What’s not to love about Portugal? It’s a country bursting with history, where you can find unspoiled beaches and countryside, and if you’re heading to the popular tourist area of the Algarve, you can expect 300 days of sunshine every year. If Portugal or the island of Madeira is somewhere you’ve thought about visiting, then take advantage of your EHIC cover to access state healthcare should you need to. Here are the basics of what you need to know should you need to seek medical health.

SNS – Servico Nacional da Saude

The Portuguese equivalent of our NHS is the SNS, and you’ll see their logo or name on paperwork or buildings which are part of the state medical system. As is the case with other European countries, you can only use your EHIC cover to access hospitals or doctors which are part of the state healthcare system. Private medical care isn’t covered, so make sure you are being admitted as a SNS patient. Show your EHIC cover and your passport to the doctor’s receptionist, or whoever admits you to hospital. In major cities and the tourist areas, many people working in healthcare will speak English. In remote areas or on the Portuguese islands, remember that the local SNS hospital or doctor might be quite some distance away.

Pharmacies

Pharmacists in Portugal are highly trained and can help with minor ailments and injuries, and sell you basic medicines. They do not charge for their advice. Every town or district has a rota for 24 hour pharmacy coverage, and the details about which pharmacy is open will be posted on each pharmacy’s window. If you need medication which is only available on prescription in the UK it may be the same in Portugal so you may still have to see a doctor.

Patient Contribution

Portugal’s SNS differs from the NHS in one key respect – there are often charges levied on patients who see a doctor, need hospital tests or are admitted to hospital overnight. As Portuguese residents pay these charges you will too – there is no system for having them reimbursed either in Portugal or when you return to the UK. Costs will vary according you how you access your healthcare, so seeing a GP during office hours will cost less than being seen as an emergency case in hospital out of hours. Charges will also apply for tests carried out in hospital and if you are admitted overnight. Always ask for copies of bills you are given and receipts for any payment you make. If you have additional travel insurance, and depending on the excess, you may be able to claim for costs on your insurance.

Speaking Portuguese

If you’re sticking to Lisbon or the tourist areas, you won’t struggle to find medics who can speak English. It’s worth taking a phrasebook with you however, or learning the basics to help in an emergency. One of the key phrases is “Fala ingles?” which means “Do you speak English?” A doctor is “medico” and the word for hospital is the same as in English.