PEP (Profilaxis Post-Exposición) is a 28-day course of emergency HIV medication. It must be started within 72 hours of a high-risk exposure (e.g., a condom break), and is free on the Spanish public health system.

🚨 Where to Go Right Now

Go directly to the Urgencias (Emergency Room) of the nearest major public hospital.

Do not go to a local Centro de Salud (local health center) or a normal Farmacia (street pharmacy). They do not stock antiretroviral medications and cannot help you. You must go to a hospital.

In major cities, specific hospitals are known for handling PEP efficiently:

  • Madrid: Hospital Clínico San Carlos or Hospital La Paz.
  • Barcelona: Hospital Clínic.

🗣️ What to Say at Triage

Spanish hospital emergency rooms are crowded, and triage nurses need to know exactly what you need so they don't leave you in the waiting room for six hours.

  1. State your need: "Necesito PEP. Profilaxis post-exposición por riesgo sexual." (I need PEP. Post-exposure prophylaxis for sexual risk).
  2. State your timeline: "La exposición fue hace [X] horas." (The exposure was [X] hours ago).
  3. State the risk: Be clear that it was high-risk, condomless sex. If the partner is known to be HIV-positive and NOT undetectable, tell them immediately.

The Starter Pack: The hospital will usually give you the first few days of medication right there in the emergency room. They will then give you an urgent referral to the infectious diseases department (enfermedades infecciosas) to collect the rest of the 28-day supply from the hospital pharmacy.

💳 What If You Don't Have a Health Card?

If you are a tourist (e.g., visiting Sitges or Madrid Pride) and experience an emergency:

  • EU Citizens: Present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC / Tarjeta Sanitaria Europea). The care will be covered.
  • Non-EU Citizens / Undocumented: Spanish hospitals have an absolute legal duty of care in emergencies. They will not deny you PEP if you are within the 72-hour window, but you may be billed for the hospital visit and medication afterwards if you do not have travel insurance.

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