According to the 2019 Health Care Index, Portugal’s healthcare system ranks as 22nd out of 89 countries, with an especially good score for quality of infrastructure. There are a number of national health insurance providers, as well as international health insurance companies that serve the expat community and foreigners living in Portugal.
There are approximately 200 public and private hospitals in Portugal all staffed with English speaking health professionals to better serve expats and foreigners living in the country. The quality of care at these hospitals is up to international standards and will be able to care for whatever ailment you may have.
Private insurers can offer a range of insurance plans, from the most basic coverage to all-encompassing. In general, you should opt for an insurance plan that best fits your medical needs.
Hospitalization and surgery are the basic features of private health insurance coverage in Portugal. You can add some extras depending on your specific medical needs including:
- Ambulatory services: doctor’s appointments, appointments with specialists, exams and tests, even physical therapy.
- Childbirth
- Dentistry
Some health plans may even include ophthalmology, prosthetics, and other special medical needs and treatments. You can add several people to the same insurance plan. Your entire family could be covered by the same insurer.
Most insurance plans offer a fixed amount to spend on medical treatment. If you surpass that amount, you may be asked to co-pay your expenses. Most insurers have a waiting period (usually around 90 days) until the insurance becomes active.
Private insurance in Portugal is generally quite cheap. This could cost between 20 and 50 EUR (22–55 USD) a month, depending on your age and the extent of your coverage. This means you can pay anywhere between 400 EUR (440 USD) a year for a basic plan and 1,000 EUR (1,100 USD) yearly for a more well-rounded coverage.