When you decide to live in Portugal, an important point that you should think about carefully is health insurance. After all, when you move to Portugal, your Dutch health insurance is no longer necessary. This is also the case when you move to a country other than Portugal. Then you no longer need to be insured with a Dutch health insurance company. Then you no longer need to be insured in the Netherlands, but you are also obliged to cancel your health insurance with a Dutch health insurer. So pay close attention that you do not simply remain insured in the Netherlands, because then you will be faced with unnecessary additional costs or other problems. Are you going emigrate to Portugal? Then read on quickly here.

Your personal situation

In this article we have tried to bring together everything related to health insurance in Portugal. In doing so, we not only try to discuss everything that has to do with the health insurance fund in Portugal, but we also try to answer frequently asked questions. We therefore hope that this article can help you on your way! Of course, you should do some further research yourself regarding your own personal situation. Of course, we do not know exactly what you need.

Healthcare in Portugal

In the Netherlands we are used to good healthcare. Many people who live abroad also admit that this can be a stumbling block when emigrating, because is healthcare in another country as well organized as in the Netherlands? Do you still get good medical care when you need it? Well, we have good news for you, because healthcare in Portugal is generally quite good. Furthermore, the government has invested a lot of money in it in recent years, which has improved it even more.

Less luxury than in the Netherlands

We must honestly admit that Portuguese medical care is not at the same level as here in the Netherlands or other Western European countries. Nursing care is different and not much money is spent on preventive medicine. The hospitals are also less luxurious than what we are used to in the Netherlands. However, this does not mean that it is less good, but it is simply a matter of getting used to it.

Types of health insurance

In Portugal, there is Portuguese healthcare. Research has shown that the average cost per person in Portugal is lower than in other European countries. As a Portuguese resident, you are entitled to public and private healthcare. These health insurers work well together, which means that people with public health insurance can also take out additional private health insurance.

EHIC card

Just like when you are insured in the Netherlands with a Dutch health insurer and you are entitled to medical care in all European countries, this is also the case with a Portuguese health insurance. You are then insured for medically necessary care throughout Europe. However, just like in the Netherlands, you must apply for an EHIC card from the Portuguese health insurer. This is your proof of insurance in another European country.

NB!

However, an EHIC card is not travel insurance and with this card you will only be entitled to essential medical care in another European country. So pay close attention to this.

Public health care in Portugal

When you go to work in Portugal, your employer is required to register you with the Segurança Social. In the Netherlands, your Dutch employer does not have to do this of course. This has to do with the public health care in Portugal. Once you are registered, your employer will register you and you must pay your monthly premium together. The care you receive is often free or at least largely free. A good example is that when you retire in Portugal, 40% to 100% of your medical costs are reimbursed.

Healthcare costs in Portugal

As you can see, health care costs in Portugal are a lot lower than in the Netherlands. It is simply very well arranged in Portugal to arrange health insurance through the employer, because ultimately everyone is entitled to medical care. It is even the case that if you have no income or benefits, are retired or are long-term ill, you do not have to make a financial contribution to your health insurance.

The Portuguese health system

The health care system in Portugal does not place any emphasis on prevention, but is mainly about treating and curing existing diseases. The Portuguese government is therefore not likely to promote good health. As a result, there is very little preventive care in the country. In recent years, the Portuguese government has been trying to change this more and more and is investing a lot of money in this. For example, there are now not only more health checks for children, but also for the elderly in the country. There is also, of course, a full vaccination program for children.

Social security

When you are registered with Segurança Social you will also immediately receive coverage for public health care. You will then immediately receive an insurance card. Also called the Cartāo do Utente. So when you need medical care you can get it for free by showing this card.

As mentioned before, you get social security through Segurança Social. After your registration, you apply for a Número Utente and you will also be assigned a doctor.

Private healthcare in Portugal

Are you not eligible for Segurança Social, or public health care, due to your personal situation? Then you must take out private insurance. If you do not get insured, you will have to pay for everything and you will not be entitled to reimbursement.

Is private insurance necessary?

Private insurance is often recommended by people who have already emigrated to Portugal. It is true that you pay extra, but we can almost assure you that you will receive better care. It is then actually a kind of extra insurance. If you compare it with Dutch care, you can say that public health care in Portugal is not always of the best quality. Also, with only a Segurança Social you have much longer waiting lists when you need a medical specialist.

