Healthcare in Portugal
Let’s be honest, whether you’ve decided to buy property for a permanent change of lifestyle or for use just as a holiday home, knowing about the Healthcare system in Portugal is going to be of utmost importance, so it will be very pleasing to know that the country boasts a robust healthcare system that has been recognized for its quality and accessibility, since 1979.
Funded primarily through taxation most of the services are free for citizens and residents however much like other European counterparts Portugal does also offer a network of private healthcare providers and private insurance options for those who prefer an alternative level of treatment.
The SNS (as the healthcare system in Portugal is known by) covers a wide range of services including, General medical consultations, Specialist consultations, Hospitalization, Emergency care, Maternity and paediatric care, Mental health services, Long-term and palliative care and Preventive services, such as vaccinations and screenings. The system is mainly divided into three main levels:
Primary Healthcare in Portugal: This is the first point of contact for patients. It includes general practitioners (GPs), family doctors, and health centers that provide preventive care, diagnostics, treatment, and follow-up. These centers play a crucial role in managing chronic diseases and promoting public health.
Secondary Healthcare: This level comprises specialized services that primary healthcare providers refer patients to, such as specialist consultations, diagnostic services, and non-urgent hospital care.
Tertiary Healthcare: This includes highly specialized and advanced medical care, often provided by university hospitals or specialized clinics. Tertiary care is for patients needing complex surgeries, advanced treatments, or rehabilitation services.
The SNS provides healthcare access to all legal residents ensuring a comprehensive coverage and a major reduction in health inequalities, leading to high praise and high standard of medical care particularly in areas such as cancer treatment, cardiovascular care and maternal/child health. The country also places a strong emphasis on preventive care, with widespread vaccination programs and public health campaigns aimed at reducing the incidence of chronic diseases.
Depending on where you are in the country, English is also widely spoken here, especially in the more popular tourist areas, so you shouldn’t have too much of an issue when speaking about your medical problems, to your practioner.
In recent years, Portugal has undertaken several reforms to address challenges in order to continually provide a high quality of healthcare and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its healthcare system. These include digital health initiatives, Primary care strengthening and development of family health units, Infrastructure investments and a plan of modernisation, plus more public-private partnerships in order to reduce wait times and expand service availability.
When it comes to accessing the healthcare system in Portugal, there are a few things that you need to be aware of depending on your personal circumstances.
If you are applying for a D7 Visa, you also need to purchase travel insurance in your country of origin which will provides health coverage for one year. Once you have the D7, you are then eligible for the SNS.
For short term residents you must have health insurance coverage before you travel of at least €30,000 which would probably cost you around €90-€130. For working residents, once registered you will be able to access the SNS.
For Non-Habitual Tax Residents contributing to the social security system, you are eligible for the SNS and for foreigners or long term residents, it’s the same.
All in all, the Healthcare in Portugal is characterized by its commitment to providing high-quality, accessible care to all residents. When facing challenges, ongoing reforms and investments continue to strengthen the system’s capacity to meet the evolving needs of the population. The Portuguese SNS remains a cornerstone of the country’s social welfare framework, embodying the principles of universal health coverage and equity.
If you have any further questions relating to the Healthcare System in Portugal, or you would like to start searching for your dream home in the Beira Baixa Region, please do contact us directly.
