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Health insurance in Portugal consists of the public health insurance sector as well as private health insurance. Not only is health insurance in Portugal strongly recommended, but is typically a visa requirement for both long and short-term stays as well.
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Are you an expat looking to start fresh by relocating to Portugal? Are you looking to safeguard your finances from overwhelming medical expenses? Join us today on this blog post by Pacific Prime about health insurance in Portugal!
Who Needs Health Insurance in Portugal?
International health insurance in Portugal will most likely benefit certain groups of individuals such as expats, self-employed and freelancers, individuals looking for coverage extensions, and many others.
Below are the categories of individuals who need health insurance in Portugal, one of which you may fall into:
- Expats: The most obvious category of group of individuals who need health insurance in Portugal is expats. This is because international health insurance offers accessibility to treatment and services during their stay in the country. This also goes for their families and dependents.
- Self-Employed and Freelancers: Thanks to offering tailored coverage based on specific needs and preferences, freelancers and self-employed individuals may find health insurance attractive.
- Individuals looking for coverage extensions and other services: Portuguese health insurance can also cover additional services such as alternative therapies, elective procedures, and certain prescription medications.
- Individuals seeking faster access to medical services: Some may need faster access to consultations, treatments, or surgeries. Private health insurance can allow faster access to specific services with healthcare providers of choice.
- Individuals with specific health conditions: For those with specific medical conditions, health insurance will allow access to specialized treatments.
- Individuals in high-risk professions: Certain jobs such as construction workers or lumberjacks may carry higher risks of injuries or workplace hazards. This is where health insurance comes in with additional protection and financial support for such cases.
- Portuguese locals seeking supplementary coverage: Some residents opt for private health insurance in addition to public health insurance, as the additional coverage allows access to even more medical services that may not be available in public health insurance plans.
The Healthcare System in Portugal
The Portuguese healthcare system provides high-quality care, with a focus on preventative care such as cancer screenings. Moreover, there are also numerous doctors working in the country.
Known as the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS), the Portuguese healthcare system provides universal health insurance coverage to all legal residents. To put it simply, everyone has the right to access healthcare services regardless of their employment or financial status.
Public Health Insurance in Portugal
Public health insurance services in Portugal, under the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) system, offer a wide range of medical services, such as consultations, treatments, surgeries, and medications. Emergency care is also available to everyone, regardless of insurance status.
While public health insurance covers essential services, non-urgent treatments may have longer waiting times.
What Does Public Health Insurance Cover?
Below are healthcare services in which public health insurance in Portugal covers:
- Consultations with doctors and specialists.
- Medical emergency treatment and hospital care.
- Mental health consultation and treatment.
- Maternity care, including prenatal and postnatal care, and childbirth.
- Eye exam and certain vision-related services.
Private Health Insurance in Portugal
Unlike public health insurance, private health insurance in Portugal offers additional coverage such as dental care, alternative therapies, and elective procedures. In short, private health insurance provides an even more comprehensive range of healthcare options.
Additionally, private health insurance plans in Portugal can be customized to fit individual healthcare needs.
Private health insurance may also offer additional benefits such as health screenings, wellness programs, and coverage for certain prescription medications not fully covered by public health insurance.
How Expats Can Qualify For Portuguese Health Insurance
There are multiple ways in which expats can qualify for health insurance in Portugal.
First off, if they are European Union citizens, they can access public healthcare with a European Health Insurance Card. This card, which one must apply before leaving their home country, offers the expat the same healthcare at the same cost and standards as locals of their new country.
Secondly, non-EU expats also have reciprocal agreements with Portugal. This includes expats from Andorra, Brazil, Cape Verde, and Morocco. As such, expats from these countries can use Portuguese public insurance for little to no cost.
The Application
The first step in obtaining health insurance in Portugal for expats is to already have health insurance right from the start. To get a residence or work visa, potential expats must prove that they possess private health insurance. The same applies to non-EU students.
The reason being is to alleviate the burden of arriving sick or having insufficient coverage. You can get a residence permit by visiting a Junta de Freguesia (the Parish Council Office). They will issue a confirmation certificate to verify that you have more than 90 days of residency in Portugal.
The next step is to get a Portuguese número de contribuinte, which is the equivalent of a social security number. Employers typically do this on behalf of the employees, while self-employed individuals must do so on their own.
What If I’m Not Covered by Health Insurance in Portugal?
If you do not have health insurance in Portugal, you can still access the public healthcare system provided by the National Health Service (SNS) as long as you have registered with your local health center.
The SNS offers universal healthcare coverage to all legal residents, ticking the boxes for emergency and medical needs.
However, without private health insurance in Portugal, your healthcare experience will come at the cost of longer waiting times for non-urgent treatments, and some services or treatments may require out-of-pocket expenses.
Having private health insurance will provide additional benefits, one of which is shorter waiting times along with specialized care and coverage for services not available in public health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does health insurance cost in Portugal?
Portuguese public health insurance is free of charge. Meanwhile, private health insurance is typically cheap, ranging between EUR €30-150 (approx 32-162 USD) per month, depending on your age and your desired coverage. Please consult with your insurance provider for exact costs.
How can I find a family physician in Portugal?
Family physicians can be found throughout local health centers. For expats, if you would like to find the most accessible location to you, please visit the SNS website.
Is health insurance free in Portugal?
Portugal offers state-provided healthcare which is accessible to all citizens and legal residents, including expats, and is completely free of charge.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is highly recommended that not only do you obtain health insurance during your time in Portugal, but it’s also a good idea to consider getting private health insurance as well.
This is because you will be granted additional benefits and coverage you might not be able to get in a public health insurance plan, such as shorter waiting times and the option for additions such as dental and vision coverage.
Whether you’re an expat looking to start fresh with your family in Portugal, or a working individual or student, having health insurance in Portugal safeguards your finances and covers any unforeseen medical treatments.
Known as a leading international insurance broker, Pacific Prime has over 20 years of experience in matching both expats and locals to their insurance plan of choice, matching not only their unique healthcare needs but also their budget.
From short-term travel insurance plans to more comprehensive long-term international health insurance, we are ready to help you find the right health insurance plan. We will be happy to help you with impartiality and service-mindedness.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us and please feel free to get a free quote here.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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