Moving to Portugal, you have to understand the healthcare system. The country offers two distinct and independent branches: the public system, funded by the state, and the private sector, based on health insurance.

Public or private: two parallel systems
Unlike France, Portugal makes a clear distinction between public and private healthcare. The National Health Service (SNS) covers public healthcare, which is accessible to everyone (Portuguese residents and foreigners). Private healthcare is covered by specific insurance policies and is not reimbursed by the public social security system, except in special cases.

For stays of less than six months, the European Health Insurance Card is sufficient. For longer stays, registration with the Portuguese social security system is mandatory.

The health center (Centro de Saúde)
This is the point of entry for all public healthcare.

• You are assigned a family doctor when you register.
• This doctor will refer you to specialists if necessary.
• Vaccinations are administered directly at the health center.

Emergencies
Public hospitals use a color-coded triage system:

• Red: immediate
• Orange: < 10 min
• Yellow: < 1 hour
• Green: < 2 hours
• Blue: < 4 hours

Waiting times are generally respected, although tests may prolong the wait.

Advantages of the SNS

• Information centralized in a digital medical record (RNU).
• Consultations are virtually free (€1 to €7 on average).
• The system is accessible to all without discrimination.

Disadvantages of the SNS

• Shortage of family doctors: more than one million patients affected.
• Often long waiting times for specialists or tests.
• Possibility of “open” appointments (consultas abertas) without a designated doctor, but with a same-day wait.

How it works
Care is fee-based, but appointments are easier to obtain. It is not reimbursed by the public social security system. It is common and prudent to take out private health insurance (such as mutual insurance) if you wish to use these services.

Cost of health insurance

• Rates vary according to:
• Age,
• The coverage chosen,
• Medical history.

Average price: from 20 to €40 per month/person.

Co-payment
This is the fixed amount you pay for each medical procedure.
E.g.: co-payment of €15 → consultation at €80, the insurance covers €65.
Without insurance, a private consultation can cost between €80 and €120.

Major private healthcare networks
The main Portuguese insurers:

• Médis
• Multicare
• Saúde Prime
• Allianz
• AdvanceCare
• Mapfre

(!) NB: Check that the clinics or specialists near you accept your insurance network.

How it works
Care is fee-based, but appointments are easier to obtain. It is not reimbursed by the public social security system. It is common and prudent to take out private health insurance (such as mutual insurance) if you wish to use these services.

Cost of health insurance

• Rates vary according to:
• Age,
• The coverage chosen,
• Medical history.

Average price: between €20 and €40 per month/person.

Co-payment
This is the fixed amount you pay for each medical procedure.
E.g.: co-payment of €15 → consultation at €80, the insurance covers €65.
Without insurance, a private consultation can cost between €80 and €120.

Major private healthcare networks
The main Portuguese insurers:

• Médis
• Multicare
• Saúde Prime
• Allianz
• AdvanceCare
• Mapfre

(!) NB: Check that the clinics or specialists near you accept your insurance network.

This is your digital health record, accessible via the SNS portal or mobile app.
It contains:

• Personal and medical data,
• Health center contact details,
• History of care, treatments, vaccinations,
• Name of family doctor,
• Specific rights (exemptions, reimbursements, etc.).

(!) NB: The “número de utente,” equivalent to the Medicare number, is essential for any public medical contact.

How to register with Portuguese Social Security?
Obtain a NISS and a utente number
Go to the health center with:

• An ID,
• A NIF (tax number),
• A certificate of residence.

The NISS (11 digits) is the Social Security number.
The número de utente (9 digits) or Saude number gives access to the SNS.

French citizens can transfer their rights using the S1 form from their original insurance provider.

Public sector rates

• Family doctor: < €5
• Specialist: €7
• Adult emergency care: €18 (free for children)

Certain groups (minors, unemployed, disabled) may be exempt from these fees.

Limitations of private insurance

Coverage generally does not include:

• Pre-existing conditions,
• Psychiatric disorders,
• Workplace accidents,
• Cosmetic surgery,
• Infertility or fertility treatment,
• Alternative medicine,
• Drug or alcohol-related illnesses.

(!) Be aware of waiting periods (up to 6 months) and minimum one-year commitments.