Portugal Healthcare: The Ultimate Guide for Foreigners in 2025

How the Portuguese Health System Operates

The Portuguese healthcare system works with three categories. The first is the public system, known as Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS). The SNS is the tax-funded National Health Service established in 1979. SNS provides universal healthcare coverage to all Portuguese citizens and legal foreign residents. The Ministry of Health manages the public system.

The SNS is divided into five regional health administrations, each managed by the Administração Regional de Saúde (ARS). In mainland Portugal, these administrations are the North, the Center, Lisbon and the Tagus Valley, the Alentejo, and the Algarve. Autonomous regions like Madeira and the Azores have their own health systems, which are not covered by the five ARS.

The second system is a subsystem program for public servants, including military personnel, police officers, and public sector workers. The largest of the important public health subsystems, which covers more than 1.3 million public servants, is Health Assistance for State Civil Servants (Assistência na Doença aos Servidores do Estado or ADSE).

The third category is private healthcare systems, which are funded either out-of-pocket (direct payment) or through private health insurance. Many private health networks operate across Portugal, such as Medis, AdvanceCare, and Multicare.

Latest healthcare statistics in Portugal

Portugal spends $5,212 per capita on health, which is less than the average of $5,967 for other member nations of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

There are 5.8 licensed doctors per 1,000 population in Portugal, where the average life expectancy is 82.5 years, or 1.4 years above the OECD average.

According to Eurostat data, Portugal spends about 10 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on healthcare. Portugal’s total expenditure of €26.9 billion was close to the EU average. In 2023, the countries with the highest healthcare spending were Spain (€138 billion), Italy (€179 billion), France (€325 billion), and Germany (€528 billion).

Health Insurance in Portugal: Private and Public Care

There are 242 hospitals in Portugal; 130 of them are private, based on reports from Statistics Portugal (INE).

The latest Portugal healthcare ranking, according to Numbeo’s Healthcare Index for 2025, shows the country ranks 14th in Europe and 23rd in the world with an index score of 72. The country provides excellent medical services and access to qualified specialists.

According to the 2025 Global Retirement Index by Global Citizen Solutions, Portugal ranks first due to the country’s advances in healthcare, quality of life, and safety standards, making it the best place to retire in Europe.

Here is everything you need to know about Portugal healthcare for foreigners.

Public healthcare (SNS)

The public healthcare system in Portugal (SNS) provides universal coverage and high-quality care to all legal residents and Portuguese citizens. Most services are free of charge, as they are funded through general taxation and the social security system.

Public healthcare covers all medical treatments and procedures except dental care and cosmetic surgeries, unless you are having reconstructive surgery. However, the SNS does provide limited public coverage for dental services through vouchers or specific public programs for vulnerable groups, including children, pregnant women, and seniors.

Prescription medication is also free or with a small co-payment. SNS provides subsidies from 15 percent to 90 percent of the drug’s total cost, depending on its therapeutic importance.

As of 2025, patients pay a small fee of about €18 to €20 if they use a hospital’s emergency room (A&E) without being referred by a public service (like the SNS 24 hotline or a public doctor) and are not subsequently admitted to the hospital.

Healthcare is completely free for specific patients, including children under 18, people over 65, pregnant women, and those with specific chronic conditions or low-income families.

Overall, healthcare costs in Portugal are more affordable than in the United States, the UK, and much of Western Europe.

Private healthcare

Private healthcare systems require you to pay a monthly premium to the insurance company, and then you pay a smaller amount or a co-payment each time you see a doctor or get a procedure. There are two main types of private health insurance in Portugal: health insurance (Seguro de Saude) and health plans (Plano de Saude).

Private insurance gives you access to a specific number of medical services from a network of private hospitals that the insurance company works with. Your monthly cost depends on factors such as your age, type of health insurance coverage, and medical history.

Private health insurance covers surgeries and hospitalization. In a basic package, examinations and doctor consultations come with co-payments. The cost of a basic private insurance usually varies from €15 to €20 per month. The minimum coverage is €15,000 for private health care.

Extended packages for private health care can provide additional services, such as dental care or specialized treatments. Such private insurance schemes can cost between €30 and €100 per month with a maximum coverage of up to €500,000. You can find out more about Portugal health insurance in our ultimate guide.

