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Private health insurance in Cascais, Estoril and Sintra
For expats in Cascais, Estoril and Sintra: private health insurance alongside the national health service (SNS), with access to private hospitals.
✅ For expats in Cascais and Sintra: advice from our office in Almancil
✅ Independent broker: several insurers compared
✅ Advice in English: also in German and Portuguese
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We compare health insurance from these insurers
What is different about health insurance in Cascais and Sintra
If you live in Cascais, Estoril or Sintra, you can use the national health service (SNS). For the municipality of Cascais, which includes Estoril, the public hospital is Hospital de Cascais Dr. José de Almeida in Alcabideche. It is part of the SNS but run by a private partner. Sintra belongs to the Amadora/Sintra network (Unidade Local de Saúde), with Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando Fonseca and Hospital de Sintra in Algueirão-Mem Martins, which opened in 2025. For obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics, the town of Sintra and several neighbouring parishes, such as Colares and Algueirão-Mem Martins, fall under Hospital de Cascais, according to the health regulator ERS (as of 2024). Specialist care is often slow: in the second half of 2024, 38 percent of first specialist appointments at Hospital de Cascais and 58 percent in the Amadora/Sintra network took longer than the legal limit, according to the health regulator ERS.
Private hospitals and clinics in the area include Hospital CUF Cascais in Cobre and Hospital CUF Sintra. 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 is specific to Cascais, Estoril and Sintra. For the capital: Health insurance in Lisbon.
Health insurance in Cascais and Sintra: the cover you need
The basis is a private health insurance policy. For expats in Cascais, Estoril and Sintra, 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 hospitals in Cascais and Sintra 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 Cascais cost?
It depends on age, excess and level of cover. We obtain comparison quotes.
New to the coast, retired, with family or often abroad
Among expats in Cascais, Estoril and Sintra we mainly see four situations, and each needs a slightly different plan:
New to Cascais or Sintra
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: Home insurance in Cascais and Estoril.
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 Cascais and Sintra
A guide to what the national health service provides in Cascais, Estoril and Sintra and where private health insurance comes in:
| Care | What it looks like in Cascais and Sintra | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| GP | Your first point of contact is the health centre where you live. Not every user there has an assigned family doctor; Cascais has been expanding GP care since 2024. | 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 38.0 percent of first appointments at Hospital de Cascais and 57.7 percent in the Amadora/Sintra network. | 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. 24-hour emergency department at Hospital de Cascais in Alcabideche, the public hospital for Cascais and Estoril. For the basic emergency service at Hospital de Sintra (since July 2025), call SNS 24 first. Private walk-in care for adults and children: Hospital CUF Cascais and Hospital CUF Sintra, daily 8 am to 10 pm. | Emergencies in the plan, private care included. |
| Private hospitals | Including Hospital CUF Cascais (Cobre) and Hospital CUF Sintra. | 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), press reports on Cascais and Sintra (2024 and 2025), websites of Hospital de Cascais and the CUF hospital group. 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
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Personal advice from our Almancil office
C1 Broker · Almancil office, Algarve
“We support expats in Cascais, Estoril and Sintra 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
Health insurance over 60 and 70
Entry ages, waiting periods and plans for new clients in retirement.
Frequently asked questions about health insurance in Cascais, Estoril and Sintra
Do I need private health insurance in Cascais or Sintra?
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 Cascais, Estoril and Sintra 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 second half of 2024, the wait exceeded the applicable limit for 38.0 percent of first specialist appointments at Hospital de Cascais and 57.7 percent in the Amadora/Sintra network (health regulator ERS).
Which private hospitals and clinics are there in Cascais and Sintra?
Private hospitals in the area include Hospital CUF Cascais in Cobre and Hospital CUF Sintra. Both see adults and children without an appointment daily from 8 am to 10 pm. 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 Cascais 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 Algarve. We advise clients in Cascais, Estoril and Sintra in English, German and Portuguese, by phone on +351 289 392 452 or by email at [email protected].
How much does health insurance in Cascais 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 Cascais and Sintra: request your free quote
Advice in English · independent comparison of several insurers · reply usually within 24 hours (working days)