When moving to a new country, healthcare might very well be one of the most important factors to consider. This is especially true if you are relocating with your family, have small children, or are retired. So, if you are thinking about settling in Portugal, it's definitely a good idea to do some research into the country's healthcare system.
You will probably be happy to learn that Portugal boasts some of the highest standards of healthcare services in Europe, ranking 23rd in the 2024 World Index of Healthcare Innovation. Nonetheless, the single-payer healthcare system has been under a lot of pressure over the last couple of years, as patients have had to wait months (or even years) for medical appointments, screenings and surgeries. Today, the national healthcare system doesn't have the best reputation among many Portuguese, even though it is the very same system that saves thousands and thousands of lives every year.
Healthcare in Portugal at a glance
The healthcare system in Portugal includes three main elements:
- First, the National Health Service , often abbreviated as SNS);
- Second, there are special social health insurance schemes (). These are based on occupation and apply to workers employed by the state, such as the police, the military, the teachers, etc. These workers pay an extra 3.5% in taxes and are eligible for special coverage in private institutions;
- Third, you can rely on voluntary private health insurance.
The National Health Service (SNS) is managed by the Portuguese Ministry of Health. It is available to all Portuguese residents for free, including expat residents and immigrants. With that, it's worth noting that you will probably incur extra charges for healthcare services in Portugal, even with SNS coverage.
Medical services generally covered under SNS include:
- Visits to GP and local health centers;
- Specialist visits, if you have a referral;
- Hospital and emergency treatments;
- Pharmacy and prescription medicines are heavily subsidized;
- Maternity coverage.
Who is eligible for national healthcare (SNS) in Portugal?
This is actually a question that has created much debate in Portugal. Officially, SNS eligibility has always depended on whether you are a legal resident in the country. So, if you are an expat with legal residency status in Portugal, you will be eligible for the National Health Service coverage. However, it was very common for non-residents to use the SNS for free, as many public institutions were unaware of what to do in these situations. As it turns out, this was a bit of a gray area, contributing to excessive pressure on public health services that further deteriorated their quality and capacities. To tackle this issue, the current administration has passed legislation that actually enforces the law, meaning people who are just visiting Portugal and/or do not have a resident status will need to purchase private health insurance that covers the entire duration of their stay. However, residents of an EU member state will be able to get healthcare access via their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
On the other hand, residents of a non-EU country may also benefit from public healthcare, provided their country of residence has a healthcare agreement with Portugal. Currently, the countries that have such an agreement are Andorra, Brazil, Cape Verde, Morocco, Tunisia and residents of the Canadian province of Quebec. However, as things may change by the time this article is published, you should check whether your country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Portugal at the time of your visit.
If you are a non-EU resident and your country doesn't have a healthcare agreement with Portugal, you will need to purchase private health insurance for the duration of your stay prior to your arrival.
Healthcare access in Portugal
As we've already mentioned above, there are several ways to obtain healthcare insurance in Portugal:
- If you are a legal resident and are employed by a company based in Portugal, your health insurance would typically be covered by your automated monthly payments to the Social Security Institute (automatically deducted from your wage);
- If you are a resident of an EU member state, you will get healthcare access via your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC);
- If you are a visitor from a non-EU member state and your country doesn't have healthcare agreements with Portugal, you will need to purchase private health insurance;
- If you are a resident of Portugal but are unemployed or retired, you can access public healthcare by filling in an .
Regardless of your situation, you'll need to get a Patient Number (Número de Utente) if you seek to use health services in Portugal. That number is automatically attributed to you whenever you visit a public health facility in Portugal for the very first time – just provide your personal information at the front desk, and a Número de Utente will be generated. Keep in mind that having a Patient Number doesn't mean services are free. So that you are officially covered by the SNS system, you'll need to provide your ID number, Portuguese tax number (NIF), address in Portugal and residence permit.
