Portugal – Prescriptions and Medications

What are pharmacies called in Portugal, and how do I recognise one?

In Portugal, pharmacies go by the name farmácias and are typically easy to identify as standalone premises displaying a distinctive green cross outside. This cross is usually illuminated, making pharmacies straightforward to spot even at night or from across a street. Once you have familiarised yourself with this symbol, locating a pharmacy in any Portuguese city or town becomes effortless.

Portuguese pharmacies operate as both independent businesses and branches of larger chains, yet all are subject to oversight by the Ordem dos Farmacêuticos (the Order of Pharmacists) and INFARMED (the National Authority of Medicines and Health Products). The law requires that every pharmacy function under the direct supervision of a qualified pharmacist — referred to locally as a farmacêutico — who must be on the premises throughout opening hours and bears responsibility for the safe handling and dispensing of medicines.

Certain basic products such as vitamins, cosmetics, and common painkillers are also stocked in supermarkets or parapharmacies (parafarmácias). That said, the vast majority of actual medicines — even relatively mild ones — remain exclusively within the domain of licensed pharmacies, reflecting Portugal’s emphasis on robust pharmaceutical oversight. If you encounter a health and beauty outlet that lacks the green cross symbol, it is almost certainly a parafarmácia and will not carry prescription-only medicines.

Pharmacies can be found in town centres, shopping malls, and residential districts throughout Portugal. Major franchise networks such as Farmácia Portuguesa and Well’s have a broad national presence. To locate a nearby pharmacy, you can use the official search tool on the Farmácias Portuguesas website, which lets you filter results by location and the services each outlet provides.

What are pharmacy opening hours in Portugal?

Most Portuguese pharmacies are open from 09:00 to 19:00 on weekdays, though many take a lunch break between 13:00 and 15:00, and from 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. Actual hours can differ depending on the location — pharmacies situated within hypermarkets or shopping centres often follow the retail outlet’s timetable and may remain open until 22:00 or even 23:00.

Under Portuguese law, there must always be at least one pharmacy open in every locality at all hours of the day and night. Rather than keeping the same outlet open permanently, pharmacies share this responsibility on a rotational basis — a system designed to distribute the burden equitably, particularly for pharmacies located away from busy urban centres. These pharmacies on overnight duty are referred to as farmácias de serviço.

By law, every pharmacy must display the contact details and address of the nearest duty pharmacy in its window. Alternatively, you can call the national health helpline SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24 for assistance in identifying the closest open pharmacy. The SNS website also maintains a current listing of pharmacies providing out-of-hours cover.

After midnight, duty pharmacies typically limit sales to urgent medicines and essential items. Outside standard hours, you may be required to ring a doorbell or speak with staff through a security hatch. Whenever you visit a pharmacy outside regular hours, take your identification, any relevant prescription, and your health card with you.

Which medicines can I buy over the counter in Portugal, and which require a prescription?

Many everyday remedies are available over the counter in Portugal without a prescription. Pharmacies stock a broad range of products for routine complaints, including paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain and fever, cough and cold preparations, and antihistamines for allergies. Oral contraceptives are also generally obtainable without a prescription.

However, it is worth noting that even non-prescription medicines in Portugal are not displayed on open shelves for customers to pick up independently — you are expected to approach the counter, take a number if the pharmacy uses a queuing system, and explain your needs to the pharmacist directly. While a prescription is not required for many of these products, professional guidance accompanies every purchase. This differs markedly from systems in which medicines are placed freely on supermarket shelving, but it offers the benefit of pharmacist oversight at every step.

Some medicines that are freely available in other countries may require a prescription in Portugal, which can catch newcomers off guard. Antibiotics are a clear example — these are strictly prescription-only and cannot be obtained without a valid prescription from a Portuguese doctor or an EU-compliant telemedicine provider. When uncertain about a particular product, it is always wise to consult the pharmacist.

For NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the prescription requirement depends on the specific active ingredient and the strength of the formulation. A low-dose ibuprofen product may be dispensed freely, while a higher-strength version of the same drug could require a prescription. If you are unsure, the pharmacist is the best person to advise you.

Online pharmacies registered in Portugal are also an option and function similarly to physical outlets. If you upload a prescription to your personal account, you can purchase the corresponding medicine through the platform. You can identify pharmacies offering online services and home delivery via the Farmácias Portuguesas website. Before using any online pharmacy, always confirm it is fully registered with INFARMED to ensure the medicines you receive are legitimate.

