How Do You Move to Europe With Your Prescription Medication?
Bring a bridge supply, not a lifetime supply. Spain's AEMPS allows up to three months of ordinary prescription medicine; controlled medicines (estupefacientes y psicótropos) need an AEMPS permit, and Spanish consular guidance caps it at 30 days of treatment. EU pharmacies generally won't fill US prescriptions, so plan on a local doctor.
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Most "travelling with medication" advice is written for a two-week vacation: pack enough, keep it in the bottle, done. Moving is different. You are not coming home in two weeks, your US insurer stops being useful the moment you land, and the pharmacist in Valencia, Porto or Utrecht has never seen a US prescription pad. The good news is that the gap is short and predictable once you know the three moving parts: what you can carry in, which medicines count as controlled, and how fast you can get a local prescriber.
How much medication can you bring when you move to Spain, Portugal or the Netherlands?
For ordinary prescription medicine, the limit is "a reasonable personal supply." Spain is the only one of the three that puts a number on it: three months. Controlled medicines have their own rules, and those rules are much tighter.
| Country | Ordinary prescription medicine | Controlled medicine (painkillers, ADHD, sleep, anxiety) |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | Up to 3 months' supply, consistent with the prescribed treatment. A prescription or medical report may be requested (AEMPS) | Entry permit (permiso) from AEMPS's Área de Estupefacientes y Psicótropos, requested before you travel. A Spanish consular note puts the maximum at 30 days of treatment |
| Portugal | No published quantity or arrival procedure found. INFARMED's general travel advice is to carry the prescription, a doctor's declaration and a list of medicines by international (DCI) name; confirm arrival rules with the Portuguese consulate | INFARMED supervises all controlled substances. We found no published English procedure for inbound travellers, so confirm with the Portuguese consulate before you fly |
| Netherlands | Medicine "for your own use" only. Dutch Customs may ask for proof it is yours | Opium Act (Opiumwet) medicines need an official statement. Which certificate you need depends on the country you are travelling from |
Spain's three-month ceiling is the only written number of the three, and AEMPS says exceptions are possible if properly justified. The quantity must not look like trafficking, which is a fair ask. Nobody at Barajas thinks you are a cartel because you packed 90 days of lisinopril.
Why doesn't the Schengen medicine certificate work for Americans?
The Schengen certificate under Article 75 of the Schengen Implementing Convention is issued by the country where you live, so a US resident can't get one. Finland's medicines agency Fimea spells it out: the prescription behind the certificate must have been written in the person's principal country of residence. The certificate is valid for a maximum of 30 days.
The Dutch government's version shows how it works in practice. A doctor signs the Schengen certificate, the CAK (Centraal Administratie Kantoor) legalizes it, and it covers travel in up to four Schengen countries for 30 days. Allow up to four weeks for processing.
That matters to you twice:
- On arrival, you are coming from outside Schengen, so you follow each country's inbound rules above instead: Spain's AEMPS permit, the Dutch official statement, a consular check for Portugal.
- After you are a resident, the Schengen certificate becomes yours to use. Once you have a Dutch or Spanish prescriber, a long weekend in Lisbon with your medication is a routine CAK or AEMPS form, not a customs question.
Which medicines count as controlled?
Strong painkillers, ADHD medication, sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medicines are the usual suspects in all three countries. The Netherlands publishes the clearest plain-language split:
| Dutch Opium Act list | Examples the Dutch government gives |
|---|---|
| List I | Strong painkillers; ADHD medication such as Ritalin or Concerta |
| List II | Sleeping pills and anxiety medication such as Valium or Seresta |
Spain groups the same classes as estupefacientes y psicótropos. Portugal's INFARMED controls them under Decreto-Lei n.º 15/93. INFARMED's controlled-substances information sheet adds that, inside Portugal, medicines from Tables I and II can only be dispensed on a special prescription form.
