single dose) |
| Salbutamol / albuterol | Ventolin | ProAir, Proventil, Ventolin HFA | Ventolin, Salamol | Asthma rescue inhaler |
| Fluticasone (inhaled) | Flixotide | Flovent, Arnuity Ellipta | Flixotide | Asthma preventer |
| Loratadine | Clarityne | Claritin | Clarityn | Antihistamine |
| Cetirizine | Zyrtec, Alerlisin | Zyrtec | Zirtek, Piriteze | Antihistamine |
| Omeprazole | Losec, Omeprazol EFG | Prilosec | Losec | Acid reflux |
| Loperamide | Fortasec | Imodium A-D | Imodium | Diarrhoea |
| Atorvastatin | Cardyl, Zarator | Lipitor | Lipitor | Cholesterol |
| Metformin | Dianben | Glucophage | Glucophage | Type 2 diabetes |
| Levothyroxine | Eutirox | Synthroid | Eltroxin, Levothyroxine | Hypothyroidism |
| Sertraline | Besitran | Zoloft | Lustral | SSRI antidepressant |
| Lorazepam | Orfidal, Idalprem | Ativan | Lorazepam (generic) | Anxiety |
| Sildenafil | Viagra | Viagra | Viagra | Erectile dysfunction |
| Levonorgestrel (emergency) | Norlevo, Postinor | Plan B One-Step | Levonelle | Morning-after pill |
3. Pain relief and fever
Spain's painkiller shelf reflects a continental European prescribing culture: 1 g paracetamol is standard, ibuprofen is mostly bought as 400 mg, and metamizol (Nolotil) — a drug not licensed in the US or UK at all — outsells paracetamol in Spanish primary care. Codeine combinations require a prescription in Spain, unlike in the UK where co-codamol 8/500 is a pharmacy purchase.
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Use / class | Rx in Spain? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paracetamol / acetaminophenStandard adult dose in Spain: 1 g | Gelocatil, Termalgin, Apiretal (paediatric drops), Efferalgan | Tylenol | Panadol, Calpol (paediatric) | Analgesic / antipyretic | OTC |
| Ibuprofen 400 mg | Neobrufen, Espidifen (mint sachet, arginate salt), Ibuprofeno EFG, Dalsy (paediatric) | Advil, Motrin | Nurofen, Brufen | NSAID | OTC |
| Ibuprofen 600 mg | Neobrufen 600, Espidifen 600 | Rx generic | Rx generic | NSAID, higher dose | Rx |
| Metamizol (dipyrone) 575 mg | Nolotil (Boehringer), Algi-Mabo, Metamizol EFG | Not approved | Not approved | Pyrazolone analgesic / antipyretic / spasmolytic | Rx (since AEMPS 2018 restriction) |
| Aspirin / acetylsalicylic acid 500 mg | Aspirina, AAS EFG | Bayer, Bufferin, Ecotrin | Aspirin, Disprin | NSAID / antiplatelet | OTC |
| Acetylsalicylic acid 100 mg (cardioprotective) | Adiro 100, Tromalyt | Bayer Low Dose, Ecotrin 81 mg | Aspirin 75 mg dispersible | Antiplatelet, secondary prevention | Rx |
| Dexketoprofen 25 mg | Enantyum (Menarini), Quiralam, Ketesse | Not approved | Keral (Rx) | NSAID, fast-acting | Rx |
| Naproxen 500 / 550 mg | Naprosyn, Antalgin, Naproxeno EFG | Aleve (OTC), Naprosyn (Rx) | Naprosyn, Naproxen (Rx) | NSAID, longer half-life | Rx |
| Diclofenac 50 mg | Voltaren, Diclofenaco EFG | Voltaren (oral Rx; gel OTC) | Voltarol, Voltarol Emulgel (OTC) | NSAID | Rx (gel OTC) |
| Paracetamol + codeine | Cod-Efferalgan, Termalgin Codeína | Tylenol with Codeine #3 (Rx) | Co-codamol 8/500 (P, OTC); higher strengths Rx | Opioid combination analgesic | Rx |
| Tramadol 50 mg | Adolonta, Zaldiar (with paracetamol) | Ultram, Ultracet | Zydol, Tramacet | Opioid analgesic | Rx (controlled) |
Need a prescription in Spain?
