How Healthcare Works in Portugal

Who this is for

Key tradeoffs

Important considerations that affect most people in this situation.

The public healthcare system (SNS)

Portugal's Serviço Nacional de Saúde provides universal coverage to legal residents. The system is tax-funded and offers comprehensive care at minimal direct cost.

• Primary care happens at local health centers (Centro de Saúde). You register at the one serving your residential area
• You're assigned a family doctor (médico de família) who coordinates your care. Getting assigned can take time in high-demand areas like Lisbon
• Specialist care typically requires a GP referral. This is where wait times build up—non-urgent specialist appointments can take weeks to months
• Prescription medications are subsidized. The percentage varies by medication type and patient status (pensioners pay less)
• Emergency care (urgências) is available to everyone, including tourists, at hospital emergency departments. Treatment happens first; paperwork follows
• Small co-payments (taxas moderadoras) apply for some services: €4-15 for GP visits, €15-20 for emergency visits. These are waived for certain groups (low income, pregnant women, children)

Registering for SNS

Registration is straightforward once you have the prerequisites. The main dependencies are your NIF and proof of address.

• First: obtain your NIF (tax number) if you haven't already. This is required for SNS registration
• Get an atestado de residência (proof of residence) from your local junta de freguesia. This requires showing your rental contract or property deed
• Visit your local Centro de Saúde with passport, NIF, and atestado de residência. Some areas allow online registration through the SNS portal
• You'll receive a número de utente (patient number). This is your SNS identifier for all public healthcare services
• Family doctor assignment may happen immediately or go on a waiting list. In Lisbon and Porto, doctor shortages mean some people wait months for assignment
• While waiting for a family doctor, you can still access SNS services through walk-in consultations and emergency care

Private healthcare options

Private healthcare in Portugal is well-developed, affordable by international standards, and widely used by both locals and expats.

• Major Portuguese insurers (Médis, Multicare, AdvanceCare, Fidelidade) offer comprehensive coverage. Plans range from €30-150/month depending on age and coverage level
• International insurers (Allianz Care, Cigna Global, SafetyWing) provide coverage that works in Portugal and beyond—useful if you travel frequently or aren't sure about long-term plans
• Private consultations without insurance: GP visits run €50-80; specialists €80-150. Diagnostic tests and procedures add up quickly
• Private hospitals (CUF, Lusíadas, Hospital da Luz) offer high-quality care with minimal wait times. Quality is comparable to or better than public hospitals for many services
• Many employers provide private health insurance as a benefit, especially in professional and tech roles
• Dental care is not well covered by SNS. Most people use private dentists, with costs similar to other Western European countries

Practical realities

These factors shape the day-to-day experience of healthcare in Portugal.

• Language — English proficiency among medical staff varies. In Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, finding English-speaking doctors (especially privately) is manageable. Smaller cities and rural areas, less so
• Wait times — the practical difference between public and private. SNS specialist appointments: weeks to months. Private: often within days. For urgent issues, both systems respond quickly
• Medication continuity — if you take ongoing medications, bring documentation from your home country. Portuguese doctors can usually continue prescriptions but need your medical history
• EHIC/GHIC cards — EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card for temporary access to SNS services. This is meant for temporary visits, not as a substitute for proper registration when you become resident
• Emergencies — dial 112. Hospital emergency departments (urgências) don't require prior registration. In true emergencies, you're treated regardless of status
• Pharmacy access — pharmacies (farmácias) are widespread and pharmacists can advise on minor issues and provide some medications without prescription. Green cross signs mark their locations

Regional differences

Healthcare availability and quality varies across Portugal. Location affects your options.

• Lisbon and Porto — best hospital infrastructure and specialist availability, but also highest demand. Doctor shortages mean SNS family doctor assignment can take months
• Algarve — good private healthcare infrastructure due to tourism and expat population. Many English-speaking practitioners. SNS coverage is adequate but less extensive than major cities
• Smaller cities (Coimbra, Braga, Aveiro) — good university hospitals in some locations. Generally shorter SNS wait times than Lisbon/Porto due to lower population pressure
• Rural areas — SNS coverage through local health centers, but specialist care may require travel to larger cities. Private options are limited
• Islands (Madeira, Azores) — local hospitals handle most needs; complex cases may require transfer to mainland Portugal

Next steps

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