Obtaining prescription medicines within the European Union (EU)
Would you like to obtain medicines prescribed by your doctor in another EU country? Ask your doctor for an international prescription. There is no form for prescriptions that you want to use abroad. It is important that the prescription contains the correct information.
Last updated 14 August 2025
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Information on an international prescription
An international prescription must state when the doctor prescribed the medicine. The prescription must also contain the following information:
Your details:
- your surname and first name (written in full);
- your date of birth.
Details of your doctor:
- surname and first name (written in full);
- professional qualification;
- contact details, work address (including the country);
- signature (written or in digital form).
Details of the medicine:
- the generic name or substance name (not the brand name, which may differ from country to country);
- the form (e.g. tablets or solution);
- quantity, concentration and dosage.
Collecting your medicine from the pharmacy
You can collect your medicine from a foreign pharmacy using your prescription.
Always ask for a paper copy of the prescription. Most pharmacies abroad only accept paper prescriptions.
Please note: A medicine may not always be available in another country. Or it may have a different name.
Rules per country for prescription medicines
Each EU country has its own rules for prescription medicines. These rules are not the same in all countries.
The pharmacy must comply with the rules of its own country. You may therefore sometimes receive less medicine than is stated on the prescription.
Laws and regulations
Directive 2011/24/EU on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare
Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems