Expat Insurance Services in Portugal

There is a public health insurance program in Portugal with nearly complete medical and dental coverage available for all those who work in Portugal or who pay social security and their dependents, as well as for retirees who are from any other European Union country. Most European patients with social insurance in their own countries can also qualify for the public coverage offered in Portugal under international reciprocal agreements, and for European Union residents a European Health Card should always ensure access to medical coverage when in Portugal through the Portuguese social security system.

 

Those who do qualify for public insurance need to enrol for a Portuguese public insurance card. Citizens of non European countries do not qualify and will need to have private health insurance in Portugal in order to cover their medical expenses. There are several different private health insurers available in Portugal for those who wish to have more choices of doctor and treatment facilities, cover other medical expenses, and cut down on waiting times. There are also private health insurance companies in other countries that may have travel health insurance or that may be able to extend their policies to cover a stay in Portugal.