Healthcare for Foreigners in Portugal

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All foreigners in Portugal have access to world-class public hospitals and healthcare [Basic healthcare excludes dentistry]. How healthcare is paid for depends on your country of origin and your work status: 1. EU CITIZENS: European Union citizens who have paid regular social security contributions have direct, discounted access to Portugal’s public health system. You must have a Form S1, which is health care coverage registration for a person living in one EU country and insured in another. It must be obtained from the country where the contributions were made and submitted to the Portuguese services. 2. NON-EU CITIZENS who are working and contributing to Social Security (Segurança Social) can access discounted health care. Foreigners with legal residency must obtain a Número Utente from the local health center and be assigned a physician.Those not holding a residence permit simply need a document from their local Junta de Freguesia certifying that they have been resident in Portugal for at least 90 days.This document, along with a passport or allowable photo ID and NIF number, should be taken to their local health center to obtain the Número Utente. The Ministry of Health will issue a Cartão do Utente (service user card). 3. NON-EU CITIZENS not working and without contributions to an EU Social Security program can purchase a private insurance plan. Supplementary health insurance is mandatory by law for those applying for either a Temporary Visa or Residency Permit. The plan must cover any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death, during their stay(s) on the territory of the Member States. The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay or transit. The minimum coverage shall be €30,000. Extract from Regulation (EC) No 810/2009

Submitted on Jul 30, 2015 - Category: Health Care & Insurance, Network: Portugal

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