PrescribeMe connects tourists and expats with licensed Spanish doctors. Online consultation, Spanish e-prescription sent to your phone.
Get a prescription → From €15 · Licensed Spanish physicians · Valid at any pharmacy4. Antibiotics
Every antibiotic in Spain requires a prescription — there are no exceptions, despite older travel guides suggesting otherwise. Pharmacist dispensing without a prescription has been actively restricted under AEMPS rules since the antimicrobial-stewardship reforms of the last decade.
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Common use | Rx in Spain? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amoxicillin | Clamoxyl, Amoxicilina EFG | Amoxil | Amoxil, Amoxicillin | Respiratory, dental, ENT infections | Rx |
| Amoxicillin + clavulanic acid | Augmentine (GSK) | Augmentin | Augmentin, Co-amoxiclav | Sinusitis, dental abscess, complicated UTI | Rx |
| Azithromycin | Zitromax (Pfizer), Azitromicina EFG | Zithromax, Z-Pak | Zithromax | Atypical pneumonia, chlamydia | Rx |
| Clarithromycin | Klacid, Bremon | Biaxin | Klaricid | Macrolide alternative, H. pylori | Rx |
| Ciprofloxacin | Baycip (Bayer), Cetraxal (otic), Ciprofloxacino EFG | Cipro | Ciproxin | UTI, traveller's diarrhoea, otitis externa | Rx |
| Fosfomycin trometamol 3 g | Monurol | Monurol | Monuril | Uncomplicated UTI, single dose | Rx |
| Nitrofurantoin | Furantoína | Macrobid, Macrodantin | Macrobid, Macrodantin | UTI prophylaxis and treatment | Rx |
| Doxycycline | Vibracina (Pfizer), Doxiclat, Proderma | Vibramycin, Doryx, Oracea (low-dose rosacea) | Vibramycin-D, Efracea (rosacea) | Acne, rosacea, atypical infections, malaria prophylaxis | Rx |
| Metronidazole | Flagyl | Flagyl | Flagyl | Anaerobic, bacterial vaginosis, dental, giardiasis | Rx |
| Clindamycin | Dalacin, Clinwas (topical) | Cleocin | Dalacin C | Skin, dental (penicillin allergy) | Rx |
| Cephalexin | Kefloridina, Cefalexina EFG | Keflex | Keflex (limited UK use) | Skin and soft tissue infections | Rx |
| Trimethoprim + sulfamethoxazole | Septrin | Bactrim, Septra | Septrin, Co-trimoxazole | UTI, PCP prophylaxis | Rx |
5. Respiratory and allergy
Spain uses the international name salbutamol everywhere; the US uses albuterol for the same molecule. Ventolin is the dominant inhaler brand in both Spain and the UK. ProAir and Proventil are US-only brands that do not exist in Spanish pharmacies — bring an extra inhaler if your prescription is for one of these.
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Use / class | Rx in Spain? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salbutamol (= albuterol) inhaler | Ventolin (GSK), Salbuair (nebules) | ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA, Ventolin HFA | Ventolin, Salamol, Airomir | Short-acting β2 agonist, asthma rescue | Rx |
| Fluticasone propionate inhaler | Flixotide (pMDI and Accuhaler) | Flovent HFA / Flovent Diskus (US Flovent discontinued by GSK in January 2024 in favour of an authorised generic fluticasone propionate) | Flixotide | Inhaled corticosteroid, asthma preventer | Rx |
| Fluticasone + salmeterol | Seretide, Anasma, Plusvent | Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, AirDuo | Seretide | ICS + LABA combination | Rx |
| Budesonide + formoterol | Symbicort, Rilast | Symbicort | Symbicort, Fostair | ICS + LABA combination | Rx |
| Montelukast | Singulair, Montelukast EFG | Singulair | Singulair | Leukotriene receptor antagonist | Rx |
| Loratadine | Clarityne (Bayer / Organon), Loratadina Cinfa | Claritin | Clarityn | Second-generation antihistamine | OTC |
| Cetirizine | Zyrtec (UCB), Alerlisin (Menarini), Reactine | Zyrtec | Zirtek, Piriteze, Benadryl Allergy (UK) | Second-generation antihistamine | OTC (most 10 mg packs) |
| Bilastine 20 mg | Bilaxten (FAES), Ibis, Obalix | Not FDA-approved (Hikma and FAES Farma signed an exclusive US licence agreement to commercialise bilastine tablets, announced 20 September 2021) | Ilaxten (Menarini) | Non-sedating antihistamine, Spanish-discovered | OTC |
| Ebastine | Ebastel | Not approved | Not licensed | Second-generation antihistamine | Rx |
| Pseudoephedrine | Frenadol (combination), Pseudoefedrina Cinfa | Sudafed | Sudafed (P, behind counter) | Nasal decongestant | Pharmacy-only (P), restricted quantities |
| Diphenhydramine | Soñodor (sleep aid) | Benadryl | Nytol | First-generation antihistamine / sleep aid | OTC (limited products) |
Brand-name Benadryl means different molecules in different countries. In the US and Canada, Benadryl is diphenhydramine. In the UK and Spain, Benadryl-branded products generally contain cetirizine or acrivastine. Read the active ingredient before assuming the box delivers what you remember.
