Portugal and its Healthcare System

Deciding to move to a new country for a few weeks or even months can be scary, so it helps to have as much information as possible. We put together this small overview of the healthcare system in Portugal and Madeira so you know what to expect if you get injured while travelling to one of these destinations.

The Portuguese healthcare system is based around three main pillars: the national healthcare service (Serviço Nacional de Saùde, SNS), special healthcare programmes for certain professions, and private insurance. The SNS offers a state-wide coverage accessible by all. At the same time, the particular subsystem of healthcare covers about 25% of the population, and only about 10% of the population pays for its insurance. The Ministry of Health makes policy and manages the first two pillars and contributes to the funding, which usually comes from taxes, co-payments by patients, and monthly payments by employees and employers. Still, about 30% of all spending on healthcare comes from private individuals, which shows just how expensive out-of-pocket care can get.

Portugal has high-quality medical institutions. The Euro Health Consumer Index gave it 13th place in 2018 (which is a huge step forward from its 20th place in 2015). It scored the highest in patient rights, waiting times, accessibility, and overall health outcomes. It even ranked higher than countries such as Spain, the UK, Italy, or Ireland. So if you ever find yourself needing medical care in Portugal, you can be sure you will be in good hands.

Can I get healthcare in Portugal?

Portugal is a very open country. It provides the same opportunities for foreigners as it does for its citizens when it comes to healthcare. If you’re a resident in Portugal, you can get into the SNS through your employment or by paying into the system (the payments are usually proportional to your income, so it is reasonably affordable), or you can choose to go the private route (a single appointment with a practitioner can be around €40). But if you’re not a resident, things get a bit more complicated.

If you’re in Portugal on a visa, you will be asked to have either travel insurance or sufficient funds to be able to pay for your medical expenses while you’re in the country (about €37k). Alternatively, if you have a Golden Visa, you can use the SNS. However, if you are an EU citizen, all you need to do is present your EHIC card, and your medical expenses will be paid for by the state. Lastly, Portuguese hospitals will treat you free of charge if you have an emergency, so you don’t have to worry that an unexpected health problem will bankrupt you.

Madeira has its own national healthcare system, the Health Service of the Autonomous Region of Madeira (Serviço de Saúde da Região Autónoma da Madeira, SESARAM). There are some differences between this system and SNS. For example, if you are an EU citizen, your expenses are not paid directly by the government, but you can get a refund in your home country for all healthcare expenses during your stay. The general rules are the same, though: you need to be a resident to use the SESARAM. Otherwise, you will need travel insurance or go private.