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In Portugal the Serviço
Nacional de Saúde (SNS) [national health service], overseen by the
Ministry of Health, provides healthcare by means of Health Centres and Public
Hospitals.
EU nationals are also beneficiaries of the SNS under applicable EU
legislation.
Registration with the SNS
To be able to benefit from SNS healthcare you should register with the Health
Centre in the area where you live as soon as you start a job, presenting a valid
identity document (identity card or passport), a social security beneficiary’s
card and a document proving that you are a resident.
The Health Centre will issue an SNS user’s card in your name and inform you
who your family doctor is.
Health Centres provide general practice and family medicine, public
healthcare, nursing, immunisation and some diagnostic tests.
Hospitals have out-patient (specialist consultants), in-patient and emergency
services.
Beneficiaries pay a small charge (taxa moderadora) for each appointment or
treatment provided in the SNS. A regular appointment in a Health Centre, for
example, costs €2.05, while an emergency appointment in a hospital costs €8.50.
In addition to Health Centres and public hospitals, various private health
establishments and health practitioners operate on a freelance basis and
complete the supply of healthcare, providing services privately or by means of
agreements or conventions with the SNS.
When you go to Portugal you should bring your European Health Insurance Card
with you so that you can get healthcare until your SNS user’s card is issued.
Medicines
The Portuguese State partially supports the cost of most medicines, though
some are totally subsidised, particularly those which are vital for treating
certain illnesses.
SNS beneficiaries are partially subsidised when they purchase medicines
prescribed by SNS doctors or private doctors, provided they present their SNS
user’s card.
Prescription medicines are also mainly sold in chemists (though the sale of
medicines in commercial spaces, such as supermarkets or convenience stores, has
been permitted since the end of 2005, provided they are duly controlled by
qualified staff). These establishments are identified by a green cross on a
white background.
Useful links
Text last edited: November 2006
Source: European Union
© European Communities, 1995-2009
Reproduction is authorised.
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