Two years have passed since the publication of the decree-law that established the full-time dedication legal regime in the National Health Service (SNS), which came into force on January 1, 2024.
Since then, 11,867 doctors have voluntarily joined this regime, a number recorded in September 2025, as stated by the Central Administration of the Health System (ACSS) in a report commissioned by the Lusa agency.
“This figure shows significant adherence to the model and demonstrates the professionals’ confidence in strengthening dedication to the SNS,” the institute states.
According to the ACSS, adherence to the full-time dedication regime is nationwide and covers all Local Health Units and public institutes. The largest concentrations of adherents are in major hospital and university ULSs, as well as in regions with higher population density and larger service dimensions.
The institutions with the most doctors devoted entirely to this regime are the Coimbra ULS (772), the São João ULS (722) in Porto, and São José ULS (685) in Lisbon.
In the Santo António ULS in Porto, 648 doctors adopted this regime, in the Braga ULS, 511, in the Gaia-Espinho ULS, 505, in the Santa Maria ULS, 499, in the Lisbon Western ULS, 446, both in Lisbon, and in the Viseu Dão-Lafões ULS, 419 specialists.
The Central Administration of the Health System emphasizes that “the specialties with the most doctors fully dedicated reflect the relative weight of the clinical areas in the SNS.”
Among the specialties, General and Family Medicine stands out with 4,397 doctors, Internal Medicine with 1,182, Pediatrics with 696, Psychiatry with 434, Orthopedics with 253, and Cardiology with 256.
In Pneumology, there are 272 specialists working full-time, in Gynecology/Obstetrics 244, in Anesthesiology 244, in Public Health 237, in Medical Oncology 225, and in Neurology 220 specialists.
“These specialties represent core areas of care provision in the SNS, both in the hospital component and in primary health care,” highlights the ACSS.
The cost associated with the regime was 144 million euros in 2024 and approximately 170 million in 2025 up to September, mentions ACSS, underscoring that these figures reflect “the Health Ministry’s investment in valuing medical careers and improving working conditions in the SNS.”
Inquired about improvements in accessibility to care and waiting times, the ACSS stated that “given that the full-time dedication regime only started taking effect from 2024, there is still no historical data or consolidated information” on this matter.
However, it asserted that “full-time dedication has contributed to increasing the SNS’s attractiveness, offering more competitive remuneration conditions and strengthening team stability.”
It noted that there was “greater adherence from newly specialized doctors, especially in areas with greater needs,” alongside “greater retention capacity, with professionals opting to stay in the SNS under an exclusive regime,” and the “increased attractiveness of ULSs for roles of high clinical responsibility.”
The full-time dedication regime foresees a 35-hour weekly schedule with an additional five hours, as well as an increase in the maximum extra hours limit to 250 and work on Saturdays for doctors not on emergency duty.
In return, a supplement corresponding to 25% of the base salary is guaranteed.
