Healthcare in Portugal for foreign nationals

Where the plan is to spend time in Portugal, understanding how to access healthcare is essential, particularly where you hold a Portugal Golden Visa or theD7 retirement visa.

In this article, we provide a comprehensive analysis of healthcare in Portugal for foreign nationals, the SNS system, including care from family doctors and primary care physicians, the benefits of private health insurance plans, and points to note about emergency care.

The Portuguese public health system

Portugal has a universal healthcare system through the publicly funded National Health Service (SNS).

It provides free healthcare for children under 18 and for those over 65 who have contributed to social security.

State healthcare provides subsidised medical costs at a low level for everyone else. Depending on the health centre, doctors provide medicines during treatment or even free emergency care.

Basic national healthcare coverage is administered through local health centres (family doctors) and regional centres, together with hospitals, under the authority of five regional health administrations.

It is comprehensive across Portugal, and although the SNS does not cover dental services for anyone other than those in “vulnerable groups” such as children, pregnant patients, older people or residents with disabilities, it is still cheaper than in many other countries. For example, a consultation with an English-speaking dentist for dental services costs around EUR 50-75.

The regions of Madeira and the Azores have their own healthcare systems.

What is healthcare like in Portugal?

The Portuguese healthcare system meets a good standard. It ranks 23rd on the Health Care IndexNumbeo2025, and as mentioned, Portugal has a universal healthcare system.The National Health Service (SNS)funded by taxation provides access to both public and private healthcare.

Foreign nationals and foreign residents may access public healthcare by obtaining a residence permit and registering at a local health centre, as well as applying for a user card with a health number. Private health insurance is also available, with many plans and prices that are reasonable compared with the United States, the United Kingdom and other European countries.

Healthcare costs in Portugal

Healthcare in Portugal is relatively affordable compared with other European countries, offering both public and private options. The public system, the National Health Service (SNS), is free for residents who contribute to social security, as well as for children under 18 and those over 65. Some treatments may require a co-payment. Foreign nationals may access this system by registering with the SNS.

Private health insurance is common and varies in cost based on age and coverage. Basic plans start under EUR 120 a month, with an average annual premium of around EUR 400, while comprehensive coverage may be around EUR 1,000 a year.

Who is eligible for Portuguese public healthcare?

You are eligible for Portuguese healthcare where you are a citizen or a lawful resident.
The Portuguese state health system is very similar to those of other countries – for example, it is similar to the British National Health Service, providing hospitals and local health centres, and some people have private health insurance.

This gives citizens and lawful residents access to any public health facility or hospital, but not all health centres provide public coverage. For example, emergency medical care is free, but all other services are charged for, sometimes payable immediately. This may apply to consultations, accident and emergency visits and ambulance services.

Anyone may receive hospital care at a local health centre, but you are charged where the Portuguese National Health Service, a reciprocal health agreement or private health insurance does not cover you. In some cases, the private healthcare system provides a more seamless process.

How to obtain free healthcare in Portugal

To obtain free healthcare in Portugal, foreign nationals and lawful residents must register with the National Health Service (SNS) and obtain a social security number, which is usually required for employment. Once registered, individuals may access public healthcare services, usually free at the point of use. However, some treatments and procedures may involve co-payments.

The SNS also provides free healthcare specifically for children under 18 and those over 65, providing good-quality support and medical procedures for these age groups.

Private healthcare in Portugal

Private doctors and medical facilities are widely available through private health insurance.

Improvements to the health system have been made by introducing public-private partnerships for new hospitals, changing hospital management structures, reforming pharmaceuticals, reorganising primary care and creating a long-term care network.

In Portugal, private healthcare costs are relatively low compared with many other countries, and private insurance allows you to book appointments faster than in the public health system. You can also be reassured that most doctors in the private healthcare system speak English.

The average cost of private health insurance in Portugal is around EUR 400 a year. Choosing a more extensive plan costs around EUR 1,000 a year.

Depending on the service received, there are cases where you may need to pay for private treatment at a local health centre initially and then claim reimbursement through your health coverage.

How good is the Portuguese healthcare system?

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s US Retirement Trends report, Portugal ranks 4th for healthcare.

Portugal offers many insurance options for retirees through companies such as Médis, Multicare and AdvanceCare, providing plans suited to different needs, including inpatient and outpatient care.

According to the Numbeo Health Care Index 2025, Portugal ranks 23rd globally and 14th in Europe for healthcare quality. The country has seen considerable improvement in healthcare, leading to a rise in average life expectancy, from 82.47 years in 2022 to 82.80 years in 2024.

Investment in telemedicine, electronic health records and preventive medicine underlines the country’s commitment to improving health services. The Health Regulatory Entity (ERS) oversees both public and private health services in Portugal.

Portuguese healthcare services for women

Hospitals, health centres and clinics all provide Portuguese healthcare services for women.

The Portuguese health system covers maternity services and child care, and expectant mothers usually receive care at the public hospital nearest their home. Private healthcare is also an option where the expectant mother has health insurance.

Antenatal care takes place at the hospital. At the first appointment, the expectant mother receives a pregnancy record book, and the doctor records medical information continuously as the pregnancy progresses. Maternity units provide antenatal classes, although these are usually not subsidised through public health insurance. Midwives are present to support the birth.

Gynaecologists may be accessed through the family doctor. They work at health centres and clinics, providing health advice and carrying out routine examinations.

Healthcare services for children in Portugal

Children receive free healthcare in Portugal. They have routine health checks from birth and may access services such as screening, examinations, vaccinations and nutritional care.

They also have records tracking their progress. In Portugal, primary care physicians and paediatricians are responsible for children’s medical care.

