Pharmacies in Portugal — Prescriptions & Medication

How Pharmacies Work in Portugal

Pharmacies (farmácias) in Portugal are easily recognised by the green cross symbol displayed outside. They are staffed by qualified pharmacists (farmacêuticos) and pharmacy technicians who can provide professional health advice alongside dispensing medication.

Portuguese pharmacies are regulated by INFARMED (Autoridade Nacional do Medicamento e Produtos de Saúde) and the Ordem dos Farmacêuticos (Order of Pharmacists). All pharmacies must have at least one licensed pharmacist on duty during operating hours.

Unlike some countries, Portugal does not have large chain drugstores. Most pharmacies are independently owned, though some belong to small groups. Regardless of ownership, all pharmacies follow the same regulations and pricing rules for subsidised medications.

Getting Prescriptions Filled

Most prescriptions in Portugal are now electronic. The system is called receita médica eletrónica (electronic medical prescription).

How Electronic Prescriptions Work

1. Your doctor enters the prescription into the national health system during your consultation
2. You receive a prescription code — either via SMS to your registered phone number, printed on a paper guide (guia de tratamento), or stored on your citizen card
3. At the pharmacy, provide the code, your citizen card, or your SNS user number
4. The pharmacist retrieves your prescription from the system and dispenses your medication

Electronic prescriptions can be filled at any pharmacy in Portugal — you are not restricted to a specific location. If your prescription includes multiple refills, you can collect your medication in instalments over the validity period.

Paper Prescriptions

In rare cases, a doctor may issue a paper prescription (receita manual). Paper prescriptions are valid for 30 days from the date of issue and must be filled at a single pharmacy in one visit. The pharmacy will keep the original paper prescription.

Over-the-Counter vs Prescription Drugs

In Portugal, medications fall into two main categories:

• Over-the-counter (OTC) — medicamentos não sujeitos a receita médica: Available without a prescription. These include common painkillers (paracetamol, ibuprofen), cough and cold remedies, antacids, allergy medications, and some topical creams. Some OTC medications are also available at parafarmácias (parapharmacies) inside supermarkets and shopping centres.
• Prescription-only — medicamentos sujeitos a receita médica: Require a valid prescription from a licensed doctor. These include antibiotics, most blood pressure and diabetes medications, stronger painkillers, antidepressants, sleeping pills, and controlled substances.

Generic vs Brand-Name Medication

Portugal has a well-established market for generic medications (medicamentos genéricos). Generics contain the same active ingredient, in the same dosage and form, as the brand-name original and are approved by INFARMED.

Key points about generics in Portugal:

• Pharmacists are required by law to offer the cheapest available generic equivalent when dispensing a prescription, unless the doctor has specifically noted that a brand-name is medically necessary
• Generics are typically significantly cheaper than brand-name equivalents
• You have the right to choose between the generic and brand-name version — the pharmacist will explain the price difference
• All generics sold in Portugal meet the same quality and safety standards as brand-name medications

Copayments for Subsidised Medication

Many prescription medications in Portugal are subsidised by the SNS, meaning the government covers part of the cost and you pay a copayment (comparação participada).

Medications are grouped into subsidy tiers based on their therapeutic importance:

• Tier A: The highest subsidy level — typically for essential and life-saving medications
• Tier B: A moderate subsidy
• Tier C: A lower subsidy
• Tier D: The lowest subsidy level

The exact percentage the SNS covers varies by tier and can change. Some groups — such as pensioners with low income — may receive an additional subsidy. Check with your pharmacist or the INFARMED website for current subsidy rates.

Opening Hours & Duty Pharmacies

Standard pharmacy hours in Portugal are:

• Monday to Friday: 9:00 to 19:00 (some until 20:00 or 21:00)
• Saturday: 9:00 to 13:00 (some open all day)
• Sunday and holidays: Usually closed, except duty pharmacies

In larger cities and shopping centres, some pharmacies keep extended hours, including evenings and weekends.

Duty Pharmacies (Farmácia de Serviço)

Portugal operates a duty pharmacy rotation system that ensures at least one pharmacy is open in every area at all times — including nights, weekends, and public holidays. These are called farmácias de serviço or farmácias de turno.

During duty hours (typically after 20:00 and before 9:00), the pharmacy may operate through a small service window rather than opening the full shop. You may also be charged a small additional fee for after-hours service. Ring the bell or buzzer at the door to get the pharmacist’s attention.

Finding the Nearest Open Pharmacy

To find the duty pharmacy nearest to you:

• Check the door: Every pharmacy in Portugal is required to display a notice on its door listing the nearest duty pharmacies with their addresses and hours
• Online: Search at farmáciasdeserviço.net by location
• Call Saúde 24: Phone 808 24 24 24 for help locating the nearest open pharmacy
• Google Maps: Search for “farmácia” and filter by “open now”

Health Services at Pharmacies

Portuguese pharmacies offer a range of health services beyond dispensing medication. Availability varies by pharmacy, but common services include:

• Blood pressure measurement — Usually free or for a small fee
• Blood glucose testing — Quick finger-prick test for blood sugar levels
• Cholesterol screening — Basic lipid panel from a finger-prick sample
• Weight, height, and BMI measurement
• Flu vaccination — Many pharmacies administer seasonal flu vaccines (during the vaccination campaign)
• Ear piercing
• Medication review — The pharmacist can review your current medications, check for interactions, and advise on proper use
• First aid advice — For minor injuries, burns, or insect bites

Pharmacists in Portugal are highly trained healthcare professionals. For minor health concerns, visiting your pharmacist can be faster and more convenient than waiting for a doctor’s appointment. They can advise on symptoms, recommend appropriate OTC treatments, and tell you when you should see a doctor instead.

Common Questions

Do I need a prescription to buy medication in Portugal?

It depends on the medication. Many common medicines — such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, cough medicine, and allergy tablets — are available over the counter without a prescription. Antibiotics, stronger painkillers, and most specialist medications require a prescription (receita médica) from a doctor. The pharmacist will tell you if a prescription is needed.

How do I find the nearest open pharmacy at night or on weekends?

Portugal operates a duty pharmacy system (farmácia de serviço) that ensures at least one pharmacy is open in every area at all times, including nights, weekends, and holidays. You can find the nearest open pharmacy by checking the notice posted on the door of any closed pharmacy, searching online at farmáciasdeserviço.net, or calling Saúde 24 on 808 24 24 24.

Can I get a generic version of my medication?

Yes. Portuguese law requires pharmacists to offer the cheapest available generic equivalent when filling a prescription, unless the doctor has specifically prescribed a brand-name product for clinical reasons. Generic medications contain the same active ingredient and dosage as the brand-name version and are approved by INFARMED, Portugal’s medicines regulator.

How do electronic prescriptions work in Portugal?

Most prescriptions in Portugal are electronic (receita médica eletrónica). Your doctor enters the prescription into the national system, and you receive a code via SMS or on a printed guide. At the pharmacy, you provide this code (or your citizen card / SNS number), and the pharmacist retrieves your prescription. No paper prescription is needed in most cases.

What health services can pharmacies provide beyond dispensing medication?

Portuguese pharmacies offer a range of health services beyond dispensing medication. Many pharmacies provide blood pressure measurement, blood glucose testing, cholesterol screening, weight and BMI checks, flu vaccinations (seasonal), and basic health advice from qualified pharmacists. Services vary by pharmacy, so ask at your local farmácia what is available.