6. Gastrointestinal
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Use / class | Rx in Spain? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omeprazole 20 mg | Losec (Cheplapharm), Omeprazol Cinfa / Normon EFG, Pepticum | Prilosec (OTC and Rx) | Losec, Omeprazole (OTC at pharmacy) | Proton pump inhibitor | Rx (20 mg); 10 mg OTC |
| Pantoprazole 20 / 40 mg | Pantecta, Anagastra (Takeda), Pantoprazol EFG | Protonix | Pantoloc Control 20 mg (OTC); pantoprazole generics Rx | Proton pump inhibitor | Rx |
| Esomeprazole | Nexium | Nexium (24HR OTC and Rx) | Nexium Control (OTC) | Proton pump inhibitor | Rx |
| Ranitidine | Withdrawn (NDMA contamination, 2019–2020) | Withdrawn | Withdrawn | H2 blocker | — |
| Famotidine | Famotidina EFG, Pepcid | Pepcid AC | Pepcid | H2 blocker | Rx |
| Loperamide | Fortasec (Kenvue), Loperamida EFG | Imodium A-D | Imodium | Anti-diarrhoeal | OTC |
| Metoclopramide 10 mg | Primperan (Sanofi) | Reglan | Maxolon | Antiemetic / prokinetic | Rx (short-term use only since EMA 2014 restriction) |
| Domperidone 10 mg | Motilium | Not FDA-approved | Generic domperidone | Antiemetic / prokinetic | Rx |
| Hyoscine butylbromide | Buscapina | Not FDA-approved (Levsin is the related US drug) | Buscopan | Antispasmodic for GI cramps | OTC |
| Racecadotril | Tiorfan | Not approved | Not licensed | Anti-secretory for acute diarrhoea | OTC |
| Almagate / aluminium-magnesium antacids | Almax | Maalox, Mylanta | Maalox, Gaviscon | Antacid | OTC |
7. Cardiovascular and metabolic
Long-term medication for blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and thyroid is where the brand-translation question matters most for expats. Every drug in this section requires a Spanish prescription, but a Spanish doctor can issue one for any of the molecules below within a single consultation.
