Health Insurance in Portugal: Complete Guide for Expats in 2026 

Health insurance in Portugal is one of the first things you would sort out before you move to Portugal. Private health insurance in Portugal typically provides faster access to hospital care, surgeries, diagnostics (such as X-rays and lab tests), and specialist appointments. 

The healthcare system in Portugal has both publicly funded healthcare (Serviço Nacional de Saúde – SNS) and a private system. Through public health insurance in Portugal, the majority of essential medical services are free or have minimal costs for Portuguese residents.  

However, many expats choose private health coverage for shorter wait times, dental care, and eye treatments. In this article, you can find out exactly what to expect with private and public health insurance in Portugal.  

Health Insurance in Portugal: Key Takeaways

Portugal’s public healthcare system is available to EU citizens and legal residents with a valid residence permit. 

To register for Portugal’s public healthcare (SNS) as a non-EU citizen, you need to become a legal Portuguese resident, obtain a Portuguese address, visit your local health center, and register for an SNS user number. 

The average costs for private health insurance in Portugal are €25–€60 (for basic plans), €80–€150 (for comprehensive plans), and €150–€300+ (for premium plans) per month. 

The largest private health insurance providers in Portugal are Multicare, Cigna Global, Médis, and Allianz Care, to name a few. 

Public health insurance provides full coverage for medical care, though it is less extensive in other areas of healthcare.  

If you need further information about whether Portuguese public health insurance includes a particular healthcare provider or medical procedure, you can check the SNS24 mobile app or contact SNS24 at 808 24 24 24.

Doctors and specialists

When you visit a doctor in Portugal, your public health insurance plan often covers the full cost of the treatment. You can schedule a doctor’s appointment at your local health center by phone, in person, or online.  

The SNS (National Healthcare System) also provides access to specialist care, but in most cases, you need a referral form from your primary care provider.

Emergency care

If you need an ambulance in Portugal, you can call 112. This is the national emergency response system. 

Emergency care is available 24/7 through the public sector, which means doctors in Portugal work night shifts and on weekends. However, most routine appointments are scheduled during the standard weekday hours.  

Emergency medical treatment is free of charge in Portugal, with no hidden costs. If you use the emergency services without an SNS referral and are not subsequently admitted to the hospital, you will need to pay additional medical fees. 

Besides the national emergency service, Portugal has private medical assistance services that can connect the expat community with private hospitals and offer multilingual support. iMergencies is one such provider you can reach by dialing +351 707 910 058. 

Mental healthcare

If a general practitioner (GP) refers you to mental health services covered by SNS, you don’t pay any additional medical costs. So, if you need mental health support, we suggest you schedule an appointment with your GP, either through a video call or in person.  

The SNS has a free 24/7 psychological support hotline where you can speak with a clinical psychologist. To use this service, call the SNS24 main line at 808 24 24 24, then press 4 for psychological counseling (aconselhamento psicológico). 

Keep in mind that waiting times for mental healthcare appointments in Portugal through the SNS are very long because of the limited number of psychiatrists. For faster appointments, many expats and locals choose to obtain private health insurance in Portugal.  

Maternity care

Portugal’s pubic health insurance covers all emergency medical care and routine checkups for pregnant patients.  

Your local hospital or health center can provide free maternity services. Pregnant women and fathers can get a Pregnancy Booklet (Boletim de Saúde da Grávida) to monitor and record their baby’s development throughout the pregnancy.

Dental care

The SNS only covers dental care for specific groups of people. If you belong to a group that the Portuguese government classifies as vulnerable, you may qualify for dental vouchers that help cover treatment costs.  

Otherwise, you will need to purchase insurance from a private provider. You can get dental benefits either as an optional add-on to an existing insurance plan or as part of a comprehensive health insurance policy.  

Vision care

If you need to see an eye care specialist through Portuguese public health insurance, your local health center can arrange the appointment after you get a referral from your family physician.  

However, waiting times are often long for non-urgent consultations. Since SNS coverage often doesn’t include routine checkups, such as prescription glasses or contact lenses, many people choose private health insurance in Portugal. 

Step 1: Register with Portuguese Social Security 

If you work in Portugal, your employer should automatically register you with the Portuguese Social Security system. Once you start making Social Security contributions, you automatically become eligible for public health insurance. 

If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to register directly with the Social Security Institute (Instituto da Solidariedade e da Segurança Social – ISS) before you can access these benefits

Step 2: Visit your local health center

After your Social Security registration is complete, go to your local health center (centro de saúde) to complete your healthcare registration. 

At the local health center, you’ll be assigned a family doctor. You must register with your assigned doctor before you can book a medical appointment.