Health plans are more like a membership or a loyalty card, not full insurance. You get discounts on healthcare services at private clinics and doctors within a specific network. It works best for routine tasks, such as doctor consultations and examinations. They generally do not cover expensive services or medical procedures, such as hospitalization or surgeries. The average cost of a health plan is €5 to €40 per month.

We recommend you open a local bank account to avoid international transaction fees and unfavorable exchange rates when making payments for private insurance. Our article on banking in Portugal can help you find the right bank that suits your needs and budget.

Public vs private healthcare comparison

If you plan on living in Portugal, it is important to weigh out the advantages and disadvantages of the services you get via the public system and private medical insurance, so you can decide which one suits you best.

What are the healthcare access requirements, residency rules, and eligibility criteria?

The requirements for accessing the Portuguese healthcare system are based on your legal residency in the country. All citizens and long-term legal residents get access to SNS.

You must have a Portuguese tax number (Número de Identificação Fiscal or NIF). You can apply for a NIF in Portugal at a local tax office (Finanças), a Citizen Shop (Loja do Cidadão), or via an online representative.

Here are the main eligibility criteria for accessing healthcare in Portugal.

Legal residents

If you are a legal resident planning to work or access benefits, you need a Portuguese social security number also known as NISS (Número de Identificação de Segurança Social). Check our article on how to get your social security number in Portugal.

Any individual who is considered a legal resident of Portugal is entitled to full, subsidized access to the SNS, treated under the same conditions as a Portuguese citizen, regardless of nationality. All foreigners must demonstrate legal residency to the local health center (Centro de Saúde)

After registering and submitting the necessary documents, you will receive your health user number (Número de Utente). It provides you with full access to primary care, hospitals, subsidized medication, and specialized referrals.

The key documents include:

• Residence permit (Título de Residência) or residence card (for non-EU citizens) or the CRUE (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia) (for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens)
• Proof of Portuguese NIF number
• Proof of address (such as rental contract, property deed, recent utility bill, or certificate of tax domicile).

Non-residents and short-term visitors

You might be wondering about Portugal healthcare for tourists, for example, how it works for short-term visitors.

If you are a citizen of the European Union, European Economic Area, Switzerland, or the UK, you have temporary access based on reciprocal agreements. During your short visit, which may last up to 90 days, you will be treated under the same conditions as a Portuguese citizen.

If you intend to reside in Portugal for more than 90 days, you must follow the same process as all other legal residents: obtain a residence certificate and register with the SNS.

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, like a US citizen visiting Portugal as a tourist, you do not have automatic access to the SNS.

The key documents include:

• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
• Passport or national ID card
• Travel insurance

EU vs. non-EU expats

The main difference between EU and non-EU expats lies in the transitional period before finalizing the legal residency.

EU, EEA, and Swiss expats have temporary reciprocal coverage up to 90 days. They don’t have to apply for a visa, but must obtain the CRUE (residence certificate) from the local city hall and use it to register at the health center for their health user number.

Non-EU expats, such as American nationals, must obtain private health insurance before applying for a residency visa, such as the D7 Visa (passive income or retirement visa), D8 (Digital Nomad Visa), or the Portugal Golden Visa. They can access the SNS only after they’ve received their official residence permit.

If you are moving to Portugal to enjoy your retirement, you will also find many homes for assisted living in Portugal for those who require additional support.

Private Health Insurance Options and Recommendations for Expats

Private health insurance is a popular choice for expats in Portugal, whether used as the sole source of coverage or to complement the public SNS system.

Most expats opt for a local Portuguese private health insurance policy from a major provider, such as Médi, Multicare, Fidelidade, or Allianz. For those who travel frequently or want guaranteed global coverage, an international private medical insurance (IPMI) plan from a company like Cigna Global or Bupa can be a better choice.

Here are the main benefits of private insurance in Portugal and the different types of coverage.

Why consider private insurance?

Many expats, digital nomads, and families with children opt for private insurance for quicker access to care, better pricing, and comfort.

