Healthcare in Portugal: SNS, private care and pharmacies

Portugal has a well-regarded healthcare system with two parallel options: the public SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) and a large private sector. Many residents use both – the SNS for free or low-cost care, and private clinics when they want a faster appointment.

This guide explains how to register with the SNS, how to see a doctor, what to do in an emergency, how private healthcare works, and how pharmacies operate in Portugal.

Quick summary:

• Register at your local centro de saúde to get a número de utente (SNS number).
• Call SNS 24 (808 24 24 24) for medical advice 24/7 – it can also refer you to the right service.
• Emergency: call 112.
• Private care is fast and relatively affordable, especially with health insurance.
• Pharmacists can advise on minor problems, and there's always a duty pharmacy open at night.

How Healthcare Works in Portugal

Step 1: Get Your Número de Utente (SNS Number)

The número de utente is your patient number for the public health service. Any foreigner legally resident in Portugal can get one.

Where to register

Go to the Centro de SaúdeYour local public health centre — where you register with the SNS and are assigned a family doctor. (health centre) that covers your address. Since 2024, you can also register at many Espaço Cidadão offices. Check

What to bring

• Passport or residence permit
• NIF (tax number)
• Proof of address (rental contract or Atestado de residênciaA proof-of-residence certificate issued by your parish council (Junta de Freguesia). Some registrations accept it as proof of address. from your Junta de FreguesiaThe parish council — the most local level of government. It issues certificates such as the atestado de residência.)
• Proof of legal residence (residence permit, AIMA document, or EU registration certificate)
• NISS (optional, but helpful)
• S1 form, if you're a pensioner from another EU country or the UK

Portuguese citizens get their número de utente automatically with the Cartão de Cidadão.

Note: Having a número de utente doesn't automatically mean the SNS covers your costs. Your record must show you're legally resident. Make sure your details are complete and updated.

Step 2: Get a Family Doctor (Médico de Família)

Once registered, you can ask to be assigned a médico de família (GP). In many areas there's a shortage of family doctors, so you may be placed on a waiting list. Our step-by-step guide to finding a doctor in Portugal covers the options while you wait. Without one, you can still book appointments with available doctors at your health centre.

Health centres are organised as:

• USF (Unidade de Saúde Familiar) – teams with assigned family doctors
• UCSP (Unidade de Cuidados de Saúde Personalizados) – for people without an assigned GP

How to Book a Doctor's Appointment (SNS)

• SNS 24 app or portal – log in with your número de utente or Chave Móvel Digital
• By phone – call your health centre
• In person – at the health centre reception
• Same-day appointments (consulta aberta / consulta do dia) for urgent but non-emergency issues – arrive early

To see a specialist in the public system, you normally need a referral from your GP.

SNS 24: Your First Call

SNS 24 is the national health line: 808 24 24 24. Nurses answer 24/7 and can:

• Give medical advice
• Tell you whether to go to a health centre, an urgent care unit or the hospital
• Refer you directly to the emergency department (referred patients are usually prioritised and exempt from fees)
• Issue sick notes for short illnesses in some cases

The service is available in Portuguese and English.

Emergencies

• Life-threatening emergency: call 112 (free, available in English).
• Hospital emergency departments (urgências) operate 24/7. You'll be triaged with the Manchester colour system – non-urgent cases can wait many hours.
• Calling SNS 24 first often gets you seen faster and avoids unnecessary waits.

Costs

Most user fees (taxas moderadoras) in the SNS were abolished in 2022. Emergency visits without a referral (from SNS 24 or a doctor) and that don't result in admission may still be charged.

Private Healthcare in Portugal

Private hospitals and clinics are found in every city. Big groups include CUF, Lusíadas, Luz Saúde and Trofa Saúde, plus many smaller clinics.

Why people use private healthcare:

• Appointments within days
• English-speaking doctors
• Direct access to specialists (no GP referral needed)
• Faster tests and scans

How much does private healthcare cost?

Health insurance

Private health insurance (seguro de saúde) is affordable compared to many countries – often €30–€100 per month for younger adults, rising with age. Common providers include Médis, Multicare, AdvanceCare-based plans and international insurers. Many visa applications (such as the D7) also require health insurance at first.

Some private clinics have agreements (convenções) with the SNS for certain tests, so you may pay a reduced fee with an SNS prescription.

Pharmacies in Portugal

Pharmacies (farmácias) are marked with a green cross. Pharmacists are well trained and are often the first stop for minor issues.

• Opening hours: usually 9:00–19:00 or 20:00, some with Saturday hours.
• Duty pharmacies (farmácias de serviço): there's always one open at night and on weekends in each area. The list is posted on every pharmacy door, and you can find the nearest one on the Farmácias Portuguesas website or app – the easiest answer to "pharmacy near me open now".
• Prescriptions are electronic. You'll receive a code by SMS – show it at any pharmacy.
• Subsidised medicines: with an SNS prescription, many medicines are partly paid by the state.
• Over-the-counter medicines like paracetamol and ibuprofen are sold only in pharmacies and parafarmácias, not supermarkets.

Other Useful Services

• Dentists: almost entirely private. The SNS offers dental vouchers (cheque-dentista) for some groups, such as children and pregnant women.
• Mental health: available through your GP referral or privately; psychologists are mostly private.
• Maternity care: free in the SNS, including prenatal check-ups and birth in public hospitals.
• Vaccinations: the national vaccination programme is free through your health centre.

Tips for Foreigners

• Register with the SNS early, even if you mainly use private care – it's essential for emergencies, subsidised prescriptions and vaccinations.
• Download the SNS 24 app.
• Keep a copy of your número de utente on your phone.
• Learn some basic medical Portuguese – dor (pain), febre (fever), receita (prescription), marcar uma consulta (book an appointment).
• EU visitors: bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). UK visitors can use the GHIC.

Final Thoughts

The smartest approach for most foreigners is to register with the SNS as soon as you have an address, keep SNS 24 saved in your phone, and consider private insurance for quicker routine care. Between the public system, private clinics and well-informed pharmacists, you'll find healthcare in Portugal both good and affordable.