Arriving with a disability or medical equipment

Key rules

• Airport assistance: Request it at least 48 hours before departure; it is free.
• Medicines: Carry personal medicines in their original packaging with a prescription or doctor's letter.
• Controlled medicines: Medicines with narcotic or psychotropic substances need extra documents, depending on where you travel from.
• Oxygen concentrators: Your airline must approve the type of concentrator before you fly.

Book airport assistance early

Airport assistance is free, and you must ask for it in advance. Request it at least 48 hours before departure. The easiest time is when you book your flight. You can ask through your airline, travel agent or tour operator.

On the day, go to the meeting point or call button at the airport, or to the check-in desk. Use the time your airline gives you. Spanish airports are run by Aena, which arranges the service. Its website has the latest procedure for each airport.

Flying with medical equipment

Tell your airline about any device before you fly. Most airlines want notice 48 to 72 hours ahead, and some ask for up to 7 days. Confirm the rules with your airline before you book.

• CPAP machines and similar devices can usually travel free, on top of your normal baggage allowance.
• Oxygen concentrators must be a type your airline approves. This is usually a portable model with US aviation certification.
• Medical certificate: many airlines ask for a certificate or fitness-to-fly form from your doctor.
• Batteries: airlines do not usually supply power on board, so bring your own. Spare lithium batteries go in your hand luggage.
• Security: your device will be screened. Be ready to show it to staff.

Carrying medicines into Spain

You may bring medicines for personal use, normally up to about 90 days' supply. Keep them in their original packaging. Carry your prescription or a doctor's letter with them. Large quantities, or medicines meant for sale, are not allowed.

Medicines with narcotic or psychotropic substances need extra papers:

• From a Schengen country: you need a Schengen certificate. Your doctor completes it and your health authority endorses it. It is valid for up to 30 days.
• From outside the Schengen area: carry a doctor's report and your prescription.

Some drugs that are legal in your country are controlled in Spain. If you are unsure about yours, ask the Spanish medicines agency (AEMPS) or a Spanish consulate before you travel.

The timeline, documents and checklist below set out the steps in order.

Timeline and deadlines

• Request free airport assistance through your airline, travel agent or tour operator: when you book the flight

• Tell your airline about your medical equipment: at least 48 to 72 hours before departure; some airlines ask up to 7 days ahead

• Get your Schengen certificate if you carry controlled medicines: before you travel; it is valid for up to 30 days

• Go to the meeting point or check-in desk for assistance: on the day, at the time your airline advises

Documents you need

• Your prescription or a doctor's letter for any medicine you carry, with the medicines in their original packaging.

• The Schengen certificate, if you travel from a Schengen country with medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances. Your doctor completes it and the health authority endorses it, and it is valid for up to 30 days.

• A doctor's report and prescription, if you travel from outside the Schengen area with medicines containing narcotic or psychotropic substances.

• A medical certificate or fitness-to-fly form from your doctor, which many airlines ask for when you fly with medical equipment.

Checklist

• Confirm your assistance request reaches the airline at least 48 hours before departure.

• Ask your airline whether your oxygen concentrator or other device is an approved type.

• Tell your airline about your equipment at least 48 to 72 hours ahead, or earlier if it asks for up to 7 days.

• Pack batteries for about 150% of your flight time and keep spare lithium batteries in your hand luggage.

• Pack medicines in their original packaging with your prescription or a doctor's letter.

• Check with the Spanish medicines agency or a Spanish consulate if any of your medicines may be controlled in Spain.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take my CPAP machine on the plane without paying extra?

Yes, a CPAP machine can usually be carried free on top of your normal baggage allowance, but tell your airline before you fly. Staff may ask to see it at security. Airlines do not usually supply power onboard, so bring your own batteries.

How much battery do I need for an oxygen concentrator on a flight?

You need enough battery to cover about 150% of the flight time. Keep spare lithium batteries in your hand luggage. The concentrator must be a type your airline approves, typically a portable model certified by the FAA.

Can I bring more than 90 days of my medicines into Spain?

No, medicines are allowed for personal use, normally up to about 90 days, in the original packaging with your prescription or a doctor's letter.

How long is the Schengen certificate for controlled medicines valid?

The Schengen certificate is valid for up to 30 days. It applies to medicines with narcotic or psychotropic substances if you travel from a Schengen country.