In Portugal, the official services for the provision of health care to the population are organized in a National Health Service. In addition to the public service, there are private health institutions and practices of liberal professionals.
The hospital network is composed of modern and well-equipped units, geographically distributed in the country and that have long worked with the main international insurers.
In order to better welcome the foreign patient, hospitals have been implementing personalized care and follow-up services to the patient, with English being the basic language of communication.
Portugal also has an Integrated Medical Emergency System, which guarantees to the victims or victims of sudden illness, the prompt and correct provision of health care, with high levels of speed in the activation of means of rescue.
The World Health Report evaluated the health system Portuguese the 12th position in the World Health Organization ranking.
Where to turn?
If you need to go to the National Health Service, please know that you can get medical care from the Health Center where you are. In severe situations, you can go to the Hospital Emergency Services (serious trauma, intoxication, burns, strokes, thrombosis, respiratory problems, etc.).
In case of emergency, call the European Emergency Number: 112. There is also an information line through which you can obtain advice and referral in situations of illness or clarification of health issues - Health Line 24 - 808242424.
Note that:
If you are a citizen of one of the 28 countries of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, to access free or moderately cost-effective healthcare, you must present the European Health Insurance Card (issued in your country of origin) and your passport or identification document.
Foreign citizens with a residence permit in Portugal must be registered in a Health Center and own the User Card, which can be obtained from the Health Center upon presentation of the document proving a residence permit
In case you need to go to a Hospital, you have at your disposal the national network of units belonging to the National Health Service: https://www.sns.gov.pt/sns/pesquisa-prestadores/ In case you have personal health insurance, confirm if your company has any protocol with any private hospital, in addition to the public service.