Some Portuguese residents do choose to complement their public healthcare access with private health insurance. This gives them access to more services that are not covered under state insurance. It also allows them to receive treatment in private hospitals, which is often a more efficient and hassle-free solution. As of 2025, it is estimated that over 4 million Portuguese have some sort of private health coverage.
Private health insurance in Portugal
Although the public system provides basic care, if you wish to purchase additional coverage or if you do not qualify for public health care, you can purchase private coverage. Private health insurance costs can range from a few hundred to a few thousand euros per year, depending on a range of factors, such as pre-existing conditions. However, private coverage is often more comprehensive than public coverage, offers shorter waiting times, and allows access to private hospitals and specialists. You can also purchase private insurance for specific areas of coverage, such as dental (which is not covered under the SNS). Private insurance is also likely to provide more access to English-speaking doctors and specialists.
Private healthcare in Portugal
Along with public healthcare, Portugal has a developed private healthcare sector. As one might expect, the prices for medical services in private hospitals are higher than in public ones. With that, there are a number of benefits that come with using private healthcare:
- Waiting periods and lines are shorter;
- You may get access to a wider selection of services and treatments;
- Private hospitals tend to offer a more personal approach and nicer facilities;
- You may also find English-speaking doctors and medical staff.
If you want to be treated in a private hospital, you will need to purchase private health insurance. Unlike the national healthcare plan, you will need to pay for medical treatments upfront and on the spot. You will then be reimbursed (according to your deductibles and co-pays) by your insurer. Make sure to carefully read through your insurance policy conditions and coverage.
Hospitals in Portugal
Most hospital visits in Portugal start with an appointment with a general practitioner. You will then be referred to a specialist doctor for further treatment (if needed).
Public hospitals in Portugal generally offer the following services: emergency care, outpatient care, maternity care, post-operative treatment, psychiatric care and palliative care.
Note that even if you are enrolled in the SNS, you may still need to pay specific fees (called Taxas Moderadoras). These range from €2,50 to €40,00 as usually apply to ER visits without any previous screening or NHS referral. Still, there are plenty of patients who are exempted from paying these fees, such as children under 12, pregnant women, blood/organ donors, and patients with a disability degree of over 60% and people under financial stress (it depends on household income and an official document provided by the Social Security Services is required). Be that as it may, it is always a good idea to check about possible costs prior to your visit.
How to see a doctor in Portugal?
Once you have registered for public or private health insurance in Portugal, you will be able to schedule an appointment with a doctor.
As we've mentioned above, you will need to start with an appointment with a general practitioner. You may then be referred to a specialist (cardiologist, ophthalmologist, psychologist, etc.) based on your condition and needs.
Most doctor fees should be covered under your SNS scheme. However, you may need to pay extra fees for consultations, exams and other services (the aforementioned Taxas Moderadoras).
Now, depending on which specialist you need to attend, you might need to wait. Waiting lists in public hospitals can be quite long. Thus, if you want to shorten the waiting period, it may be better to opt for private insurance. Most of the time, though, there are public-private partnerships between the SNS and some private institutions that help expedite the process. In this case, the doctor will provide an official exam prescription (P1) that you can show to the health provider. The public healthcare system will then cover the costs of your visit (no need to pay anything upfront). This is especially prevalent for blood work, X-rays and other medical imaging exams or physical therapy sessions. Sometimes, depending on the urgency of the matter, waiting lists and availability of public services (or lack thereof), other procedures may take place in private hospitals under SNS coverage.
Mental health facilities in Portugal
Mental health is an essential component of our general well-being. It may be especially important after a massive change, like a move to a new country.
You should have no trouble finding a mental health professional in Portugal, more so if you live in a big city. With that, it is important to mention that mental healthcare in Portugal is not as developed or accessible as in some other European countries. This is especially true when it comes to public mental healthcare.
Mental health services are covered under SNS. To schedule an appointment with a mental health professional, you will first need to see a general practitioner. They will then refer you to a specialist based on your situation. Your general practitioner can also prescribe medication, refer you to a counselor, enroll you in a community health program, direct you to an emergency facility (if your case is severe), and more. However, keep in mind that resources are scarce, and people often have to wait several months until they get an appointment with a mental health professional through the SNS. Furthermore, the SNS only covers a limited selection of mental health services. For more options, it's best to go with private health insurance.
