Last updated: October 2026. SNS registration rules checked against ACSS (the SNS administration agency) in October 2026.
Healthcare in Portugal for foreigners starts with one number: your número de utente, your registration in the national health service (SNS). With it you can use public health centres and hospitals. Without a complete SNS registration, your access to routine public healthcare is more limited, so many newcomers rely on private care while they wait.
This guide explains how healthcare in Portugal works for foreign residents, how to register, what to do while you wait for a family doctor, and where to go when you need help today.
Quick Answer
Foreign residents can use Portugal's public health service (SNS) once they register at their local health centre with a residence permit, NIF and Portuguese address. Family doctors are in short supply, so many people combine the SNS with private clinics and health insurance. For non-emergency advice, call SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24; for emergencies, call 112.
Health advice and referral: SNS 24, 808 24 24 24
Routine, non-urgent care: your health centre (centro de saúde)
Faster appointments: a private clinic or hospital
Healthcare in Portugal at a Glance: Public vs Private
| Public (SNS) | Private | |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Registered users; urgent care for everyone | Anyone who pays or has insurance |
| Cost | Consultations free; a fee may apply at A&E without referral | You pay per visit, or less with insurance |
| Waiting times | Can be long for family doctors and specialists | Usually days |
| English | Depends on the doctor | More common, especially in larger cities |
| Where | Health centres (centros de saúde) and public hospitals | Private hospitals and clinics |
Step 1: Get Your Número de Utente (SNS Number)
A health centre (centro de saúde) is your local public primary-care centre: it's where you normally register with the SNS, see a GP and get referrals to specialists.
You register in person at the health centre for your area, or at an SNS hospital. According to ACSS, a foreign adult needs these for a complete ("updated") registration:
- Residence permit issued by AIMA, with its expiry date.
- NIF (tax number). See how to get your NIF.
- Full Portuguese address. If your residence document doesn't show it, the health centre may ask for a lease or a utility bill.
Your health centre may ask for other documents depending on your situation, for example for children or if your residence permit is being renewed. Ask before you go.
What your registration status means:
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Updated (registo atualizado) | All required data is in. The SNS covers your care and you can be assigned a family doctor. |
| In progress (registo em curso) | Data missing, for up to 180 days. You can be treated, but you may be charged, and you can't get a family doctor yet. |
| Incomplete (registo incompleto) | Data still missing after 180 days. The same restrictions apply. |
ACSS states that there are no provisional SNS numbers. These rules come from Despacho n.º 14830/2024 and Despacho n.º 40/2025, both amended by Despacho n.º 3118/2026.
Still waiting for your residence permit? Until you have it, plan on private care and keep your health insurance active. If you came on a D7 or D8 visa, your visa insurance usually covers this period. See health insurance for the D8 and D7 visas.
Step 2: Ask for a Family Doctor
Once your registration is complete, ask the health centre to enrol you with a family doctor (médico de família). Be prepared to wait. In April 2026, 1,646,279 of the 10,788,573 people registered at health centres had no family doctor assigned, according to SNS data reported by Observador.
Without a family doctor you can still be seen at your health centre. Ask the front desk how to book appointments for people without a family doctor, and how same-day appointments work there. It varies from one health centre to another.
Keep using it, too. Under Despacho n.º 40/2025, a registered user with no primary care appointment in five years can lose their family doctor assignment.
When You Need a Doctor Today
Call SNS 24 first: 808 24 24 24
SNS 24 is the national health line, staffed by nurses, and it also has an app. They assess your symptoms and tell you where to go: home care, your health centre, or A&E.
Emergencies: call 112
For life-threatening situations, call 112, the European emergency number. Urgent care can't be refused to anyone, registered or not.
A&E fees (taxas moderadoras)
Since 2022, most SNS fees have been abolished. You may still pay a fee at a hospital emergency department (urgência) if you go there directly, without a referral, and you aren't admitted (Postal; Decreto-Lei n.º 37/2022).
To avoid it, call SNS 24 first or get a referral from your health centre. Pregnant women, children and some other groups are exempt.
Private Healthcare in Portugal
Many foreign residents use private healthcare for speed and English-speaking doctors. The large private groups, such as CUF, Hospital da Luz and Lusíadas, have hospitals and clinics in the main cities, online booking and English-speaking staff.
You can pay per visit, but costs add up quickly for specialists and tests. Health insurance lowers what you pay and gives you access to a network of doctors. Portuguese domestic insurance and international health insurance aren't the same product. Our comparison of the best international health insurance for digital nomads explains the difference.
Prescriptions and Pharmacies
- Electronic prescriptions: most prescriptions are sent to your phone by SMS with access codes. Show the SMS at any pharmacy.
- Pharmacists can advise on minor problems, and many speak some English.
- Night and weekend pharmacies: each area has a pharmacy on duty (farmácia de serviço). The list is posted on every pharmacy door and online.
Useful Portuguese for the Doctor
| Portuguese | English |
|---|---|
| Queria marcar uma consulta. | I'd like to book an appointment. |
| Não tenho médico de família. | I don't have a family doctor. |
| Fala inglês? | Do you speak English? |
| Dói-me aqui. | It hurts here. |
| Tenho febre há dois dias. | I've had a fever for two days. |
| Sou alérgico/alérgica a… | I'm allergic to… |
| número de utente | SNS registration number |
FAQ
Can foreigners use public healthcare in Portugal?
Yes, once they're registered in the SNS. A foreign adult needs a residence permit, a NIF and a Portuguese address for a complete registration. Urgent care is available to everyone, registered or not.
How do I get a número de utente in Portugal?
Go in person to the health centre for your area with your residence permit, NIF and proof of address. According to ACSS, there are no provisional SNS numbers.
How long does it take to get a family doctor in Portugal?
It varies a lot by area. In April 2026, about 1.6 million registered SNS users had no family doctor. You can still book appointments at your health centre while you wait.
Is healthcare free in Portugal?
Most SNS care is free for registered users since fees were largely abolished in 2022. You may still pay a fee at hospital A&E if you go without a referral and aren't admitted.
What number do I call for a doctor in Portugal?
Call SNS 24 on 808 24 24 24 for health advice and to be referred to the right service. For emergencies, call 112.
Do I need private health insurance in Portugal?
It isn't required once you're a registered resident, but many foreigners keep it for shorter waits and English-speaking doctors. D7 and D8 visa applicants need health insurance for the visa itself.
This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. SNS registration rules changed in 2024, 2025 and 2026 and may change again. Check with your local health centre or the SNS before relying on these rules.
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