Many people relocating to Portugal assume they can immediately access the country's affordable public healthcare system upon arrival. The reality is more nuanced. Health insurance in Portugal for foreigners involves navigating two distinct systems and understanding when each applies. 

Portugal offers excellent healthcare through both public and private channels, but foreigners face specific insurance requirements that vary by visa type and residency status. You'll need valid health insurance to secure your visa approval, and depending on your situation, you may continue using private insurance, transition to the public system, or combine both after arrival.

This guide explains how healthcare works for foreigners in Portugal, what insurance you need at different stages, and how to make informed decisions about coverage that protects you legally and financially.

How healthcare works in Portugal for foreigners

Portugal operates a dual healthcare system that gives foreigners options for medical care. 

Portugal's healthcare system at a glance (SNS + private)

The public system operates through the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), which provides universal-style access for legal residents. Once registered with the SNS, you can access general practitioners, specialists, hospital care, and emergency services for free or minimal co-payments.

The private system includes hospitals and clinics that operate independently from the SNS. Private facilities typically offer faster access to specialists, shorter wait times, and more English-speaking doctors. You pay upfront for services or use private insurance to cover costs, with general consultations running around €50 and specialist visits approximately €90.

Many foreigners use both systems strategically. They rely on the SNS for routine care and basic treatments while maintaining private insurance for faster specialist access and elective procedures.

Is health insurance mandatory in Portugal for foreigners

Travel insurance for expats in Portugal starts at the visa application stage. Travel insurance is required for all Schengen visa applicants with minimum medical coverage of €30,000, valid for six months throughout the Schengen area. All long-stay visa types, including the D7 Visa and Digital Nomad Visa, require proof of travel or private health insurance from your home country when applying. 

The Portuguese consulate will not approve your visa without valid coverage.

When SNS replaces insurance (and when it doesn't)

The SNS becomes available after you achieve legal resident status and complete SNS registration at your local health center (Centro de Saúde). You'll need your residence permit, NIF (Portuguese tax number), and proof of address to register. Once enrolled, you receive an SNS user number that grants access to public healthcare services.

Many foreigners keep private insurance even after SNS registration. While the SNS covers essential care affordably, private insurance provides faster access to specialists, shorter wait times, and more English-speaking doctors

Public healthcare in Portugal (SNS): Costs, coverage, and registration

Portugal's public healthcare system provides comprehensive coverage at remarkably low costs once you're registered as a legal resident. The SNS makes essential medical care accessible to everyone, regardless of income, with most services either free or requiring only small co-payments.

What SNS covers

The SNS provides primary care through family health units where you're assigned a family doctor who coordinates your ongoing care. 

Coverage includes specialist referrals and hospital treatment, emergency services, maternity and child healthcare, vaccinations and preventive programs, and long-term and elderly care pathways, though availability varies by region. The system prioritizes preventive care and early detection to improve health outcomes and reduce emergency interventions.

What SNS typically costs

Public GP visits cost around €5 per visit as a standard co-payment. Many services are free or more heavily subsidized for children under 18, seniors over 65, and low-income individuals. Hospital care and emergency services require minimal fees, and prescriptions are often subsidized by the SNS, keeping essential medications affordable. These costs represent a fraction of what you'd pay in countries like the United States.

SNS registration requirements for foreigners

Register at your local health center (Centro de Saúde) in your area of residence. Bring your identification document (passport or legal ID), Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF), proof of address in Portugal, and valid residence permit or residency visa. 

You'll receive an SNS user number, which serves as your personal ID within the healthcare system and allows you to book appointments and access public services.

SNS-related extras once registered

After completing both SNS and Social Security registration, you can request a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This card allows you to access healthcare during temporary stays in other EU member states. If you don't have the card when needed, you can request a Provisional Replacement Certificate (CPS), which grants the same rights as the EHIC.

Private healthcare in Portugal

Private healthcare complements the SNS by offering faster access and more flexible scheduling. Many foreigners use private care strategically, either alongside SNS registration or as their primary healthcare option while establishing residency.

Why foreigners use private healthcare

Private facilities provide shorter wait times for specialists, with appointments often available within days rather than weeks or months. English-speaking doctors are more common in private hospitals and clinics, particularly in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve. You also gain more choice of providers and appointment scheduling flexibility, allowing you to book directly without GP referrals in many cases.

How private care payments work

Many private providers expect payment at the time of service, either by card or cash. Insurance often reimburses or reduces out-of-pocket expenses depending on your plan and coverage level. Patients must specify whether they're using SNS or private care at intake, as some doctors work in both systems and billing processes differ completely.

