Updated: October 2026

The green cross of the farmacia is one of the first things newcomers notice in Spain – there seems to be one on every corner. Spanish pharmacies do much more than fill prescriptions, and for many small health problems they are the quickest place to get help. This guide explains how pharmacies work, how to find one at night, what you pay for medicines and when the pharmacist can help you without a doctor’s visit.

How pharmacies work in Spain

Pharmacies in Spain are privately owned, but they are tightly regulated and work closely with the public health system. Every pharmacy is run by a qualified pharmacist, and only pharmacies are allowed to sell medicines – including everyday painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen. You will not find them on supermarket shelves.

• Farmacia: sells prescription and non-prescription medicines, plus health and baby products. Marked with a green cross, often lit up.
• Parafarmacia: sells skincare, supplements and hygiene products, but no medicines. Useful for sun cream or baby formula, not for treating an infection.
• Opening hours: many pharmacies follow normal shop hours, often with a midday break in smaller towns. Some in cities open 12 or 24 hours a day.

Finding a pharmacy at night or on a holiday

Every area has a rota of on-duty pharmacies (farmacias de guardia) that stay open at night, on Sundays and on public holidays. To find the nearest one:

1. Look at the door or window of any pharmacy – closed pharmacies post the current on-duty list.
2. Check the website or app of the official college of pharmacists for your province (Colegio Oficial de Farmacéuticos), which publishes the rota.
3. Search for “farmacia de guardia” plus your town name, or check your town hall’s website or local newspaper.

At night, on-duty pharmacies often serve customers through a small hatch or window rather than letting you inside. In a real emergency, call 112 or go to the emergency department (urgencias) – the pharmacy is not a substitute for urgent care.

Prescriptions: public, private and foreign

Public healthcare prescriptions

If you are in the public system, your doctor’s prescription is electronic (receta electrónica). You simply hand over your regional health card (tarjeta sanitaria) at any pharmacy in your region and the pharmacist sees what you can collect. For long-term treatment, repeat medicines are released automatically at set intervals. Our guide to healthcare for foreign residents explains how to get your health card.

Private prescriptions

A private doctor gives you a paper or digital private prescription. The pharmacy will dispense the medicine, but you pay the full price – private insurance does not usually cover pharmacy costs unless your policy says so.

Prescriptions from abroad

Spain takes part in the EU electronic prescription system, so pharmacies in participating regions can dispense e-prescriptions issued in several other EU countries, such as Portugal, Poland and Finland. The list of countries keeps growing, so check the Ministry of Health page below. A prescription from outside the EU, including the UK, normally needs to be rewritten by a doctor in Spain before you can get prescription-only medicines.

Brand names often differ between countries. Bring the packaging or write down the active ingredient (principio activo) and dose – this is what Spanish pharmacists work with.

What you pay for medicines

With a public prescription you pay a share of the price (copago) that depends on your income and whether you are working or a pensioner. A reform (Real Decreto-ley 11/2026) in force since 14 May 2026 changed the income bands:

Annual income	Working age	Pensioners
Under €9,000	40%, max €8.23/month	10%, max €8.23/month
€9,000–17,999	40%, max €18.52/month	10%, max €8.23/month
€18,000–34,999	45%, max €61.75/month	10%, max €13.37/month
€35,000–59,999	45%, no cap	10%, max €13.37/month
€60,000–99,999	50%, no cap	10%, max €18.52/month
€100,000 or more	60%, no cap	60%, max €61.75/month

Some groups pay nothing, including people receiving the minimum income scheme (ingreso mínimo vital) or a non-contributory pension, unemployed people who no longer receive benefits and families receiving the child supplement. If you pay more than your monthly cap, your region refunds the difference. Without a public prescription you pay the full price, but prices of medicines funded by the public system are set nationally, so they are the same in every pharmacy.

