Taking controlled medication from UK to Spain

dlevene

Hi all

So by brother-in-law has had a flare up of his back condition, and it's pretty bad, and had to spend a few days in hospital earlier this week.

He's home now and slowly doing better. A few us were due to fly to Spain next week for a week, and he may or may not be up to it.

One question is whether he'll be okay to take the pain medication he's been prescribed: codeine and morphine.

Google hasn't been particularly helpful with only general advice. The document here suggests he needs to have the doctors letter translated into Spanish. The website here suggests he might need written permission from the Consulate(/Embassy?) - I have no idea how easy or quick this would be.

Is this something anyone has any advice over? Thanks!

LinLui

As you've found,  doesn't matter where you go - there are five different rules any of which might be the right one. I travel a lot and have never been asked ever! Technically mostly you should have a letter from the GP. But I've never had one. I carry my official prescription form,  put the meds in carry on (so there's no attempt to hide them), and only carry enough for the holiday plus a couple of days in case the flight back doesn't work out. Keep the meds in the official packaging with the name on. 

IvanOpinion

For Europe we put the medication together in a bag in our carry on.
Keep as much as possible in the original packaging, including any labels (if pushed for space then I fold the boxes flat but keep them with the medication.
Get a printed list of all medications on a headed document from our surgery (ours prints it on a prescription form).

daveyjp

Just take evidence they are prescribed to the individual, either the prescription or the NHS/surgery app which may show the details.

Brie

Never had any problems or questions about any meds we've travelled with although they weren't morphine etc.  But as others say keep in the hand luggage on the off chance your checked luggage doesn't make it through.  And carry an unfilled prescription so that more can be had at your location if required due to prolonged stay or it being confiscated.  

unforeseen

Brie said:

And carry an unfilled prescription so that more can be had at your location if required due to prolonged stay or it being confiscated.  

How does that work in a foreign country? 

DullGreyGuy

unforeseen said:

Brie said:

And carry an unfilled prescription so that more can be had at your location if required due to prolonged stay or it being confiscated.  

How does that work in a foreign country? 

Another doctor may be more willing to prescribe them without the normal barrage of tests if they have evidence you're already under prescription. That said the UK Gov website says you may be able to use the prescription directly in Spain.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-for-uk-nationals-visiting-spain

Personally would follow their advice in general on what is or isn't required for travelling to Spain with controlled substances unless your Spanish is good enough to read the Spanish governments own website. 

Maahes

unforeseen said:.  

How does that work in a foreign country? 

I managed to go on a two week holiday to Cyprus with one week's medication (diabetes, hypertension, statins). Booked a private appointment with a doctor and he prescribed all my medication from what was on the NHS app.

I've travelled to Spain many times, (I used to live there) and have never had any issues with taking prescription medication in and out of the country in hand luggage.