Typical private healthcare costs

Private GP visits cost around €800, while private specialist consultations run approximately €100. Private emergency room visits cost about €100, and private hospital admissions start at roughly €200 per day for a private room, plus treatment and medications as applicable. These costs remain significantly lower than comparable care in the United States or UK.

Popular private insurance providers

Several companies offer private health insurance in Portugal, including Allianz, Fidelidade, Tranquilidade, Multicare, Médis, and MGEN. Many Portuguese banks also provide health insurance products. Plans vary widely in coverage, co-payment structures, and provider networks, so comparing options based on your specific needs matters.

Private health insurance costs in Portugal

Entry-level plans for younger people start from about €30 per month, though these often include higher co-pays per visit. Older adults and higher coverage levels can rise significantly, with comprehensive plans for a couple in their 60s reaching around €300 per month and offering lower co-pays. 

The average annual private insurance cost sits around €400 per person, used as a broad planning baseline. With insurance, a six-day private hospital stay that would normally cost €1,400 might only require €235 out-of-pocket after reimbursement.

Quick comparison table: Public vs private healthcare costs in Portugal

Note: Public costs are often free for children under 18, seniors over 65, and low-income individuals. Private insurance significantly reduces out-of-pocket costs in the private system.

Emergency medical services in Portugal 

Portugal operates a fast and reliable emergency system accessible to everyone, including foreigners. The universal emergency number is 112, which connects you to medical, fire, or police services. 

Calls are handled by specialized medical centers (CODU) that quickly dispatch ambulances, paramedics, or emergency teams based on the situation.

Cost expectations for emergencies

Public emergency care is typically free or very low cost for legal residents registered with the SNS. You'll receive immediate treatment regardless of ability to pay in life-threatening situations. Tourists and non-EU visitors may need to pay upfront unless they're covered by valid travel insurance or hold a European Health Insurance Card. 

Having proper insurance coverage is essential for foreigners, as emergency room visits and hospital admissions can result in significant out-of-pocket costs without coverage.

What health insurance is accepted for Portugal visas and residency

Portuguese consulates and immigration authorities only accept insurance policies that match the applicant's visa stage and legal requirements. Health insurance in Portugal for foreigners must meet specific criteria at each stage of the relocation process. Submitting a non-compliant policy is a common reason for visa delays or additional document requests.

At the visa application stage (Travel insurance)

The policy must be active for the full period requested by the consulate, covering you from your planned entry date through the initial months in Portugal. Coverage must be valid in Portugal, and some visa types require coverage valid across the entire Schengen Area. 

Schengen short-stay visas require a minimum of €30,000 in medical coverage, valid for six months throughout the Schengen zone.

Policy documentation requirements

The insurance certificate must clearly display the applicant's full name exactly as it appears on your passport. Coverage start and end dates must be clearly stated, with no gaps in coverage. Geographic coverage must be explicitly listed, showing Portugal or the Schengen Area as applicable. Coverage limits must be shown on the certificate, meeting the minimum requirements for your visa type.

After obtaining a residence permit

Private insurance is no longer legally required once you register with the SNS as a legal resident. Many residents keep private insurance to reduce wait times and access private care alongside their SNS coverage. Health insurance for expats in Portugal changes depending on whether you're at the visa stage, residency stage, or long-term settlement stage, with each requiring different approaches to coverage.

Touchdown makes relocating to Portugal simple

Each journey is unique, but the goal is always the same: to help you secure residency, structure your taxes with clarity, and thrive in one of the most beautiful, forward-thinking countries in Europe.

Touchdown is Portugal's leading relocation platform. Backed by a veteran team of expert lawyers, we simplify the entire relocation journey by providing everything you need to set up and thrive in your new home through an integrated, easy-to-use platform.

Whether you need clarity on which health insurance your visa requires, want support coordinating your SNS registration timeline, or need expert guidance on healthcare coverage for your entire family's relocation, book a free introduction call with our team to see how we can help.

FAQs about health insurance in Portugal for foreigners

How much is health insurance in Portugal for foreigners?

Private health insurance starts from around €30 per month for basic plans, with comprehensive coverage for older adults reaching €300 per month for couples in their 60s. The average annual cost is approximately €400 per person. Once registered with the SNS as a legal resident, public healthcare costs around €5 per GP visit, with many services free for children and seniors.

Which health insurance is best in Portugal?

The best provider depends on your needs, but popular options include Allianz, Fidelidade, Médis, Multicare, and Tranquilidade. Compare plans based on provider networks, English-speaking doctor access, and whether you're using insurance alongside SNS or as primary coverage.

Does Portugal have good healthcare for expats?

Yes, Portugal ranks 23rd globally in healthcare quality with excellent public and private options. The SNS provides comprehensive coverage at minimal cost, while private care offers English-speaking doctors and shorter wait times at prices far lower than the U.S.