Any citizen has the right to health and the duty to protect it. If you are an immigrant and are ill, or need any type of health care, you are entitled to be assisted at a Health Center or Hospital (in case of emergency). These services cannot refuse to assist you on the basis of any reasons linked to nationality, lack of economic means, lack of legalization or otherwise.
The Portuguese health system is based on the National Health Service (SNS). SNS beneficiaries are:
- Citizens of EU Member States in the European Economic Area and Switzerland, in accordance with applicable Community rules;
- Foreign citizens residing in Portugal, in conditions of reciprocity;
- Foreign citizens residing in Portugal, within the scope of existing bilateral agreements;
- Asylum-seekers with refugee status;
- Stateless citizens residing in Portugal.
If you do not have a residence permit or if you are in an irregular situation due to the immigration legislation process, you will still have access to the SNS, however the expenses incurred will be charged, except for some health care services, upon presentation of a document from the Parish Council in your area of residence that certifies that you have been residing in Portugal for more than 90 days.
When working in Portugal you also have access to health supplements if you become ill. In addition to the health insurance that may be associated with your contract, you may also be entitled to Sickness Allowance or Medical Leave, is an amount monetarily assigned by Social Security if you are unable to work due to illness.
Access to this benefit is available to all who complete 6 calendar months, consecutive or interpolated, with a record of remuneration, on the date of the onset of the disease, considering, if necessary, the month in which the disease occurs, if there was remunerations. While you are receiving the Sickness Allowance you are not allowed to leave your home, except for the purposes related to the assigned sick leave.
You can also benefit fromf: Child Care Allowance, Allowence for Grandson Assitence and Professional Illness.
Within the scope of the disability issue, there is the Social Benefit for Inclusion for nationals and foreigners, refugees and stateless persons who have a disability resulting in a degree of disability equal to or upper than 60%.
Documents to be provided,
- Identity Card / Citizen Card (or other identification document);
- Proof of address (for example: a certificate of residence obtained from the parish council, an invoice for water, electricity or telephone services, etc.);
- Residence authorization document, applicable for the registration of foreign citizens
Registration fees,
The SNS works, in some cases, by charging user fees – cost sharing in access to health care between users and the State
Appeal procedures
Foreign citizens legally resident in Portugal must register at the Health Center in their area of residence, more precisely at the Family Health Unit (USF) or the Personalized Health Care Unit (UCSP).
Eventual specimens of the necessary forms
Social Benefit for Inclusion: Form Mod.PSI1-DGSS (accompanied by the documents indicated therein).
External Link:
http://www2.acss.min-saude.pt/Default.aspx?TabId=1180&language=en-US
http://www.seg-social.pt/subsidio-de-doenca
http://www.acss.min-saude.pt/circulares/Circular_Normativa/2016/Circular_Normativa_8_2016.pdf