One wrinkle is that some US formulations simply don't exist in Europe. ADHD stimulants are the familiar example. The CDC Yellow Book notes that amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall's ingredients) and (lis)dexamfetamine are considered illegal at some destinations. Spain's national medicines database, CIMA, lists authorized amphetamine-family products under lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) and dexamfetamine (Tentin), but no mixed amphetamine salts. Authorized doesn't mean paperwork-free: Vyvanse, sold in Spain as Elvanse, is still a controlled medicine, so carrying it in still needs the controlled-medicine permit. The same pattern shows up with some US-only brands of painkillers and sleep aids. So the question isn't only "can I carry this in?" It's also "what will a doctor here switch me to?" Ask your US prescriber that before you leave, while they still know your history.
What should you do in the US before you leave?
Get a doctor's letter, a bridge supply your insurer will pay for, and every bottle in its original pharmacy container. Here's the pre-departure checklist.
1. Ask your prescriber for a letter in English. The CDC Yellow Book recommends a letter listing each medication with its generic name, dose and the condition it treats. INFARMED gives travellers the same advice and adds that the list should use the Denominação Comum Internacional (DCI), the International Nonproprietary Name. Brand names change at the border. "Sertraline" is sertraline everywhere. "Zoloft" isn't.
2. Request a vacation override or a 90-day fill. Many US plans allow a one-time early refill, called a vacation override, for travel. Some insurers now allow 90-day supplies for chronic conditions. Rules vary by plan, so call member services with your departure date. Do this before your coverage ends, not after.
3. If you're on Medicare, fill everything before you go. Medicare.gov is blunt: Medicare drug plans don't cover prescription drugs you buy outside the US. Our guide to the Medicare gap for Americans abroad covers what replaces it.
4. Keep US-scheduled drugs in their original containers. Under 21 CFR 1301.26, you may leave the US with Schedule II to V medicine you lawfully obtained for personal use. It must be in the original dispensing container, and the rule includes declaring it to customs. On return visits, the same rule caps controlled medicines you bought abroad at 50 dosage units.
5. Pack it in your carry-on. TSA allows medically necessary liquids over 3.4 oz in reasonable quantities if you declare them at the checkpoint. Ice packs and gel packs for medication can be frozen, partially melted or fully melted. For insulin, GLP-1 pens and other cold-chain items, a small insulated case in your personal item beats a suitcase in a cargo hold.
6. Start the controlled-medicine permit early. If you're moving to Spain with a controlled medicine, AEMPS wants the permit requested before travel. The consular guidance asks for a signed medical certificate showing the prescriber's license number, diagnosis and daily dose. Contact details differ between AEMPS's own guidance and older consular notes, so confirm the current address with your Spanish consulate.
Can you mail medication to yourself in Europe?
No. Plan to carry everything you need. On the US side, USPS allows prescription medications to be mailed only by DEA-registered distributors, which rules out you, your sister and your old pharmacy. On the Dutch side, Customs states that medicine imported by post, for example after an online order, will be seized unless you hold the proper import licences.
That's why the bridge supply matters. It isn't a stockpile. It only has to last until a local doctor has written you a new prescription.
How do you get a local prescription after you arrive?
You register with a primary care doctor and bring your English doctor's letter to the first appointment. The EU's cross-border prescription rules cover prescriptions written by prescribers in EU countries. Spain's rules on dispensing prescriptions from abroad (Real Decreto 1718/2010, Article 15 bis) are written for prescriptions from other EU member states. A US prescription sits outside that framework, so assume the pharmacist will ask for a local one.
Spain
Most new arrivals start with the private health insurance from their visa application. That gives you access to a private médico de cabecera (GP) or specialist, and a Spanish prescription can be filled at any farmacia. Access to the public system and its tarjeta sanitaria comes later, and our guide to Spanish public and private health insurance explains when and how that switch happens. Book the appointment in your first two weeks, alongside the first steps once your Spain visa is approved.
Portugal
Foreign nationals with a residence authorization can register at their local centro de saúde and receive a número de utente (SNS user number) at registration if they don't already have one. Until that's in place, a private doctor under your visa health insurance can write you a Portuguese prescription. If you're still sorting out your NIF and lease, our Portugal NIF and bank account guide covers the sequence.
