Best expat health insurance quotes in Portugal

Portugal has a subsidized national public healthcare system, the SNS, which is funded mainly through social security contributions and available to all residents. Medical treatment from doctors and hospitals is free, but other services, like prescription drugs, are only covered up to a point. There is also private healthcare available, which can be covered by private medical insurance.

All residents, citizens, and visitors to Portugal must have public or private health insurance coverage to access the healthcare system. You can still receive treatment at a Portuguese hospital or emergency room without health insurance but should expect to pay all medical costs out of pocket.

It’s best to start your private health insurance policy just before you arrive in Portugal. If you have a coverage gap between your insurance at home and your new policy, this could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses in case of emergency.

Usually private health insurance policies are on an individual basis. If you want to cover a partner or family members, you can add them on when you build your policy. If you have several dependents, it’s worth shopping around for the best family plan.

When you first design a health insurance plan, you can choose what you will pay yourself and what the provider will pay. Which treatments your plan covers depends on if you’ve met your deductible, whether you have a provider network, and other factors.

Health insurance premiums are based on age, medical history, level of coverage needed, and whether you include extra benefits. Portugal is relatively affordable in terms of healthcare costs across Europe so premiums will be lower there than in other countries.

The claims process in Portugal varies between insurers. Some deal directly with healthcare providers and pay bills on your behalf while others require you to pay upfront and send an invoice after. If you’re concerned about having to pay upfront, look for a provider who can sort out claims directly.