What the pharmacist can help with

Spanish pharmacists are highly trained and used to giving advice. Before you book a doctor’s appointment, it is often worth asking at the counter about:

• Minor ailments: colds, sore throats, allergies, mild stomach problems, insect bites, sunburn and small skin issues.
• Health checks: many pharmacies measure blood pressure and some offer blood glucose or cholesterol tests.
• Emergency contraception: the morning-after pill is available without a prescription.
• Medicine questions: how to take a medicine, interactions, and Spanish equivalents of what you used at home.
• Disposing of old medicines: pharmacies have collection points for expired medicines and empty packaging.

What the pharmacist cannot do is sell you prescription-only medicines without a prescription. That includes antibiotics, which are strictly prescription-only in Spain. If the pharmacist thinks your symptoms need a doctor, they will tell you – and that advice is worth following. In summer, ask them about heat and sun protection too; our guide to staying safe in a heatwave has more tips.

For non-prescription products such as vitamins, skincare and everyday health items, you can also order online. Liki24 (ad) delivers health, wellbeing and personal care products from several countries in one order, which can help if you are looking for a brand you used at home.

Useful phrases at the pharmacy

• ¿Tiene algo para…? – Do you have something for…?
• Tengo dolor de cabeza / garganta / estómago – I have a headache / sore throat / stomach ache
• Soy alérgico/a a… – I am allergic to…
• ¿Necesito receta? – Do I need a prescription?
• ¿Cuántas veces al día? – How many times a day?

Useful links

• Ministry of Health: EU e-prescriptions in Spain
• OCU: the 2026 changes to prescription co-payments (Spanish)
• GOV.UK: healthcare for UK nationals living in Spain
• Healthcare in Spain for foreign residents
• Diabetes care in Spain for expats

FAQ: pharmacies in Spain

Can I buy antibiotics without a prescription in Spain?

No. Antibiotics are prescription-only, and pharmacies will not sell them without a valid prescription.

How do I find a pharmacy open at night?

Look for the list of on-duty pharmacies (farmacias de guardia) on the door of any pharmacy, or check the website of the college of pharmacists for your province.

Will a Spanish pharmacy accept my prescription from home?

E-prescriptions from some EU countries can be dispensed in participating regions. Prescriptions from outside the EU, including the UK, usually need to be rewritten by a doctor in Spain.

Do pensioners pay for medicines in Spain?

Most pay 10% of the price with a monthly cap that depends on income, from €8.23 to €18.52 for most pensioners. Some low-income pensioners pay nothing.

Disclaimer: This article is general information only and is not medical advice. Always follow the advice of your doctor or pharmacist, and in an emergency call 112. Prices and co-payment rules can change – check with your regional health service.

Updated: October 2026

Moving to a new country can be exciting, but it also brings challenges that can affect your mental health. Many expats in Spain experience periods of loneliness, stress, or anxiety—especially during the first months. The good news is that Spain offers a growing range of mental health resources, both public and private, and there are many ways to get support as a foreigner. Here’s what you need to know about looking after your mental well-being in Spain.

Common mental health challenges for expats

• Loneliness and homesickness
• Culture shock and language barriers
• Stress from bureaucracy or job searches
• Relationship and family pressures
• Adjustment to new routines and environments

Where to find help in Spain

• Public health system: You can access a psychologist or psychiatrist through your local health center (centro de salud), though waiting times can be long.
• Private therapists: Many English-speaking psychologists work in major cities. Try menteAmente in Madrid or Therapy in Barcelona.
• Online therapy: Platforms like BetterHelp and Talkspace offer sessions in English and other languages.
• Support groups: Many expat communities run peer support groups, both in person and online (check Facebook or Meetup).
• Emergency help: For urgent mental health support, call 112 or visit the nearest hospital’s emergency department.

Tips for protecting your mental health as an expat

• Stay connected with friends and family back home.
• Join clubs, sports, or volunteering to build a local network.
• Learn Spanish—it helps you feel more in control and less isolated.
• Maintain healthy routines: eat well, sleep enough, and exercise.
• Don’t hesitate to seek professional help—mental health is just as important as physical health.

