Portugal Healthcare: All You Need To Know

With expats from all walks of life coming to call Portugal home, it is not difficult to see just why the country is so popular. With beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, and historic cities, it is easy to get lost in the charm of Portugal. However, when moving to any country, there are many practical aspects to consider. One of the most important is healthcare, and you will be pleased to know that healthcare in Portugal is very good and is increasingly tailored to expats in Portugal. 

In this article, we’ll provide you with everything that you will need to know about healthcare in Portugal. We will split this into public and private healthcare sections, followed by examining your eligibility to access healthcare here, and practical information that you should be aware of.

Portugal Healthcare: Public Options

The national health service in Portugal is called the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) and is publicly financed. Basic national healthcare is administered through local and regional health centers and public hospitals, with all healthcare included in this, except dental services. If you are a resident of Portugal, then you do not have to worry, as you’ll have complete access to the SNS after you get your healthcare number – número nacional de utente – from your local health center. Healthcare under the SNS is completely free for children under 18 and people over 65. 

As a Portuguese resident, you’ll be treated the same way a Portuguese citizen would. The public Portuguese healthcare system is generally free, but bear in mind that there is a patient contribution that you will need to pay, and that the price of this will vary. For example, general practitioner consultations will cost you less than a consultation at the Accident & Emergency, and X-rays, scans, and other tests will require an added fee. The level of English in public health centers, although not quite as good as in private healthcare in Portugal, has come on leaps and bounds in recent years, particularly in the more expat-heavy parts of the country.

Portugal Healthcare: Private Options

Expats in Portugal can also enjoy top-quality private healthcare options. Private healthcare services in Portugal have been in the country for a while and there are now many private healthcare facilities up and down the country. Private healthcare in Portugal is also considerably lower than in the USA. For instance, private health insurance in Portugal can be secured for less than €120 per month. Note that the cost of insurance will vary depending on age and existing health conditions. 

Public-private partnerships have significantly improved healthcare over the past years. This includes creating new hospitals, producing long-term care networks, and reorganizing primary care, among other improvements.

Portugal is noted to perform particularly well in terms of the quality of infrastructure. The World Index of Healthcare Innovation 2021 also ranked Portugal in 17th position in their rankings, which takes into account quality, choice, science & technology, and fiscal sustainability. 

If you are moving to Portugal to enjoy your retirement, you will be happy to know that the Integrated Medical Emergency System offers very rapid response times, something to put your mind at rest.

Are you entitled to Portuguese healthcare services?

The SNS is similar to healthcare systems in other countries, providing local health and hospital services. If you are a Portuguese resident, you will have access to the public system. The main difference between the Portuguese health system and some other healthcare systems, such as in the United States, where healthcare is very expensive for visitors, is that each person who uses the SNS will have to pay a small charge for consultations and tests. 

As an expat in Portugal with a residence permit,  you should be registered at the health center (Centro de Saúde) and must hold a User’s Card. This is obtained from the health center by presenting proof of residence. If you are from a non-EU country, you must also provide a social security number.

Portugal Visa Applicants and Health Insurance Requirements

Portugal Golden Visa and health insurance requirements

Portugal Golden Visa applicants who travel to Portugal before obtaining the Golden Visa will need travel insurance that they can get in their country of origin. The documents should state that it is valid and renewable in Portugal. 

After being issued their Golden Visa, they will have access to the Portuguese National Health Service (SNS). They will need to register beforehand to benefit from the service. 

Alongside this, individuals with the Golden Visa can also purchase private health insurance. Allianz and Cigna Global are some of the best private health insurance providers in Portugal.

D7 Visa Portugal healthcare and health insurance requirements

The D7 Visa (also known as the retirement visa or passive income visa) is an excellent option for individuals that are looking to move to Portugal but do not want to make a significant investment in the country. To apply for the D7 Visa in their home country, applicants need to purchase travel insurance that includes health insurance for one year. Proof of this is required, along with the other documents necessary to apply for the Portugal D7 Visa. 

Once the initial application is approved in your home country, a four-month temporary visa is issued to applicants, whereby they will need to present themselves to AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum).  Applicants will need to have health insurance coverage by the time of their AIMA appointment, ensuring coverage while residing in Portugal during the application process. 

After visiting AIMA, a D7 Residence Permit will be granted to the applicant, which is valid for two years, after which it can then be renewed for a further three years. D7 Visa holders can then benefit from the Portuguese public healthcare system, although they will need to register with the SNS to benefit from the services. Also, individuals can purchase private health insurance. Private health insurance allows access to private clinics, private hospitals, and private practitioners, so it could also be a good option. 

You can see more about the two visa types in our article: How to get Portuguese Residency? 

