Expats Talk about Health Insurance and Healthcare in Cascais, Portugal

"Connect with other expats to obtain physician references and sources of private insurance so you can benefit from their research and experience. Bring copies of your medical records with you. Quality of care can be very high in Portugal's major communities. Costs are much lower, by about half, and prescriptions range from a tenth to a half of the costs in the US," wrote an expat living in Cascais.

"Cascais offers a wide range of healthcare services to its citizens. The public healthcare system is provided by the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) and is free of charge for all citizens. The public healthcare system includes primary care, specialist care, hospital care, and emergency services. Additionally, there are several private healthcare providers in the area that offer a variety of services, including general practice, specialist care, and hospital care. These private providers often offer more personalized care and shorter wait times than the public system. Cascais also has a number of pharmacies that provide prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs," said an expat in Cascais.