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Healthcare in Portugal: cost & waiting times

Tax-funded universal

The Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) is tax-funded. Residents register at a health centre and get a 'número de utente'. Small user fees ('taxas moderadoras') were largely abolished in 2022.

Emergency number: 112

How residents get care

  1. Register at a 'centro de saúde' — You're assigned a family doctor where available; many areas have shortages.
  2. Use SNS 24 for advice and triage — Phone 808 24 24 24 or the app; it books and redirects.
  3. Specialist and hospital care by referral — Through your family doctor; the SIGIC system manages surgical waiting lists.

Official waiting-time source

Portugal publishes 'tempos máximos de resposta garantidos' by specialty and priority and reports actual medians against them.

Tempos.SNS — official maximum guaranteed times ↗

MilestoneReference
First specialist appointment (normal priority)120 days (~17w)
Non-urgent surgery (normal priority)270 days (~39w)

Typical private costs

Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.

ItemTypical range
Private GP visit€40–€65
Private specialist visit€60–€110
Private MRI€150–€300

Prescriptions

The SNS subsidises 15–90% of medicine cost by category; pensioners on low incomes get a higher share.

Visiting Portugal?

EHIC covers necessary SNS care at health centres and public hospitals.

Emergencies Call 112; 'urgência' departments treat emergencies.

Official links

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