Will my prescription from another country be accepted in Portugal?

As a member of the European Union, Portugal operates under the general EU principle that prescriptions issued in one member state should be honoured in another. In reality, however, Portuguese pharmacists may face challenges in verifying the authenticity of foreign prescriptions, and having a locally issued script makes the dispensing process considerably simpler. Prescriptions originating from outside the EU will not be accepted at a Portuguese pharmacy for subsidised medicines.

For those arriving from non-EU countries, the rules are more restrictive. Routine medications may sometimes be dispensed, but stronger or controlled substances will typically require a new prescription obtained from a Portuguese doctor. If the medication you rely on falls into this category, a consultation with a local physician is necessary before you can have it dispensed.

When travelling with existing medication, bring your original prescription alongside a letter from your doctor explaining the medical necessity of the treatment. Controlled substances — such as strong analgesics or anxiolytics — cannot be dispensed in Portugal on the basis of a foreign prescription alone; you will need to obtain a fresh prescription through a local medical consultation.

If you are relocating to Portugal, it is advisable to arrive with an adequate supply of your regular medicines, especially those not available without a prescription. Bring supporting documentation, including a copy of your prescription or a written explanation of your treatment from your prescribing doctor. Once settled, a consultation with a Portuguese doctor will allow you to secure a local prescription that any licensed farmácia can fulfil.

How do I get a prescription in Portugal?

Whether you intend to use Portugal’s public or private healthcare system, the process for obtaining a prescription follows a logical sequence. The steps below describe the typical pathway for a newly arrived resident:

1. Obtain your NIF (tax number) and residency documentation. Foreign nationals wishing to access healthcare services in Portugal must first obtain a Portuguese tax identification number. After obtaining this number, along with a residence permit, they can visit the nearest health centre to apply for healthcare coverage.
2. Register with the SNS and receive your Número de Utente. To use public healthcare, you must first register with the National Health Service (SNS) and receive a personal user number — the Número de Utente. This allows you to make an appointment with a family doctor (Médico de Família) at the nearest health centre.
3. Book an appointment at your local health centre (Centro de Saúde). If you are part of the public healthcare system, you can obtain a prescription through a visit to your local health centre or a hospital. Waiting times for a family doctor can be long initially — a duty doctor (médico de serviço) may be available in the interim.
4. Attend your consultation and request a prescription. During your appointment, provide the doctor with clear details of the medicine you need, including the active ingredient, dosage, and how you take it. Bring any existing prescription from your home country as supporting reference material.
5. Receive your electronic prescription. The Portuguese healthcare system relies extensively on digital prescriptions. Following your consultation, the doctor will issue a digital prescription linked to your patient record, which you can use to collect your medicine at any pharmacy by presenting your Número de Utente and identification.
6. Take your prescription to any pharmacy. For electronic prescriptions, the pharmacist can retrieve the details directly from the system. Paper prescriptions, where issued, must be handed over in person. Importantly, Portuguese prescriptions are not restricted to a particular pharmacy — any licensed farmácia can dispense them.

Prescriptions in Portugal are ordinarily valid for six months from the date of issue. Once this period has elapsed, another medical appointment will be needed to renew the prescription. If the waiting time within the public system is a concern, private medical consultations are available at a typical cost of €50 to €100, depending on the specialist and clinic, and generally offer faster access.

How much do prescriptions cost in Portugal, and is there a subsidised medicines scheme?

Portugal does not use a fixed per-item prescription charge as some other countries do. Instead, the system operates on a proportional cost-sharing model called comparticipação, under which the state reimburses a defined percentage of a medicine’s price directly to the dispensing pharmacy, and the patient pays only the remaining share at the point of collection.

For patients registered with the SNS who hold a Número de Utente, the comparticipação mechanism can make the cost of eligible medicines substantially lower. Reimbursement rates range from 15% to 90% of the approved medicine price, depending on the category of the medicine (as of 2025). For certain essential medicines prescribed to qualifying patients, the state may cover up to 90% of the cost.