Good to know:
Please keep in mind that not all doctors in the public healthcare system will be able to communicate in a foreign language.
Other healthcare services in Portugal
Child healthcare in Portugal is free. Children have access to a wide range of healthcare services, including examinations, screening, nutritional care, vaccinations, and more. Note that the country has a national vaccination program, which includes vaccinations for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B and dtap.
Dental care is not always covered by SNS — unless you belong to a resident group that has been classified as vulnerable (children, the elderly, the disabled, etc.). In all other cases, you will need to pay for dental services independently. Basic dental services (cavity treatments, crowns, etc.) may be partially covered under private health insurance.
Female healthcare is well-developed, and women can have access to a vast variety of services. To see a gynecologist, you will first need to schedule an appointment with your GP and then get a referral to a specialist. Prenatal care is available in most health centers and clinics. Prenatal classes are also offered in most hospitals, and they are typically covered under SNS. There are different contraception methods available in Portugal, and you can buy birth control pills at any pharmacy without a prescription. You can have free access to birth control pills and other methods in your local health center.
Good to know:
Abortion in the first ten weeks of pregnancy is legal — but it requires a consultation with a GP and a three-day reflection period.
Pharmacies in Portugal
Portugal has an extensive network of pharmacies, and you should have no problem finding one in your neighborhood. Typically, pharmacies are open from 9 am to 7 pm, with a midday lunch break on weekdays. On weekends, they tend to close at 13h00.
You will also find 24-hour pharmacies that are open throughout the night in case of emergencies. To locate the nearest 24-hour pharmacy in your area, you can inquire at any neighborhood pharmacy: they will have a list of all 24/7 pharmacies in the area. You can also refer to the SNS website or just browse on Google Maps.
You should find all commonly used medications in Portuguese pharmacies. With that, if your condition requires the use of a particular medication, it's best to check with your medical specialist whether it's available in Portugal.
When it comes to bringing medication into the country, you should generally have no problems, as regulations are quite relaxed. If you are using prescription medication, make sure to bring it in its original packaging and have a note from your doctor detailing the medication information and dosage. You can take a picture of the note and show it to the customs officer if asked — in most cases, this should be enough. This is especially relevant if you are currently taking strong painkillers (like morphine, oxy or fentanyl), anxiety medication (like Valium), sleeping pills, medicinal cannabis and ADHD medication. Besides the medical prescriptions, you cannot travel with large doses of these medications (just enough for your stay) as they are meant for personal use only.
Health emergencies in Portugal
In the case of a health emergency in Portugal, you should dial 112, which is the equivalent of 911 in the US and 999 in the UK. 112 is a general emergency number used across Europe, and all calls to 112 are toll-free. When you call the 112 emergency number, you will be asked to provide the following information:
- The type of emergency you are facing;
- The number you are calling from;
- Your exact location;
- Age, gender and current state of the person needing assistance.
Note that if you don't speak Portuguese, you should immediately inform the operator.
In this case, you may be forwarded to someone who speaks English. The best thing, however, is to have someone who speaks Portuguese by your side so they can clearly explain the nature of the emergency.
Note that a call to 112 doesn't guarantee that you will be sent an ambulance — these are reserved for life-threatening emergencies. If your emergency is not life-threatening, you may be directed to the nearest hospital.
When you do go to the hospital, it is also advisable to have someone who can speak Portuguese. You will need to describe your condition, fill in forms, etc.
If you need to visit the ER but it is not a life-threatening situation, you must call the SNS24 number at 808 242 424 – a 24-hour helpline managed by the Ministry of Health. They will ask questions about your situation and take care of the triage. Once the process is complete, they will tell you which hospital to go and what time, so that patients do not clog the ER offices and wait in the comfort of their homes. Once again, calls are toll-free.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