Portugal has a national vaccination system for children through the SNS, vaccinating against diseases such as hepatitis B, diphtheria, COVID-19, tetanus, whooping cough, polio, measles, mumps and rubella.

Portugal also has a system supporting children under 6 with developmental delays, called the National Early Childhood Intervention System (SNIPI). SNIPI has units in all regions of Portugal, and uses the following professionals: nurses, social workers, teachers, speech therapists and physiotherapists.

Mental health services in Portugal

Mental health care services in Portugal are provided through mental health teams working in hospitals and health centres. Studies show that around one in five Portuguese people has experienced a mental health problem.

Although mental health and substance misuse are issues in Portugal, the mental health care system and the provision of mental health care are not as developed as in many other countries. There is consequently a shortage of mental health professionals relative to the Portuguese population. There are only 12.4 psychiatrists per 100,000 residents, below the EU average, in Portugal.

Your family doctor should be the first point of contact for accessing mental health care services through the SNS. Depending on the situation and the availability of services where you live, the family doctor may:

• Prescribe medication
• Refer you to counselling or a specialist
• Refer you to an emergency or psychiatric unit in more serious cases
• Refer you to a community-based programme

The Portuguese national health service provides only basic mental health support. To access a wider range of services, it is best to have private health insurance.

Pharmacies and medicines in Portugal

Pharmacies, called farmácias in Portuguese, are widely distributed across Portugal. Many medicines, including over-the-counter medicines, are subsidised where obtained on prescription, making them very cost-effective.

It is worth remembering the generic name of any medicine or prescription drug you may need, as brand names may vary from country to country. For example, fluoxetine is commonly sold as Prozac in the United States, but is often sold under a different brand name in other countries. In Portugal, it is commonly sold as Nodepe.

Emergency and urgent care

Where assistance is needed for a medical emergency, call the European Emergency Number 112. This number is routed to the ambulance, police and fire services.

You may also call the SNS information helpline (the public health service):08242424, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The service is available in English and is free. Accident and emergency departments in Portugal include semi-private, curtained areas as in most US emergency departments.

Body	Telephone number	Details
Medical emergency	112	Available 24 hours a day, every day.
Fire emergency	112	Available 24 hours a day, every day.
Guarda Nacional Republicana	219 223 000	Rural police and traffic management.
The SOS Drugs line	1414	The SOS Drugs line aims to provide quick access to information and to give advice and referrals in the field of drug addiction.
Health Line 24	808 24 24 24	The Health Line provides triage, advice and referrals in case of illness, available 24 hours a day, every day.
The Missing Children line	116 000	The missing children service works with investigative authorities and the judicial authorities.
The Child Support line	116 111	A support service for children so that they can talk about problems and ask about issues affecting them.

Healthcare for foreign nationals in Portugal: healthcare for residents and visitors

Residents and short-term visitors

To enter Portugal, short-stay visitors on a Schengen visa need health insurance cover of at least EUR 30,000, costing around EUR 90-130 for three months.
For comprehensive options, check quotes from insurers such as World Nomads and Atlas Travel, as well as Europ Assistance and AXA for Schengen Area cover.
Temporary visa applicants must secure health insurance from their home country, with options such as Allianz Care and Cigna for EU expatriates. Non-EU/EEA students also require comprehensive private health insurance for their visa and school registration.

Long-term residents

Those living and working in Portugal who are not covered by a reciprocal healthcare agreement with their home country have two options for medical care. Lawful residents may contribute to the social security system, rising progressively with income, or choose one of the many private health insurance plans.

EU citizens

EU citizen visitors are covered by the Portuguese SNS through reciprocal agreement. When travelling to Portugal, they should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and present it at any hospital or doctor to secure government-funded care.
There are also many private medical clinics across Portugal, which are relatively cheap. You can expect to pay around EUR 40 for an appointment with a family doctor.

Short-term working residents

Where you work in Portugal, you may obtain a Número de Utente (SNS), granting access to the public health system.
This may be assigned to you by a local doctor. With an SNS number, you must obtain a NISS number in order to contribute to the social security system in Portugal.
Where you are not a permanent resident but have been in Portugal for at least 90 days, you may obtain a document from your local Junta de Freguesia. With this document, photographic identification, an IRS number and proof of address, you may also obtain an NSNS to access discounted national health services.
Public employees are covered by government-funded subsystems, while private health insurance is more common among workers at large companies.

Portugal Golden Visa applicants and health insurance requirements

Portugal Golden Visa healthcare requirements

Portugal Golden Visa programme applicants travelling to Portugal before receiving the Golden Visa must purchase private health insurance and travel insurance from their home country. The travel insurance documents should state that the cover is valid and renewable in Portugal.

Portugal Golden Visa recipients are eligible for the National Health Service (SNS) once registered, but dental costs are not covered. They may also opt for private healthcare, which usually provides faster treatment. Allianz and Cigna Global are two well-known providers of comprehensive private health insurance plans, making this option attractive for those seeking a higher average life expectancy.

Portugal D7 health insurance requirements

The Portugal D7 visa requires applicants to obtain travel insurance from their home country for 1 year, which must be presented when applying. A 4-month visa is issued on approval of the initial application, during which the applicant must visit the Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
The travel insurance covers the applicant until the D7 residence permit is issued, which is valid for 2 years. Once they hold a D7 Residence Permit, they may access public healthcare by registering with the SNS and may also choose to purchase private insurance.

Language barriers in Portuguese healthcare

Portugal has a history of dealing positively with migrants on healthcare, and many health professionals are sensitive to language barriers. Most doctors in both the public and private systems speak English.