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Use / class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atorvastatin | Cardyl, Zarator (Pfizer) | Lipitor | Lipitor | Statin |
| Simvastatin | Zocor (MSD), Pantok, Belmalip | Zocor | Zocor (mostly generic) | Statin |
| Rosuvastatin | Crestor, Provisacor | Crestor | Crestor | Statin |
| Amlodipine | Norvas (Viatris), Astudal | Norvasc | Istin (historical); generic amlodipine | Calcium-channel blocker |
| Ramipril | Acovil (Sanofi/Zentiva) | Altace | Tritace | ACE inhibitor |
| Enalapril | Renitec, Acetensil | Vasotec | Innovace | ACE inhibitor |
| Losartan | Cozaar | Cozaar | Cozaar | ARB |
| Bisoprolol | Emconcor, Euradal | Zebeta | Cardicor, Emcor | β-blocker |
| Propranolol | Sumial | Inderal | Inderal | Non-selective β-blocker |
| Furosemide | Seguril | Lasix | Lasix, Frusol | Loop diuretic |
| Hydrochlorothiazide | Esidrex; mostly as combinations (Co-Renitec, Co-Diovan) | Microzide | Generic HCTZ (rare alone) | Thiazide diuretic |
| Warfarin | Aldocumar | Coumadin, Jantoven | Marevan, Warfarin | Vitamin K antagonist |
| Apixaban | Eliquis | Eliquis | Eliquis | DOAC |
| Metformin | Dianben | Glucophage, Fortamet, Riomet | Glucophage | Biguanide, type 2 diabetes |
| Levothyroxine | Eutirox (Merck), Levothroid | Synthroid, Levoxyl, Unithroid, Tirosint | Eltroxin, Levothyroxine generic | Thyroid hormone replacement |
Need a prescription in Spain?
PrescribeMe connects tourists and expats with licensed Spanish doctors. Online consultation, Spanish e-prescription sent to your phone.
Get a prescription → From €15 · Licensed Spanish physicians · Valid at any pharmacy8. Antivirals and antifungals
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Use | Rx in Spain? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aciclovir oral 200 / 400 / 800 mg | Zovirax (Haleon), Aciclovir EFG | Zovirax | Zovirax, generic aciclovir | Herpes simplex, zoster | Rx |
| Aciclovir 5% cream (cold sores) | Zovirax labial, Herpoticum | Zovirax cream, Sitavig | Zovirax cold sore cream | HSV labialis | OTC |
| Valaciclovir 500 / 1000 mg | Valtrex (GSK), Valaciclovir EFG | Valtrex | Valtrex, generic valaciclovir | Herpes simplex, zoster, suppression | Rx |
| Fluconazole 150 mg single dose | Diflucan (Pfizer), Fluconazol EFG | Diflucan | Diflucan, Canesten Oral 150 mg (OTC) | Vulvovaginal candidiasis | Rx |
| Clotrimazole vaginal cream / pessary | Gine-Canestén (Bayer) | Gyne-Lotrimin, Mycelex-7 | Canesten | Vaginal candidiasis | OTC |
| Clotrimazole 1% skin cream | Canestén crema | Lotrimin AF | Canesten | Tinea, dermatophyte infections | OTC |
| Terbinafine 1% cream | Lamisil | Lamisil AT | Lamisil AT | Athlete's foot, ringworm | OTC |
| Oseltamivir | Tamiflu | Tamiflu | Tamiflu | Influenza antiviral | Rx |
| Nystatin oral suspension | Mycostatin | Mycostatin, Nystop | Nystan | Oral / oesophageal candidiasis | Rx |
9. Reproductive health and contraception
Spain liberalised access to emergency contraception in September 2009 (levonorgestrel) and April 2015 (ulipristal). Both are sold over the counter at any pharmacy with no age restriction and no consultation required. Daily oral contraceptives, by contrast, require a prescription — they have never been OTC in Spain.
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Use | Rx in Spain? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg (emergency) | Norlevo (HRA), Postinor (Gedeon Richter) | Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, My Way | Levonelle, Upostelle | Morning-after pill, ≤72 h | OTC, no age limit |
| Ulipristal acetate 30 mg (emergency) | ellaOne | ella | ellaOne | Morning-after pill, ≤120 h | OTC since 2016 |
| Ethinylestradiol + levonorgestrel | Microgynon, Loette, Ovoplex | Lessina, Levora, Aviane | Microgynon, Rigevidon, Ovranette | Combined oral contraceptive | Rx |
| Ethinylestradiol + drospirenone | Yasmin, Yasminelle, Yaz | Yaz, Yasmin, Beyaz | Yasmin, Yaz, Eloine | Combined oral contraceptive | Rx |
| Desogestrel 75 µg | Cerazet, Azalia | Slynd (drospirenone analogue) | Cerazette, Cerelle | Progestogen-only pill | Rx |
| Mifepristone | Mifegyne (hospital only) | Mifeprex | Mifegyne | Medical termination of pregnancy | Rx, hospital dispensing |
| Condoms | Supermarket and pharmacy | Supermarket and pharmacy | Supermarket and pharmacy | Barrier method | OTC, no pharmacy required |
10. Mental health, anxiety and sleep
Antidepressants, anxiolytics and hypnotics all require a Spanish prescription. Benzodiazepines and Z-drugs (zolpidem) carry the additional receta blanca con visado rule for some controlled-list quantities. Spanish doctors are generally cautious about issuing new benzodiazepine prescriptions to short-term visitors without records of prior use.
