Can Foreigners Use Public Healthcare in Portugal in 2026?

Yes, foreigners can use public healthcare in Portugal, and access to the country's National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, or SNS) is one of the advantages of moving here.

The SNS provides eligible residents with access to public hospitals, health centres and specialist medical care, with most services available free of charge. For anyone moving from a country where healthcare can be expensive, that's a considerable benefit.

However, being able to receive medical treatment doesn't always mean it's free. Here's what foreigners need to know about accessing the SNS, registering for healthcare and understanding the costs involved.

Foreigners living legally in Portugal can generally access the SNS, provided they meet the relevant registration requirements.

Whether you're moving for work, planning your retirement or relocating with your family, you can use the same public healthcare system as Portuguese citizens, including local health centres, hospitals and specialist services.

What about tourists? Visitors can also receive medical care in Portugal. EU visitors can use a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), while UK visitors can generally use a GHIC or valid UK-issued EHIC for medically necessary public healthcare. American tourists and other visitors without equivalent coverage may need to pay for treatment, so travel health insurance is recommended.

If you're moving to Portugal, one of the first steps is getting a Número de Utente, your personal National Health Service number. This is used to identify you when booking appointments, receiving treatment and accessing other SNS services.

You can obtain a Número de Utente at a public health centre or hospital. To complete your registration for publicly funded healthcare, you'll generally need:

Once registered, you can sign up at your local health centre and request a family doctor, although getting one depends on availability.

There's also a useful change for newcomers in 2026. Since September, eligible foreigners have been able to request their NIF, Social Security number (NISS) and Número de Utente together at designated Espaços Cidadão, saving them from having to make three separate applications.

You can check the requirements and participating locations on the official Portuguese government website.

For foreigners who qualify for SNS coverage, most public healthcare services are free at the point of use. That includes appointments at health centres, specialist consultations and hospital treatment.

There are a few exceptions. Patients who go directly to a hospital emergency department without an SNS referral may have to pay a fee, although exemptions apply. If you're referred through a health centre or the SNS 24 telephone service, you won't normally have to pay that emergency attendance fee.

Prescription medicines aren't always free either, but the government covers part of the cost of many medications, helping to keep prices down.

It's also important to remember that having a Número de Utente doesn't automatically entitle you to free public healthcare. Your eligibility depends on your circumstances and registration status.

For anyone moving from a country where medical bills can quickly add up, access to affordable public healthcare can make a real difference to the cost of living in Portugal.

Alongside the SNS, Portugal has an extensive network of private hospitals and clinics, often offering shorter waiting times and more choice over doctors and specialists. Many residents use a combination of public and private healthcare, depending on their needs.

For foreigners considering a move, having access to affordable public healthcare alongside private options is one of the advantages of living in Portugal.

Want to know more? Our complete guide to healthcare in Portugal covers everything from private healthcare costs and insurance to emergency services and settling into life in Portugal.