Can You Buy Medicines Over the Counter in Portugal? (2026)

Can You Buy Medicines Over the Counter in Portugal?

Quick answer: In Portugal, most clinical treatments cannot be bought over the counter. Medications are classified into prescription-only drugs (Medicamentos Sujeitos a Receita Médica, or MSRM) and non-prescription drugs (Medicamentos Não Sujeitos a Receita Médica, or MNSRM). Tretinoin, Ventolin (sold as Ventilan), and all oral antibiotics require a valid medical prescription. Sildenafil offers a limited exception: two specific 50 mg generic formulations can be dispensed by a community pharmacist without a prescription under a strict evaluation protocol, but branded Viagra, other strengths, and all forms of tadalafil (Cialis) remain strictly prescription-only.

If you are staying in Portugal and need a prescription for an ongoing condition or an acute medical issue, you can schedule a video consultation by seeing a licensed doctor by video while in Portugal. During the appointment, a licensed physician reviews your medical history and clinical symptoms. If the doctor determines that treatment is clinically indicated, they can issue a prescription compliant with cross-border European dispensing standards. Consultations start from EUR 39, and UrgentDoc sets the price for your request so you see it before you pay.

Medical disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding any medical condition or before starting any medication.

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Accessing Prescription Healthcare in Portugal: Service Comparison

When you need medical care or a prescription while in Portugal, several healthcare avenues are available:

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What Drugs Are Over the Counter in Portugal? Understanding Medicine Classifications

The legal framework governing medicinal products in Portugal is established by Decree-Law no. 176/2006, known as the Estatuto do Medicamento, published by INFARMED. Under Article 114 of this statute, a medicinal product is classified as subject to a medical prescription (Medicamento Sujeito a Receita Médica - MSRM) if it:

1. May present a direct or indirect health risk, even when used correctly, if taken without medical supervision;
2. Is frequently used incorrectly in considerable quantities;
3. Contains active substances or causes adverse reactions that require deeper clinical investigation; or
4. Is administered parenterally (such as injections).

Medicines that do not meet these risk criteria are classified as non-prescription medicines (Medicamentos Não Sujeitos a Receita Médica - MNSRM). Under Portaria n.o 827/2005, MNSRM products may be sold outside pharmacies in authorized non-pharmacy retail sites (locais de venda de MNSRM), provided they are stored out of direct reach of the general public and handed over by designated staff.

Article 115(3) of Decree-Law no. 176/2006 establishes an intermediate category: Medicamentos Não Sujeitos a Receita Médica de Dispensa Exclusiva em Farmácia (MNSRM-EF). These are medications that would ordinarily require a medical prescription due to potential clinical risks, but which Portuguese legislation permits community pharmacies to dispense without a doctor's prescription under specific clinical protocols approved by INFARMED. Products in this category cannot be purchased at non-pharmacy retail sites; they are dispensed exclusively in community pharmacies under pharmacist evaluation.

According to Circular Informativa Conjunta N.o 03/2026/INFARMED/SPMS/ACSS, pharmacies are legally prohibited from dispensing prescription-only medicines (MSRM) without a valid medical prescription. Health insurance payment vouchers or authorization guides (guias de levantamento) do not constitute a legal prescription, and dispensing prescription-only drugs without valid documentation can lead to regulatory infringement proceedings against the pharmacy.

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Can You Buy Tretinoin Over the Counter in Portugal?

You cannot purchase topical or oral tretinoin over the counter in Portugal.

According to the official INFARMED Infomed database, all 10 authorized medicinal products containing tretinoin are classified as MSRM (prescription-only). There are 0 authorized tretinoin products classified as MNSRM or MNSRM-EF.

The prescription-only tretinoin formulations registered in Portugal include:

• Ketrel 0.5 mg/g creme (Laboratoires Bailleul)
• Acnatac 10 mg/g + 0.25 mg/g gel (clindamycin + tretinoin, Viatris)
• Vesanoid 10 mg soft capsules (oral tretinoin)

Systemic retinoids used for severe acne, such as oral isotretinoin capsules (including authorized generic formulations like Isotiorga MG, Isotretinoina Aurovitas MG, and Isotretinoina Orotrex MG), are likewise classified strictly as MSRM under the INFARMED Infomed database. A pharmacist cannot hand these medications over without a valid doctor's prescription.

If you have run out of your topical retinoid during your travels, you can review common international formulations via our tretinoin medication name guide and book an acne medication consultation in Portugal to discuss your treatment with a doctor. If you are travelling across the border, you can also consult our guide on buying tretinoin over the counter in Spain.