Netherlands
Everything starts with the huisarts (GP). Many practices ask for your Dutch health insurance details before they register you, and the insurance itself needs your BSN. Newcomers must take out basic health insurance (basisverzekering) within 4 months of arrival, and it isn't backdated if you're late. Basic cover includes GP visits, hospital care and prescription medicine. The 2026 mandatory deductible (eigen risico) is €385, but GP care doesn't count toward it. The appointment that gets you your new prescription costs you nothing out of that €385. Most practices only take patients who live within a few kilometres, so start calling as soon as you have an address. If you can't find one, your insurer can help. Our BSN registration guide covers the step that unlocks all of this.
What does the timeline look like?
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 8 to 12 weeks before the move | Ask your prescriber about EU equivalents for each medicine; request a letter with generic (INN) names and doses |
| 4 to 6 weeks before | Request a vacation override or 90-day fill; start any Spain AEMPS permit or consular check for controlled medicines |
| Departure week | Original containers, carry-on only, letter and prescriptions in the same bag, cold-chain case for injectables |
| First 2 weeks after arrival | Book a GP (private in Spain or Portugal, huisarts once you have a BSN in the Netherlands) |
| First 30 days (controlled medicines) / first 3 months (ordinary medicines) | Switch to a local prescription before the bridge supply runs out |
Here's the honest reframe: the part that feels scariest, a gap in essential medication, is also the part most in your control. It comes down to three things: a letter, a bridge supply and one GP appointment. In the Netherlands, for example, prescription medicine sits inside the same basic insurance package as your GP and hospital care. Our comparison of US and European healthcare costs puts numbers on that.
If you're still working out which country fits, our free assessment takes about five minutes. It asks about income and family, not your medicine cabinet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much prescription medication can I bring when moving to Spain?
Spain's medicines agency, AEMPS, allows ordinary prescription medicine up to a three-month supply, consistent with your prescribed treatment. You may be asked for the prescription or a medical report. Controlled medicines need a separate AEMPS entry permit, and Spanish consular guidance limits it to 30 days of treatment.
Can I use the Schengen medical certificate as an American moving to Europe?
Not on arrival. The Article 75 Schengen certificate is based on a prescription from your country of residence and lasts a maximum of 30 days, so US residents don't qualify. Once you live in Spain or the Netherlands and have a local prescriber, you can get one for trips within Schengen.
Will a Spanish, Portuguese or Dutch pharmacy fill my US prescription?
Plan on no. EU rules on recognizing prescriptions across borders cover prescriptions from EU prescribers, and Spain's Real Decreto 1718/2010 addresses prescriptions from other EU member states only. Book a local GP in your first two weeks and bring a doctor's letter listing generic names and doses.
Can I bring ADHD medication like Adderall to Europe?
ADHD stimulants are controlled medicines, and the Netherlands places ADHD medication on Opium Act List I. Mixed amphetamine salts aren't among the products authorized in Spain's CIMA database, where lisdexamfetamine (Elvanse) and dexamfetamine are listed instead. Ask your US prescriber about an EU-available equivalent before you move, and get the controlled-medicine paperwork for whatever you carry.
Can someone in the US mail my medication to me in the Netherlands?
No. USPS allows prescription medication to be mailed only by DEA-registered distributors. Dutch Customs seizes medicine sent by post without import licences. Carry your full bridge supply in your hand luggage.
How quickly do I need health insurance to see a Dutch GP?
Newcomers must take out Dutch basic health insurance no later than 4 months after arriving, and cover isn't backdated if you're late. Many huisarts practices ask for your insurance details, which require a BSN, before registering you. GP visits don't count toward the €385 mandatory deductible in 2026.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical or immigration advice. Medicine rules change and depend on the specific drug. Always confirm with your prescriber, the relevant medicines agency or consulate, or a qualified immigration lawyer before you travel.