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Use / class | Rx in Spain? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sertraline | Besitran (Pfizer), Aremis (Esteve), Sertralina EFG | Zoloft | Lustral | SSRI | Rx |
| Escitalopram | Cipralex, Esertia | Lexapro | Cipralex | SSRI | Rx |
| Citalopram | Prisdal, Seropram | Celexa | Cipramil | SSRI | Rx |
| Fluoxetine | Prozac, Adofen, Reneuron | Prozac, Sarafem | Prozac | SSRI | Rx |
| Venlafaxine | Vandral, Dobupal | Effexor XR | Efexor XL | SNRI | Rx |
| Duloxetine | Cymbalta, Xeristar | Cymbalta | Cymbalta | SNRI | Rx |
| Bupropion | Elontril, Zyntabac (smoking cessation) | Wellbutrin XL, Zyban | Zyban (smoking cessation only) | NDRI | Rx |
| Lorazepam 1 mg | Orfidal (Pfizer), Idalprem | Ativan | Generic lorazepam | Benzodiazepine | Rx (controlled) |
| Alprazolam | Trankimazin | Xanax | Xanax, generic alprazolam | Benzodiazepine | Rx (controlled) |
| Diazepam | Valium, Diazepam Prodes | Valium | Valium, Diazemuls | Benzodiazepine | Rx (controlled) |
| Clonazepam | Rivotril | Klonopin | Rivotril, generic clonazepam | Benzodiazepine | Rx (controlled) |
| Zolpidem 10 mg | Stilnox (Sanofi), Dalparan, Zolpidem EFG | Ambien, Ambien CR, Edluar | Stilnoct | Z-drug hypnotic | Rx (controlled) |
| Zopiclone | Datolan, Limovan | Lunesta (eszopiclone, the active enantiomer) | Zimovane | Z-drug hypnotic | Rx |
| Melatonin 2 mg PR | Circadin (medicinal); supplement brands <2 mg: Aquilea Sueño, Forté Pharma 1.9 mg, ZzzQuil Natura | Natrol, Nature Made (supplement, OTC) | Circadin, Slenyto (all melatonin POM in UK) | Insomnia | <2 mg OTC (food supplement); ≥2 mg Rx |
11. Erectile dysfunction
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Use | Rx in Spain? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sildenafil | Viagra (Pfizer/Viatris), Sildenafilo EFG | Viagra | Viagra, Viagra Connect 50 mg (OTC at pharmacy since 2018) | PDE5 inhibitor | Rx |
| Tadalafil | Cialis (Lilly), Tadalafilo EFG | Cialis, Adcirca (PAH) | Cialis | PDE5 inhibitor, longer half-life | Rx |
| Vardenafil | Levitra | Levitra, Staxyn | Levitra (limited availability) | PDE5 inhibitor | Rx |
| Avanafil | Spedra | Stendra | Spedra | PDE5 inhibitor, fast onset | Rx |
Sildenafil 50 mg is a pharmacy-counter purchase in the UK under the brand Viagra Connect. In Spain, all PDE5 inhibitors require a prescription. A short telemedicine consultation is the usual route.
