Buying medicine online in Spain and what is legal

Key rules

• Prescription medicines: Online sale of prescription-only medicines to the public is prohibited in Spain.
• Authorised sellers: Buy only from a pharmacy that shows the EU logo and appears on the official list.
• Not on the list: If the seller is missing from the list, do not buy.
• Medicine from abroad: Medicines ordered from outside the EU may be seized by customs.

What you can legally buy online

Only non-prescription medicines can be bought online, and only from pharmacies on the official authorised list that show the EU logo. Prescription-only medicines cannot be sold to the public online in Spain. A website that offers them, with or without a prescription, is illegal. Do not use it.

Who is allowed to sell

A seller must be a real pharmacy that is open to the public and authorised by its autonomous community. It must also have told the regional health authority that it sells online. The medicine must be for humans.

Two things show a seller is legitimate:

• The EU logo, a white cross on a green background with the flag of the seller's country, on every page of the site.
• A place on the official list of pharmacies authorised for online sale, kept by the Spanish medicines agency, the AEMPS.

How to check a site before you pay

Click the EU logo. It should take you to the AEMPS list. If it does not, treat the site as fake.

You can also search the list yourself. Look for the pharmacy name and web address, and make sure the domain matches the one in the list exactly. The list is in the online sale of medicines section of the AEMPS website. The page address can change, so reach it through the logo link or the site search.

If the seller is not on the list, do not buy. The checklist below walks you through this step by step, and the warning below it shows the signs of illegal sellers.

Ordering from another country

A pharmacy in another EU country can sell you non-prescription medicines at a distance. It must be legally authorised in its own country and follow the EU logo rules. The medicine must also be authorised in Spain.

Prescription-only medicines cannot be sent to you from abroad as a sale. From outside the EU, importing medicines by post is generally restricted, and customs may seize the parcel. Ask the AEMPS or customs before you order.

Bringing your own medicine

Travellers can carry a limited personal supply with a prescription or medical report. Rules are stricter for controlled drugs, so check before you travel. The FAQ below gives more.

Checklist

• Look for the EU logo (a white cross on a green background with a national flag) on every page of the site.

• Click the EU logo and check that it leads to the AEMPS list of authorised sellers.

• Walk away if the seller is not on the list or the logo does not link to it.

• Buy only non-prescription medicines online, and treat any site offering prescription medicines at a distance as illegal.

• For a pharmacy abroad, check it is authorised in its EU country and that the medicine is authorised in Spain.

Warning signs of illegal online medicine sellers

• Check the register before you pay: A seller that is not on the official list of authorised online pharmacies is illegal, and its products may be fake, contain wrong or harmful ingredients, and give you no legal protection. Click the EU logo on the seller's site, or search the list of authorised online pharmacies on the website of AEMPS, Spain's medicines agency, by pharmacy name and web address. Make sure the domain matches the one on the list. If the seller is not there, do not buy.

• Missing or fake EU logo: Every authorised online pharmacy shows the EU logo, a white cross on a green background with a flag of the seller's country, on every page. A site with no logo, or a logo that does not lead to the official list, is not legitimate. Click the logo. It should take you to the national list of authorised sellers. If it does nothing, leave the site.

• No real pharmacy behind the site: A seller with no identifiable pharmacy, address or pharmacist, or with a web address unrelated to a real pharmacy, may be hiding on purpose. Look for the pharmacy's name, address and pharmacist on the site and match them to the official list.

• Too-good offers: Prescription medicines offered with no prescription, unusually low prices or big discounts, miracle cures, and slimming or sexual-performance products are classic signs of falsified medicine. Walk away. Ask a local pharmacist or your doctor for a safe alternative.

• Unsolicited emails: Emails you did not ask for that push medicines are a common route to illegal sellers. Do not click the links. Type the pharmacy's address yourself and check it against the official list.

Frequently asked questions

Can I order medicine from a pharmacy in another EU country?

Yes, you can buy non-prescription medicine from a pharmacy legally authorised in another EU country, if it shows the EU logo and follows the rules of both countries. The medicine must also be authorised in Spain.

Can I order medicine from a pharmacy outside the EU?

Usually not safely, because importing medicines by post from outside the EU is generally restricted. Customs may seize the parcel. Check with the AEMPS or customs before ordering.

Can I bring my own medicine when I travel to Spain?

Yes, you can carry a limited personal supply if you have a prescription or medical report with you. The rules are stricter for controlled drugs, so ask the AEMPS or customs first.

What does the EU logo look like?

The EU logo is a white cross on a green background, with the flag of the seller's country. It must appear on every page of the site, not just the home page.