Albufeira has both public and private healthcare systems. The public healthcare system is called Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) and is available to all citizens and legal residents of Portugal. It is not available to foreigners, however, expats and digital nomads are allowed to use the public healthcare system in Portugal.
Portugal’s Healthcare System
The public healthcare system in Portugal is funded by taxes and provides free healthcare to all citizens and legal residents. It is generally considered to be of good quality, however, it can be slow and overcrowded. People generally recommend using public hospitals in Albufeira for minor medical issues, but not for serious medical emergencies or major surgery. The public hospitals in Albufeira are generally clean and well-equipped, but the wait times can be long.
Expats and digital nomads typically use private hospitals for serious medical emergencies and major surgery. Private hospitals in Albufeira are generally well-equipped and have shorter wait times than public hospitals. Private hospitals are also more expensive than public hospitals, so expats and digital nomads typically use private health insurance companies to cover the costs.
Hospitals and Clinics for Expats in Albufeira
- Centro Hospitalar do Algarve (public hospital) – located in Faro, approximately 30 minutes by car from Albufeira
- Clinica Particular do Algarve (private hospital) – located in Faro, approximately 30 minutes by car from Albufeira
- Clinica Medica de Albufeira (private clinic) – located in Albufeira, specializes in family medicine
- Clinica de Fisioterapia de Albufeira (private clinic) – located in Albufeira, specializes in physical therapy
Emergency Services in Albufeira
Ambulance services are available in Albufeira. To call for an ambulance, dial 112. Ambulances usually arrive quickly, however, there can be delays during peak times.
Health Insurance Companies in Albufeira
The most popular private health insurers in Albufeira are Fidelidade, Multicare, and Seguradoras Unidas. Expats and digital nomads typically use these companies, however, there are also specialized expat health insurance providers available.