The SNS maintains an official list of reimbursable medicines, divided into groups that correspond to different reimbursement tiers. The level of subsidy applicable to a particular medicine is determined by factors including the patient’s diagnosis, age, income, and the medicine’s classification within the national formulary. This approach shares some conceptual similarities with tiered subsidy schemes used in other countries, such as Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), though Portugal’s system does not operate with a single standardised co-payment cap — the amount a patient pays varies according to the medicine and its category.

At the pharmacy counter, patients present their Cartão de Utente (Health Service Card). Any applicable state subsidy is applied automatically by the pharmacist, and the patient settles only the outstanding balance. Medicine prices in Portugal are further kept in check by the VAT structure, which applies only the standard rate and does not add significant additional fiscal burden at the point of sale.

Patients who are not enrolled in the Portuguese public health system will be liable for the full cost of their medicines. For up-to-date information on which medicines are reimbursable and at what rates, consult the official INFARMED website or the SNS portal, as these details are reviewed and updated periodically.

Are brand-name and generic medicines both available in Portugal?

Generic medicines (medicamentos genéricos) are widely accessible in Portugal and occupy a central position in national pharmaceutical policy. Expanding the use of generics is an explicit goal of the SNS, and Portuguese law stipulates that the maximum permitted price of a generic product must not exceed 60% of the price of the originator brand medicine (as of 2025).

Since 2012, pharmacists in Portugal have been empowered to substitute branded prescription medicines with generic equivalents on their own initiative, without requiring express physician approval. Furthermore, pharmacists are legally obliged to present each patient with a choice of at least three generic alternatives from a minimum of five that should be held in stock, for each branded product prescribed. This places Portugal in contrast with systems that require a doctor’s explicit consent before substitution can occur — in Portugal, offering a generic alternative is standard practice unless the prescribing doctor has specifically indicated otherwise.

For patients where cost is a significant factor, asking the pharmacist about available generic alternatives is always worthwhile, as generics are reliably less expensive than branded products. The reimbursement of generics follows specific pricing rules, calculated by reference either to the branded medicine or to other reimbursed generics already on the market, depending on the competitive landscape for that particular active ingredient.

What should expats know about bringing medications into Portugal from abroad?

Entering Portugal with personal medication is generally uncomplicated, but certain rules — particularly those relating to controlled substances — deserve careful attention. Regulations can change, so it is strongly advisable to verify the current requirements with INFARMED or the nearest Portuguese embassy or consulate before you travel.

Medicines carried for personal use are permitted into Portugal. If the quantity brought exceeds a 30-day supply, customs authorities may request that you produce a valid prescription as supporting documentation. Expats are generally permitted to bring up to a three-month supply of prescription medication, provided they carry a letter from their GP, the medicines in their original labelled packaging, and ideally a copy of the original prescription.

Keeping medication in its original packaging with the dispensing label intact is important — it allows customs or pharmacy staff to verify the nature of the medicine and confirm the legitimacy of the prescription. Carrying a doctor’s note that outlines the medical necessity of the treatment adds a further layer of reassurance when dealing with border officials.

Narcotics and psychotropic substances, even when legitimately prescribed, require prior authorisation from INFARMED before they can be brought into Portugal. This category encompasses medicines commonly used for managing anxiety, chronic pain, ADHD, and sleep disorders, where the active substance may be classified as controlled under Portuguese or international law. The classification of a substance can vary considerably from one country to another, so it is essential to research this in advance rather than assume your home country’s rules apply.

Before travelling, check whether each medicine you intend to carry is legally permitted in Portugal. Substances that are freely available in your home country may be restricted or require special documentation in Portugal. Arrive with sufficient stock to cover the period needed to register with a local doctor and arrange a Portuguese prescription.

How do private health insurance and public healthcare affect prescription costs in Portugal?

Portugal’s public healthcare framework — the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) — operates alongside a well-developed private sector comprising insurance providers and mutual assistance organisations. The SNS is funded through general taxation and provides most core medical services at no direct cost to the patient, including pregnancy care, routine health checks, and vaccinations. For prescription medicines, the state underwrites a portion of eligible drug costs through the comparticipação subsidy scheme described above.

Unlike systems such as the UK’s NHS — where patients pay a fixed charge per prescription item, or nothing if they qualify for an exemption — Portugal’s model is proportional: the absolute amount a patient pays scales with the price of the medicine, even as the percentage the state covers remains constant within each reimbursement category. Public health coverage in Portugal generally reduces the cost of prescription medicines, though patients are typically required to contribute a co-payment whose size depends on the specific medicine and the patient’s qualifying circumstances.

