Home › Health Insurance › Algarve
Private health insurance in the Algarve
For expats in the Algarve: private health insurance alongside the national health service (SNS), with access to private hospitals, independently compared.
✅ Local in the Algarve: office in Almancil, Loulé
✅ Independent broker: several insurers compared
✅ Advice in English: also in German and Portuguese
Free and with no obligation · independent broker, ASF 923047667
We compare health insurance from these insurers
What is different about health insurance in the Algarve
If you live in the Algarve, you can use the national health service (SNS). Since 2024 the whole region has been served by one network, the Unidade Local de Saúde do Algarve, with hospitals in Faro, Portimão and Lagos and the local health centres. Care is inexpensive but often slow: in the second half of 2024, the waiting time for 49 percent of first specialist appointments in hospital exceeded the applicable legal limit, according to the health regulator ERS. Many residents also have no GP: in April 2026, around 112,000 SNS users in the region had no assigned family doctor. In summer, when many holidaymakers are in the region, the network runs a seasonal plan.
Private hospitals are mainly along the coast, such as CUF Faro in Gambelas (formerly Hospital Particular do Algarve), CUF Alvor near Portimão, Hospital Lusíadas Albufeira, Hospital Lusíadas Vilamoura and Hospital São Camilo in Portimão, plus private clinics in many towns; in the municipality of Loulé, for example, the CUF clinic at MAR Shopping Algarve near Almancil. Private health insurance (seguro de saúde) pays for covered treatment there up to the agreed limit. It complements the SNS rather than replacing it.
How health insurance in Portugal works in general is explained on our page Health insurance in Portugal. This page covers what the Algarve adds to it. For your home: Insurance in Loulé and Quinta do Lago.
Health insurance in the Algarve: the cover you need
The basis is a private health insurance policy. For expats in the Algarve, these four sections matter most:
Hospital and surgery
Inpatient treatment, surgery and hospital tests, up to the agreed annual limit. This is the most important section, because this is where the high costs arise. Check that the limit is high enough and what excess applies per claim.
GP and specialist visits
Appointments with GPs and specialists, plus diagnostics such as lab tests and imaging. Within the insurer’s network you usually pay only a fixed co-payment per visit; outside the network, depending on the plan, part of the cost is reimbursed.
Network or free choice
With a network plan (rede convencionada), the hospital bills the insurer directly. With a reimbursement plan, you choose your doctor and hospital freely and submit the invoice. Which Algarve hospitals are in the network differs by insurer and plan; we check this before you sign.
Waiting periods and pre-existing conditions
Waiting periods (períodos de carência) apply after you take out a policy: in the terms of Médis and Allianz usually 60 to 90 days, and up to 365 days for certain operations (such as spinal discs or joints) and for childbirth; accidents are covered immediately with Allianz. Pre-existing conditions are asked about in the application and can lead to an exclusion or a loading. More on waiting periods in health insurance.
Depending on the plan, dental care, glasses, medicines, childbirth, a medical second opinion and cover outside Portugal can be added. We build the plan around your needs rather than selling a standard package. Note that a health plan (plano de saúde) is a discount scheme, not insurance; you pay the costs yourself.
How much does health insurance in the Algarve cost?
It depends on age, excess and level of cover. We obtain comparison quotes.
New to the Algarve, retired, with family or often abroad
Among our clients in the Algarve we mainly see four situations, and each needs a slightly different plan:
New to the Algarve
Visa and the first months
If you come from outside the EU, your residence visa application needs proof of insurance covering medical costs. Your SNS user number is issued at your first visit to a health centre or hospital. Take out cover early so that the waiting periods are over when you need it. For your home: Insurance in the Algarve.
Over 60
Retired
Many plans have a maximum entry age for new clients; with Allianz it is 65 for most modules (60 for the Total module), and there are dedicated senior plans for older new clients. Pensioners covered by the public health insurance of another EU country usually receive an S1 form for care at their place of residence. More in our guide Health insurance in Portugal over 60 and 70.
Family
With children
Children can be added to their parents’ plan. If you are planning to give birth in a private hospital, add childbirth cover in good time: in the terms of Médis and Allianz, the waiting period is 365 days.
Worldwide
Often abroad
If you travel a lot or split your time between countries, an international plan, for example from Cigna or Bupa, is the better fit. It also covers treatment outside Portugal but costs more. More in our guide Best private health insurance in Portugal.
We work out with you which plan fits and explain the Portuguese policy terms in English before you sign.
SNS and private hospitals in the Algarve
A guide to what the national health service provides in the Algarve and where private health insurance comes in:
| Care | What it looks like in the Algarve | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| GP | Algarve region, April 2026: around 112,000 users without a family doctor. | Doctor visits in the plan, a network near your home. |
| Specialist | Limit for a first appointment at normal priority: 120 days. In the second half of 2024, the applicable limit was exceeded for 49 percent of first appointments. | Specialist appointments through your plan, without an SNS referral. |
| Planned surgery | Legal limit at normal priority: 180 days after the decision to operate. | A sufficient limit for hospital care and surgery. |
| Emergency | SNS 24 around the clock: 808 24 24 24; life-threatening emergencies 112. SNS emergency departments in Faro, Portimão and Lagos, basic emergency care in Albufeira, Loulé and Vila Real de Santo António. Private 24-hour care for adults: CUF Faro, CUF Alvor, Hospital Lusíadas Albufeira. | Emergencies in the plan, private care included. |
| Private hospitals | Including CUF Faro, CUF Alvor, Hospital Lusíadas Albufeira, Hospital Lusíadas Vilamoura and Hospital São Camilo in Portimão. | Which hospitals are in your plan’s network. |
| Language | Mostly Portuguese in the SNS, often English as well in private hospitals. | Advice and help with claims in English. |
Sources: health regulator ERS (waiting times, second half of 2024), ULS do Algarve (emergency departments), press reports based on the SNS transparency portal (April 2026), hospital group websites. This is a general guide.