The main reasons people choose private insurance are that it:

• Allows you to bypass the long waiting times common in the public sector for non-urgent specialist consultations, diagnostics (like MRIs), and elective surgeries.
• Covers you immediately upon arrival and during the often months-long wait period while you finalize your residency and formally register for the public SNS system.
• Provides access to private hospital chains, modern facilities, more comfortable accommodations, and the ability to choose your own specialist.
• Offers facilities with better privacy, especially in crowded areas like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.
• Provides access to English-speaking doctors and administrative staff.
• It often covers services excluded, poorly covered, or have long waiting times via the SNS, such as routine dental care, vision care, and mental health services.

Types of private insurance

There are two types of private insurance:

• Health insurance: This is full insurance that covers multiple medical services, such as hospital stays, surgeries, specialist visits, and major treatments. You pay a monthly fee to keep the insurance active. You also pay a small fee (a co-payment) each time you visit the doctor or use a service. It is the type of insurance you must have to apply for most Portuguese residency visas, and it gives you the strongest financial protection.
• Health plans: This is a discount membership for private healthcare, not a full insurance. It gives reduced prices on consultations, tests, and routine care within a specific provider network, with very low monthly fees. This is great for making routine private care cheaper and faster, but it will not meet visa requirements and won’t protect you if you need a major operation or hospital stay.

Portugal Healthcare: Practical Information

The Portuguese healthcare system provides a wide range of specialized services, although access varies between the public (SNS) and private sectors. The entire system offers numerous advantages for international living, attracting digital nomads, business experts, and families with children.

Here is a quick look at the practical aspects of managing healthcare in Portugal:

Pharmacies and medication in Portugal

Pharmacies (farmácias) are located throughout the country, and you can recognize them by the green cross symbol. The vast majority are open during standard business hours, from Monday to Friday (9:00 am to 7:00 pm), with rotating duty pharmacies (Farmácia de Serviço) available in every area on weekends and public holidays.

Many mild painkillers and allergy treatments are available over the counter. Legal residents get subsidized prescriptions under the public system, paying only a fraction of the cost.

Some of the most well-known pharmacies in Portugal include Wells for health, beauty, and non-prescription medication, and the Traditional Pharmacy (Individual Farmácias) subsidized and prescription medication.

Mental healthcare in Portugal

Mental healthcare in Portugal is available through both the public system (SNS) and private providers. Public mental health services include access to psychologists and psychiatrists, usually through a GP referral, though waiting times can be long.

Expats often choose private care for faster appointments and English-speaking providers. Private sessions are either paid out-of-pocket or partially reimbursed by private insurance.

Portugal’s quality of life makes this country a popular destination for expats, young professionals, and property investors.

Dental care in Portugal

Dental care is not generally covered by the public SNS for adults. Most foreigners prefer English-speaking dentists through private care, whose services are often more affordable than in the US and some other Western European countries.

Limited public services for dental care are available for children, pregnant women, and low-income residents.

Health services for women in Portugal

The public SNS offers full gynecological care, family planning, and prenatal or postnatal services. Pregnancy and childbirth are fully covered under the public system for residents.

Many forms of contraception are subsidized or free through public health providers. However, private care offers faster appointments.

Healthcare services for children in Portugal

Pediatric care for children under 18 is generally free through the public SNS. These services include regular check-ups, developmental monitoring, and a free national vaccination program. Care is typically provided via local health centers. But many families with children often choose private pediatricians to reduce the waiting times.

What are the pros and cons of the healthcare system in Portugal?

What are the best hospitals and clinics in Portugal?

The main hospital care providers in Portugal are often recognized for their advanced facilities, modern equipment, and high-quality care, particularly within the private sector in urban centers like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.

The top public hospitals are:

• Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central (CHULC)
• St António Hospital (Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Porto)
• Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra
• Oncology Institute Francisco Gentil (IPO)

The top private institutions are:

• Hospital da Luz
• CUF Hospitals
• Lusíadas Saúde
• Hospital Particular do Algarve (HPA)

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You

Goldcrest is the first buyer’s agent in Portugal, based in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of foreign buyers snap up their dream home in Portugal. From scouting out your ideal property through to acquisition and beyond, we are here to guide you through the process. We also offer rental services for long-term rentals to property owners living abroad.

Alongside this, our residency and citizenship division, Global Citizen Solutions, is always on hand to assist with residency matters. Are you debating choosing the D7 Visa or the Golden Visa? They’ll be able to discuss which option is better suited to your specific needs and situation.