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Can You Buy Ventolin Over the Counter in Portugal?

You cannot buy Ventolin over the counter in Portugal.

In Portuguese pharmacies, salbutamol inhalers are sold under the local brand name Ventilan (such as Ventilan-Inalador, pressurized inhalation suspension 100 micrograms/dose by Glaxo Wellcome Farmacêutica). According to the INFARMED Infomed database, all 9 authorized salbutamol products in Portugal are classified as MSRM (prescription-only). There are zero authorized salbutamol products in the MNSRM or MNSRM-EF categories.

The prescription-only salbutamol range in Portugal encompasses:

• Ventilan-Inalador (pressurized inhalation suspension, 100 mcg/dose)
• Salbutamol GP MG (pressurized inhalation suspension, 100 mcg/dose)
• Salbutamol Novolizer (inhalation powder, 100 mcg/dose)
• Ventilan oral syrup, nebuliser solutions, and injectable ampoules

Because asthma and bronchospasm require medical evaluation to assess respiratory stability, Portuguese pharmacists are not permitted to supply reliever inhalers without a prescription. You can translate your prescription details using our Ventolin to Ventilan translation resource. If you require an evaluation for a replacement inhaler, you can request an asthma inhaler prescription in Portugal through an online medical consultation.

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Can I Buy Viagra From a Pharmacy in Portugal Without a Prescription?

Whether you can buy erectile dysfunction medication in Portugal without seeing a doctor first depends entirely on the specific product, dosage, and active substance.

Branded Viagra is Prescription-Only

Branded Viagra is classified as a prescription-only medicine (MSRM). According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which granted an EU-wide marketing authorisation for Viagra on 14 September 1998, Viagra contains sildenafil and can only be obtained with a medical prescription. In Portugal, the INFARMED Infomed database registers four authorized branded Viagra presentations (by Viatris / Upjohn in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg tablets); all four are classified as MSRM. You cannot buy branded Viagra without a doctor's prescription.

The Pharmacy-Led Protocol for Specific Generic Sildenafil (MNSRM-EF)

Portugal allows a narrow legal pathway for non-prescription sildenafil under the MNSRM-EF category. According to the INFARMED Infomed database, out of 62 authorized sildenafil products:

• 57 are classified as MSRM (prescription-only);
• 3 are classified as MSRM restrita (specialist hospital/restricted products, such as 20 mg formulations for non-ED indications);
• Only 2 products are classified as MNSRM-EF: Sildenafil Bluepharma MG 50 mg and Sildenafil Desay MG 50 mg (film-coated tablets).

This means you cannot simply walk in and pick up generic sildenafil from the shelf. Dispensing these two 50 mg generic products is governed strictly by the INFARMED Sildenafil Dispensing Protocol (Protocolo de Dispensa Exclusiva em Farmácia), approved on 21 February 2025:

1. Private Consultation Room: The pharmacist must conduct the assessment in a private consultation office (Gabinete) within the pharmacy.
2. Clinical Checklist Assessment: The pharmacist completes a standardized checklist assessing age (must be an adult male aged 18 or older), cardiovascular history, concurrent health conditions, and drug interactions.
3. Contraindications: The medicine cannot be dispensed if you take nitrates (such as nitroglycerin, isosorbide mononitrate, or isosorbide dinitrate), nitric oxide donors, amyl nitrite ("poppers"), or riociguat. It is also contraindicated if you had a stroke or myocardial infarction (heart attack) within the past 6 months.
4. Referral Card: If you are under 18, have contraindications, or do not pass the checklist, the pharmacist must refuse supply and issue a written medical referral card (Cartão de referenciação médica) directing you to see a doctor.
5. Dispensing Limits: If you satisfy all protocol criteria, the pharmacist may dispense a maximum of one pack of 8 tablets of sildenafil 50 mg. The recommended dose is one 50 mg tablet taken roughly 1 hour before sexual activity, not exceeding 50 mg daily, and it is not recommended for continuous daily use.
6. Documentation and Medical Review: The patient receives a dispensing card (cartão de dispensa EF) to present at future consultations. The protocol states that all men with erectile dysfunction must be advised to see a medical doctor within 6 months to evaluate underlying causes and cardiovascular risk factors.

Importantly, source data does not indicate which community pharmacies choose to stock Sildenafil Bluepharma MG or Sildenafil Desay MG. Individual pharmacies may not carry these two specific MNSRM-EF products.

