Can I buy medicine without a prescription?
No for prescription drugs and antibiotics; yes only for OTC. Antibiotics require an e-prescription since 1.9.2020 (Art. 18, Law 4675/2020), reinforced by a 2024 EOF decision (no prescription drug without an e-prescription). There are two categories: prescription-only and OTC (non-prescription) — only OTC are sold freely, and only in pharmacies (not supermarkets): e.g. Depon, Panadol, Nurofen, Strepsils, Betadine. The pharmacist is bound to refuse; if they dispense, they become the violator. In short: no antibiotics/prescription drugs without a prescription.
📋 The rules
- Antibiotics: e-prescription mandatory (since 2020)
- Prescription drugs: only with an e-prescription
- OTC medicines: free, in pharmacies only
- OTC not in supermarkets
- The pharmacist must refuse without a prescription
🔓 Exceptions
- OTC: needs no prescription
- Handwritten prescription: only where e-prescribing is unavailable
- Antibiotics: always via the electronic route
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Selling prescription drugs/antibiotics without a prescription is punished (Art. 19 §6b of LD 96/1973) with an administrative fine and, on a repeat, criminal prosecution with a fine and imprisonment up to 6 months (the EOF €100k–€1M band is for serious/repeated regulatory breaches, not an ordinary counter sale). Beware a myth: "you can buy antibiotics over the counter in Greece" — outdated (true before September 2020, illegal since). To stay compliant: for antibiotics or prescription drugs see a doctor first for an e-prescription; for simple symptoms, ask the pharmacist for OTC. Don't pressure the pharmacist to dispense a prescription drug — they're bound to refuse.
📎 Official sources
- Law 4675/2020 (Art. 18) — antibiotic prescriptions →
- EOF — e-prescription →
- Panhellenic Pharmaceutical Association →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I buy antibiotics without a prescription?
No. Since 1 September 2020, antibiotics are dispensed only with a doctor's e-prescription. The pharmacist is bound to refuse the sale without one. It's outdated to claim that in Greece you can freely buy antibiotics over the pharmacy counter.
What are OTC medicines?
They're non-prescription medicines, sold freely without a prescription, but only in pharmacies and not in supermarkets. Examples are Depon, Panadol, Nurofen, Strepsils and Betadine. They cover mild, common symptoms.
Why do antibiotics need a prescription?
To curb antimicrobial resistance and overuse. The mandatory e-prescription ensures antibiotics are dispensed when truly needed, with a medical assessment. Overusing antibiotics reduces their effectiveness and is a public-health risk.
What does the pharmacist risk by dispensing without a prescription?
Selling prescription drugs without a prescription is punished with an administrative fine and, on a repeat, with criminal prosecution that may include a fine and imprisonment up to 6 months. So if a pharmacist dispenses without a prescription, they become the violator.
Where do I buy painkillers or simple medicines?
Non-prescription medicines, such as common painkillers, are bought freely at the pharmacy, without a prescription. They aren't sold in supermarkets or other shops. For stronger drugs or antibiotics, you need a doctor's e-prescription.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “antibiotics without prescription”
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- “otc medicines greece”
- “e-prescription antibiotics”
- “law 4675/2020 prescription”
- “painkillers without prescription”