It is quite simple to get private health insurance in Portugal. You have to answer a few questions and then you can pay your monthly premium.

Own company in Portugal

When you start your own business in Portugal, you have to take out your own health insurance. You have to register with the Regional de Segurança Social. You then pay the premium for your health insurance yourself. This is a small contribution compared to what you pay in the Netherlands for a Dutch health insurance.

General Practitioners in Portugal

In larger cities like Lisbon or Porto it will be less difficult to find an English doctor than if you live in a village in the Algarve for example. There it is often difficult to find a doctor who speaks English. If you have no problems with the Portuguese language then you do not have to look for a GP yourself, because you will be assigned one by the health system.

General practitioners in health centers

General practitioners are often located in large health centres. You can go there for minor health problems. Is there something serious going on? Then the GP can always refer you to a specialist. Furthermore, the health centres are often open from 08:00 to 20:00. It seems long, but in Portugal they often close a bit longer in the afternoon and open again later in the afternoon. By the way, don't forget to take your Numéro Utente with you here too.

Pharmacies

As you may have read before, shops, businesses, doctors and you name it close in the afternoon. The same goes for pharmacies. They open from 09:00 to 13:00. Then they close and open again from 15:00 to 19:00. This is from Monday to Friday. In the weekend they are only open from 09:00 to 13:00.

Reimbursement of medicines

It is good to know that prescription drugs in Portugal are never fully reimbursed. Whether you use public health care or private insurance, it does not matter. Fortunately, drugs in Portugal are not very expensive.

Reforms

Portugal has been criticized for years for its outdated way of working. That is why the country has been investing heavily in modernizing its health care system in recent years. We must admit that it has been modernized enormously in a short time. Something we were not used to from Portugal at all.

Telephone assistance – SNS24

The SNS24 is a free telephone service that is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Through this line you can not only speak to doctors and nurses, but also pharmacists and administrative staff. They are always available by phone for non-urgent health problems. In Portugal you only have to call the number '808 24 24 24'. What is also nice is that English is also spoken!

The SNS now also has various types of apps to make healthcare more accessible to the inhabitants of Portugal. For example, the insured can easily access information and services with the apps. In this way, the government tries to work as transparently as possible.

The latest SNS app that has been launched is the 'STAYAWAY COVID'. This app is comparable to the Dutch CoronaMelder. It warns you when you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19. There is also the 'MySNS Tempos' app. This shows the average waiting times in public hospitals and with the 'MySNS Carteira' you can schedule medical appointments via your phone. The latter app also gives you access to your medical history and medication.

Benefit

Do you receive benefits in the Netherlands? Via the UWV or the municipality? Then it is very important to find out before you emigrate whether you are also entitled to this when you live abroad. It is the case that when you receive benefits in the Netherlands, it does not automatically mean that you are also entitled to them abroad. If necessary, contact them by telephone so that you can speak to an employee who can help you emigrate with your benefits. Is the final answer that you are no longer entitled to this abroad? Then you will know this in advance and can take this into account. Of course, you do not want to emigrate first and then be left without an income later.

Pension

If you still receive a pension from the Netherlands, this means that the Dutch state is still responsible for you. Even if you no longer live in the Netherlands, of course. The Dutch government is therefore legally obliged to pay your healthcare costs. That is why different rules apply to healthcare in Portugal in the case of a pension. After you have successfully moved, you must register with the Regional de Segurança Social and also with the College voor Zorgverzekeringen (CVZ) in the Netherlands. These are the parties that will arrange the payments and benefits of your healthcare costs.

Check everything carefully!

So if you receive a benefit or are about to retire, it is wise to find out the rules regarding emigration for this. Often the rules regarding a pension for Dutch people are rather unclear. In this case, you may also want to contact the social insurance bank by phone. They can easily answer any questions you may have.

Finally..

When emigrating, there are a few things that need to be arranged, including your health insurance in Portugal. If you find out in advance what you need to arrange for this in the Netherlands, but also what you need to arrange for this in Portugal, you will see that it can all go quite quickly. After all, good preparation is half the battle.

Do you have any other questions?

Do you have any questions about other topics regarding your move to Portugal? Then we would like to refer you to the other articles on our website. We think that you will find this information very useful. Do you still have questions after this? Then you can always contact us. We will be happy to help you further.