What is the Best and Biggest Hospital in Portugal for Expats and Foreigners?

One amazing question expats and foreigners often ask is about the biggest hospital in Portugal. This question often stems from worries about getting (or similar) healthcare to what you are most likely used to in your country. Fortunately, Portugal is one of the few countries with a well-regarded healthcare system for its residents and citizens. 

You can expect high-quality services from the plethora of hospitals in the country. Nevertheless, as foreigners and expats looking to settle in Portugal, familiarizing yourself with the system is a great idea. Here we’ll talk about the most common questions you have about the best hospitals in Portugal.

Overview of the Portuguese Healthcare System

Portugal boasts of one of the most carefully coordinated healthcare services supervised by Portugal’s Servicio Nacional de Saude – the National Health Service. You’ll especially love that the National Health Service puts a premium on universal access to primary care. Portugal presently has over 238 hospitals. And more than half (127) are private hospitals. There are also more physicians per person compared to places like the United States. 

Plus you’ll also love to know that Portugal’s temperate climate, healthy diet, and communicable culture play a significant role in people’s well-being. You should also note that Portugal dedicates a big share of over 50 percent of its health budget to primary care. Hence, you can expect one of the best preventive as well as curative systems in the world. 

Beyond that, you would find a good mix of healthcare facilities ranging from bigger hospitals to health centers. Many poorer suburbs and villages have access to these health centers which are designed to provide a wide range of treatment options. In truth, these health centers can handle minor trauma, chronic conditions like diabetes, infectious diseases, and screening for breast and cervical cancer. 

Can Expats use the Portuguese Public Health Systems?

Yes, the Public healthcare system is open to everyone including visitors and expats. However, there’s a slight distinction between what you can access as an expat and from residents. First EU residents have the same rights as Portuguese citizens. So they don’t need any supporting documentation to access public healthcare. Of course, you’ll need to provide your citizen card (Cartao de cidadao) and healthcare number (Numero de Utente) to prove you’re a citizen. 

Nevertheless, for expats, you need to have a legal visa and residency card. This allows you to get the Numero de Utente, a user number for the National Healthcare. That number grants you the same rights as any Portuguese resident.

Off-course tourists and people on other short-term visas don’t have a residency visa. But they can still get healthcare in any hospital but with some added charges. 

Private hospitals also require presenting a citizen card or passport and proof of healthcare insurance if you have it. But again, having private insurance is optional, as long as you can pay out of pocket. 

The best Hospitals in Portugal for Expats

Portugal has well over 200 hospitals which are some of the highest-ranking hospitals in the international and European scene. So here we’ve outlined the best hospitals in Portugal, where you can expect the best treatment whether you are an expat or Portuguese citizen.

The Best Hospitals in Lisbon

• Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central (Hospital Dona Estefânia)
• Hospital de Santa Maria
• Instituto Portuguese de Oncologia de Lisboa
• Clinica Central do Bonfim Lda

Other Lisbon Hospitals include:

• Curry Cabral Hospital
• Egas Moniz Hospital
• Hospital CUF Descobertas
• Hospital da Luz
• São Francisco Xavier Hospital

The Best Hospitals in Porto 

• Hospital CUF Porto
• Clinica Central do Bonfim
• Centro Hospitalar do Porto (Hospital Geral de Santo Antônio)
• Centro Hospitalar de São João (the biggest hospital in the North of Portugal)

Other hospitals in Porto include:

• Hospital de Santa Maria 
• Hospital Lusiadas
• Maternidade Júlio Dinis

The Best Hospitals on the Silver Coast

• Centro Hospitalar do Oes
• Hospital Rainha Santa

Top Hospitals in the Algarve

• Centro Hospitalar do Barlavento Algarvio
• Hospital Lusiadas Faro

Other hospitals in the Algarve include:

• Hospital Lusíadas Albufeira
• Hospital Particular do Algarve
• Lagos Hospital
• Portimao Hospital
• Centro de Medicina Física de Reabilitação do Sul

Central Region Hospitals 

• Centro Hospitalar de Coimbra
• Hospital da Luz Coimbra
• Hospital CUF Coimbra

Alentejo Hospitals

• Hospital de São Paulo
• Hospital do Espírito Santo
• Hospital Particular do Alentejo
• Santa Luzia Hospital

Other hospitals include:

• Grupo José de Mello Saúde
• Centro Hospitalar Póvoa de Varzim/Vila do Conde
• Hospital de Braga

Portuguese Islands Hospitals 

• Divino Espírito Santo Hospital
• Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira
• Hospital dos Marmeleiros
• Hospital Dr. Nélio Mendonça
• Hospital Internacional dos Açores
• Madeira Private Hospital

To find more hospitals in Portugal, you can search for public hospitals on the SNS website (be mindful that the website is in Portuguese). Ensure to select the option for “Cuidados de Saude Hospitalares” and then choose a district to find your nearest provider. You can also read the SNS benchmarking report for more information about rating and waiting times. 

Public versus Private Hospitals in Portugal

As we’ve already said, you can use the public healthcare system in Portugal. That said Portuguese nationals and legal expats may also qualify for free public healthcare. Smaller clinics and hospitals may also fall under the SNS (National Health Service). That said, you need to also bear in mind that the SNS covers healthcare in the continental region of Portugal. So autonomous regions like Madeira and Azores have their own system. Beyond that, private hospitals also have a separate private organization overseeing their work. 

