Healthcare in Portugal

Written by Luis Minvielle Moderated by Oleksandra Dosii

Luis Minvielle

Luis is a writer with over 5 years of experience in B2B software. Even though he has always worked in tech, a sector he regularly publishes about, his initial incursions into writing were, curiously enough, music essays discussing scenes from different parts of the world—most likely to deal with his unfulfilled ambition of becoming a neo-soul crooner.

Oleksandra Dosii

Oleksandra is a dedicated marketer with a passion for growing HR-tech products. She believes content marketing is about delivering high-quality content that provides value—not just generating leads. Since 2016, Oleksandra has been involved in tech talent relocation.

Last update: March 27, 2025

Next update: Scheduled for January 27, 2026

Interesting facts:

• Most hospitals in Portugal are publicly funded through the SNS, the national healthcare system.
• Portugal’s Servicio Nacional de Saude (SNS) offers a 24/7 online health service.
• Basic dental checkups for children and vulnerable groups are subsidized via the public “Cheque Dentista” program.

Overview of the Portuguese healthcare system

The Portuguese healthcare is frequently free, and, when it’s not, it’s very accessible. This stands for both Portuguese citizens and for expats.

In Portugal, there are three different healthcare systems: the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS), occupation-based social health insurance for certain professions such as police and military, and private health insurance.

The country has a high-standard healthcare system overall, but it’s not the most affordable compared to other countries, according to FREOPP’s World Index of Healthcare Innovation. However, private health insurance is relatively cheap compared to other EU countries, with plans going as low as €20.

Health insurance in Portugal

The Portuguese healthcare sector consists of three different but coexisting systems:

• National Health Service (SNS): The tax-funded system that provides free healthcare to all legal residents of Portugal, including expats. Some non-urgent services, however, have recently introduced fees and co-payments.
• Private health insurance: Very accessible. Offers faster access to specialists and private healthcare centers. It’s often used to complement SNS health coverage.
• Occupation-based insurance: A state-backed system providing coverage for certain professions such as police, military personnel, and some public employees.

The SNS is managed by the Health Ministry and is free for all Portuguese residents, including expats. Some co-payments (taxas moderadoras) have been introduced lately for certain services, such as specialist consultations, diagnostic tests, and some other non-urgent emergency services. However, many essential healthcare services remain free, and exemptions exist for specific groups, including children, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and low-income individuals, among others.

How much does health insurance in Portugal cost?

The SNS is funded by taxes and contributions, and Portuguese residents are not required to pay for medical treatment in the public healthcare system. Employees in Portugal pay 11% of their gross salary in social contributions, while employers pay 23.75%. Self-employed workers pay a rate of 21.4% of their income in social security. These contributions go towards funding various public services, including healthcare. However, public healthcare is not free in cases where you seek emergency treatment without a prior recommendation by the SNS or when you request emergency services that don’t require hospitalization.

Private insurance is not expensive at all in Portugal, with plans that could cost as low as €20 to €50 a month. An appointment with a private doctor can cost around €40 to €50. Some big private insurance companies in Portugal are Allianz Care, Future Healthcare and Cigna Global. But those are international companies. There are also local companies with very accessible plans. We’ll name a few soon.

How to access the healthcare system in Portugal as an expat

The public healthcare system or SNS is free for all Portuguese residents (as in every other country with free health, some treatments require co-payments). In December 2024, the government passed laws to limit access to public healthcare for every other group. This includes expats without a residence and irregular migrants.

That’s why, possibly, the best way to access the healthcare system in Portugal as an expat is through the private system. Expats who’ve already settled there recommend ​​siding with providers such as Multicare, AdvanceCare, MGEN, or Tranquilidade. Multicare and Tranquilidade are part of a larger group, so if you intend to have a car or house, you could pay for insurance with them. For the private health insurance, you can expect to pay as little as €30 a month.

But expats can also access the health system with the SNS. The only prerequisite: registering in the Social Security System so you can then access healthcare. As a Portuguese official site says:

Any foreigner who is legally resident in Portugal can obtain a National Health Service (SNS) user number, which entitles them to medical assistance at public SNS units.

The number is issued the first time you visit a public health unit, such as a health center or hospital.

Non-EU nationals must acquire a residence permit before registering for healthcare in the country. Employers in Portugal usually handle the registration to the Social Security System. Still, self-employed workers must register themselves with the Social Security Institute to qualify for healthcare.

Once you’re registered in the Social Security System, you must go to a health centre and request to be registered in the SNS. Once you’re done, they’ll give you an SNS user number which allows you to access all the benefits of the Portuguese public healthcare system. Keep in mind that this is a different number than a fiscal ID.

If you’re planning to stay in Portugal long term, but you have no residence permit, you can call the SNS and request a temporary user number.

English-speaking doctors in Portugal

Some medical professionals in the Portugal healthcare system may understand English, but this isn’t a general rule. If you need a doctor who speaks English, you have some options to find one:

• Health insurance providers: The public system and private healthcare companies offer directories and customer service channels that can help you find an English-speaking doctor.
• Online directories: Online platforms like Doctorsa, Mobidoctor, and TravelDoctor EU allow you to search for medical professionals by language.
• Embassy or consulate: Embassies and consulates usually have a list of healthcare providers that speak English or other languages. Contact your country’s consulate in Portugal to ask for a recommended doctor according to your needs.

What to do in an emergency

If you have a medical emergency in Portugal, call 112. This number will connect you with a centralized operator for medical, police, and fire emergencies.

Most hospitals in Portugal have an emergency department (urgências). With your personal identification document, a nurse will admit you and set you on a waiting list, depending on the seriousness of your emergency.