Portugal is a fantastic place to reside in. Magnificent coastlines, fascinating culture, and enticing food and wine - what’s not to love?
Especially if you plan to retire to Portugal, you must consider the practicalities, including becoming familiar with the healthcare system in Portugal.
Public healthcare in Portugal is available through the Servico Nacional de Saude (SNS). Like the UK’s National Health Service (NHS), the SNS offers basic national health care services via local and regional health centres and public hospitals.
The SNS offers comprehensive healthcare coverage, which includes most types of medical care. However, the SNS does not provide access to dentistry and oral healthcare services.
SNS services are residence-based, meaning anyone legally residing in Portugal is entitled to the same state healthcare as a Portuguese citizen. All citizens and legal residents of Portugal can access SNS services in Portugal.
Public health services are free to children under 18 and those over 65. All other citizens can access state healthcare at subsidised rates. Medication prescribed during a hospital stay is free of charge, and emergency care is usually free too.
A reciprocal agreement covers healthcare in Portugal for EU citizens. As an EU citizen, you must bring your EHIC card to every healthcare appointment to access government-funded care services.
To access public healthcare services in Portugal, all residents aged between 18 and 65 must pay a small fee for tests and appointments.
These charges are generally incurred at the point of care. Anyone can receive hospital care, but you must pay if you are not registered with the SNS and do not have private health insurance or a reciprocal agreement.
To apply for access to state-funded healthcare in Portugal, you must:
It is not necessary to have a social security number to register for healthcare in Portugal. If you are a Portuguese resident, you should not register or try to access healthcare services using your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
If you are in receipt of a UK State Pension and are living in Portugal, the UK government covers the cost of healthcare in Portugal for British citizens. You will have the same access to healthcare services in Portugal, but you will need to register for it using the S1 form.
To get an S1 form, you should contact NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. Once you have completed the form, take a photocopy of it for your records, then take the original version to a Portuguese Social Security District Centre.
Post-Brexit, the UK government has confirmed that the GHIC will replace the EHIC. But if you already have an EHIC, this will remain valid until it expires.
The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) and GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) systems allow EU and UK citizens to access state-funded medical services while visiting Portugal. Any treatment you receive will be offered on the same terms as it would be provided to Portuguese citizens.
If you are a resident of Portugal, you mustn’t use your EHIC or GHIC. However, you can use it to access state-funded healthcare services when you visit other EU countries, the UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.
Suppose you intend to retire to Portugal and apply for residency. In that case, you should apply for a Portuguese-issued EHIC, provided you have a Portuguese social security number and a healthcare ID number.
You should not register for EHIC if you have cover from the UK or another EU member state. If you have a UK S1, you can apply for a new UK-issued EHIC or a GHIC.
An EHIC only covers treatment that is medically necessary until you return to your usual place of residence. It is not a replacement for a comprehensive travel insurance policy.
For example, EHIC and GHIC don’t cover health-related costs such as ongoing medical treatment, non-urgent care and medical repatriation.
There are several types of private health insurance, from basic to comprehensive. When choosing a plan, you must consider your individual medical needs.
Basic policies cover hospitalisation and surgery, but you can add extras such as private GP appointments, specialist appointments, tests, physiotherapy, childbirth, ambulatory care and dentistry. You can choose between individual plans and policies that cover your whole family.
Most private medical insurance plans cover up to a fixed amount to be spent on medical treatment. After this threshold is met, you must pay the extra. It is important to note that insurance policies are not usually valid until 90 days after the insurance policy is activated.
As with any insurance policy, it is essential to shop around before choosing. Most policies are affordable and cost between €30 and €100 per month.
However, the price will depend on several factors, including your age at application and whether you have any pre-existing health issues. Many insurers do not offer new health insurance policies to people over 70.
You should also consider your retirement plans when choosing a policy. If you’re planning on travelling, you might choose a policy offering international cover.
Once you have registered for state-funded healthcare services in Portugal, you will have access to all public healthcare, including women's and children’s services.
If you need to see a gynaecologist, your local GP can refer you directly to an SNS gynaecology clinic.
Depending on where you live, there may be a long waiting list. If you have private health insurance that covers gynaecology treatment, you can book an appointment with a private gynaecologist without being referred by your GP.
SNS and private doctors can treat patients that present with problematic menopause symptoms. Some private hospitals, including Luz Saude and CUF, offer dedicated menopause consultations. If your health insurance policy covers this, you can access these services without requiring a GP referral.
The SNS subsidises the cost of certain menopause medications but does not provide funding for alternative therapies such as acupuncture. If you want to use these services, you will need to have the appropriate private health insurance or pay your own expenses.
In Portugal, it is recommended that all women aged between 25 and 64 undergo frequent screenings for cervical cancer and breast cancer. Even if your doctor does not mention these, you can request them.
All children are eligible to receive free public healthcare in Portugal, provided that their parents are registered with the SNS and contribute to social security. Some medical treatments, including eye care and dentistry, are limited. Many expats take out private health insurance policies to cover children's eye care and dentistry care.
Portugal offers many private healthcare facilities. The services you can access will depend on your finances and whether you have an appropriate private healthcare insurance policy.
Choosing private healthcare usually means you will be offered appointments more quickly than you would via the SNS. You will also be referred for specialist care more quickly. You can expect to pay between €40 and €100 for a private GP consultation in Portugal. With a private health insurance policy, this fee will be significantly reduced.
Even if you buy a private healthcare policy, you may still need to occasionally access public healthcare in Portugal, so it is important to register with the public healthcare system as well.
As noted above, if you are a UK citizen living as a resident of Portugal, you will have access to public healthcare in Portugal. This is mostly free and can be relied on for most of your medical needs.
Any expenses you incur will likely be between €5 and €20. However, there are a few disadvantages to consider, including long waiting times for elective procedures, busy emergency departments and a shortage of nurses.
With this in mind, UK nationals living in Portugal may consider paying for private healthcare in Portugal. Taking out private health insurance means shorter waiting times for non-urgent procedures.
The emergency medical service in Portugal is split into three sections to cover Continental Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.
If you require emergency healthcare assistance in Portugal, you should dial 112 and ask for an ambulance. If you’re referred for treatment, you must contact your insurance or medical assistance provider straight away.
If you are feeling ill, you can call the Portuguese health service helpline on (+351) 808 24 24 24 or visit your local health centre or hospital emergency department.
Anyone taken to the hospital admissions department is assessed for the severity of their condition. Once this assessment has taken place, they are allocated a coloured bracelet. A red bracelet indicates that the patient requires surgery or urgent resuscitation. A blue bracelet shows that the patient does not need urgent help. Estimated waiting times are determined according to the Manchester Triage System colour chart:
The overall quality of healthcare in Portugal is excellent - the country boasts a very good public healthcare system (ranked 25/94 in 2023 by Numbeo).
Best of all, if you're registered as a Portuguese citizen, the cost of healthcare in Portugal is low, and it is offered free of charge to children under 18 and anyone over 65.
However, as with any public healthcare system, waiting times for healthcare in Portugal can be lengthy, and certain services (including dentistry and eye care) are not included. As a result, you may want to consider buying a private healthcare insurance policy to complement the healthcare services offered by the SNS.
Are you considering buying a property in Portugal? If you’re thinking about retiring in Portugal, Kyero can help you find your dream property. Contact us today to learn more.
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