The Portuguese healthcare system is pretty much the same as in all other European countries. It is available to all permanent residents and citizens of the country, as Portugal has a reciprocal agreement with the UK and other EU countries. The three main healthcare systems in Portugal are its national health service, the health sub-systems (a special health insurance scheme) and private health insurance.

When you move to Portugal permanently you will be eligible to receive free basic healthcare; this includes free doctors’ appointments and medicines. It may be worth while taking an European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you; these are available at most post offices in the UK and entitle you to free healthcare for a limited time in Portugal. This may be handy for when you first move over, so that you know you are covered whilst you settle in and get things such as permanent residency sorted out. If you retire to the country then you will need to fill out an E121 form to claim free healthcare.

If you are working in Portugal then you will be paying into the social security system through your tax, therefore you will be automatically eligible for free treatments within Portugal’s health system. Prescriptions will not be free however, just like in the UK, they may be subsidised by the government, but you should expect to pay between 40% - 100% for non-essential medicines. Most of the medicines can be obtained over the counter at pharmacies without a doctor’s prescription.

You will find that the majority of doctors speak fairly good English and there are many foreign doctors there, some from the UK, however you shouldn’t rely on this and it is a good idea to learn as many medical terms as you can in Portuguese; you never know when you may need it, especially in an emergency. You will also be pushed to find a doctor speaking good English if you are in the more rural areas of Portugal.

The overall standard of healthcare in Portugal is good, and has certainly improved over the last decade. You may find it below what you are used to, especially if you are familiar with northern European healthcare, or are from the USA, but it is currently on par with the rest of Europe and continuously improving.

Private healthcare is available in Portugal, and is mainly used by those who do not qualify for the free healthcare service. You can however take it out if you are taking part in high risk activities, or if you need medical attention and do not want to wait for surgery. Going private costs more but you will be seen and your needs attended to quicker.