Expat Health Insurance Spain

Premier agency for private health & medical insurance in Spain for expats

  • +34 636 465 010telephone contact
  • rainer@healthcareinsurancespain.es email contact
  • Healthplans
    • Universal Care “Asistencia Sanitaria”
    • Universal Mixto
    • Dental Plus
    • Cosalud Healthcare Card
  • Expat Health Info
  • Compare Covers
  • Insurance News
  • Other Insurances
    • Home Insurance
    • Car Insurance

Pharmacies in Spain – Farmacia

29th December 2014 by Rainer Hobrack

Medicine is something all of us need from time to time. Moreover, in Spain if you need any medicine you have to go to the local pharmacy. The chemists in Spain are referred to as “Farmacias” or “Farmacia”. Does not matter if you are in a big city or a small town you can easily find more than one chemist and these can be easily recognized by the big green neon crosses. Most pharmacies in Spain are usually part of a chain but there are some independent chemists too.

Pharmacies in Spain work in a different manner than many other EU countries. Many medicines including antibiotics can be bought over the counter without a prescription. The pharmacists have much better training and if you feel the condition is not severe, you can simply consult him and get your medicine. This means a visit to the hospital is not pharmacy - farmaciaalways necessary and you can save a lot of time as a result. Pharmacies are also a social hub in Spain where many people come to socialize. This might seem a little awkward at first but you will soon find that this is due to the free basic medical check ups that are offered in different pharmacies such as blood sugar test and blood pressure tests. Therefore the pharmacies here can be a good source of sharing your health condition and get tips to stay healthy.

Opening times
On weekdays most pharmacies are open from 9:30 am until 2 pm and then again from 5 pm to 9:30 pm. The pharmacies on Saturdays are usually open from 9:30 am to 2 pm. You will find that there are lots of 24 hour pharmacies in operation too and if your nearest pharmacy doesn’t operate 24 hours, then the details of the nearest 24 hour pharmacy are posted on its door.

Presciptions at spanish pharmacies
In Spain, prescriptions are issued in two steps. When you attend the emergency department of a hospital they will issue a medical report. Then the medical report needs to be taken to a general practitioner to get your prescription. So if you think your condition is not severe it is better to go to your local pharmacy and ask your pharmacist for help.

Prescriptions incur charges in Spain. It is only free if you are an EU resident and of pensionable age. All other patients will have to pay up to 40% of the cost of medication, but they have to be registered with the Spanish social security department or have an EU medical card to get this discount. Otherwise, they have to pay for the whole cost of prescriptions. These medical costs can be reclaimed through private medical insurances in some cases. Medicine is much cheaper in Spain compared to most other EU countries.

Speaking English at the ‘Farmacias’Farmacia - Pharmacy
If you don’t speak Spanish then getting your service could be a bit difficult. In tourist areas most of the pharmacists have basic knowledge of English. In other areas where English is not spoken that much it is better to learn some basic Spanish you might need in the pharmacies. If you have a medicine which you need on a regular basis, you should learn the generic names as it will be very helpful.

Find your local Pharmacy in Spain
Here at this useful link http://farmaciasguardia.portalfarma.com/web_guardias/publico/mapa.asp?c=0 you will find all the pharmacies in Spain which are open at night times and at festive days (farmacia de guardia). The map is devided by province and all the open pharmacies will be listed once you click there

Filed Under: Blog

Ask Rainer and get a free ebook!

You can reach me out at any time. You can either call for an immediate answer (+34-636-465-010) or alternatively you drop me an email and I will respond in 24 hours or less!
If you contact me I will send you a great Guide about the Spanish Heathcare System

Free Direct Contact

Recent News And Tips

The Policlinica Miramar

The Policlinica Miramar

You will find, the Policlinica Miramar within easy access of the center of Palma. The great hospital was founded in the year of 1969. As we know, … [Read More...]

All about Spanish Visa

All about Spanish Visa

Spain is one of the most favorite tourist location these days. If you are planning your next holidays in Spain, then you need to know about the Visa … [Read More...]

