The Portuguese healthcare system is ranked number 12 by the World Health organisation in their 2021 Health Report. How to access the healthcare if you have just relocated or are only spending short periods in Portugal?

Organised by the Serviço National de Saúde (SNS), most services are free by the tax funded public health service and the non-essential services and treatments are available for a small fee. To qualify to use the SNS will depend on your nationality and where you are resident.

EU citizens that hold a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will be able to use free of charge the Portuguese public healthcare system up to 90 days. After 90 days you will usually need to become a resident of Portugal unless the EU country where you are resident has a reciprocal agreement with Portugal. Post-Brexit for UK citizens, it is still possible to use a valid EHIC card until the expiry date.

Beside the SNS, there are also many excellent private health care clinics for consultations and treatments. English is commonly practiced which is extremely helpful to make international patients feel at ease.

Read our feature on private clinics in the west coast of Lisbon ‘Medical Specialists for the Cascais area’.

For more information on Doctors, Dentists, Emergency numbers and more, have a look at our Family section for recommended specialists here.