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Healthcare in Portugal for Expats & Foreigners Guide
Portugal welcomes expats with open arms, it is the most favorable country to relocate or invest. If you are foreigners or expats who are living and working in Portugal. You can also access healthcare in portugal as an expats and get benefits from the public health insurance. Just like the Portuguese nationals.
To get all these rights & benefits, you’ll need legal residency and to contribute to the social security system. This ensures you will receive the best medical care at an affordable cost. In this article we are going to talk about the quality of healthcare in Portugal for expats, and how to qualify for this healthcare facility in Portugal.
Public health insurance in Portugal
Public healthcare system in Portugal is known as the Service Nacional de Saúde (SNS). The SNS is run by the Portuguese government. They give funds to SNS, and provide healthcare facilities to all citizens and legal residents in Portugal.
The SNS gives primary healthcare in Portugal for expats, covering everything. From routine checkups to hospital stays, emergencies, and even prescribed medications. While children under 18 and seniors who are above 65 receive these healthcare services free or may be some small fees. The government subsidizes these costs, to make sure healthcare is affordable for everyone.
How good is the healthcare in Portugal for expats?
The Portuguese healthcare system ranked well in Europe. In 2019 Portugal gets ranked on 12the best healthcare system by WHO (The World Health Organization). According to the 2024 Health Care Index by Numbeo Portugal ranked 19th best healthcare system in the world with modern facilities & highly qualified professionals.
Portugal has a good doctor-to-patient ratio, the doctors and nurses are well trained here, they can speak English very well so the communication is easy. The only drawback of the system is the waiting time. When you go for non-emergency treatment it is very long, nearly 3 to 5 hours even though you have an appointment.
Where to go if you need healthcare in Portugal
If you have a medical emergency in Portugal, you can go to a health center (Centro de Saúde) or a hospital that is part of the SNS. You can find a list of health centers and hospitals on the SNS website.
How to register for health Insurance in Portugal
Registering for health insurance in Portugal for expats involves some steps. Processes can be slightly different depending on the situation and how you are registering.
But before you register you must obtain these documents beforehand.
- Tax Identification Number (NIF)
- Social Security Number (NISS)
- SNS Number (Número de Utente)
Who can access healthcare?
If you live legally in Portugal, you are eligible to use the healthcare system. This can include non-working residents, like retirees or those who depend on family members.
If you’re not a resident or just visiting Portugal for a short time, you need to buy private health insurance. But if you’re from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you can use public healthcare in Portugal with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
Private Health Insurance in Portugal
Many people use private health insurance in Portugal, which is healthcare you pay for. Experts estimate that 10 to 20 percent of the people have private health insurance. People often use private healthcare as well as public healthcare. Private healthcare usually gives you appointments and treatments faster and more personalized than public healthcare.
Providers of private health insurance in Portugal offer a wide range of services. Which includes general medical consultations, diagnostic tests, specific surgeries and hospitalizations. The private healthcare system is considered to be a high quality
For their excellent service, highly trained medical professionals, and most important the less waiting times. Some of Portugal’s leading private medical insurance providers are CUF, Luz Saúde, and Hospital da Luz.
In Portugal many private hospitals offer private health insurance which is affordable in costs. They offer different plans & options to choose, from essential coverage to more comprehensive plans which cover a lot of medical care options.
Even though Portugal has private healthcare options, most people rely on the public healthcare system in Portugal. The government invests heavily into public healthcare so everyone can get good medical care at an affordable price.
Pharmacies in Portugal
Portugal has a large number of pharmacies (farmácias), which offer prescribed and non-prescribed medicine both. Pharmacies are easily accessible and usually open from 9 am to 7 pm. Some pharmacies may also be open 24 hours.
If you need a prescription medication, you must have a prescription from a valid doctor or a doctor from your home country that is recognized in Portugal.
Public health insurance in Portugal generally covers some of the costs of prescription medicine. However, you need to contribute some payment. The SNS covers up to 90% of necessary medications.
Conclusion:
Public healthcare is the best option for those who are concerned about the budget. With residency, you’ll have access to general care, specialists, and hospitals. However, waiting times can be longer.
If you prefer more choice and faster service, you can choose private health insurance. Their plans are generally affordable and offer a wide range of coverage options.
No matter what you choose, Portugal has a high-quality healthcare system. So, you don’t have to worry! Regarding your healthcare in Portugal.