12. Dermatology, eye, ear and emergency
| Active ingredient | 🇪🇸 Spain | 🇺🇸 US | 🇬🇧 UK | Use | Rx in Spain? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrocortisone 1% cream | Lactisona, Hidrocortisona | Cortizone 10 | HC45, Pharmacy Hydrocortisone | Mild eczema, dermatitis | Rx (1%); some 0.5% pharmacy |
| Mometasone furoate cream | Elocom | Elocon | Elocon | Moderate-potency topical steroid | Rx |
| Betamethasone topical | Celestoderm, Diproderm | Diprolene, Betaderm | Betnovate, Diprosone | Topical steroid | Rx |
| Mupirocin 2% ointment | Bactroban, Plasimine | Bactroban, Centany | Bactroban | Topical antibacterial (impetigo) | Rx |
| Permethrin 5% cream | Permecure, Sarcop | Elimite | Lyclear | Scabies treatment | Rx |
| Epinephrine (adrenaline) auto-injector 300 µg | Altellus, Jext (ALK-Abelló); Anapen (Bioprojet) | EpiPen, Auvi-Q, generic epinephrine auto-injector | EpiPen, Jext, Emerade (relaunched UK 2024) | Anaphylaxis rescue | Rx |
| Salbutamol nebules 2.5 / 5 mg | Ventolín Respirador, Salbuair | AccuNeb, Proventil nebuliser solution | Salamol, Ventolin nebules | Severe asthma, nebulised | Rx |
| Tobramycin eye drops | Tobrex | Tobrex | Tobrex | Bacterial conjunctivitis | Rx |
| Chloramphenicol eye drops | Limited use in Spain | Rarely used | Optrex Infected Eyes / Chloramphenicol (P, OTC) | Bacterial conjunctivitis | Rx in Spain |
| Ciprofloxacin ear drops | Cetraxal, Baycip Ótico | Cetraxal, Ciprodex (with steroid) | Cilodex, Cetraxal | Otitis externa | Rx |
13. The Nolotil situation
Nolotil — the Boehringer Ingelheim brand of metamizol (also known internationally as dipyrone) — is the most-prescribed analgesic in Spanish primary care, used for moderate-to-severe pain, fever and visceral cramps. It is not licensed for sale in the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Canada or Australia.
The reason for the split is one specific adverse reaction: agranulocytosis, a sudden, often unpredictable drop in white blood cells that leaves the body unable to fight bacterial infection. Untreated, it can kill within days. Published estimates of incidence vary dramatically between countries and study designs. The Berlin Case-Control Surveillance Study (Huber et al., European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2015) reported a population incidence of 0.96 cases per million per year (95% CI 0.95–0.97). A Spanish pharmacoepidemiology study by Maciá-Martínez et al. (2024) — the source AEMPS communications typically cite — places the order of magnitude at one to ten cases per million users. At the higher end, Hedenmalm and Spigset (European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 2002), using Swedish spontaneous-report data from 1996–1999, estimated one case per 1,439 prescriptions (95% CI 1:850–1:4,684) — figures that contributed to Sweden withdrawing metamizole from the market in 1999.
The British dimension is the reason this drug appears in tourist-facing guides. From 2017 onward, a campaign by Valencia-based medical translator Cristina García del Campo collected 120-plus case reports of mostly British patients who developed serious side effects after Nolotil prescriptions in Spain, with a number of fatalities. Researchers at the Costa del Sol Hospital had earlier observed that metamizole-induced agranulocytosis appeared more often in British patients than in Spanish ones; Boehringer Ingelheim has stated that there is no scientific evidence that specific populations are more susceptible.
AEMPS responded with a 2018 safety review and updated prescribing guidance: metamizol should not be given to patients with a history of agranulocytosis, should not be used as long-term treatment, and should be prescribed cautiously to short-term visitors from countries where the drug is not normally available. The EMA's safety committee PRAC followed with EU-wide label changes strengthening warnings and requiring clinicians to instruct patients to stop the drug and seek immediate medical attention at the first sign of fever, chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers.
