Living in Portugal - The Health System

In Portugal, the official services for providing health care to the population are organised into a National Health System - NHS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde - SNS), managed by the Ministry of Health, comprising Health Centres and public hospitals.

Community citizens are also beneficiaries of the NHS, under the terms of the applicable community standards.

Registration with the National Health Service

In order to benefit from the health care provided by the NHS, once you have started working you should register with the Health Centre (Centro de Saúde) in your area of residence, taking with you:

• A valid identity document or passport, social security beneficiary's card and a supporting document as proof of residence.

The Health Centre will issue a National Health Service identification card in your name and will assign you a family doctor (medico de família).

The Health Centres provide the following services: general practice/family medicine, public health care, nursing, vaccination and some diagnostic examinations.

The hospitals have: outpatient consultations (specialist consultations), inpatient care and emergency services.

For each consultation or health care provided by the NHS, the beneficiary pays a small amount, called the taxa moderadora (moderating tax). NHS beneficiaries do not pay for inpatient care.

Besides the Health Centres and public hospitals, there are several private and professional health care institutions in a liberal regime that complete the offer of health care, providing the population with their services either privately or through agreements or conventions with the NHS.

Medicines

The Portuguese government partially funds the price of most medicines according to different levels. Some medicines are fully funded by the government, especially those that are vital for the treatment of some illnesses.

NHS beneficiaries will be provided with partially funded medicines on medical prescriptions written out by the NHS or by a private doctor as long as the patient presents the National Health Service identification card.

The medicines are sold in Farmácias (pharmacies). These establishments are identified by a green cross on a white background.

Useful references:

• Direcção-Geral da Saúde
  Alameda D. Afonso Henriques, 45
  1049-005 Lisboa
  Tel: 21 843 05 00

Text last edited on: 01/07/2003

Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2007
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