HEALTH SYSTEM
One of the important topics when deciding to live in Portugal is to understand how the health system works (Public System/ Private System).
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized Portugal as the 12th best health system in the world.
The first step when you move to Portugal is to enrol in Portuguese social security (Segurança Social), without having to pay any contribution.
Public system
The National Health System (SNS) consists of local health units, groups of health centres and public hospitals. In general, health care is provided by the nearest family doctor at the health centre (centro de Saúde) and their local offices.
The costs are covered by the Portuguese social security system and you are responsible for a user fee (around €2.10 for a routine consultation, for example).
In case of an emergency, you can go to the nearest permanent care unit (Serviço de Atendimento Permanente, SAP) or to the hospital.
The emergency number: 112
Le public offre une très bonne qualité de soins et de prise en charge. Les infrastructures sont performantes, équipées d’un matériel de pointe et animées par des médecins reconnus.
The public system offers a very good quality of care . The infrastructure are efficient, equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and run by recognized doctors.
The Private system
In order to be taken care of right away, you can also call a private doctor directly at your own expense or go to a private facility such as a clinic.
You can choose to pay for each medical procedure or to get a health supplement.
Who has access to the public health system?
According to the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic, all persons who are on Portuguese soil and in need of medical care are entitled to receive it.
Warning: registration in the Portuguese Health System does not entitle you to reimbursement in the private sector.
You can also join the fund of citizens abroad of your country, which allows care in the private sector in Portugal on the basis of social security rates in your country of origin.