Even so, you should know that both public and private healthcare systems in Portugal have their ups and downs. Off-course visits to private hospitals are more costlier than the public hospitals. But often, as expected, the long waiting times are longer in public hospitals than in private hospitals. Private hospitals also provide the convenience of quick service and specialized treatment. 

You should also know that the biggest hospitals in Portugal where you can expect the best doctors are the largest hospitals in Coimbra, Porto, and Lisbon. Also, regions like the Algarve have more limited access to decent hospitals. Such regions have more capable private healthcare hospitals. 

The Biggest Hospitals in Portugal versus Health Centers

Ideally, you can choose to use health centers or the larger hospitals in Portugal. Many health centers, especially the ones in more remote regions have an extensive number of services. But they generally treat minor outpatient ailments and small emergencies. However, hospitals provide more detailed examinations and specialized treatments.  That said, you might likely start up your healthcare at these local centers before you can get attended to at a public hospital.

Things to Know about Healthcare in Portugal

You pay for everything 

You might likely pay for doctor’s appointments, exams, and prescriptions all out of pocket. Exemptions include pensioners, children, and the unemployed. However, most of these are decently priced. Even emergency treatment in public hospitals isn’t free of charge. However, if you have the right insurance, this should help reduce your expenses.

Generally, in public hospitals, your costs might include:

• Specialized appointment: €7
• Emergency treatment: €15 to €20
• Overnight stays: €25 per night
• Exams: up to €40

SNS also has a list of hospital costs that you can check out to get an understanding of what you pay for. 

Ambulance services head straight to the public hospitals

The majority of private hospitals don’t have good emergency rooms. So, for emergencies, ambulances are routed directly to public hospitals or specifically any of the hospitals nearest to your location. Hence, you cannot influence where you might be taken during emergencies.

Even when you go without an ambulance, emergency treatment occurs at the emergency departments (urgencias) in public hospitals. Don’t forget to bring your ID. Usually, you’ll need to take a ticket and wait in line.

Once you’ve signed in, a nurse will assess your condition and give you a colored bracelet: red, yellow, orange, green, or blue. These colors indicate the severity and urgency of the treatment. So, it also helps you figure out how long it would take for a doctor to see you.

The largest cities have a greater blend of healthcare provisions 

If you have any medical conditions that require more robust access to healthcare providers and specialists, we recommend that you stay close to the largest cities, Porto, Coimbra, or Lisbon. That’s where you can access public hospitals with increased access to specialists. Alternatively, private healthcare also brings those to your doorstep. But you should consider the costs first. 

Private health insurance is decent.

People in certain occupations like civil servants pay a percentage of their salary to access the public health care systems. However, over 30 percent of Portuguese citizens also choose voluntary private health insurance which costs about $300 per year. It is super great to have the right private healthcare insurance, especially when you aren’t a Portuguese citizen or permanent resident. 

Need referrals if you’re an emergency at public hospitals

Unless it’s an emergency, you’ll need a referral from your GP to access treatment at the public hospital. That’s why you must book an appointment with the local health center first. Then your director will direct you to a specialist at your nearest hospital. However, for private hospitals, you can book directly. 

Wrapping Up

Now you know about the best and biggest hospital in Portugal with options for expats and foreigners. Overall, you can expect the best healthcare system in Portugal. But equally, you shouldn’t forget to get your Numero de Utente and ID card on you at all times. Beyond that, consider getting private healthcare. It is available, accessible, and decently priced. Plus, you’ll enjoy shorter waiting times and potentially more English-speaking doctors. 

Frequently Asked Questions about the Biggest Hospital in Portugal

1) Are hospitals in Portugal expensive?

Compared to countries like the USA or the UK, Portugal’s healthcare is decently priced. Plus, Portugal prioritizes primary health care making it a breath of fresh air to many nationals, residents, and tourists alike. That said, as a tourist or resident in Portugal, your healthcare needs might track up. So it’s often a great idea to get good private health insurance coverage. 

2) Does Portugal have good hospitals?

Yes, Portugal has some of the best hospitals in the world. Two hospitals in Portugal rank among the top 500 hospitals globally. And this says a lot about the quality of healthcare you can expect in Portugal. 

3) What is the biggest hospital in Portugal?

The Coimbra Hospital and University Centre is the biggest hospital in Portugal. A close second is the Santa Maria Hospital in Lisbon. 

4) What are the best hospitals in Portugal for the best medical care?

Ideally, Portugal has both a decent private and public healthcare system. So you can expect a mix of the best on both sides. However, some hospitals with the very best include Hospital Lusiadas Lisboa, Hospital Lusiadas Porto, CNS Campus, and Clinica Universitaria de Navarra, Pamplona. 

5) What are the best hospitals for English speakers in Portugal?

A good number of public and private hospitals in Portugal have Doctors that can speak decent English owing to the growth of tourism in the country. However, the best international hospitals with a great number of English-speaking Doctors include Central Lisbon University Center, Porto University Hospital Center, the Algarve University Hospital Center, and Hospital Da Luz.