Vaccinations in Portugal

Getting vaccinated in Portugal is a straightforward and simple procedure. And, although the county doesn’t have a mandatory vaccination schedule (apart from healthcare workers who must receive the diphtheria vaccine), they are free and help protect you and others against infectious diseases.

This guide explains the details on which vaccines are available, as well as how you can go about getting them.

The vaccination system in Portugal

Since 1965, the National Vaccination Program (Programa Nacional de Vacinação – PNV) has ensured that everyone in Portugal has access to free and accessible immunization. It continually reviews its vaccines and procedures to protect as many people as possible against infectious diseases.

Public opinion is very much in favor of vaccinations. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that Portugal had a vaccination rate of 98.2% in 2024.

Healthcare

The healthcare system in Portugal

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Insurance for Portuguese vaccinations

Through the PNV, Portugal ensures that the majority of vaccinations are free of charge and universally available to all residents. For coverage on vaccines not included in the PNV scheme (e.g., chickenpox, hepatitis A, and rotavirus), there is a wide variety of health insurance providers, including these global companies catering specifically to expats:

• Allianz Care
• Cigna Global

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Guide to getting health insurance in Portugal

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Childhood vaccinations in Portugal

Children in Portugal receive free vaccinations, which are included in the national health program. You can request them from the Individual Health Bulletin at your local health center where your child is registered.

If you just had a baby in Portugal, your newborn(s) will get immunized at the hospital.

Mandatory and recommended vaccinations

Portugal doesn’t have mandatory vaccinations. However, the following are strongly recommended:

Other optional vaccinations in Portugal

Other vaccines available (but not for free) are:

• Bacterial meningitis
• Chickenpox
• COVID-19
• Hepatitis A and C
• Influenza
• Rotavirus
• Herpes zoster (shingles)

Vaccination schedule in Portugal

The following is a recommended schedule for vaccines in Portugal:

COVID-19 vaccination in Portugal

Since these became widely available, anyone can access COVID-19 vaccines throughout Portugal, free of charge. You can visit the SNS website for any recent COVID-19 updates and vaccine mandates.

Vaccinations for pensioners in Portugal

Adult vaccinations are not mandatory in Portugal. However, doctors strongly encourage anyone over 60 to get vaccinated against:

• Common flu
• Herpes zoster
• Pneumococcal disease

The family doctor typically administers vaccines for seniors, but the nursing staff at local hospitals or medical care facilities can do it as well. On very rare occasions, the pharmacy may also provide certain vaccinations.

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Senior health and elderly care in Portugal

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Vaccinations for special groups in Portugal

The PNV program also provides some vaccines free of charge for special groups. People in these groups are generally at a higher level of risk for getting an infectious disease. Vaccines in this category can be for any age group, such as:

• Hepatitis B vaccine: risk groups such as the elderly or those considered having serious health conditions (such as cardiovascular or lung disease).
• Polio vaccine: travelers to endemic areas, lab workers who manage potentially contaminated samples, as well as immuno-compromised individuals.
• MMR vaccine: women over the age of 18 who are looking to have children and who have not been previously vaccinated.
• Td (traveler’s diarrhea) vaccine: women of childbearing age and pregnant women who have not been previously vaccinated with the tetanus vaccine, and tetanus prophylaxis for wound management.

Remember to always check with your healthcare professional in case of individual enquiries on your vaccination requirements.

Travel vaccinations in Portugal

Vaccination requirements for entering Portugal may exist, although this depends entirely on your nationality. Check with a Portuguese embassy or consulate in your area before you travel to the country to make sure. The Centers for Disease Control also provide advice for those traveling to areas that require them.

The Ministry of Health also provides a number of recommended travel vaccines. These vaccines are available in travel clinics and are ideally given two to three months before you travel:

• Cholera
• Rabies
• Tetravalent vaccine against invasive meningococcal disease
• Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE)
• Typhoid fever
• Yellow fever

Travel advice or vaccines related to travel may be covered by your health insurance, although not every health insurance provider does so. Check with your local health insurance provider directly to see if travel-related healthcare is covered in your plan.

Useful resources

• Gov.pt – official government website with information on Portuguese vaccinations and screening programs in English
• Ministry of Health – official government website for the ministry responsible for healthcare in Portugal
• European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) – official EU website for the agency in charge of immunization and disease control