15 Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Portugal

"Connect with other expats to obtain physician references and sources of private insurance so you can benefit from their research and experience. Bring copies of your medical records with you. Quality of care can be very high in Portugal's major communities. Costs are much lower, by about half, and prescriptions range from a tenth to a half of the costs in the US," commented one expat living in Cascais, Portugal.

"Portugal offers a wide range of healthcare services, including primary care, hospital care, mental health services, and specialized care. The public healthcare system in Portugal is funded by the government and is free for all citizens and legal residents. The quality of public healthcare in Portugal is generally good, with modern facilities and well-trained staff. Foreign residents in Portugal are also eligible to use the public healthcare system, although they may need to pay a fee for certain services. Expats in Portugal can use the public healthcare system by registering with the local health authority and obtaining a health card. This card allows them to access the same services as Portuguese citizens, including free or discounted medical care," wrote one expat.

"Finding a specialist takes trail and error. But that is true even in my home country," said an expat in Lisbon.

"Portugal has a comprehensive public healthcare system that provides free or low-cost medical services to its citizens. The country also has a number of private hospitals and clinics that offer a wide range of medical services. Portugal has a well-developed network of primary care physicians, specialists, and hospitals that provide quality medical care. The country also has a number of specialized medical centers that offer specialized treatments and services. Portugal also has a number of medical research centers that are dedicated to advancing medical knowledge and treatments," commented one expat living in Portugal.

"We are required to have a private policy that meets the Schengen Community requirements (go to their website). The highest quality of coverage won't cost more than 3,000 euros a person/year (2017) and most retirees are paying only 2,000 euros annually. This includes dental and eye care, surgeries, private hospital room, unlimited doctor visits and tests," commented one expat who moved to Lisbon.

"Expensive- relative to what? Compared to our former California prices, not at all. Cost in Cascais is no more expensive than comparable care in the rest of Portugal. Top-of-the-line insurance just got more expensive for elders, but it covers much more than comparable US plans like Medicare + supplement + out-of-pocket. The quality of CUF care, for example, is excellent. Prescription drug prices are way below the US (although non-prescription supplements are much higher). For example, my heart/cholesterol drugs are about 12 euros a month (and totally reimbursed by our top-of-line health insurance.) "List prices" of hospital care and surgery are much lower than in the US with comparable medical expertise and treatment. We, and our friends have had some serious medical events and we are very satisfied with the level of care," said one expat.

"Healthcare rates are somewhat dependent on your age. I am 69 I pay about $180 a month with MGen. I don't have the lowest benefit or the highest, I am somewhere in the middle. I went with MGen for the following reasons. No limit on renewability...my age will never disqualify me from renewing my plan. They accept pre-existing conditions. I used a service called Serenity to help me navigate the various healthcare providers. You can do this yourself, I just preferred not to. If you join Afpop I believe you can buy MGen through them and get a discounted rate," remarked one expat in Albufeira.

"The cost of public medical care in Portugal is affordable once you're on the National Health System. I have not yet used the private services, so I can't compare their costs, but everyone I know who uses them (especially Americans) says the cost is relatively low. In Portugal there are small co-pays, which are cheaper than in the States (when I lived there), but I've never had to pay a co-pay in Canada (and I've lived in 5 provinces)," remarked one expat living in Porto.

"I'm closest to a day hospital, but I've never had to use emergency services (yet). So far, I've used only the local health clinic, which is in the public system. The private network is mostly the hospitals like CUF or Lusíadas," wrote one expat.

"ClinicaCUF is a company of health care providers, with clinics in each major town between Lisbon and Cascais, and beyond....one is never more than a couple of kilometers from a clinic if living in a major city. Hospital care at the Cascais Hospital is world-class. Both ClinicaCUF and Cascais Hospital accept private and state-insured patients. ," commented one expat who moved to Cascais.

"I'm waiting for a specialist referral for ophthalmology, but there's no indication of whether it's in Porto or further afield," commented one expat who moved to Porto.

"Specialists in every field are no more than 30 mins away. Serious health issues are handled at our private hospital, 10 mins away. Care is quickly provided and done well. Tests are given immediately and results available the next day," said one expat.

"You can usually get them over the counter, some are very expensive but if you get the right prescription with number of EHIC on it it will cost 1/4 of the total amount (in my case-Xarelto)," wrote one expat.

"Prescription medicines are dispensed by the local pharmacy, as prescribed by the doctor at the local clinic near my home. The prescriptions are sent via message directly from the doctor to the pharmacy. The one time I've had to get medication, I was prescribed 3 meds for a total of less of than 7 euros, which is cheaper than it would've been in Canada," commented one expat who moved to Porto.

"I have a few rx that I need. We took out private insurance and I brought my Dr. records with me when I met my primary care Dr. He looked them over and said they were not a problem. One rx is $50 cheaper here than the states," said one expat.

"Portugal boasts excellent medical facilities and care. With a universal health system funded by the government, Portuguese citizens have access to quality healthcare services and clinical treatments. Medical staff are well-trained to provide specialized expertise and care, while the widespread availability of laboratories, diagnostic centers, and medications make Portugal a modern hub of medical advances. Additionally, the country has a number of renowned research entities dedicated to the advancement of healthcare technology," said an expat in Portugal.

"Yes, as a foreigner living in Portugal, you will have access to public healthcare. Portugal has a universal healthcare system, which means that all citizens and legal residents are entitled to free healthcare. The quality of care is generally good, with a wide range of services available, including primary care, specialist care, hospital care, and mental health services. The Portuguese healthcare system is also well-funded, so you can expect to receive quality care," said one expat.

"The pandemic has had a significant impact on the Portuguese healthcare system. The government has implemented a number of measures to ensure the safety of patients and healthcare workers, including the introduction of telemedicine services, the expansion of hospital capacity, and the implementation of strict safety protocols. Despite these measures, the healthcare system has been overwhelmed by the influx of patients, leading to long wait times and delays in care. Additionally, the pandemic has caused a shortage of medical supplies, such as masks and gloves, which has further strained the system. Despite these challenges, the Portuguese healthcare system has been able to provide quality care to those in need," commented one expat who moved to Portugal.

"No problem even during COVID-19 getting monthly injection of special medication at private hospital (CUF)," said one expat.