The decision of the UK medicines and healthcare products regulatory Agency follows public consultation.
It will be up to pharmacists to judge whether men over the age of 18 can safely sell small blue pills.
Manufacturer Pfizer hopes to Connect stockpile Viagra (sildenafil 50mg) in pharmacies of the UK by the spring of 2018.
Experts say the wider distribution of the drug will help men who may not feel able to visit their doctor about impotence.
MHRA hopes that this will stop some men buying medicines from unregulated websites operating illegally.
Mick Foy, group Manager in the MHRA's vigilance and risk management of medicines, said: "this decision is good news for men's health.
"Erectile dysfunction can be a debilitating condition, so it's important that men feel like they have quick access to quality and legitimate care, and don't feel like they need to turn to fake online supplies that can have potentially serious side effects."
Pharmacists will decide whether treatment is appropriate and can offer advice on erectile dysfunction, medication use, potential side effects and whether additional consultation with a General practitioner is required.
Viagra Connect will not be sold:
persons with severe heart disease or high risk of cardiovascular disease
those with liver failure
those with severe renal failure
men taking certain medications that can cause a bad reaction in combination with Viagra
People who are sold it will advise that they can take a 50 mg tablet an hour before having sex, but should not use more than one tablet a day.
Sildenafil is already available on the NHS prescription for free.
Most men sometimes fail to get or maintain an erection.
This is usually due to factors such as stress, fatigue, anxiety or drinking too much alcohol, says the NHS choice.
Men should see their doctor or go to a sexual health clinic if erection problems continue to occur, because this can be a sign of a basic health condition, he advises.
IHRC received 47 responses to its consultations, 33 of which were in support of the provision of non-prescription Viagra and one was "unsure".
Eight pharmacists are among the 13 countries that did not support the proposal. Some were concerned that customers might hide medical information from staff to get treatment. The risk of abuse or misuse of medicines was another concern.
In its decision, the IHRC concluded that the benefits of allowing the sale of viagra without a prescription outweigh the potential risks.
Denise Knowles, a psychosexual therapist and consultant at Relate, warned that taking pills is not a band-aid for relationship problems.
"Many of the people I've talked to have the wrong idea that it will give them a stronger erection or add to their desire. But not in order to strengthen the skills.
- It's not a magic pill that cures relationship problems."
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