Health insurers we compare
We compare national health insurers and international providers. Which plan suits your age, your needs and your plans is part of the comparison. C1 Broker is not tied to any insurer.
Médis
NATIONAL
An established Portuguese health insurance brand with a large hospital network.
Multicare
NATIONAL
One of the leading national health insurers.
Allianz
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL
An international group with a national health insurance plan.
Victoria
ESTABLISHED IN PORTUGAL
A long-standing insurer with a strong presence in the Portuguese market.
Cigna
INTERNATIONAL
An international specialist in worldwide health cover.
Bupa
INTERNATIONAL
An international provider with worldwide cover.
This overview is neutral and not a ranking. We identify the most suitable insurer and plan based on your age, health and wishes in a personal comparison.
Compare insurers with independent advice
We obtain suitable quotations and explain the differences in clear English.
Your English-speaking Insurance Broker in Portugal
EN · DE · PT
Advice in your language
ASF
Authorised under ASF 923047667 (APROSE 5503)
7+
insurers compared independently
24 h
initial response (working days)
Personal advice in the Algarve
C1 Broker · Almancil office, Algarve
“We support expats in the Algarve from choosing the right plan to settling claims with the insurer, personally and in your language. You deal with the same people at our office in Almancil.”
- Phone: +351 289 392 452
- Email: [email protected]
- Office: Av. Duarte Pacheco 13 R/C, 8135-104 Almancil (Quinta do Lago), Algarve
- Languages: English, German and Portuguese
Related insurance & guides
Insurance in the Algarve
Home, apartment and more: our pages for the Algarve at a glance.
Health insurance over 60 and 70
Entry ages, waiting periods and plans for new clients in retirement.
Frequently asked questions about health insurance in the Algarve
Do I need private health insurance in the Algarve?
It is not compulsory for EU citizens: as a resident you have access to the SNS. If you come from outside the EU, however, your residence visa application needs proof of insurance covering medical costs. In everyday life private health insurance adds shorter waits and access to private hospitals. For most expats in the Algarve it is therefore worthwhile.
How long is the wait for a specialist in the SNS?
The legal limit for a first specialist appointment in hospital at normal priority is 120 days, and 180 days for planned surgery. In the Algarve network, the wait exceeded the applicable limit for 49 percent of first specialist appointments in the second half of 2024 (health regulator ERS).
Which private hospitals are there in the Algarve?
The large private hospitals include CUF Faro in Gambelas (formerly Hospital Particular do Algarve), CUF Alvor near Portimão, Hospital Lusíadas Albufeira, Hospital Lusíadas Vilamoura and Hospital São Camilo in Portimão. CUF Faro, CUF Alvor and Hospital Lusíadas Albufeira have a 24-hour emergency department for adults. Which of them are in your plan’s network depends on the insurer; we check this for you.
Are there waiting periods after I sign up?
Yes. In the terms of Médis, 60 days apply for doctor visits and 90 days for hospital care; with Allianz 90 days for both. Certain operations, for example on spinal discs or joints, have 180 to 365 days with both, and childbirth 365 days. Accidents are covered from the start with Allianz. Pre-existing conditions are asked about in the application; depending on the insurer and the condition, they lead to an exclusion or a premium loading. We show you the waiting periods of your plan before you sign.
Up to what age can I take out a policy?
That depends on the insurer and the plan. With Allianz, the maximum entry age is 65 for most modules (60 for the Total module); there are dedicated senior plans for older new clients, and some international providers also accept older clients. More in our guide Health insurance in Portugal over 60 and 70.
I am retiring to the Algarve from another EU country. What applies to me?
If you receive a state pension and are covered by your home country’s public health insurance, you will usually receive an S1 form for care at your place of residence; in Portugal that is the SNS. Many retirees add private health insurance for shorter waits. We check which plan is still available at your age.
Where is your office and which languages do you speak?
Our office is at Av. Duarte Pacheco 13 R/C, 8135-104 Almancil, in the municipality of Loulé. We advise in English, German and Portuguese, by phone on +351 289 392 452, by email at [email protected] or at the office by appointment.
How much does health insurance in the Algarve cost?
The premium depends mainly on your age, the level of cover (network, reimbursement or international) and the excess, plus optional sections such as dental or childbirth. There is therefore no single price that applies to everyone. How premiums change with age is explained in our guide Health insurance in Portugal over 60 and 70. We prepare a free comparison quote for you.
Health insurance in the Algarve: request your free quote
Advice in English · independent comparison of several insurers · reply usually within 24 hours (working days)