Understanding how healthcare works in Portugal
If you’re planning a move to Portugal, you’ll have done plenty of homework around location, property prices and registering for residency. But there’s another important consideration that requires your attention: healthcare.
If you need treatment or medicine in Portugal, how will you get it? It’s crucial to be able to answer that question before you go.
The good news is that the Portuguese healthcare system is similar to the one you’ll be familiar with in the UK. It’s made up of a mix of public healthcare and private medical insurance.
- Public healthcare in Portugal: The public healthcare system is called the SNS and, like the NHS in the UK, provides universal basic healthcare that is affordable and easy to access. Note that while many basic services are free, user fees (called taxa moderadora) are charged for some non-urgent services and most prescriptions.
- Private healthcare in Portugal: Private healthcare is generally of a high standard and will be necessary for anyone who is not eligible for the public system, but many people who live in Portugal take out private insurance for faster access to a wider choice of services.
Healthcare in Portugal is comprehensive and generally excellent. As in the UK, the public healthcare system can sometimes provide a slower route to treatment than its private equivalent, but it does provide universal and affordable care. Many expats choose a mixture of public and private cover.
We’ll explain all the nuances of healthcare in Portugal in this article, including who is eligible for free public healthcare and how to access the care you need.
Do UK citizens get free healthcare in Portugal?
Do UK citizens get free healthcare in Portugal? The short answer is yes, if they meet the right criteria, and the main criterion is residency.
Everyone who is registered as a resident is entitled to treatment on the SNS. The UK government has full details on how to apply for Portuguese residency.1
If you’re over 65 or under 18, public healthcare is usually completely free. If you’re between those ages, you may have to pay a small amount (called a co-payment) for non-urgent services and prescriptions. For example, you might pay 5 euros for a GP appointment.2
If you’re only in Portugal for a short time (perhaps you’re house hunting), healthcare will be covered by a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). You can apply for those through the NHS website.3 However, these are not meant for residents, and if you choose to live in Portugal, you should apply for SNS registration.
What’s covered by Portugal’s public healthcare system (SNS)
The SNS delivers similar services to the NHS in the UK. They include primary care (including GP appointments), hospital care (including diagnostic tests), emergency care and specialist referrals. As with the NHS, a GP is the gateway to more specialist services – you can’t self-refer to a specialist, for example.
The most significant omission is dental care. Dental care is not usually covered and most people living in Portugal use private dentists.4
As mentioned, there are costs involved in many non-urgent treatments, including GP visits. One thing to note is that not all health centres offer public coverage. While emergency treatment is always free, other services may incur a fee. The fee may be payable on the spot. You can find your nearest SNS hospital or clinic on the SNS website (in Portuguese, but Google will translate).
How to register for public healthcare in Portugal
Registering for state healthcare in Portugal is straightforward.
If you haven’t already, the first step is registering for residence. You can’t register for the state healthcare system without doing so.
Then, go to your local health centre (centro de saúde) with the following documents:
- Residence certificate
- Passport
- Tax identification number (NIF – you can get this from your local tax office)
- Social security number (NISS) if you’re employed or self-employed
- S1 form if required
In most cases, if you receive a UK state pension, your healthcare will be funded by the UK government. For this, you’ll need the S1 form, available from the NHS. When you have the S1 form, you need to register it on the Portuguese social security system, after which you’ll be entitled to healthcare on the same basis as a Portuguese citizen. Your dependents will also be covered.5
Once you’ve registered for healthcare, you’ll receive a health number (número de utente de saúde), which can be used to access all public health services. Often, your utente number will be assigned on the spot.
How much does healthcare cost in Portugal?
While healthcare in Portugal is often free or low cost, fees do apply to some non-urgent care and prescriptions. Under the taxa moderadora system, healthcare is heavily subsidised but not always free.
For example, it might typically cost 5 euros to visit the GP and 15 euros to go to A&E. There is no fixed fee for prescriptions, but you will have to pay something. Prescription subsidies range from 15% to 90%, depending on use and need.6
If you choose private healthcare, you will have to pay higher costs. Exact costs depend on the cover you choose and factors like age and medical history. Contact a range of insurers to find cover that’s right for you.
Using private healthcare alongside the SNS
While all residents can access public health services, many also opt to pay for private healthcare in Portugal. That’s often because they want faster appointment times, a wider choice of treatments or providers, or access to an English-speaking doctor.
As mentioned, the cost of private healthcare insurance depends on individual circumstances, with age and medical history being the key criteria. Insurance also spans the spectrum from basic to comprehensive cover. Still, private healthcare in Portugal is relatively inexpensive, with typical insurance costs ranging from €400 to €1000 per year.
Sometimes, you will have to pay for services upfront at a local medical centre and claim the money back from your healthcare insurer. Remember to keep all receipts and paperwork.
Finding doctors, clinics and pharmacies in Portugal
The SNS runs on a local system, so you should register with your local Centro de Saúde. When you register, the clinic will assign you a GP. Hospital referrals are arranged through the GP except where emergency care is required.
For private care, ask English-speaking expat communities – either online or in person – for recommendations.
The emergency number in Portugal is 112, while general medical advice is available from Saúde 24 (Health Line 24) on 808 24 24 24.7
Pharmacies in Portugal are identifiable by their green cross. Opening hours are usually 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 1pm on weekends. Pharmacies with 24 hour access are available – ask at any pharmacy for the nearest one to you. 8
Managing long-term or ongoing healthcare needs
If you have long-term or chronic medical issues, you should mention them at your first GP appointment. GPs are the gatekeepers for long-term treatment options in Portugal, and the only way to get hospital referrals. Your GP will coordinate chronic care and help you get access to the services you need, including mobility and rehabilitation support.
Your GP should also be the first port of call for preventative screenings, health check-ups and vaccinations.
One challenge is that wait times for non-urgent treatments can be long, so if this is an issue you may want to think about using private services to bridge the gap.
Note that GPs do not routinely make house calls in Portugal. In an emergency, call 112 or go directly to the local Centro de Saúde or hospital emergency department.9
Currency and money management for healthcare costs
Managing healthcare costs in Portugal as a UK expat can take some planning. Remember, even if you’re using the Portuguese public healthcare system, you may need to pay towards prescription costs and for certain services and treatments. It’s worth considering potential healthcare costs in your budget planning when thinking about your move to Portugal.
If you need to send money to Portugal, remember that exchange rates and currency fees can impact the amount you will actually have to spend. A currency specialist like Lumon can help you transfer money in a seamless and cost-effective way.
Additional tips for UK citizens moving to Portugal
The final thing to consider is what happens if you return to the UK and need treatment? NHS eligibility is based on residency, so you may lose your right to free NHS care if you move permanently abroad.
What that means in practice is that you may have to apply for an EHIC before your visit to access free medical care in the UK. If you’re a resident in Portugal, your EHIC will be issued by your local Centro de Saúde.
Planned treatment is not covered by the EHIC. For that, you’ll need to apply for an S2 form in Portugal, which will cover you for ongoing treatment during your stay in the UK.10
For more information on retiring to Portugal, you can check out our blog here.
1 UK government – Living in Portugal
2 UK government – Healthcare in Portugal
3 NHS UK – Healthcare abroad
4 UK government – Healthcare in Portugal
5 UK government – Healthcare in Portugal
6 NHS UK – Travel health Portugal
7 NHS UK – Travel health Portugal
8 NHS UK – Travel health Portugal
9 NHS UK – Travel health Portugal
10UK government – Healthcare for visitors to the UK
