Medicines and medical devices

When buying medicine on prescription abroad using your EHIC, you will pay the same rate at the pharmacy as someone who was insured and living in that country. Without an EHIC, you most likely have to pay the full cost up front, even if you don't at home. If you are entitled to reimbursement you can claim it from your statutory health insurance service when you get home.

Buying medication in the EU

Prescribing, dispensing and purchasing medicines in the EU member states is subject to the national legislation, conditions and possible restrictions applied by the national law of each country. This means that a pharmacist will apply national rules when dispensing your medicine. Some medicines may not be authorized for sale or may not be available in another country, even within the EU.

Cross-border prescriptions

A prescription issued by a doctor in your country is valid in all EU countries. To buy prescription medicine from a pharmacy in one EU country with a prescription issued in a different EU country, you should make sure that your prescription includes the necessary information. However, a medicine prescribed in one country might not be available or it may have another name in another EU country.

Reimbursement of medicinal costs

If you do not have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or you have a cross-border prescription, you will have to pay for the medicines/medical devices in advance. If you are entitled to reimbursement you can claim it from your statutory health insurance service when you get home.

Last Update: 24 December 2021