Can You Buy Cialis (Tadalafil) Over the Counter in Portugal?

No. According to the INFARMED Infomed database, all 63 authorized tadalafil products in Portugal are classified as prescription-only (60 MSRM and 3 MSRM restrita). There are 0 tadalafil products in the MNSRM or MNSRM-EF categories. Branded Cialis (Eli Lilly, 7 authorized presentations) is strictly MSRM. Tadalafil cannot be supplied under the community pharmacy dispensing protocol.

If you require treatment with tadalafil, higher or lower doses of sildenafil (25 mg or 100 mg), or prefer an advance clinical evaluation, check local equivalents through our Viagra and sildenafil translation tool and schedule an erectile dysfunction prescription consultation in Portugal.

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Can You Buy Antibiotics in Portugal Over the Counter?

You cannot buy antibiotics over the counter in Portugal. All systemic antibacterial medicines require a legal medical prescription.

Under the INFARMED Infomed database, 100% of oral antibiotic products, including all 65 authorized formulations of amoxicillin, are classified as MSRM (prescription-only). Under Circular Informativa Conjunta N.o 03/2026/INFARMED/SPMS/ACSS, pharmacies are strictly prohibited from dispensing any prescription-only antibiotic without presenting a legally valid medical prescription.

If you are dealing with a suspected bacterial infection, review our dedicated guide to buying antibiotics in Portugal or arrange an appointment to discuss an antibiotic prescription in Portugal with a doctor.

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Overview of Medicine Regulatory Classifications in Portugal

The following table outlines the Portuguese dispensing status for active substances commonly requested by international travellers:

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Will a Portuguese Pharmacy Accept a Foreign Prescription?

If you already hold a prescription from your home country, its validity in a Portuguese pharmacy depends entirely on where it was issued.

Prescriptions Issued in EU Member States

Under European Union rules detailed by the European Commission (Your Europe), a prescription issued by a licensed doctor in one EU country is legally recognized in all other EU Member States. However, the dispensing of that prescription is governed by the national laws of the dispensing country, and medicines may be sold under different brand names or strengths.

According to Point 20 of the INFARMED Normas relativas à dispensa, Portuguese community pharmacies are permitted (a farmácia pode dispensar) to dispense medicinal products prescribed in another EU Member State, provided the document satisfies mandatory data requirements:

• Patient Identification: Full name (written without abbreviations) and date of birth.
• Prescription Details: Issue date and prescriber's physical signature.
• Prescriber Identification: Full name without abbreviations, professional qualifications, direct contact details (email and telephone/fax including international country code), and full professional work address including the name of the EU Member State.
• Product Details: International Nonproprietary Name (DCI / active substance), pharmaceutical form, quantity, strength, and posology (dosage instructions). Brand names are accepted primarily for biological medicines.

Under Point 20 of the INFARMED rules, a Portuguese pharmacy can refuse to dispense a cross-border EU prescription if:

1. The prescription contains narcotic or psychotropic substances (governed by Decree-Law no. 15/93);
2. The pharmacy has doubts regarding the prescription's authenticity, content, or legibility; or
3. The dispensing pharmacist has ethical objections.

Cross-border EU prescriptions are paid in full by the patient at the pharmacy counter. The pharmacy must retain the original paper prescription, archive it, and provide the patient with a stamped copy and a receipt. The European Commission advises patients travelling within the EU to request a paper copy of their prescription from their doctor, as digital e-prescription systems are not universally linked across all Member States.

Prescriptions Issued in the UK or Non-EU Countries

The United Kingdom is no longer an EU Member State. As a result, prescriptions issued by UK doctors (whether through the NHS or private UK practices) fall completely outside the EU cross-border recognition framework established by Directive 2011/24/EU and INFARMED Normas relativas à dispensa Point 20.

Portuguese community pharmacies have no legal obligation or standard framework to dispense medication based on a UK or non-EU prescription. If you are travelling on a UK prescription, you will generally need to be evaluated by an EU-licensed physician who can assess your medical needs and issue an EU-compliant prescription if clinically justified.

