Private Healthcare System in Portugal

In addition to the National Healthcare System:
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=902977
you also have the option of the Private Healthcare System (PHS).

Each Insurance Company provides its Health Insurance solutions by targeting market segments and insurance coverages: Individual, Family, Dental, Senior,... and establishes agreements with the existing PHS networks in Portugal. A wide range of facilities such as 24/7 medical assistance, online appointments with doctors, access to specialists and exams, annual health checkups, access to second medical opinion, price reduction (for consultations, exams, treatments, operations and hospitalisation), ... are considered in most of the available health insurances.

For each one, you can carry out a cost simulation based on your age & medical requirements.

Sales channels, Trading partners / "Agentes comerciais"
Banking system is a widely common channel for the insurances distribution, and Health Insurances in particular. You also have the option of commercial insurance agents spread throughout the country.

Agreements / "Acordos", "Convenções"
Each PHS Network in Portugal provides agreements and partnerships with private hospitals, medical clinics and doctors all over the country.

Each PHS network covers all medical specialties and most of municipalities/"concelhos" in mainland Portugal, but also in the Azores and Madeira islands. This means you'll have access to high-quality healthcare services in most cities. Even if you've settled in a tiny village in the portuguese countryside, a larger network can mean a shorter drive to your doctor's office or private hospital/clinic.

In Portugal, the main Private Healthcare System - PHS networks are:
(Sorted by portuguese market share, 2020)
   1st    Multicare (Fidelidade)
   2nd   Médis (Ageas Group)
   3rd    Advance Care (Tranquilidade/Generali Group)
   4th    Future Healthcare
   5th    Allianz Care

Here it is a brief summary of each PHS network.
______

Private Healthcare Network: Multicare Fidelidade
https://www.multicare.pt/PT/particulare … fault.aspx

Medical Network Providers:
https://www.multicare.pt/PT/particulare … dores.aspx

Sales channels/Trading partners:
Fidelidade Insurance Company
CGD (Caixa Geral de Depósitos) Bank, BancoCTT Bank, EuroBIC Bank, ...

https://www.fidelidade.pt/PT/particular … saude.aspx

https://www.cgd.pt/Particulares/Seguros … icare.aspx

https://www.bancoctt.pt/os-seus-seguros … aude-.html

https://www.eurobic.pt/seguros/seguros- … re-eurobic


Multicare is part of the Fidelidade Insurance Company.
CGD, BancoCTT and EuroBIC sell Multicare Insurances.

______


Private Healthcare Network: Médis
https://www.medis.pt/seguros-de-saude/

Medical Network Providers:
+ 13.000 Doctors, +90 Hospitals, 8000 Examination & Treatment Centers/Dental Clínics
https://www.medis.pt/vantagens/rede-medis/

Sales channels/Trading partners:
Millenium BCP Bank, Bankinter Bank
Insurance Companies: Ageas, Ocidental, Liberty, Zurich, Mapfre, Credito Agrícola

https://ind.millenniumbcp.pt/pt/Particu … medis.aspx

https://www.ageas.pt/particulares/produtos/saude

https://www.libertyseguros.pt/Produto/L … de/prod-39

https://www.zurich.com.pt/pt-pt/particu … aude/saude

https://www.mapfre.pt/seguros-pt/particulares/saude/

https://www.creditoagricola.pt/para-mim … r/ca-saude

https://www.ocidental.pt/seguros/partic … oas/medis/

https://www.bankinter.pt/seguros/seguro … o-de-saude


Médis is part of the Ageas Insurances Portugal.
MilleniumBCP and Bankinter sells Médis Insurances.

______


Private Healthcare Network: AdvanceCare
https://www.advancecare.pt/

Medical Network Providers:
+16.000 Health providers
https://www.advancecare.pt/para-si/rede-medica

Sales channels/Trading partners:
NovoBanco Bank, Montepio Bank
Insurance Companies: Tranquilidade, Generali, GNB, MGEN, NSeguros, Lusitânia, Una, Logo, RealVida, ...

https://www.tranquilidade.pt/particular … individual

https://www.novobanco.pt/site/cms.aspx? … egurosaude

https://www.bancomontepio.pt/particular … ecao/saude

https://www.lusitania.pt/simuladores/seguro-saude

http://www.unaseguros.pt/particulares/seguro-de-saude/

http://www.mgen.pt/

http://www.nseguros.pt/seguro-saude

https://www.realvidaseguros.pt/seguros- … -simulador


Novobanco sells GNB Seguros Insurances.
Montepio sells Lusitânia Seguros Insurances.

