Healthcare in Portugal Quiz: SNS, Número de Utente and Costs

7 questions ~3 min Last reviewed

Once you are a legal resident, Portugal's national health service (SNS) is open to you, and most of it is free. Test what you know about registering and using it.

  1. 1. Can foreign nationals with a Portuguese residence permit use the national health service (SNS)?

    Legal residents, including foreign nationals holding a residence permit, can register with the SNS and receive a número de utente.

    Source: SNS registration and número de utente 2026 (GrowIN Portugal)

  2. 2. Where do you register for the SNS?

    You register at the centro de saúde covering your area of residence. If you do not know which one, the SNS 24 line can tell you.

    Source: SNS registration and número de utente 2026 (GrowIN Portugal)

  3. 3. Which documents does a foreign resident need to register with the SNS?

    You need your residence permit and your NIF. A social security number (NISS) is not required to register with the SNS.

    Source: SNS registration and número de utente 2026 (GrowIN Portugal)

  4. 4. How much does it cost to get a número de utente and register at a health centre?

    Requesting a número de utente and registering at your centro de saúde costs nothing.

    Source: SNS registration and número de utente 2026 (GrowIN Portugal)

  5. 5. Do you pay user fees (taxas moderadoras) for a health-centre consultation?

    Decreto-Lei 37/2022 abolished user fees for almost all SNS services from 1 June 2022, so primary care is free. A fee still applies to hospital emergency visits not referred through the SNS.

    Source: SNS registration and número de utente 2026 (GrowIN Portugal)

  6. 6. What is the number of the free SNS 24 health line?

    SNS 24 can be reached free on 808 24 24 24 for health advice, triage and help finding your health centre. In an emergency, call 112.

    Source: SNS registration and número de utente 2026 (GrowIN Portugal)

  7. 7. Someone in Portugal for under 90 days without residence needs care. What can they get?

    People in Portugal for under 90 days without residence can obtain a provisional number through SNS 24, while a full número de utente is for legal residents.

    Source: SNS registration and número de utente 2026 (GrowIN Portugal)

This quiz is general information based on Portuguese rules in force on the review date above, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds change every January with the minimum wage, and laws change often. Confirm your case with a lawyer before applying.