Healthcare for EU Residents in Portugal

Visiting citizens of the European Union (EU) in Portugal need not worry as healthcare in Portugal for them is covered under reciprocal agreements. EU citizens will simply need to bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to the hospital with them and present it to the hospital or doctor to secure government-funded care. The European Health Insurance Card entitles you to necessary medical attention within EU/EEA member states and Switzerland. 

EU residents will also have many private health clinics across the country to consider. These are relatively inexpensive – as a ballpoint, you can expect to pay approximately €40 for an appointment with a general practitioner.

Healthcare for Short-Term Residents and Visitors in Portugal

Anyone who needs to apply for a visa to Portugal will need travel insurance. Short-stay visitors with a Schengen Visa must have a minimum health insurance coverage of €30,000 for Portugal and the entire Schengen Area. Visa officers will ask to see proof of this. Those who do not need a visa to enter Portugal will not need to have travel insurance, although it is highly recommended.

Travel insurance options

• World Nomads Travel Insurance
• HCCMIS Atlas Travel

Schengen Zone Insurance

• Europe Travel Schengen
• AXA Travel Insurance

Those with a temporary visa need health insurance under Portuguese law, which can be obtained in their home country.  

International health insurance options: 

• Allianz Care International Health Insurance
• Cigna International Healthcare

Non-EU students must prove that they have fully valid health insurance. If they do not, the Portuguese government will not approve their visa, and schools and universities will not accept their enrollment.

Student health insurance options: 

HCCMIS Student Insurance

Emergency Healthcare in Portugal

Emergency healthcare in Portugal is free, without coverage through reciprocity, the NHS, or Portugal’s private healthcare insurance. However, other services are charged at full price and sometimes need to be paid at the time of access. Don’t worry, you will receive hospital care if needed, although you will be charged if the SNS does not cover you, unless you have private insurance or a reciprocal agreement.

Portugal Healthcare: Practical Information

Firstly, it is good to know that almost all of the doctors in both public and private healthcare facilities in Portugal speak English. Alongside this, foreigners are well-catered for in Portugal, with many professionals understanding language barriers. Indeed, there are many tourists, retirees, and expats who move to Portugal, so it is unsurprising that the Portuguese are well adept at catering to the needs of foreigners. 

Pharmacies and medication in Portugal

You should easily be able to find pharmacies in Portugal, just look out for the big green cross on the shopfronts. Many medicines, including over-the-counter medications, are subsidized if obtained with a prescription, making them fairly cost-effective. 

Mental healthcare in Portugal

The primary healthcare facilities for the Portuguese mental healthcare system are provided through mental health teams that work in health centers and hospitals in the country. Studies have found that as much as 30 percent of Portuguese residents experience some kind of mental health problem. 

While mental health is evidently an issue in Portugal, the mental healthcare system and the provision of mental health services are not as developed as in many other countries, with fewer psychiatrists compared to other EU countries – 12.4 psychiatrists per 100,000 inhabitants.

Your GP should be your first port of call, and you can access mental healthcare services through the SNS Portuguese healthcare system in Portugal. You can have access to the following from your GP, depending on your situation and service availability:

• Medication prescription
• Referral to counseling or a specialist
• For more serious conditions, a referral to an emergency or psychiatric unit
• Referral to a community-based program

It is worth noting that the SNS provides only some mental health services, which may be limited in scope. The local healthcare system operates the SNS24 Line (in Portuguese), which provides free 24/7 psychological counseling services. Psychologists can perform assessments and interventions, in Portuguese, in the context of mental and psychological health issues.

It may be a good idea to have private insurance to access a wider range of services as, with private health insurance plans, professionals will generally have very good English and be able to provide a service tailored to your needs, be it mental healthcare services or other kinds of healthcare.

Maternity and Childcare

Health services for women in Portugal

Women’s healthcare in Portugal is delivered in health centers, clinics, and hospitals. The SNS covers maternity care, and expectant mothers generally receive care at the public hospital close to where they live. You can also purchase private health insurance if you want to go down this route. With private insurance, you can access private services, clinics, and consultations, and the level of English is generally of a very high standard.

Parental care will take place in the hospital, and during the initial appointment, the mother-to-be will receive a Pregnancy Booklet. This is where her doctor will record the ongoing medical information about the pregnancy process. Parental classes are offered in maternity wards, although they are not usually subsidized through the public Portuguese healthcare system. Midwives will be on hand to help with the delivery of the baby. 

You can access a gynecologist by speaking with your GP. Gynecologists work at health centers and clinics and can provide health advice, along with conducting routine examinations. 

Healthcare services for children in Portugal

Children can access health services in Portugal for free. The social security contributions of their parent/guardian cover this under the Portuguese National Health Service (SNS). Children have regular health checks from birth and access to services for screening, examination, vaccinations, and nutritional healthcare. A record to chart their progress will also be provided. 

Portugal has a national vaccination system that is included in the SNS. This includes vaccinations against the following diseases: Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Polio, Measles, Mumps, and Rubella.

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.

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.