Pharmacies in Portugal are an important first stop for medicines and everyday health advice. A farmácia dispenses prescription medicines, sells non-prescription medicines and health products, and can often help you decide whether a minor problem needs a doctor. This guide explains how to find an open pharmacy, use Portuguese prescriptions, ask for generics, buy medicines safely online and deal with a medicine you normally use abroad.

Finding a pharmacy — including one open now

The easiest practical starting point is the Farmácias Portuguesas pharmacy locator. It provides a map/list and filters including pharmacies that are open and pharmacies offering online ordering. You can also use the official INFARMED/gov.pt pharmacy search.

Need a pharmacy outside normal hours? Look for a farmácia de serviço — the pharmacy providing the local on-duty service. Opening arrangements vary by area, so check the live pharmacy locator or the notice displayed at a closed pharmacy rather than assuming every pharmacy is open late.

What a Portuguese pharmacy can help with

  • dispensing prescription medicines;
  • non-prescription medicines and advice on their appropriate use;
  • explaining dosage and how to take a medicine;
  • helping identify the Portuguese equivalent of a medicine by its active ingredient;
  • generic medicines and lower-cost alternatives where available;
  • some vaccinations and other pharmacy health services, depending on the pharmacy and current programme;
  • health products, first-aid items and medical devices.

For symptoms that may be serious, do not use the pharmacy as a substitute for urgent clinical assessment. Call SNS 24 — 808 24 24 24 when you need health triage/advice, or 112 for an immediate serious emergency. See our SNS24 and emergencies guide.

Prescription or non-prescription?

Some medicines require a medical prescription (medicamento sujeito a receita médica); others are authorised as non-prescription medicines (medicamentos não sujeitos a receita médica, often abbreviated MNSRM). Do not assume that a medicine sold over the counter in your home country has the same legal status in Portugal.

INFARMED regulates medicines and authorised sellers. Gov.pt also publishes a searchable list of registered outlets permitted to sell non-prescription medicines.

Electronic prescriptions in Portugal

Portuguese prescriptions are commonly electronic. Follow the prescription information/code provided by the prescriber and take the identification/details requested by the pharmacy. If you have several prescribed items, ask the pharmacist what remains available on the prescription after a partial collection rather than assuming everything must be collected at once.

If you use private healthcare, an appropriately authorised private doctor can also prescribe medicines. For the wider public/private healthcare distinction, see Private healthcare and health insurance in Portugal.

Ask for the active ingredient — not only the brand

Brand names differ between countries. If you arrive with a medicine from abroad, write down its active substance, strength and pharmaceutical form (for example, tablets versus modified-release tablets), not just the foreign brand name.

The official INFARMED medicine search lets anyone search by medicine name, active substance or registration number and compare medicines available for that active substance, including lower-price options. There is also an official generic-medicine search.

Generic medicines

Generic medicines sold through Portugal’s regulated system must meet the applicable quality, safety and efficacy requirements. Gov.pt notes that generics are identified by MG on the packaging and can cost less than the reference branded medicine. Ask the pharmacist whether a generic/lower-cost option is available and appropriate for your prescription.

What if your usual medicine is not available?

  1. Give the pharmacist the active ingredient, strength, formulation and your usual dose.
  2. Ask whether the same active substance/form is marketed in Portugal.
  3. Use INFARMED’s medicine database to check Portuguese products.
  4. If the exact medicine is unavailable or substitution is not appropriate, ask what documentation/prescription a Portuguese doctor would need.
  5. For supply problems, check the official medicine-shortage information.

Do not switch strength, formulation or active ingredient on your own merely because the packaging looks similar.

Foreign and EU prescriptions

EU rules can allow a prescription issued in one EU country to be recognised in another, but practical dispensing still depends on the medicine being authorised/available and the prescription containing the required information. Brand names may differ. If you know you will need medicine while travelling, ask the prescriber for a prescription suitable for cross-border use and carry the medicine’s active ingredient details. Controlled/narcotic medicines and other special categories can have additional rules.

For long-term residence, arrange Portuguese clinical follow-up rather than relying indefinitely on prescriptions issued abroad.

Prices and Portuguese reimbursement

Medicine prices and the amount paid by the patient depend on the medicine and whether a Portuguese reimbursement regime applies. Do not assume that having an SNS number makes every medicine free. The INFARMED medicine search is useful because it can show available products and cheaper options for an active substance.

If cost matters, say “Há um genérico mais barato?” — “Is there a cheaper generic?”

Buying medicines online: use an authorised seller

Portugal permits authorised pharmacies and registered non-prescription-medicine outlets to accept qualifying medicine orders online/home-delivery under the regulated system. A Portuguese-looking website is not proof that it is authorised.

Before ordering, use INFARMED’s official search for authorised home-delivery/online medicine services. INFARMED warns that unauthorised websites can expose consumers to counterfeit or unsafe medicines.

A convenient commercial directory is Farmácias Portuguesas — online pharmacies. The platform states that participating pharmacies displayed for medicine ordering are authorised by INFARMED. Availability and delivery area depend on the participating pharmacy.

Useful pharmacy and medicine tools

Can medicines be delivered to your home?

Yes, through pharmacies/outlets registered for that service. Gov.pt states that pharmacy home delivery is supervised by a pharmacist; registered non-prescription outlets use a pharmacist or pharmacy technician as applicable. Check the authorised-service database for the current seller and delivery area.

Pharmacy services beyond dispensing medicines

Many pharmacies offer additional services such as measurements, vaccination campaigns or other health services. Availability varies. For example, Farmácias Portuguesas appointment booking currently supports participating pharmacy services and the 2026/27 SNS flu/Covid vaccination campaign for eligible age groups. Check current eligibility before booking.

Bringing medicines into Portugal

If you travel with regular medication, keep it in clearly identifiable packaging and carry documentation/prescription appropriate to the medicine and journey. Special restrictions can apply to controlled medicines. For substantial supplies or controlled substances, verify the rules with the competent authorities before travelling rather than assuming an ordinary prescription is enough.

If something goes wrong

Ask the pharmacist first if the issue is a dispensing question. For medicine information, INFARMED provides the Medicine Line at 800 222 444. Complaints about pharmacy services can also be made through the official pharmacy complaint service.

Useful Portuguese at the pharmacy

  • Preciso de uma farmácia de serviço. — I need an on-duty pharmacy.
  • Tenho uma receita. — I have a prescription.
  • Qual é a substância ativa? — What is the active ingredient?
  • Há um genérico mais barato? — Is there a cheaper generic?
  • Tomo este medicamento todos os dias. — I take this medicine every day.
  • Este medicamento precisa de receita? — Does this medicine require a prescription?
  • Tem este medicamento em stock? — Do you have this medicine in stock?

Newcomer checklist

  1. Save the Farmácias Portuguesas and official INFARMED pharmacy locators.
  2. Know where your nearest ordinary pharmacy is and how to find the local on-duty pharmacy.
  3. Keep a list of regular medicines by active ingredient + strength + formulation.
  4. Keep your prescriptions and relevant clinical documentation accessible.
  5. Ask about generic/lower-price alternatives where appropriate.
  6. Use only authorised websites for medicine orders.
  7. For urgent symptoms, use SNS24/112 rather than relying solely on pharmacy advice.

Last verified: 2 October 2026. Medicine availability, pharmacy hours, reimbursement, vaccination services and online-delivery arrangements change. Use the linked INFARMED/gov.pt databases for current information.