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Portugal: Healthcare System |
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 Portugal is located in south-western Europe and is the westernmost country in Europe, bordering the Atlantic Ocean. The Portuguese economy is robust and has helped fund the newly reformed National Healthcare Service.
The healthcare system in Portugal is comprised of state-run National Health Service (NHS) facilities as well as privately run healthcare facilities. The Portuguese NHS provides universal healthcare coverage to registered citizens, funded through general taxation, and out-of-pocket expenses – some of the highest out-of-pocket expenses in Europe, amounting approximately to 23% of NHS funding. Private healthcare has a strong presence in Portugal and provides high quality medical services to patients.
The Portuguese healthcare system is similar to the National Healthcare Services (NHS) in the United Kingdom. Portuguese residents receive free health services at point of use, by means of the state-run healthcare system. The Portuguese healthcare system is funded by all employed citizens of Portugal and their employers contributing to a social security fund through taxation. Private healthcare is also available in Portugal and runs alongside the state run healthcare system.
The Portuguese National Health Services (NHS) gives all Portuguese residents the right to health protection; the Portuguese government guarantees the universal right to health care for Portuguese citizens regardless of an individual’s social background.
The health service has been reviewed and the government has set an objective to improve quality over the medium-term future, while containing the annual growth rate of spending on health services.
The Portuguese Ministry of Health oversees the health services in the country. It was responsible for the implementation of a reform of the Portuguese healthcare services which started in 2002. Before 2002, the Portuguese healthcare system was under-developed and in severe need of large scale financial investment. Significant improvements have already been achieved. In 2004, Portugal spent about 10% of its GDP on health care – a percentage level which is above the European average.
Portuguese citizens have access to free and subsidized medical services and dental treatment, including care and treatment by general practitioners and medical consultants. Also included is hospital care, laboratory services, subsidized prescription medicines, maternity care, surgical procedures and ambulance transportation. The majority of the Portuguese NHS is funded by taxation on income, with payments being made to the Segurança social. All employers in Portugal are required to register their employees with the social security fund and make regular payments to Segurança social, which is used to fund the Portuguese healthcare system. All dependents of workers in Portugal are covered by the employed family member’s contributions to the Segurança social (social security fund). Portuguese citizens who rely on state aid are not required to contribute to the Segurança social, but still have access to the Portuguese National Health Service. A Portuguese citizen who is self-employed needs to obtain additional insurance cover for themselves and members of their family.
A foreign national immigrating to Portugal without employment must obtain and prove they have private health insurance cover for Portugal in order for the Portuguese immigration authorities to grant permission for residency – this is because they are not making financial contributions to healthcare by paying income tax to the Portuguese Segurança social. Foreign nationals permitted to work in Portugal, must obtain a medical card from the local healthcare centre, which entitles the holder to free or subsidized medical care from the Portuguese NHS.
So far as European citizens are concerned, Portugal has reciprocal healthcare agreements with other European Union member states, which entitles registered European residents to obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). This allows participants access to the same medical care as a Portuguese citizen, should they need medical treatment while traveling through the country. However, holders of EHIC are still urged to take out Portuguese international health insurance to provide full medical coverage as the EHIC does not cover medical costs for on-going medical treatment and air ambulance services.
Appointments with doctors and referrals to specialist medical consultants are provided free of charge. Healthcare services in Portugal state all non-essential medicines need to be paid for in full and patients must pay between 40% and 100% of the costs toward prescription medicines. The National Health Services in Portugal ensures that citizens classed as in vulnerable groups in society – such as pregnant women, diabetics and tuberculosis patients – receive medicines free of charge.
Approximately 10% of Portuguese citizens have private health insurance. Foreigners in Portugal – either holidaymakers or expatriates – are advised to take out international health insurance. Private healthcare services in Portugal tend to be provided to a higher specification, with state-of-the-art medical equipment and minimal waiting times for specialist medical consultation.
Healthcare centres are present across Portgual and are known locally as centros de saúde. They are normally open between the hours of 8am to 8pm. The health centres in Portugal provide outpatient care, but are not fully equipped to offer a variety of specialist medical services. Generally the healthcare centres in Portugal can provide patients with general practice, maternity care, child healthcare and dental care. They also have the ability to provide emergency medical aid and are equipped to conduct laboratory, radiology, and other diagnostic services.
There are well equipped hospitals in Portuguese cities and larger towns. Patients are admitted to public healthcare facilities either by referral from a general practitioner or as a result of a medical emergency. However, some Portuguese public healthcare facilities are inadequate and unable to meet comprehensive medical requirements; in the case of non-emergency treatment patients may be subject to long waiting periods. The Portuguese public system provides only limited resources for outpatient treatment, nursing, post-operative care, geriatric assistance, terminal illness and psychiatric treatment; private insurance for foreign nationals is urged; as it provides them with access to private healthcare facilities in Portugal.
Private healthcare facilities are becoming popular in Portugal; the quality of medical care is excellent and waiting times are shorter. Private Portuguese healthcare consists of general practitioners and specialist medical consultants who work in independent healthcare facilities and are funded predominately by private insurance contributions. Approximately 10% of Portuguese citizens have private health insurance. Holidaymakers and expatriates are advised to take out international health insurance as private healthcare services in Portugal are more expensive due to the quality of care they provide.
The Portuguese National Health Service has undergone reforms in recent years which has led to an improvement in the state-run public health service; the funding from GDP has declined from 10% in 2004. There are still flaws in the public healthcare system with long waiting periods and limited medical equipment in some healthcare facilities.
The majority of patients are still required to make out-of-pocket payments towards for such things as medication. However, the general standard of medical care is good in Portugal with excellent standards of medical care available in private healthcare centres.
Holidaymakers and expatriates, holding a European Health Insurance Card or not, are advised to obtain Portuguese health insurance for the duration of their stay in the country. The cost of prolonged medical treatment and air ambulance service can be very costly, and it is important to safeguard against extensive financial costs. International health insurance for Portugal gives the policy holder improved access to private medical facilities.
If you are looking for peace-of-mind knowing that medical costs will be covered in case of an accident or illness, to yourself and your family, while traveling to or residing in Portugal, an international medical insurance plan will be the ideal solution. Policies can be tailor-made to ensure all your needs are met while in Portugal. Should you require further information on Portugal, global medical insurance, or to receive a free quotation, please do not hesitate to call one of our expert advisers now.
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