3 de March, 2025
One of the biggest perks of living in Portugal is the high quality and affordability of its healthcare services. Since June 2022, the country has eliminated most user fees in the public healthcare system, making it free for everyone. For those seeking more comprehensive coverage, private health insurance and plans are also available at very reasonable prices.
In this article, you’ll learn how the public and private healthcare systems work in Portugal, the costs involved, and who is eligible for public services. We’ll also explain why having Portuguese citizenship can be a significant advantage when accessing the National Health Service (SNS).
👉 Also read: Is Public Healthcare in Portugal Good?
Realizing your goal of living in Europe or obtaining European citizenship can be simpler than you think. We offer personalized support to make the immigration process more accessible and uncomplicated.
Yes, there is! The National Health Service (SNS) was established in 1979 to ensure universal, fair, and comprehensive access to healthcare for all citizens. This means that through the SNS, any resident in Portugal can receive medical care for emergencies, specialist consultations, exams, surgeries, and even complex treatments.
In Portugal, all residents—both nationals and foreigners—regardless of their economic or social status, have the right to comprehensive healthcare, including promotion, prevention, and follow-up care. This also applies to legally registered foreigners.
Portuguese citizens living abroad can also access these services as long as they are registered with the National Health Service (SNS) and have a patient number (número de utente).
Expatriates and foreign residents are entitled to public healthcare services. To access them, you’ll need a patient number (número de utente), which serves as your registration with the SNS. If you already have a Portuguese citizen card (cartão de cidadão), your patient number is already included. They can also use emergency services and contact the emergency number in Portugal (SNS 24 – 808 24 24 24) for medical assistance.
For those who don’t have a patient number yet, simply visit a Family Health Unit (Unidade de Saúde da Família) in your local parish (neighborhood) and provide the following documents:
If you’re not yet a legal resident in Portugal, additional documents may be required, such as:
First, you’ll need to register as a patient (utente) at a Family Health Unit (commonly known as a Health Center) in your area of residence.
Once registered, you’ll be assigned a family doctor. This professional is your main point of contact with the SNS. They oversee your general health, prescribe tests and medications, and refer you to specialists if needed.
In the SNS, you can’t book appointments directly with a specialist. Instead, you must first consult your family doctor, who will assess your situation and refer you to the appropriate specialist. The same applies to diagnostic tests—you’ll need a referral from your family doctor.
Yes, in most cases! This is one of the most common questions among those planning to move to the country. Currently, the majority of services provided by the National Health Service (SNS), such as consultations and exams, no longer charge user fees (taxas moderadoras). However, in some specific situations, a small fee may still apply, but the amounts are very affordable and have established maximum limits.
User fees are a form of cost-sharing between patients and the healthcare system. This type of charge is common in more than half of the European Union countries. In Portugal, the fees are almost symbolic.
Since June 1, 2022, user fees in the SNS have been eliminated. However, fees still apply in certain cases, such as:
Additionally, exemptions are available for specific groups, such as seniors, pregnant women, and individuals with certain medical conditions. To learn more about user fees and who qualifies for exemptions, you can visit the website of the Health Regulatory Authority (Entidade Reguladora da Saúde).
The amounts paid in user fees can be deducted on your IRS, Portugal’s annual tax return.
According to current legislation (Decree-Law No. 113/2011 of November 29, 2011), certain groups of users are entitled to exemption from paying user fees at National Health Service (SNS) facilities.
The exemption request can be made at any time, either:
The process typically takes around 10 days to be approved or denied. If you belong to one of the exempt groups, don’t hesitate to apply to ensure free access to SNS services.
To access emergency services at a hospital without paying user fees, you need a prior referral. This referral, also known as referenciação hospitalar, can be obtained in two ways:
In other words, before heading to the hospital, it’s essential to contact the SNS 24 Helpline or visit your Health Center. This ensures that your emergency care will be free of charge and helps you avoid unnecessary payments.
Scheduling appointments with your family doctor in Portugal is simple and convenient. You can do it:
Via the MySNS app, available for smartphones.
This modern and practical system makes managing your healthcare easy and accessible.
Yes, in some cases. In Portugal, many medications are subsidized, meaning the government covers part of the cost, and the patient pays the rest. The discount varies depending on the type of medication, the condition being treated, and the patient’s profile. For example, retirees can receive discounts of up to 95%.
Additionally, medications for chronic conditions such as diabetes (insulin), Crohn’s Disease, Lupus, Hemophilia, among others, are provided free of charge.
Organizations like Associação Dignitude also assist families in financial need to access necessary medications.
Important: Most medications, including antibiotics, anti-allergics, and strong painkillers, require a medical prescription.
Portugal has an Integrated Medical Emergency System (SIEM), a group of entities that act together to provide medical assistance to victims of accidents or sudden illness. Several entities cooperate together: the police, firefighters, the Portuguese Red Cross, hospitals and healthcare centers. Coordination is the responsibility of the National Institute of Emergency Media, the INEM which is contacted through the number 112.
Emergency assistance provided by the INEM, through 112, is not charged to the user. Simpler emergencies can be attended to in healthcare centers, and this assistance is usually provided immediately.
The amounts of the user fees to be paid for emergency care are as follows:
| Service (*) | Value |
| Multipurpose emergency service | 18 € |
| Medical-surgical emergency service | 16 € |
| Basic Emergency Service | 14 € |
(*) To these values are added the fees for complementary diagnostic and therapeutic resources. However, for each emergency service, the user will pay a maximum of 40 euros. | |
Contrary to what some might think, Portugal’s public healthcare system boasts excellent professionals. Truly! However, many people prefer to choose their doctors in the private network. At times, public healthcare services can be slower or more limited, with a focus on reactive rather than preventive care.
If you want to choose your preferred doctor, receive faster care, or undergo more frequent exams, you’ll need to pay out of pocket for private consultations or purchase private health insurance in Portugal.
According to the Portuguese Insurance Association, over 3 million Portuguese citizens have some form of health insurance or plan—a trend that grew significantly starting in 2020, during the pandemic.
Many Portuguese opt for private health insurance as a complement to the National Health Service (SNS). In general, health insurance in Portugal is affordable but operates on a co-payment system. This means that, in addition to the monthly premium, the user pays a small fee at the time of service.
In 2025, the average cost of an individual health insurance plan is around 70 euros per month. With insurance, a private consultation that typically costs 80 euros may only cost 30 euros. However, it’s important to note that prices vary depending on the type of coverage, limits, and exclusions of the policy.
Health plans, on the other hand, can start as low as 5 euros per month, depending on the services included. These are a great option for those seeking private care without breaking the bank.
The cost of private consultations varies depending on the city, medical specialty, and the professional you choose. For example, a specialist consultation, such as dermatology or gynecology, can cost an average of 80 euros in Porto.
In Portugal, there are healthcare insurances and healthcare plans, which are different things.
Is a network of discounts on healthcare.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Works like insurance, with specific policies.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Click here and learn more about private healthcare in Portugal.
Yes, in many cases! In the CUF network, for example, information about the languages spoken by each professional is included in the online description of each doctor.
In public healthcare, many doctors also speak English, as it’s widely spoken in Portugal.
According to the SCImago Institutions Ranking, the best Portuguese hospitals in 2024 are:
In Portugal, your health will be in good hands, with a high-quality and affordable healthcare system, whether in the public National Health Service (SNS) or the private network. If you’re planning to move to the country, our experts are here to guide you through visas, Portuguese citizenship, and everything you need to start your new life.
Get in touch with us today and take the first step toward a secure and well-cared-for future!
Author:
Atlantic Bridge
