Portugal Health Insurance

With a long and rich history of arts, cuisine, architecture, and cultural influences from around the globe after centuries of international trading, Portugal is one of the most frequented tourist destinations worldwide and a popular retirement destination as well both on the mainland and on the islands of Madeira and the Azores. With beaches, cities old and new, traditional rural villages, mountains, and islands there is something to appeal to just about everyone. As a member of the European Union (EU) and compliant with all its required standard provisions of care for its approximately 10.6 million residents, levels of education, civil services, and healthcare are all highly developed and average household income is high.

Portugal’s Healthcare System and Health Insurance

Healthcare is directed on the national level by the Ministry of Health with administration conducted on a regional level in hopes of better meeting the specific needs of each individual area. Healthcare in Portugal has seen vast improvement in the last two decades and is now on par with other western European countries. Public and private care facilities are both widely available and are implementing state of the art technologies and procedures to care for the health of all Portuguese. Due to their efforts, communicable disease is well contained and thanks to improved public education, high occurrence of child immunization, and early detection screening practices average life expectancy is very high at 79 years. Major health concerns now are from noncommunicable diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular complications.

Public healthcare in Portugal in years past was marked by poor service, under-staffing, and low quality of care, but thanks to restructuring efforts by the government to increase standards throughout the system and competition from the private sector, service is now drastically more efficient and quality of care is very high. All standard procedures are available throughout the country. Further, virtually all specialized treatments are offered as well, though travel to a major city for some more complex treatments may be required. Clinics and regional hospitals are available in all areas of Portugal to care for basic healthcare needs and advanced procedures are offered at larger district hospitals. Ambulance services cover the entire country, though response times vary due to distance.

Statistics published in 2005 state show a total of 204 hospitals, public and private, providing over 38,000 beds to offer care in Portugal. Of those, 162 have acute care capabilities. Doctor to patient ratios are very favorable at 35:10,000. Expatriates, tourists, and visitors to Portugal need not worry regarding availability of adequate care while in the country.

Portugal Medical Insurance Concerns

Health insurance in Portugal is compulsory for all residents and care is offered at highly subsidized rates ranging from free of charge to approximately 80 percent of fees covered for all necessary treatments. There are three options for medical insurance in Portugal: (1.) the National Health System which covers about 60 percent of the population and provides access to public health outlets via funding from taxation of laborers and employers, (2.) various social security schemes which offer care similar to the above but are usually bought from the government through one's employer and cover about a quarter of Portuguese, and (3.) private health insurance or mutual plans which offer access to public and private care and are elective in levels of coverage and copay desired, and cover the remaining 15 percent of the population.

In addition, all persons possessing an EU health card are able to access Portuguese public healthcare at their country's reciprocal rates, but must first fill out the E-111 form from their home country as proof of valid coverage in their country of residence. Further, non-EU residents are entitled to emergency treatment in a public hospitals should they require it, free of charge, even if not covered by any health insurance plan. It should be mentioned however that all treatment beyond stabilization will be considered elective care and will incur fee which must be paid for out of pocket.

While Portugal's healthcare is by no means cheap, it is somewhat more affordable than many other northern European countries, as well as care in the United Kingdom and for this reason, some have chosen to travel to Portugal for care to take advantage of the reduced cost of co-payment when compared to their home country. Others who have chosen Portugal as their medical tourism destination have traveled from Africa and North and South America.

Those who travel to Portugal with intent of receiving medical treatment are often best served by private insurance policies as these typically involve the least paperwork and allow access to the widest number of facilities, and private outlets typically have shorter wait-times and more private accommodations.

Portugal Travel Insurance Information

Situated on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is the most western country on continental Europe. Bordered by Spain to the east and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the weather is considered Mediterranean with hot dry summers and mild wet winters in the southern and coastal regions and temperate in the north and and east with somewhat cooler temperatures and higher average rainfall.

The national language is Portuguese, but as is common in Europe, most speak basic to fluent English and Spanish is common as well. Transportation networks are fast and reliable and all conveniences common to other highly developed countries are available in Portugal.

No vaccines are required for travel to Portugal. The most common health risks to visitors are typically due to over exposure to sun and heat, resulting in sunburn or heat exhaustion. Water is considered safe to drink, though some may experience stomach discomfort for the first few days due while in the country, in which case bottled water is suggested to help adjust to the new diet.

Due to higher than average unemployment rates in recent years petty crime is a growing concern, especially in tourist frequented areas. All should use due caution with regard to personal belongings and avoid walking alone after dark when possible. Automobile, hotel room, and vacation rental property break-ins have been reported by tourists and locals alike, always keep your valuables in a secured location and do not carry large amounts of cash with you.

Portugal Expat Medical Insurance

Visiting or relocating to a unique location such as Portugal is intended to be a relaxing and rewarding. Don't let the experience be ruined by a stressful and expensive trip to hospital due to unexpected illness or accident. Expat Medical Insurance provides much needed peace of mind in the form of Portugal Health Insurance packages that provide fast and easy access to quality medical attention and insulate you from the high out of pocket cost of treatment. Contact us today for more information and a free price quote on a tailor made coverage plan for Portugal or any other location worldwide, or if you are a frequent traveler, ask about our International Medical Insurance Plans which provide excellent coverage wherever you go.

Travel to locations as unpredictable as Mali require more than the usual preparation. One of the most important purchases to be made is a comprehensive Mali Medical Insurance plan with coverage for emergency air transport to a premium level healthcare facility should the unexpected arise. No one should risk their health or the health of their family, whether visiting Mali for a short time or as a permanent relocation. Expat Medical Insurance offers plans for Mali health coverage as well as international health insurance plans which are fully customizable to meet anyone's needs. Contact one of our expert advisers today to for full details and pricing today.