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When to Seek Urgent In-Person Medical Care (Red Flags)

Certain respiratory, cardiovascular, and allergic symptoms cannot wait for a standard pharmacy visit or a routine consultation. Seek immediate in-person emergency care or call the national emergency number (112) if you experience any of the following:

• Severe Asthma Symptoms: If you are struggling to breathe, are too breathless to finish a sentence in one breath, or find that your reliever inhaler (Ventilan) is failing to relieve your symptoms, call 112 immediately.
• Cardiovascular Symptoms After Taking Sildenafil: Under the INFARMED Sildenafil Dispensing Protocol, if you develop chest pain, dizziness, a feeling of faintness, or nausea during or immediately following sexual activity, you must stop and seek medical help immediately. Crucial warning: Nitrates (such as nitroglycerin sprays or tablets) must not be taken to treat chest pain following sildenafil use, as the combination causes severe, potentially fatal blood pressure drops.
• Priapism: An erection that persists for longer than 4 hours requires emergency medical treatment to avoid permanent tissue damage.
• Sensory Loss: A sudden decrease or loss of vision after taking erectile dysfunction medication requires immediate clinical attention.
• Severe Adverse Reactions: Any sign of an acute allergic reaction—such as sudden wheezing, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the eyelids, face, lips, or throat—as well as severe skin peeling, blistering, or seizures requires immediate emergency care via 112.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What medicines can you buy over the counter in Portugal?

Under Portuguese law, you can buy non-prescription medicines classified as MNSRM (Medicamentos Não Sujeitos a Receita Médica), which include basic pain relievers, mild antacids, and select topical skin products, either in pharmacies or authorized non-pharmacy retail sites. Additionally, two specific 50 mg generic sildenafil products can be dispensed in community pharmacies without a prescription under a pharmacist-led protocol (MNSRM-EF). Clinical treatments such as antibiotics, inhalers, retinoids, and oral steroids require a prescription from a licensed doctor.

Can you buy tretinoin over the counter in Portugal?

No. All topical and oral tretinoin formulations registered with INFARMED—including Ketrel cream, Acnatac gel, and Vesanoid capsules—are classified as prescription-only medicines (Medicamentos Sujeitos a Receita Médica, MSRM). Community pharmacies cannot dispense tretinoin without a valid medical prescription.

Can I buy Viagra from a pharmacy in Portugal without a prescription?

You cannot buy branded Viagra without a prescription; all branded Viagra formulations (25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg) are classified as MSRM. However, two specific generic 50 mg products (Sildenafil Bluepharma MG and Sildenafil Desay MG) are classified as MNSRM-EF and may be dispensed by a pharmacist without a doctor's prescription after you pass an in-person clinical checklist in a private consultation room.

Can you buy Cialis over the counter in Portugal?

No. Every authorized tadalafil product in Portugal, including branded Cialis and all generic formulations across all strengths, is classified strictly as a prescription-only medicine (MSRM). There are no tadalafil products in the MNSRM-EF protocol, meaning a doctor's prescription is always mandatory.

Can you buy Ventolin over the counter in Portugal?

No. Salbutamol inhalers, sold in Portugal under the brand name Ventilan (such as Ventilan-Inalador 100 mcg), are classified as MSRM prescription-only drugs by INFARMED. Pharmacists cannot legally sell reliever inhalers over the counter without a medical prescription.

Can you buy antibiotics over the counter in Portugal?

No. All systemic antibiotics, including all authorized presentations of amoxicillin, are classified as MSRM. Under joint circulars issued by INFARMED, SPMS, and ACSS, community pharmacies are strictly prohibited from dispensing prescription-only antibacterial medications without a valid doctor's prescription.

Will a Portuguese pharmacy accept a prescription from another EU country?

Yes, provided the prescription complies with Point 20 of the INFARMED Dispensing Rules and EU cross-border guidelines. It must clearly state the patient's full name and date of birth, the prescriber's full details and professional address within the EU, the active substance (DCI), and precise dosage instructions, and must be hand-signed by the doctor. Pharmacies may refuse cross-border prescriptions if they contain controlled substances or if there are doubts regarding authenticity.

Can I use my UK prescription in Portugal?

Because the United Kingdom is no longer an EU Member State, UK prescriptions (whether from the NHS or private UK clinics) do not fall under the European cross-border healthcare framework. Portuguese community pharmacies are under no legal obligation to accept them. UK travellers needing prescription medication will generally need to book a consultation with an EU-licensed medical doctor to have their treatment assessed and prescribed.

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If you are currently staying in the capital or along the southern coast and need an evaluation for your medication, you can schedule an appointment through our online doctor services in Lisbon or book online doctor appointments in Faro.

Need a prescription evaluated while in Portugal? Book an online consultation in Portugal with a licensed doctor to discuss your treatment.