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It’s my last week teaching at the daycare here in Barcelona, so I thought it was a good time to bring up birth control in Spain.

Maybe if more people had read this earlier, I’d have had to corral fewer babies this year.

Even though some weirdos are squeamish to talk about birth control despite the fact that it’s 2015, I thought I’d address it here. Many people moving to Spain for the first time are concerned about whether they’ll have access to it. (I know I was.)

I’m here to tell you that Spain is only Catholic country in name. Getting birth control in Spain is as easy or easier than it is in the States, so no need to pack an extra carry-on piled to the brim with Tri-Cyclen Lo.

Getting Birth Control in Spain

There are two basic birth control options in Spain. The first is to work at a daycare, as I did this year. However, although it will eradicate any desire to procreate, it does put you at risk for alcohol dependency.

I’d recommend the more conventional method of birth control pills, and save yourself a school year of terror, meltdowns, and testing your patience to the breaking point.

Getting birth control pills in Spain is much like the process in the U.S.—you meet with your doctor, discuss birth control options, get a prescription, and pick it up at any pharmacy. (And pharmacies are literally on every block in Spain—it’s a wonder they all stay in business.)

Using Your Existing Prescription

HOWEVER. When I first moved to Spain, I didn’t particularly relish the idea of figuring out how my private health care worked. It just seemed like a lot of work to make appointments and discuss my priorities in Spanish. Pronouncing words like “progesterone” is difficult in English, let alone a foreign language. So I decided to take my chances, and merely brought my pack of American pills to the nearest pharmacy.

I put on a very self-assured face and asked if I could get the equivalent dosage in a generic-brand pill. The pharmacist asked if I had a prescription, to which I replied, “Yes, it’s a U.S. prescription.” She then said, “Can you see a doctor here for a prescription?” And I replied, well no, because my doctor’s in the U.S. (I just acted like I didn’t have a doctor here in Spain.) She seemed a bit hesitant and then shrugged it off, looking up the ingredients from my pack of pills and searching for the equivalent. Then she went to the back and brought out a pack of pills for the grand old price of 2.53 euros a box. Pregnancy-free for the price of a glass of wine.

She then asked how many packs I wanted, like it was a free-for-all. I was used to having a limit of a 3-months’ supply in the U.S., so I looked at her suspiciously. “Well, how many can I get?

She seemed confused. Like why would I ask such a misguided question. “As many as you want!”

The pharmaceutical version of Christmas morning.

I was tempted to buy the whole store out, should this be a fluke and the next time I’d be required to show some sort of Spanish prescription. (I’m acting like visiting the doctor here in Spain is the worst thing ever. It really isn’t. I just like shortcuts.) But I got only a couple boxes, and returned in two months time, to the same pharmacy but different pharmacist. This time I showed my Spanish box of pills, asked for a refill, and was in and out of the shop in one minute flat, no questions asked.

I wondered if it was just this pharmacy. Perhaps they were really liberal? Perhaps they weren’t up-to-date on proper pill code? In order to test the theory, I armed myself with my now Spanish box of pills, and began venturing out to other pharmacies to see if they would also hand them out without hesitation, or be more strict.

I’ve now tried handfuls of different pharmacies in Bilbao and Barcelona, and they have all offered up packs of birth control just upon seeing my previous open box of Spanish pills.

If You’re Looking for Birth Control in Spain

If you’re moving to Spain and looking to continue on birth control, I’d recommend bringing a prescription from your doctor as well as a couple packs of pills. (I just brought the pack, no prescription, but if you can get a prescription before leaving that would probably be best.) Once in Spain, try seeing if the pharmacy will accept that prescription, and if they carry either the same pills or a generic brand. There’s no guarantee that the pharmacist will agree to give you the pills without a Spanish prescription, but it worked in my case. If not, you can make an appointment with your Spanish doctor. (As per visa requirements, you can’t legally move to Spain without health care, so you should have access to a doctor regardless.)

If you’d like to get on birth control in Spain, there are no loopholes there. You’ll need to see a doctor to get a prescription. This country may be liberal, but they don’t just dish out pills like candy.

Oh, and a word about condoms. They’re sold in pharmacies (not grocery stores), and sometimes out of very progressive vending machines—in this case, they actually are dished out like candy! Like I said, Spain’s really only Catholic in name.

An X-rated vending machine in Barcelona.

So no need to make room in your suitcase for all those pills. Save that space for the important stuff, like real maple syrup. Check out my packing tips, Pack This Not That, for details.

P.S. Yes, they also have tampons in Spain. Ones with applicators, even. This is Europe, not the African savanna.

P.P.S. I’m not experienced with other birth control methods like the NuvaRing or IUDs, but all options do exist in Spain, and prices are either comparable or cheaper than in the U.S.

Has anyone else had luck using their existing prescription to get birth control in Spain? If you don’t mind sharing with the world that you’re using birth control pills in the 21st century, please elaborate, I’m really curious!

About The Author

Jenny

Jenny Marshall studied Language, Culture, and Society at the University of California Santa Barbara, and now teaches English in Spain. Here she writes about the intersection of language and culture, and lives a life translated by travel.