Medical Insurance in Portugal (Seguro de Saúde)
Portugal has a national health service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS) that provides healthcare to all legal residents, including expats. The public healt insurance system covers most essential medical care with small copayments (except typically dental and elective cosmetic procedures) and is funded by social security taxes.
Private Medical Insurance in Portugal:
Private Mediccal insurance in Portugal gives access to private hospitals/clinics, shorter wait times, and services beyond SNS coverage. Policies range from basic ambulatory plans to comprehensive hospital coverage. Common coverage components include: outpatient consultations and exams, hospitalization and surgeries, serious illness coverage (e.g. oncology), maternity (childbirth), dental care, and wellness benefits. For example, many plans include telemedicine, home doctor visits, or international second medical opinions.
Be aware that pre-existing conditions are usually excluded or subject to waiting periods, and certain treatments are commonly not covered (e.g. IVF, voluntary pregnancy termination, treatment related to alcohol/drug abuse).
Waiting Periods:
Private insurers impose períodos de carência (waiting periods) for certain benefits. It’s typical to have 3–6 months wait for non-urgent surgeries or specialist consultations, and 10–12 months for maternity services. During the waiting period, that coverage isn’t usable (except in case of accidents, which are often exempt from waiting time). Always check the policy’s waiting periods and exclusions so you’re not caught off guard.
Cost of Health Insurance:
Premiums depend on age, coverage level, and health history. Basic plans can be very affordable – as low as €6–€10 per month for a minimal policy (often a dental or basic ambulatory plan). For example, Fidelidade’s Multicare starts around €6.50/month, and Médis (Ageas) around €9.70/month for their entry-level coverage. These entry prices typically cover limited services or operate as discount health plans.
More comprehensive insurance (covering hospitalization, surgery, etc.) costs more – a healthy adult in their 30s might pay on the order of €20–€50 per month, while older individuals or those adding maternity/oncology coverage could see premiums of €50–€100+ monthly. Prices rise with age and breadth of coverage Keep in mind that some products marketed as “health plans” (planos de saúde) are not full insurance but membership programs offering discounted care (often ~€10–15/month) and usually do not cover surgeries or hospital stays. Always verify if you’re buying true insurance vs. a discount plan.
Major Providers:
The Portuguese health insurance market includes both local and international companies. Major local providers and networks include Médis (part of Ageas), Multicare (by Fidelidade), AdvanceCare (network used by Generali/Tranquilidade and others), Allianz Portugal, Seguradoras Unidas (Tranquilidade), and MGEN (a mutual insurer)t. International expat-focused insurers like Cigna, Bupa, and Allianz Care also operate in Portugal. Many Portuguese banks (e.g. Millennium BCP, Santander) sell health insurance in partnership with these insurers. It’s wise to compare options – DECO (a consumer association) offers comparisons of health insurance plans deco.proteste.pt.
Tips and Tricks:
Foreigners should know that after moving, you should register with a local health center to get an SNS user number (cartão de utente) – this gives you access to public healthcare nearly free of charge (you pay only small copays called taxas moderadoras). However, there may be a wait to be assigned a family doctor, as the system is stretched in some areas. Private insurance can fill this gap. Also note: if you’re coming from an EU country, your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will cover urgent public medical care during short stays, but once resident you should transfer to the Portuguese system .
Dental care is largely private in Portugal (SNS has very limited dental services), so consider a plan that includes dentistry if this is important. Another tip: check if your employer in Portugal offers a group health insurance – many companies provide private health insurance as a benefit, which can save you money.
Local vs. International Providers: Choosing a local Portuguese insurer vs. an international one has trade-offs:
Local Insurance Pros: Local plans are often cheaper for coverage used primarily in Portugal. They have established networks of clinics and direct billing arrangements locally. Customer service may be available in Portuguese and sometimes English. Plans are designed to comply with Portuguese visa requirements and healthcare norms.
Local Insurance Cons: Documentation and support might be primarily in Portuguese, which can be a challenge (though many insurers provide English documentation on request). Coverage might be limited outside Portugal (typically only emergency coverage abroad).
International Insurance Pros: International health insurers (like Cigna or Allianz Care) offer worldwide coverage, useful if you travel or split time between countries. They usually provide English support and can cover care in multiple countries (great for expats who may move again). These plans can meet Schengen visa requirements as well.
International Insurance Cons: Premiums are usually higher for equivalent coverage, since they offer broader networks and global benefits. Claims might be on a reimburse basis (you pay upfront, claim later) for care in Portugal if the insurer has no direct agreements. Also, Portuguese providers might be less familiar with foreign insurance cards, meaning you handle more paperwork. In general, if you plan to stay in Portugal long-term and use primarily Portuguese healthcare providers, a robust local policy tends to be the most cost-effective choice, supplemented by travel insurance when abroad.