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Private health insurance in Porto
For expats in Porto (Oporto): private health insurance alongside the national health service (SNS), with access to private hospitals, independently compared.
✅ For expats in Porto: advice from our office in Almancil
✅ 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 Porto
If you live in Porto, you can use the national health service (SNS). The city is served by two regional networks of hospitals and health centres, which also cover neighbouring municipalities: the Unidade Local de Saúde Santo António with Hospital de Santo António, and the Unidade Local de Saúde São João with Hospital de São João, which covers Bonfim, Paranhos and Campanhã. Vila Nova de Gaia and Matosinhos have their own networks, in Matosinhos with Hospital Pedro Hispano. Care is inexpensive but often slow: in the second half of 2024, the waiting time for 41 to 57 percent of first specialist appointments in hospital exceeded the applicable legal limit in the city’s two networks, according to the health regulator ERS. Many residents also have no GP: in April 2026, around 97,000 SNS users in the North region had no assigned family doctor.
Private hospitals are found in the city and the surrounding area, such as Hospital CUF Porto, Hospital Lusíadas Porto on Avenida da Boavista and Hospital CUF Trindade in the city centre, in Vila Nova de Gaia Hospital da Luz Arrábida and Trofa Saúde Gaia, and in Matosinhos Trofa Saúde Boa Nova. 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 Porto adds to it. For the neighbouring regions: Braga and Aveiro.
Health insurance in Porto: the cover you need
The basis is a private health insurance policy. For expats in Porto, 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 Porto 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 Porto cost?
It depends on age, excess and level of cover. We obtain comparison quotes.
New to Porto, retired, with family or often abroad
Among our clients in Porto we mainly see four situations, and each needs a slightly different plan:
New to Porto
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 Porto.
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 Porto
A guide to what the national health service provides in Porto and where private health insurance comes in:
| Care | What it looks like in Porto | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| GP | North region, April 2026: around 97,000 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 41 to 57 percent of first appointments in the city’s two networks. | 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 include Hospital de São João and Hospital de Santo António in Porto and Hospital Pedro Hispano in Matosinhos. If it is not life-threatening, call SNS 24 first: São João redirects patients with minor complaints who arrive without a referral. Private 24-hour care for adults: Hospital CUF Porto, Hospital Lusíadas Porto. | Emergencies in the plan, private care included. |
| Private hospitals | Including Hospital CUF Porto, Hospital Lusíadas Porto, Hospital CUF Trindade, in Gaia Hospital da Luz Arrábida and Trofa Saúde Gaia, in Matosinhos Trofa Saúde Boa Nova. | 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), SNS (networks and hospitals), 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
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Personal advice from our Almancil office
C1 Broker · Almancil office, Algarve
“We support expats in Porto 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 Porto
Do I need private health insurance in Porto?
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 Porto 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 Porto’s two city networks, the wait exceeded the applicable limit for 41 to 57 percent of first specialist appointments in the second half of 2024 (health regulator ERS).
Which private hospitals are there in Porto?
The large private hospitals include Hospital CUF Porto, Hospital Lusíadas Porto on Avenida da Boavista and Hospital CUF Trindade in the city centre, in Vila Nova de Gaia Hospital da Luz Arrábida and Trofa Saúde Gaia, and in Matosinhos Trofa Saúde Boa Nova. Hospital CUF Porto and Hospital Lusíadas Porto 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 Porto 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 Porto in English, German and Portuguese, by phone on +351 289 392 452 or by email at [email protected].
How much does health insurance in Porto 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 Porto: request your free quote
Advice in English · independent comparison of several insurers · reply usually within 24 hours (working days)