Whether an expat is entitled to access the SNS depends on their residency status and nationality. EU citizens holding a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) may use the public system on equivalent terms to Portuguese nationals while they are in the process of establishing formal residency. Non-EU nationals will ordinarily need to obtain legal residency and complete SNS registration before they can access subsidised prescriptions.

Some private insurance plans and employer-provided healthcare packages offer enhanced access to certain medicines or additional discounts through affiliated pharmacy networks. Before purchasing, always confirm the position with your insurer and the pharmacy. Many recently arrived expats opt for private health insurance to bridge the gap before SNS enrolment is complete, as private cover provides quicker access to consultations and a wider selection of treatments. During this transitional period, private insurance is particularly valuable for managing the cost of ongoing prescription medicines.

Portugal also operates state programmes aimed at widening access to modern medicines for the most vulnerable patient groups, and a network of charitable pharmacies provides free medicines to those in greatest financial need. If you are facing economic hardship, enquire at your local health centre about what additional assistance may be available to you.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I run out of medication in an emergency in Portugal?

If you find yourself without medication, bring proof such as the original packaging or a photo of your prescription to a pharmacy. Pharmacists may dispense a small emergency supply for conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. You can also call SNS 24 (808 24 24 24) for guidance, including directing you to the nearest open pharmacy. For urgent medical needs, visit the nearest hospital emergency department (urgência).

How do I find a pharmacist who speaks a language other than Portuguese?

Pharmacies in Lisbon, Porto, and popular tourist areas frequently have staff with English language skills. Smaller or more rural pharmacies may be less likely to have multilingual employees, though most pharmacists will do their best to assist regardless. Private clinics in larger cities tend to be a reliable source of multilingual healthcare support. A translation app on your smartphone can serve as a practical fallback when visiting pharmacies in smaller communities.

How do I manage a chronic condition during the period before I am registered with the SNS?

Bring at least a three-month supply of any regular medication with you, along with documentation from your prescribing doctor. Without a Número de Utente, you can consult any private clinic or doctor in private practice (including online services) to obtain a prescription. Once you have your Número de Utente, you can register with a family doctor at your local health centre and continue your treatment through the public system.

Can I order my regular medicines online from a pharmacy outside Portugal?

Online ordering is available through several Portuguese pharmacies registered with INFARMED, a number of which also provide home delivery. Ordering prescription medicines from pharmacies based outside the EU and importing them into Portugal carries substantial regulatory risk and is not advisable. Always ensure that any online pharmacy you use is officially registered with INFARMED before placing an order.

Are there medicines commonly available elsewhere that I simply cannot find in Portugal?

Portuguese pharmacies do not stock many familiar antiviral, immunomodulatory, and homeopathic remedies, and the range of some generics can be limited. If you rely on a specific brand or formulation, it is worth checking its availability with INFARMED or a local pharmacist before you move, so you can plan accordingly and ask your doctor about suitable alternatives.

Do I need a new prescription each time I visit the pharmacy for a repeat medicine?

Prescription medications in Portugal are usually valid for six months. Within that validity period, you can return to any pharmacy to collect further supplies of the same medicine without a new consultation, as long as the electronic prescription has not been fully dispensed. Once the prescription expires, you will need to see your doctor again for a renewal.

What is the SNS 24 helpline and how can it help me?

SNS 24 is Portugal’s national health telephone helpline, reachable by dialling 808 24 24 24. It provides clinical triage advice, guidance on where to seek the most appropriate level of care, and information on the nearest open or duty pharmacy. The service operates principally in Portuguese, though some multilingual support may be available. If you are uncertain whether a symptom warrants a visit to a doctor or an emergency room, SNS 24 is a sensible first port of call.

Will my EHIC or travel insurance cover prescription medicines in Portugal?

EU citizens with a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) can access the Portuguese public healthcare system on the same terms as locals, including subsidised prescription medicines. Travel insurance policies vary widely — many will reimburse the cost of emergency prescription medicines, but few cover ongoing prescriptions for pre-existing conditions. Check your policy carefully and consider a specialist expatriate health insurance plan if you are moving to Portugal long term.