Healthcare in Catalunya

Healthcare in Catalunya

The facilities in a public healthcare unit is Spain is far better than any other European country. The most significant difference between the health … [Read More...]

Why choose Cosalud health Insurance?

In Cosalud, your peace of mind is our main goal, which is why for pediatrics and gynecology, you get to choose the specialist that treats you. Furthermore, we include reimbursements on pharmacy expenses so you have no problem following your treatments.
Cosalud offers three contract plans--without copay at all, with low copay, and with high copay--so that you can be the one who manages your health policy.
We've also worked hard to improve our services as much as possible by offering you the following conveniences: 24-hour medical help line, prompt response on authorizations (maximum 2 hours), optimization of national medical teams, and the ability to fill out the health questionnaire via telephone.

Maximum coverage on the market

  • 1. Medical consultations for primary care. General, pediatric, and childcare medicine, ambulance services, infirmary, home and outpatient emergencies in medical centers.
  • 2. Access to medical specialties, consultations, or hospital regimens, including advanced technological diagnostic procedures (PET, magnetic resonance, etc.) and therapeutic procedures, surgical specialties, and individual room with accompanying bed.
  • 3. The best hospital assistance, including ICU.
  • 4. Dental Plus supplement.
  • 5. Neonatology.
  • 6. Family planning. IUD implantation, tubal ligation, vasectomy.
  • 7. Includes prostheses, without limits. We cover cornea transplants and autologous bone marrow transplants.
  • 8. Reimbursement for urgent care (vital and non-vital) in provinces lacking services.
  • 9. Coverage for work-related and traffic accidents.
  • 10. Access to therapeutic tools: pain treatment, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, acupuncture, aerosol therapy, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, homeopathy and sports medicine, logo-speech therapy, podology, preparation for childbirth, etc.
  • 11. Preventative medicine via specific plans. Annual gynecological, coronary, colorectal and prostate cancer, and basic adult medical checks, among several others.
  • 12. 15 clinical psychology sessions per year and free psychological care over the phone, 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
  • 13. The ability to obtain a second medical opinion nationally and internationally for serious illnesses.
  • 14. An international assistance service for when you're traveling.
  • 15. Access to a vast array of health and well-being services at incredible prices. Ocular refractive laser surgery, green laser KTP treatment for benign hypertrophy of the prostate, assisted reproduction, psychological consultations, etc.
Rainer Hobrack

Rainer Hobrack

Rainer Hobrack, founder of Health Care Insurance Spain has been an expat living in Spain for over a decade now. He understands the frustrations of dealing with health insurance and the pain of dealing with the public health system.

Why should you trust Rainer Hobrack with such a big decision?

Mr. Hobrack is passionate about helping others, he's an expat too! He's very experienced in dealing with all aspects of health insurance. Mr. Hobrack is fluent in both English and German. So you know if you have questions he will be able to effectively answer them using his great communication skills and experience.

Cosalud, health Insurance in Spain

About Our Company

Co-Salud is one of the largest health insurance companies in Spain, the flagship of the well renowned company Catalana Occidente. Co-Salud is the only company in Spain which it´s monthly rates are not dependent on the amount of claims you make. Read More...

Follow me FacebookFollow me Google+Follow me LinkedInFollow me YouTube

Follow me

You can reach out to me at any time and I will be more than happy to help. You can get in touch via Facebook, Google+, or LinkedIn. The easiest and fastest method is through a telephone call or a message via Whatsapp.

Free Direct Contact

No-Hassle Communication!

If you’d like, feel free to send me a mail. I will answer within 24 hours. When sending me an email please mention your phone number so we can talk on the telephone if needed or we can see us, if you are in Barcelona and surroundings!

Medical Services in Spain

Medical Services in Spain

Find here all the medical services in Spain covered by the Cosalud insurance plan. More than 5000 medical centers all over the spanish peninsula to attend your health needs. Read More...

©2022 Beta Business | Legal-note | BCN Seguros

Contact Rainer

*Required fields