14. Medications OTC in one country but Rx in another
The OTC/Rx line is regulatory, not pharmacological. The same molecule at the same dose can be a supermarket purchase in one country and a controlled medication in another. The patterns that catch tourists in Spain:
| Medication | Status in Spain | Status in US | Status in UK | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codeine combinations | Rx, always | Rx (Tylenol with Codeine) | OTC: co-codamol 8/500, Nurofen Plus, Solpadeine (P-medicine) | British visitors cannot replenish co-codamol at a Spanish pharmacy counter. |
| Salbutamol inhaler | Rx (some pharmacies still sell without) | Rx | Rx | Bring a backup; replacement requires a Spanish prescription. |
| Sildenafil 50 mg | Rx | Rx | OTC at pharmacy (Viagra Connect, since 2018) | UK travellers can no longer buy it off the shelf in Spain. |
| Fluconazole 150 mg (thrush) | Rx | Rx | OTC at pharmacy (Canesten Oral, Diflucan One) | UK women used to a single-pill OTC purchase cannot do the same here. |
| Ibuprofen 600 mg | Rx | Rx | Rx | OTC ceiling is 400 mg in Spain. |
| Omeprazole 20 mg | Rx (10 mg OTC; pharmacist discretion in practice) | OTC (Prilosec OTC) | OTC at pharmacy | Strict reading of Spanish rules requires Rx; practice varies. |
| Melatonin ≥2 mg | Rx (Circadin) | OTC (supplement, no FDA drug oversight) | Rx (POM, all strengths) | US visitors used to 5–10 mg gummies will not find them; Spain caps OTC supplement at <2 mg. |
| Levonorgestrel emergency contraception | OTC, no age limit (since September 2009) | OTC, no age limit (since 2013) | OTC at pharmacy after consultation | Easier access in Spain than most travellers expect. |
| Ulipristal emergency contraception | OTC (since April 2015) | Rx (ella) | OTC at pharmacy | US visitors can obtain ulipristal without a prescription in Spain. |
| Metamizol (Nolotil) | Rx | Not licensed | Not licensed | No US/UK equivalent; see dedicated section. |
| Domperidone (Motilium) | Rx | Not approved | Generic Rx | Returning travellers may struggle to find it at home. |
| Bilastine | OTC (20 mg) | Not approved (Hikma US licence agreement announced 20 September 2021) | OTC (Ilaxten 20 mg) | US visitors cannot find this antihistamine at home. |
Need a prescription in Spain?
PrescribeMe connects tourists and expats with licensed Spanish doctors. Online consultation, Spanish e-prescription sent to your phone.
Get a prescription → From €15 · Licensed Spanish physicians · Valid at any pharmacy15. FAQ
What is Tylenol called in Spain?
Tylenol is the US brand of acetaminophen, the same molecule Europeans call paracetamol. Spanish pharmacies sell it as Gelocatil, Termalgin or simply paracetamol genérico, normally as 1 g tablets — the Spanish standard adult dose. The paediatric drop formulation is Apiretal.
What is the Spanish equivalent of Advil?
Ibuprofen 400 mg, sold over the counter as Neobrufen, Espidifen (a fast-onset mint sachet) or generic ibuprofen. The 600 mg version requires a prescription.
Is Nolotil safe?
For most patients in short-term use, yes — Spain has decades of clinical experience with it. The rare-but-serious side effect is agranulocytosis. AEMPS recommends caution in short-stay visitors from countries where the drug is not licensed. Do not self-medicate with Nolotil after returning home where no doctor will monitor for blood reactions.
Is paracetamol the same as acetaminophen?
Yes. Two names, one molecule (N-acetyl-para-aminophenol). Tylenol, Panadol, Calpol, Gelocatil and Termalgin all contain it.
Can I bring my own medication to Spain?
Yes, in personal-use quantities for the duration of your trip. Keep it in original packaging and bring the prescription or a doctor's letter. Controlled substances (strong opioids, ADHD stimulants, certain benzodiazepines) may need a Schengen certificate from your home country pharmacy or a customs declaration on arrival.
Will Spanish pharmacies recognise my US or UK medication?
Almost always, by active ingredient rather than brand. Atorvastatin is atorvastatina, sertraline is sertralina, amoxicillin is amoxicilina — the Spanish word is usually obvious. Hand the pharmacist the original box.
What if I forget my prescription medication and need a refill in Spain?
You will need a Spanish prescription. Options are a public Centro de Salud appointment (cheapest if you have a European Health Insurance Card), a private GP visit, or a telemedicine consultation such as PrescribeMe from €15. Bring photos of the medication box and your home prescription to speed up the consultation.
Are Spanish generics the same quality as US or UK brands?
Yes. Spanish generics carry the EFG mark (Equivalente Farmacéutico Genérico) and must demonstrate bioequivalence under EMA standards. Most are made by the same multinational generic manufacturers (Sandoz, Teva, Mylan/Viatris, Stada, Cinfa, Normon) that supply the UK NHS and US pharmacies.
