Short answer. In Spain, households in zone I, within 10 km of a nuclear plant, can get potassium iodide free from the pharmacies in their municipality, without a prescription 12. Zone II (10-30 km) is covered by stocks held by the Government Subdelegations 1. The adult dose is 130 mg, one capsule; take it only when the health authorities say so 1.
Who can get iodine, and where?
The potassium iodide used in Spain's nuclear emergency plans is supplied by the Centro Militar de Farmacia de la Defensa 1.
| Zone | How iodine is distributed |
|---|---|
| Zone I (0-10 km; subzones IA 0-3 km, IB 3-5 km, IC 5-10 km) | Pre-distributed: free at pharmacies in zone I municipalities, without a prescription, on a named application; stocks in nurseries, schools and secondary schools, given with parental authorisation; stocks in municipal premises for visitors, with distribution to hotels and other lodgings planned in the municipal plan 12 |
| Zone II (10-30 km) | Stocks at the Government Subdelegation and municipal reception points, for distribution in an emergency 1 |
The official text says the iodine "se encuentra, de forma gratuita, a disposición de todas las unidades familiares residentes en municipios de zona I, en las oficinas de farmacia ubicadas en los mismos y sin necesidad de receta médica" 1.
Spain has 7 reactors in operation on 5 sites: Almaraz I and II (Cáceres), Cofrentes (Valencia), Vandellós II, Ascó I and II (Tarragona), and Trillo (Guadalajara) 3. Our guide on nuclear plant emergency zones explains how such zones work.
What are the official doses?
| Group | Dose |
|---|---|
| Newborns (0-1 month) | 16 mg (0.25 ml of solution) 1 |
| Children 1 month to 3 years | 32 mg (0.5 ml of solution) 1 |
| Children 3 to 12 years | 65 mg (1 ml of solution) 1 |
| Adults and adolescents over 12, pregnant or breastfeeding women | 130 mg (1 capsule) 1 |
Take it only when the health authorities say so 1. Our guide on potassium iodide explains why timing matters.
What form does it come in, and how long does it keep?
130 mg hard capsules in packs of 10, and an oral solution 1. Shelf life is 3 years for the capsules and 2 years for the solution; expired doses go back to the pharmacy that supplied them 1.
Can I buy potassium iodide in a Spanish pharmacy?
Not as a retail product. A search of the AEMPS medicines register (CIMA) on 20 October 2026 returned no authorised potassium iodide product for radiological protection, only microgram-dose iodine supplements that need a prescription 4. Iodine for radiological protection is distributed through the nuclear emergency plans, as described above 1.
How current are these rules?
The technical guide is revision 00 of February 2012 1. Royal Decree 1546/2004 (the basic nuclear emergency plan, PLABEN, amended in 2009) was formally repealed on 11 July 2023 by Royal Decree 524/2023, but the BOE consolidated text states it continues to apply until the planning instrument that replaces it is approved; none had been found as of 20 October 2026 2.
Frequently asked questions
Is iodine free in Spain?
Yes, for households in zone I municipalities, at their local pharmacies and without a prescription 1.
I live 20 km from a plant. Where is my iodine?
Zone II (10-30 km) is covered by stocks at the Government Subdelegation and municipal reception points, for distribution in an emergency 1.
When should I take it?
Only when the health authorities say so 1.
What do I do with expired capsules?
Return them to the pharmacy that supplied them 1.
Sources
- Dirección General de Protección Civil y Emergencias, Subdirección General de Planificación, Operaciones y Emergencias — Guía técnica sobre utilización de yoduro potásico en la profilaxis radiológica, en emergencias nucleares (Rev. 00, febrero 2012) — https://www.proteccioncivil.es/documents/20121/84954/Guia-Tecnica-sobre-utilizacion-yoduro-potasico.pdf/7f5f78dd-37fd-1fda-2de7-4d879f7ccb68?t=1611318799888 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado — Real Decreto 1546/2004, de 25 de junio, por el que se aprueba el Plan Básico de Emergencia Nuclear (texto consolidado) — https://www.boe.es/eli/es/rd/2004/06/25/1546/con (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Secretaría General de Protección Civil y Emergencias (Ministerio del Interior) — Riesgo nuclear — https://www.proteccioncivil.es/coordinacion/gestion-de-riesgos/tecnologicos/riesgo-nuclear (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS) — CIMA – Centro de información de medicamentos autorizados (búsqueda: yoduro / ioduro / ATC H03CA) — https://cima.aemps.es/cima/publico/lista.html (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Spain, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Dirección General de Protección Civil y Emergencias, Subdirección General de Planificación, Operaciones y Emergencias · Guía técnica sobre utilización de yoduro potásico en la profilaxis radiológica, en emergencias nucleares (Rev. 00, febrero 2012) checked 2026-10-20
- Agencia Estatal Boletín Oficial del Estado · Real Decreto 1546/2004, de 25 de junio, por el que se aprueba el Plan Básico de Emergencia Nuclear (texto consolidado) checked 2026-10-20
- Secretaría General de Protección Civil y Emergencias (Ministerio del Interior) · Riesgo nuclear checked 2026-10-20
- Agencia Española de Medicamentos y Productos Sanitarios (AEMPS) · CIMA – Centro de información de medicamentos autorizados (búsqueda: yoduro / ioduro / ATC H03CA) checked 2026-10-20