Useful links

• English-speaking psychiatrists and psychologists in Madrid (menteAmente)
• Therapy in Barcelona
• Spanish public health centers (official directory)
• BetterHelp – online therapy
• Talkspace – online therapy

FAQ: expat mental health in Spain

Can I see an English-speaking therapist in Spain?

Yes, especially in larger cities and online. Check the links above for options.

Is mental health care free in Spain?

Public health care covers basic mental health services, but waiting times can be long. Private care is faster but paid.

How do I find expat support groups?

Search Facebook or Meetup, or ask at international schools and expat centers.

What should I do in a mental health emergency?

Call 112 or go to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Are there therapists who speak other languages?

Yes, many private therapists offer sessions in English, French, German and other languages.

How can I reduce loneliness as an expat?

Get involved in local activities, join clubs and keep in touch with loved ones.

Can I use online therapy from Spain?

Yes – services like BetterHelp and Talkspace are available to residents in Spain.

How do I get a referral for public mental health care?

Visit your local health center (centro de salud) and ask your GP for a referral.

What if I don’t speak Spanish well?

Look for English-speaking professionals, or bring a friend to help with translation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Always contact a professional for specific mental health advice.

Updated: October 2026

Spain has one of the best public health systems in Europe – but as a foreign resident you only get access once you are registered in the right way. How you qualify depends on whether you work, receive a pension or live on your own income. Here is how it works in 2026, step by step.

Who can use the public health system?

• Employees and self-employed (autónomos): you are covered through your social security contributions, and so are your registered family members.
• EU pensioners: register your S1 form from your home country with the Spanish social security (INSS). Your home country then pays for your care in Spain.
• Residents without work or S1: you can join the public system by paying a monthly fee through the convenio especial – after at least one year of registration on the padrón. The national fee is around €60 per month under 65 and €157 from 65, and some regions run their own schemes.
• Visitors and new arrivals: EU citizens on a short stay can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Others need travel or private insurance.

How to register – step by step

1. Get your NIE and padrón – you need both for almost everything. See how to get your NIE.
2. Get your social security number – your employer usually arranges it, or you apply yourself at the social security office.
3. Apply for recognition of your right to healthcare at the INSS (online or by appointment), with your S1 form if you are a pensioner.
4. Register at your local health centre (centro de salud) with your passport, NIE, padrón and INSS document. You will be given a family doctor.
5. Receive your health card (tarjeta sanitaria individual) by post or at the health centre. Download your region’s health app to book appointments.

Public or private health insurance?

• Public: free at the point of use (prescriptions have a co-payment based on income). Waiting lists for specialists can be long.
• Private: faster access to specialists and English-speaking doctors. Many expats combine both. Policies typically cost €50–150 per month per adult, depending on age and cover.
• For visas: non-lucrative, digital nomad and student visas require private insurance with full cover and no co-payments (sin copagos) unless you are covered by social security.

Emergencies

Call 112 for any emergency – operators often speak English. Public hospital emergency departments (urgencias) treat everyone; if you are not covered, you may receive a bill afterwards.

FAQ: healthcare in Spain

Is healthcare free in Spain for foreigners?

It is free at the point of use if you are covered through work, an S1 form or the convenio especial. Otherwise you need private insurance.

Can I keep using my EHIC card when I live in Spain?

No. The EHIC is for temporary stays. Once you live in Spain you must register in the Spanish system or have private insurance.

How do I find an English-speaking doctor?

In tourist areas many public and private doctors speak English. Private insurers list English-speaking doctors in their apps.

Do I pay for medicines?

Yes, a share. Working-age patients pay 40–60% depending on income, and pensioners usually pay 10% with a monthly cap.

Useful links

• Spanish social security (INSS)
• Official directory of public health centres
• Mental health support for expats

Disclaimer: This article is general information only. Rules and fees differ between regions and can change – always check with the INSS or your regional health service.