Salbutamol or albuterol?
The same molecule. Albuterol is the US adopted name; salbutamol is used everywhere else. Ventolin is the dominant brand in both Spain and the UK. ProAir and Proventil are US-only brand names that do not exist in Spanish pharmacies.
What is the Spanish equivalent of Plan B?
Plan B One-Step is levonorgestrel 1.5 mg. In Spain, the same drug is sold over the counter as Norlevo or Postinor, no prescription and no age restriction. The alternative ulipristal acetate — sold as ella in the US — is sold in Spain as ellaOne, also over the counter.
Why does Spain sell paracetamol 1 g when the US uses 500 mg?
The AEMPS-approved adult label for 1 g paracetamol (for example Gelocatil 1 g) permits 1 g per dose up to 3 g per day. US OTC labels cap single doses at 325–500 mg, largely to limit acetaminophen overdose risk in a population accustomed to self-medication. The pharmacology is identical; the convention is regulatory.
How do I know if a Spanish medication is the same as my home one?
Match the active ingredient and strength on the box, not the brand. The AEMPS database CIMA at cima.aemps.es lists every medicine sold in Spain by molecule, with downloadable patient leaflets. Vademecum.es also publishes international equivalence tables.
16. What is genuinely ambiguous, recently changed, or contested
The honest answer to a few common questions is "it depends" or "it changed recently". Flagging these explicitly:
Nolotil safety in British and Northern European patients. The AEMPS-led safety reviews tightened prescribing in 2018 and the EMA/PRAC has strengthened EU-wide warnings since. Whether genuine ethnic susceptibility exists, or whether the apparent over-representation of British cases reflects reporting bias from a large British expatriate population unfamiliar with the drug's risks, is not settled in the published literature. Treat the practical guidance — short-term use only, vigilant monitoring for fever and sore throat — as the operative rule.
Salbutamol inhaler OTC status. Salbutamol inhalers are technically prescription-only across Spain, but historical pharmacy practice in tourist areas has often allowed sale without a prescription. Enforcement has tightened. Do not rely on being able to buy one over the counter, particularly outside coastal tourist towns.
Omeprazole 20 mg OTC status. Strict reading of AEMPS rules makes 20 mg omeprazole a prescription product (only 10 mg is licensed OTC). In practice many Spanish pharmacies dispense 20 mg without seeing a prescription. This is pharmacist discretion, not a national policy, and may change.
EpiPen availability. The Mylan/Viatris EpiPen is not the dominant adrenaline auto-injector in Spain. Altellus and Jext (both ALK-Abelló) and Anapen (Bioprojet) are the marketed devices. The Bayer/Bausch+Lomb Emerade auto-injector was withdrawn from the Spanish market in 2023 over a device quality issue. UK travellers carrying EpiPens should familiarise themselves with the Spanish device design before relying on it.
Ranitidine. Ranitidine (Zantac) was withdrawn worldwide in 2019–2020 over NDMA contamination concerns and remains off the market in Spain, the US and the UK. Famotidine has replaced it as the standard H2 blocker.
Domperidone (Motilium). The EMA's PRAC restricted domperidone across the EU on 7 March 2014: limited to nausea and vomiting, maximum 30 mg per day, maximum seven days of treatment, because of QT prolongation and arrhythmia risk. Not FDA-approved in the United States.
Metoclopramide (Primperan / Reglan). EMA limited it to short-term use (up to 5 days) in 2013 because of the risk of neurological side effects. Long-term use is no longer recommended.
Atorvastatin patent. Pfizer's US compound patent on atorvastatin (Lipitor) expired on 30 November 2011, opening the US market to generic atorvastatin. In Spain, generic competition arrived earlier (Actavis launched atorvastatin magnesium in October 2009 against Pfizer's Cardyl/Zarator); the calcium-salt patent expired in July 2010.
Fluticasone propionate inhalers in the US. GSK discontinued the originator Flovent HFA and Flovent Diskus in the US in January 2024, replacing them with an authorised generic fluticasone propionate. The molecule is unchanged; the brand-name product is gone.