Emergency contraception (píldora del día después) in Spain

Key rules

• Prescription: Pharmacies sell emergency contraception without prescription, with no age limit and no parental consent needed.
• Time windows: Levonorgestrel works up to 72 hours, ulipristal up to 120 hours, and a copper IUD can be inserted up to 5 days after.
• Free access: Health centres, urgencias and family planning centres often give it free, but this depends on your region.
• Price: Generic levonorgestrel is the cheapest option and ulipristal costs more.

Buy it at a pharmacy, no prescription needed

Go to any pharmacy (farmacia). Emergency contraception is sold without prescription, with no age limit and no parental consent needed. You do not need to show ID or explain why. Ask for "la píldora del día después".

Two pills are sold. Levonorgestrel is the common one. Ulipristal is the other.

How long you have

The sooner you act, the better it works. Do not wait for a convenient moment.

• Levonorgestrel: up to 72 hours after unprotected sex.
• Ulipristal: up to 120 hours after unprotected sex.
• Copper IUD: can be inserted up to 5 days after. It is the most effective option, but a doctor must fit it, so go to a health centre or hospital emergency department.

If more than 3 days have passed, ulipristal or the copper IUD are the options to ask about.

What it costs

Pharmacies set the price by brand. Levonorgestrel costs less than ulipristal. Generic levonorgestrel is cheaper than the branded versions, so ask the pharmacist for the generic. Prices vary between pharmacies, so ask before you pay.

Where it is free

Public services in many regions give it out free. Try these:

• Your local health centre (centro de salud).
• A hospital emergency department (urgencias).
• A sexual and reproductive health or family planning centre.

Some regions, such as Andalucía and Cataluña, also hand it out free at pharmacies with a prescription or under regional programmes. Free access differs by region, so call your health centre or regional health service to ask what applies where you live. If the free route would make you wait, buying at a pharmacy is faster.

What to do now

1. Work out how many hours have passed.
2. If it is within 72 hours, buy levonorgestrel at a pharmacy. If it is longer, ask for ulipristal.
3. If you want the most effective option, or you are near the 5-day limit, go to a health centre or urgencias about a copper IUD.

The timeline and questions below cover the steps and common doubts.

Timeline and deadlines

• Take levonorgestrel: As soon as possible, and within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex. It works better the sooner you take it.

• Take ulipristal: Within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex.

• Have a copper IUD inserted: Within 5 days of unprotected sex, or within 5 days of the estimated ovulation. It is the most effective option.

Frequently asked questions

Is emergency contraception free in Spain?

Yes, it is free through public services in many regions, but availability varies by region. You can get it at a centro de salud (local health centre), a hospital emergency department (urgencias) or a sexual and reproductive health centre.

Which emergency pill costs less at the pharmacy?

Levonorgestrel costs less than ulipristal, and generic levonorgestrel is cheaper than the branded version. Prices are set by brand. Ask the pharmacist for the generic if cost matters.

Which option works best if more than 3 days have passed?

Ulipristal or a copper IUD are the options after 3 days, because levonorgestrel is only licensed for the first 3 days. Ulipristal works up to 5 days. The copper IUD is the most effective option, but a health professional has to insert it, so go to a health centre or urgencias.