Bringing and matching your medicines

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. The aim is simple: you arrive with a legal, documented supply and know how to find the Spanish equivalent of every medicine you take.

Start with "Rules and limits for bringing prescription medicines into Spain". It sets out what you can carry across the border and what to have in your bag. From there, go to the article that fits your situation:

• "Bringing narcotic or psychotropic medicines and Schengen certificates" if any of your medicines are controlled.
• "Finding the Spanish equivalent of your home medicine" to match your brand, active ingredient and dose.
• "What if your medicine is not sold in Spain?" if you cannot find a match.
• "Posting your regular medicines from your home country to Spain" if you plan to have supplies sent.
• "Preparing your medicines before you leave for Spain" for the doctor's letter and a bridging supply.
• "GLP-1 and diabetes medicines in Spain and who pays" if you use semaglutide-type medicines.

Spanish prescribing rules, and moving with an ongoing condition and transferring your records, are covered elsewhere in the guide.

Key rules

• Certificate limit: A Schengen certificate for controlled medicines covers a maximum of 30 days of treatment.
• Carry limit: You can carry a personal supply of about three months of treatment, in original packaging, with a prescription or doctor's report.
• Bridging supply: Plan a bridging supply of about 3 months, and longer for chronic medicines, because getting a Spanish prescription can take weeks to months.
• Declaration: Personal medicines in a quantity that fits your trip do not need a customs declaration.
• Arriving from outside Schengen: You need AEMPS authorisation before you travel, not a Schengen certificate.
• Ingredient first: Match on active ingredient, strength and form, never on the brand name.

Bringing and matching your medicines: the whole process, step by step

• Check whether your medicines are controlled (narcotic or psychotropic) and what the Spanish rules allow. Read: Rules and limits for bringing prescription medicines into Spain: Well before you travel

• Get a doctor's letter or prescription copy and plan your bridging supply. Read: Preparing your medicines before you leave for Spain: Before you leave; plan a supply of about 3 months, and longer for chronic medicines

• For controlled medicines, ask the prescribing doctor to complete a Schengen certificate and have it endorsed by the health authority. Read: Bringing narcotic or psychotropic medicines and Schengen certificates: Before you travel; one certificate covers a maximum of 30 days of treatment

• Pack medicines in original packaging with your documents. Carry no more than a personal supply of about three months of treatment. Read: Rules and limits for bringing prescription medicines into Spain: On the day you travel

• Find the Spanish brand, active ingredient and dose of your medicine to show a doctor or pharmacist. Read: Finding the Spanish equivalent of your home medicine: Before your first appointment in Spain

• If your medicine is not sold in Spain, look for a substitute or an import route. Read: What if your medicine is not sold in Spain?: As soon as you know it is unavailable, well before your bridging supply runs out

• If you need more supply, do not rely on posting it later; check the mailing rules first. Read: Posting your regular medicines from your home country to Spain: Before you arrange any shipment

Documents you may need

• A copy of your prescription — Rules and limits for bringing prescription medicines into Spain, What if your medicine is not sold in Spain?
• A Schengen certificate — Rules and limits for bringing prescription medicines into Spain, What if your medicine is not sold in Spain?
• A letter on your doctor's letterhead — Preparing your medicines before you leave for Spain
• Your full name — Preparing your medicines before you leave for Spain
• Your diagnosis — Preparing your medicines before you leave for Spain
• Each medicine by its generic — Preparing your medicines before you leave for Spain
• The dose — Preparing your medicines before you leave for Spain
• A statement that the medicines are for your personal use — Preparing your medicines before you leave for Spain
• An extra authorisation or certificate for controlled — Rules and limits for bringing prescription medicines into Spain
• The letter in English or Spanish — Preparing your medicines before you leave for Spain
• The doctor's letter in Spanish if you can get it — Rules and limits for bringing prescription medicines into Spain

Bringing and matching your medicines: questions that cross several articles

Is my medicine counted as narcotic or psychotropic?

Yes, if it is an opioid such as morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl or methadone, a benzodiazepine such as diazepam, alprazolam or lorazepam, zolpidem, or an ADHD stimulant such as methylphenidate. Some products are classed differently, so check the exact drug. Read Bringing narcotic or psychotropic medicines and Schengen certificates next.

How much medicine can I bring if it is controlled?

You can bring a maximum of 30 days of treatment under a Schengen certificate. Longer stays need a Spanish prescription, so plan your first doctor visit. Read Bringing narcotic or psychotropic medicines and Schengen certificates and Preparing your medicines before you leave for Spain.

Do the same quantity limits apply if I arrive from another EU country?

Yes, the same practical limit of about three months of treatment applies to non-controlled medicines when you arrive from another EU or Schengen country, though there are no border checks. See Rules and limits for bringing prescription medicines into Spain.

Which documents should I carry for ordinary prescription medicines?

Carry a copy of the prescription or a doctor's report giving the diagnosis, the active ingredient and the dose, with medicines in original packaging. No customs form is needed. Read Rules and limits for bringing prescription medicines into Spain, then Finding the Spanish equivalent of your home medicine.