Step 3: Apply for an SNS user number while you wait for your residence permit

If you’re still waiting for your residence permit, you may be able to register for healthcare in some cases. 

First, obtain an Atestado de Residência (Residence Certificate) from your local parish council (Junta de Freguesia), which confirms that you have been living in Portugal for at least 90 days. This is often issued based on your proof of address and/or a declaration at the parish office. 

With the certificate and any additional documents, you go to your local health center and wait for your registration to be processed. 

You will obtain an SNS user number (número de utente do SNS), which allows you to enjoy the benefits of Portugal’s public healthcare system. You must update the health center with your official residence permit once it arrives to maintain full public health coverage long-term. 

You can buy private health insurance in Portugal from various local companies and international private insurers.

Portugal healthcare for foreigners is very affordable and ranks among the best healthcare in the world. You can compare insurance options online or use a broker to help you find the best private health insurance in Portugal for expats.  

In Portugal, these can include: 

• Winsurance 
• C1 Broker 

Before you sign up for private health insurance in Portugal, we recommend you check the clauses and the details of the insurance policy.

Keep in mind, these plans can change at a specific age. If you are older or have ongoing health complications, you might need more comprehensive coverage. For example, if you are planning health insurance for seniors in Portugal, make sure it includes clauses such as chronic illness care, pre-existing conditions coverage, and full dental or vision care. 

In Portugal, some of the biggest private health insurance companies are:

• Multicare  
• Cigna Global 
• Médis  
• Allianz Care 

As of June 2022, Portugal has abolished most SNS user fees (taxas moderadoras), which makes many public healthcare services free, with some exceptions and indirect costs.  

When it comes to private coverage, Portugal health insurance for foreigners can start at €25–€60 per month for basic plans, or €80–€150 per month for comprehensive plans. Many people with pre-existing conditions opt for premium coverage for about €150–€300+ per month. 

Some companies providing international health insurance, such as Multicare and Médis, can provide wide coverage. However, patients over 70 years old with complex health issues often opt for a higher-tier international coverage, such as those with MGEN Portugal. 

That being said, here is a list of groups that can access completely free healthcare through Portugal’s SNS:

• New mothers and pregnant patients 
• Children 12 and younger 
• People with disabilities 
• Cell, organ, tissue, and blood donors 
• Transplant patients 
• Firefighters 
• Those currently in the military 
• Those who served in the military and suffered a permanent disability during their service 
• Low-earning households 

Here are the average costs in Portugal’s public and private healthcare.

Note: These costs are general estimates only and can vary based on the insurance plan, health issue, age, and other factors.  

Portuguese pharmacy costs

Although user fees for medical treatment under Portugal’s public healthcare system (SNS) have largely been abolished, pharmacy costs are not included.  

Under the SNS, patients are expected to pay a portion of the cost of their medication. How much you pay depends on the medication’s reimbursement category, whether it is prescribed for chronic or serious conditions, and whether it is a branded or generic medicine. 

To check the average costs of a prescription medication, you can use Infarmed’s medicine search feature, which is in Portuguese.  

Disabled people, seniors, and low-income families could qualify for financial support and reduce their pharmaceutical costs through Social Security.  

People living with chronic illnesses may also benefit from higher reimbursement rates or reduced costs for essential medications under the SNS support program. 

Most Portuguese pharmacies (farmácias) are open from Monday to Friday, and on Saturday mornings. In major cities, some pharmacies are open on Sundays. For urgent medical issues, there are always 24-hour service pharmacies (farmácias de serviço) in each area.

While the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa is hugely popular among young people, there are plenty of seniors who choose to retire in Portugal through the D7 Visa or travel through Europe on extended holidays. Just as with regular tourists, seniors who’ll be visiting Portugal will need to have health insurance in place when applying for a visa.

However, after becoming legal residents and registering with SNS, they will be covered by Portugal’s public health insurance.

Seniors and pensioners from EU countries can apply for a Certificate of Entitlement to Healthcare if they don’t live in the country where they are insured. For example, a retiree with German health insurance but lives in Portugal. The senior must apply for the certificate in the country where they are insured before coming to Portugal.

In Portugal, early retirees can also pay voluntary social security contributions or get private health insurance coverage. Several healthcare providers offer specialized packages for retirees.

Although Portuguese public healthcare is largely free for most services, unemployed or low-income residents can qualify for additional support, especially for prescription medication and social protection.  

SNS calls it a user fee waiver (isenção de taxa moderadora). You can apply for a waiver with the SNS24 by phone, online, or in person at your local Citizen Space (Espaço de Cidadão) or health center.

You can expect to be approved or denied within about 10 days. But keep in mind that this is just a general estimate, and processing times can be different for every applicant.