Using a foreign glasses or contact lens prescription in Spain

Key rules

• Glasses: Opticians may use a clear foreign prescription, but they can insist on their own sight test.
• Contact lenses: Expect a local sight test and fitting, because foreign prescriptions lack details like base curve and diameter.
• Online lenses: Buy only from an authorised optical establishment with a qualified optician responsible.
• Your results: Ask for a written copy of your values so you can use them at another shop.

A foreign prescription is a starting point

Your foreign prescription is a starting point, not a guarantee. Spanish opticians usually re-measure your eyes. Contact lens supply and online purchases follow Spanish rules, so expect to do some of it locally.

Glasses

Many opticians will make glasses from a foreign prescription if the values are clear. Many others prefer their own sight test. The reasons are simple: foreign formats differ, prescriptions can be old, and the optician is responsible for the final result. Some shops refuse unclear or expired prescriptions.

In shops, the sight test is often free or cheap. Ask the price before you book.

What to do:

• Bring the original prescription and ask if the shop will use it or re-measure.
• If they re-measure, ask for a written copy of the new values.

Taking your prescription to another shop

Opticians who test your sight are expected to give you a written record of the result. In practice they usually hand over a prescription or printed values on request, often free. You can then take it to any other shop. A prescription from an ophthalmologist belongs to you and works at any optician.

If a shop refuses, ask again in writing. Details vary by region.

Contact lenses

Contact lenses are health products in Spain. A qualified optician or optometrist must dispense them after a sight test and a fitting check.

A foreign prescription usually lacks fitting details such as base curve and diameter. So expect to need a local fitting and a Spanish contact lens prescription. Some shops may accept a recent foreign prescription for a repeat supply, but that is their choice, not your right. Confirm with the shop first.

Buying contact lenses online

Only authorised optical establishments can sell contact lenses online in Spain. They need a health authorisation and a qualified optician or optometrist responsible for sales. Regional health authorities handle these authorisations, so check the seller's licence details on its website.

Sellers may ask for a valid prescription or fitting details, so get your Spanish ones before you order. Spanish distance-selling rules also apply, which protect you as a buyer.

The documents list, checklist and questions below cover the practical steps.

Documents you need

• Your foreign glasses prescription, with clear and recent values. Many opticians use it as a starting point, but may re-measure.

• A written copy of your prescription or printed sight-test values from your Spanish optician or ophthalmologist, to use at another shop. Ask for it; it is often free.

• A contact lens prescription with fitting details such as base curve and diameter, from a Spanish optician or optometrist after a fitting check. A foreign prescription alone usually does not include these.

Checklist

• Bring your foreign glasses prescription to a Spanish optician and ask if they will use it or re-measure.

• Book a sight test if the optician prefers to re-measure, and ask the price first.

• Ask for a written copy of your new prescription or values so you can use it at another shop.

• Book a sight test and fitting check for contact lenses, because a foreign prescription lacks fitting details.

• Have your Spanish contact lens prescription or fitting details ready before ordering online.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my Spanish prescription to a different optician?

Yes, you can take your prescription to any optician, because an ophthalmologist's prescription belongs to you as the patient. If a shop refuses to hand over your values after a sight test, ask for them in writing. Details vary by region.

Will a Spanish optician refuse my foreign glasses prescription?

Some will, especially if the values are unclear or old, though many will make glasses from a clear foreign prescription. Many prefer to re-measure with their own sight test, which is often free or cheap in shops.

What should I check before buying contact lenses online in Spain?

Check that the seller is an authorised optical establishment with a health authorisation and a qualified optician responsible. The seller may ask for a valid prescription or fitting details. Spanish distance-sales rules apply when you buy.