Sources:
Official sources
- AEMPS (Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios), "Medicamentos destinados al tratamiento de los viajeros": https://www.aemps.gob.es/industria-farmaceutica/comercio-exterior/medicamentos-destinados-al-tratamiento-de-los-viajeros/
- AEMPS, "Estupefacientes y psicótropos": https://www.aemps.gob.es/medicamentos-de-uso-humano/estupefacientes-y-psicotropos/
- AEMPS, CIMA medicines database, active ingredient "anfetamina": https://cima.aemps.es/cima/rest/medicamentos?practiv1=anfetamina
- Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores, Consulado de España, "Viajes a España con medicamentos prescritos – Nota informativa": https://www.exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/melbourne/es/Comunicacion/Noticias/Paginas/Articulos/20200104-NOTI.aspx
- BOE, Real Decreto 1718/2010, de 17 de diciembre, sobre receta médica y órdenes de dispensación (Article 15 bis): https://www.boe.es/buscar/act.php?id=BOE-A-2011-1013
- INFARMED, "Psicotrópicos e Estupefacientes" information sheet: https://www.infarmed.pt/documents/15786/1228470/22_Psicotropicos_Estupefacientes.pdf
- gov.pt, "Inscrever-se no centro de saúde": https://www.gov.pt/servicos/inscrever-se-no-centro-de-saude
- Dutch Customs (Douane), "Medicines": https://www.douane.nl/en/themes/travel-and-holiday/restricted-prohibited-to-import-or-export/medicines/
- NetherlandsWorldwide, "Can I take medication into the Netherlands?": https://www.netherlandsworldwide.nl/travel-netherlands/taking-medication-netherlands
- Government.nl, "Can I take my medication abroad?": https://www.government.nl/faq/can-i-take-my-medication-abroad
- CAK, "Welke medicijnen vallen onder de Opiumwet?": https://www.hetcak.nl/medicijnen-mee-op-reis/veelgestelde-vragen/welke-medicijnen-opiumwet/
- Government.nl, "When do I need to take out health insurance if I come to live in the Netherlands?": https://www.government.nl/faq/health-insurance/when-do-i-need-to-take-out-health-insurance-if-i-come-to-live-in-the-netherlands
- Government.nl, "Standard health insurance": https://www.government.nl/themes/family-health-and-care/health-insurance/standard-health-insurance
- Rijksoverheid.nl, "Wanneer betaal ik een eigen risico voor mijn zorg?": https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/vraag-en-antwoord/zorgverzekering/eigen-risico-zorgverzekering
- Fimea (Finnish Medicines Agency), "Schengen certificates" (Article 75): https://fimea.fi/en/pharmacies/schengen_certificates
- European Commission, Your Europe, "Presenting a prescription at a pharmacy in another EU country": https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/health/prescription-medicine-abroad/prescriptions/index_en.htm
- Government.nl, "Obtaining prescription medicines within the European Union": https://www.government.nl/topics/medicines/getting-prescription-medication-in-the-european-union-eu
- 21 CFR 1301.26, "Exemptions from import or export requirements for personal medical use": https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/21/1301.26
- Medicare.gov, "Travel outside the U.S.": https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/travel-outside-the-u.s.
- Medicare.gov, "Medicare Coverage Outside the United States" fact sheet: https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11037-medicare-coverage-outside-the-united-states.pdf
- CDC Yellow Book, "Traveling with Prohibited or Restricted Medications": https://www.cdc.gov/yellow-book/hcp/travelers-with-additional-considerations/traveling-with-prohibited-or-restricted-medications.html
- TSA, "Disabilities and Medical Conditions": https://www.tsa.gov/travel/tsa-cares/disabilities-and-medical-conditions
- USPS, "International Shipping Restrictions": https://www.usps.com/international/shipping-restrictions.htm
Corroborating sources
- SOL, "Vai viajar e toma medicamentos? Infarmed deixa alertas…" (July 20, 2026): https://sol.iol.pt/sociedade/noticias/vai-viajar-e-toma-medicamentos-infarmed-deixa-alertas-e-recomenda-levar-mais-doses-na-bagagem-de-mao/20260720/6a5e0f380cf2f6a1a1e71548
- Ordem dos Farmacêuticos, "Como viajar com medicamentos?": https://www.ordemfarmaceuticos.pt/pt/artigos/como-viajar-com-medicamentos/
- The Hague International Centre, "Registering with a General Practitioner (Huisarts)": https://www.thehagueinternationalcentre.nl/living-in-the-hague-region/health-care/dutch-health-care-system/registering-with-a-general-practitioner-huisarts
- Allianz Travel Insurance, "Traveling with prescription medication": https://www.allianztravelinsurance.com/travel/planning/traveling-with-prescription-medication.htm
- Healthline, "Medication refills for vacation": https://www.healthline.com/health/drugs/how-to-get-medication-refills-before-traveling