On Mallorca you are never far from a Farmacia. The green cross lights up on almost every street and the supply is excellent. Even so, Germans regularly stumble over the small differences: different brand names, strict prescription requirements for some products, opening hours with a siesta break, and special rules for bringing your own medications in. This guide explains how the pharmacy system on Mallorca works and what to watch out for.
Pharmacy system in Spain
The Spanish pharmacy sector is tightly regulated. Every Farmacia is owned by an independently qualified pharmacist (Farmacéutico) with a state examination; chains and discount models of the German type are prohibited. The number of pharmacies per head of population is capped by law. As a result you will find a well-accessible pharmacy almost everywhere, but the prices for prescription drugs are uniform nationwide.
Opening hours follow the Mallorcan rhythm. Typical hours are Monday to Friday 9:00 to 13:30 and 17:00 to 20:30, Saturday mornings only, Sunday closed. In Palma, Playa de Palma and Arenal there are pharmacies open all day (Farmacia 24 Horas), which you can find via the CofibApp. Outside the city you have to fall back on the emergency service.
Tip: active ingredient instead of brand name
German medications usually have different names on Mallorca. Instead of asking for "Aspirin", ask for Acetilsalicílico; Ibuprofen goes by the same name; instead of Paracetamol you say Paracetamol
- that one is the same. Download an active-ingredient reference onto your phone before you move; it saves a lot of misunderstandings.
Prescriptions and prescription requirements
Prescription requirements are often stricter in Spain than in Germany. Antibiotics, strong painkillers, sleeping pills, many blood-pressure medications, and practically anything that requires a prescription in Germany will also need a Spanish prescription (Receta) here. The pharmacy may only dispense a prescription-only medication without a prescription in genuine emergencies, and even then often only one pack.
There are three types of prescription:
- Receta electrónica is the electronic prescription of the Spanish health system. With the Tarjeta Sanitaria your GP enters the prescription directly into the central database. At the pharmacy the Farmacéutico scans your card and immediately sees what you should receive.
- Receta privada is a paper prescription from a privately practising doctor. You pay the full price with no discount.
- E-prescription from another EU country with a QR code has in principle been redeemable since 2024, but in practice not all pharmacists know the procedure. Your chances are considerably better at larger pharmacies in Palma.
Over-the-counter products (sin receta) such as mild painkillers, nasal spray, stomach tablets, throat lozenges, vitamins and many herbal remedies are available straight from the counter. Pharmacist consultations in Spain are highly competent and actively expected. Make use of them - a good Farmacia is often your first port of call for minor ailments.
Emergency service (Farmacia de Guardia)
Around the clock and at weekends there is an organised emergency service throughout Mallorca. The system is run at municipal level and works reliably. At every closed pharmacy you will find a notice in the window with the nearest Farmacia de Guardia.
Three reliable ways to find the emergency pharmacy:
- The CofibApp from the Balearic pharmacists' association shows you the nearest on-duty pharmacy in real time, with map and phone number. Free in the App Store and Google Play.
- The website farmaciasdeguardia.com works without an app and is kept very up to date.
- In Palma the tourist information office at Plaça d'Espanya will also be happy to direct you to the right pharmacy.
Note: ring the bell at night rather than walking in
Many emergency pharmacies are closed at night and serve customers only through a hatch or after ringing a side door. Try to call ahead if possible, and bring small change because card payment is sometimes not available late in the evening.
Bringing German medications with you
For personal use you may legally bring medications from Germany into Spain. The rule is pragmatic: a household quantity for up to three months' consumption is permitted, as long as the products are legally sold in Germany.
A few things make entry at the airport stress-free:
- Pack medications in their original packaging with the package leaflet. Loose tablets in a tin arouse suspicion.
- Include the original prescription or a doctor's note in German and English. For ongoing medication a letter from your doctor is enough.
- Declare controlled substances (opioids, strong sedatives, some ADHD preparations) with a Schengen certificate under Article 75 of the Schengen Convention (SDÜ). Your German GP issues this; it is certified by the public health office (Gesundheitsamt).
- Avoid large stockpiles. Arriving with 10 packs of morphine - even with a certificate - can quickly lead to a lengthy interview.
For most medications you will find a Spanish alternative after a short settling-in period. Talk to your Spanish GP about ongoing prescriptions; they will issue a Receta electrónica. After that you can buy locally in comfort and at lower cost.
Prices and reimbursement
Spain centrally fixes manufacturer prices for prescription medications. The pharmacy price for insured patients is well below the shelf price when you use the Spanish health card. Your co-payment depends on your income and whether you are a pensioner.
| Group | Co-payment | Example monthly medication |
|---|---|---|
| Employees with income up to 18,000 EUR | 40 percent | approx. 6 to 12 EUR |
| Employees 18,000 to 100,000 EUR | 50 percent | approx. 8 to 15 EUR |
| Pensioners up to 18,000 EUR | 10 percent, capped at 8.23 EUR | approx. 2 to 5 EUR |
| Pensioners above 100,000 EUR | 60 percent | approx. 10 to 20 EUR |
| Without Tarjeta Sanitaria | 100 percent | full shelf price |
Over-the-counter medications are often 20 to 40 percent cheaper in Spain than in Germany. Prices are not fixed by law, so comparing pharmacies is worthwhile, especially for ongoing products such as pain gels or vitamin supplements.
If you are still insured with your German health insurer, you can submit pharmacy receipts. The insurer reimburses at the German rate, which is usually only a fraction of the cost. For planned purchases, using the Spanish system is always cheaper once you have a Tarjeta Sanitaria.
Online pharmacies
The online market in Spain has been liberalised only for over-the-counter products. Prescription medications may only be purchased online with a valid prescription from a registered pharmacy, and the mail-order retailers must be listed with the Ministerio de Sanidad. The official directory is at distafarma.aemps.es.
Reputable providers include Farmacia Castellanos, Farmacia Del Pilar, Dosfarma, Atida Mifarma and Promofarma. They deliver throughout Spain and to the Balearic Islands; delivery takes 2 to 4 working days. For importing from Germany (DocMorris, Shop Apotheke) you need an e-prescription meeting the EU standard, or you can only buy over-the-counter products. Occasional customs formalities may apply.
Tip: supplement your travel kit, don't replace it
Some German brands such as Soventol, Mobilat, Bronchipret or certain children's products are unavailable or hard to find on Mallorca. Always keep a small stock from Germany, and buy the rest locally. That gives you the best of both worlds and avoids unnecessary import complications.
Finally, a practical note. If you are unsure which medication you need, talk to the pharmacist in Spanish or, if needed, use a translation app. The consultation at the Farmacia is high quality and part of the service. For minor ailments, travel sickness, sunburn, insect bites or an upset stomach, it will save you a doctor's visit and get you back on your feet quickly.