Throughout Portugal, private healthcare clinics offer an array of services, including, dental, clinical analysis, diagnostic exams, and consultations. Those Portuguese that can afford private health insurance prefer to use the private system, as do most expats. The Portuguese believe that the public system should be preserved for their elderly population since they often can’t afford to use the private system. Emergency room triage units include semi-private, curtained-off areas like most U.S. Private hospitals offer patients modern facilities with the latest technology and private patient rooms. In the low-cost public healthcare system cost can be just a few euros and up or sometimes even free, depending on the service. In a high-end, private hospital, a patient can expect to pay €50 to see a general practitioner or €90 to see a specialist. Since there’s no choice of doctors, they may not speak English.Įven without health insurance, medical costs in Portugal are affordable. In order to be seen by a doctor in the public system, patients show up at their local public clinic, take a number and wait to see whatever doctor is in attendance that day. In the public healthcare system, all patients are supposed to be assigned to a doctor upon registering, but since there aren’t enough doctors in the public system to go around, most expats and Portuguese have yet to be assigned a doctor. Surgeries and other procedures can also be scheduled at these times. Also, patients can easily schedule an appointment on the hospital website or call the helpline, where English-speaking operators are always available.ĭoctors in Portugal commonly work on nights and weekends, so it’s possible to schedule appointments in the evenings and Saturday/Sunday. Private hospital websites offer patients all they need to know, including information about each provider’s credentials, what languages they speak, where they studied, and what insurance they accept. If the doctor feels the patient requires further testing, this is ideal as they can simply direct them to the appropriate department. Even in the private healthcare system, doctors and specialists see patients in offices attached to the hospital. Most doctors’ offices throughout Portugal are in the same complex as the hospital, and these doctors aren’t in private practice, but work for the hospital group.
This unique identifying number will register you with the national healthcare system and be used whenever you visit a private healthcare facility. After receiving your initial resident card, called a Título de Residência, your local health department, or saúde, will issue a health number called a número de utente. The Healthcare System in PortugalĪll expats living full-time in Portugal have access to the healthcare system. Doctors in Portugal are unhurried and take all the time they need to treat each patient fully. Many healthcare professionals speak some English, especially in the private healthcare system, where most are fluent. While some medicines require a doctor’s prescription, many can be purchased without one.ĭental procedures and routine care are also excellent in Portugal, not to mention affordable. Most medications or their equivalent which are available in North America can also be found in Portugal, and will cost much less. Private health insurance in Portugal is available and affordable for people of all ages-with no deductibles or low copays, and even covers some pre-existing conditions.Įxpats who become full-time residents in Portugal will have access to both the public and private healthcare systems, hospitals, and clinics. healthcare, Americans can expect to pay just a fraction of what they’re used to paying at home. Portugal has some of the best healthcare in the world, a vital necessity for retirees and others who wish to make Portugal their home.Ĭompared to the high cost of U.S. Guide to Healthcare and Medical Care Costs in Portugal
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