______


Private Healthcare Network: Future Healthcare
https://www.future-healthcare.pt/en/

Medical Network Providers:
+34.000 Doctors, +82 Hospitals, +1272 Examination & Treatment Centers/Dental Clínics
https://www.future-healthcare.pt/en/med … twork.html

Sales channels/Trading partners:
Santander Bank, Abanca Bank
Insurance Companies: Victoria/SMA Group, SaudePrime, SafeCare

https://www.santander.pt/seguros/seguro … care-saude

http://www.saudeprime.pt/

https://www.victoria-seguros.pt/wps/por … /universal

https://www.abanca.pt/pt/seguros/seguro-saude/


Saude Prime is part of Future Healthcare PHS Network for selling health insurance and health plans.

Santander sells SafeCare Health Insurances.
Abanca sells Victoria Seguros Health Insurances.

______


Private Healthcare Network: Allianz Care
https://www.allianz.pt/seguro-saude.html

Medical Network Providers:
https://www.allianz.pt/servicos/ajuda/s … saude.html

Sales channels/Trading partners:
Allianz Insurance Company, BPI Bank, ...

https://www.bancobpi.pt/particulares/se … guro-saude

https://www.allianz.pt/seguros/saude.html


BPI sells Allianz Health Insurances.

Allianz PT is parte of Allianz Worldwide Care.
Allianz Worldwide Care (AWC) offers international health and life insurance for expatriates.

https://www.allianzcare.com/pt.html#

______


Other Worldwide Health Options for expats in Portugal:

Bupa International Healthcare
https://www.bupaglobal.com/en/private-h … surance/pt

Cigna International Healthcare
https://www.cignaglobal.com/

(...)

________________

Additional Info:

https://www.internationalinsurance.com/ … rtugal.php

https://beportugal.com/health-insurance-in-portugal/

(...)


______


Some expats' points of view:


Allianz vs Médis Health Insurance

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=1026878

Private Health Groups in Portugal

(Only groups with Private Hospitals Management are mentioned here)

All these private hospitals are part of the medical care providers networks in most of the private health systems mentioned above. As such, Health Insurance contributes a significant part of the patient's costs in these institutions.


CUF - Private Hospitals and Clinics
https://www.cuf.pt/en/

Units: 10 Hospitals & 8 Clinics
https://www.cuf.pt/en/hospitais-e-clinicas

Aveiro; São João da Madeira ; Clínica CUF São João Madeira
Coimbra; Coimbra ; Hospital CUF Coimbra
Lisboa; Carcavelos ; Clínica CUF Nova SBE
Lisboa; Cascais - S.D.Rana ; Clínica CUF S.Domingos Rana
Lisboa; Cascais ; Hospital CUF Cascais
Lisboa; Lisboa - Alvalade ; Clínica CUF Alvalade
Lisboa; Lisboa - Belém ; Clínica CUF Belém
Lisboa; Lisboa - Expo ; Hospital CUF Descobertas
Lisboa; Lisboa - Alcântara ; Hospital CUF Tejo
Lisboa; Mafra ; Clínica CUF Mafra
Lisboa; Oeiras - Miraflores ; Clínica CUF Miraflores
Lisboa; Sintra ; Hospital CUF Sintra
Lisboa; Torres Vedras ; Hospital CUF Torres Vedras
Porto; Matosinhos; Instituto CUF - Hospital CUF Sra Hora
Porto; Porto ; Hospital CUF Porto
Santarém; Santarém ; Hospital CUF Santarém
Setúbal; Almada ; Clínica CUF Almada
Viseu; Viseu ; Hospital CUF Viseu

_______________________________________________


LUZ SAÚDE - Private Hospitals and Clinics
https://www.luzsaude.pt/en/

Units: 12 Hospitals & 14 Clinics
https://www.luzsaude.pt/en/luz-saude-units

Aveiro; Águeda ; Hospital da Luz Clínica de Águeda
Aveiro; Aveiro ; Hospital da Luz Aveiro
Aveiro; Oliveira do Bairro ; Hospital da Luz Clínica de Oiã
Braga; Guimarães ; Hospital da Luz - Guimarães
Coimbra; Cantanhede ; Hospital da Luz Clínica de Cantanhede
Coimbra; Coimbra ; Hospital da Luz Clínica de Coimbra
Coimbra; Figueira da Foz ; Hospital da Luz Clínica Figueira Foz
Évora; Évora ; Hospital Misericórdia de Évora (PPP)
Leiria; Pombal ; Hospital da Luz Clínica de Pombal
Lisboa; Amadora ; Hospital da Luz Clínica da Amadora
Lisboa; Lisboa - Benfica ; Hospital da Luz Benfica
Lisboa; Lisboa Centro ; Hospital da Luz Torres de Lisboa
Lisboa; Loures / Bobadela ; Hospital da Luz Residencial Mar
Lisboa; Loures ; Hospital Beatriz Angelo (PPP)
Lisboa; Odivelas ; Hospital da Luz Clínica Odivelas
Lisboa; Oeiras ; Hospital da Luz Clínica Lagoas Park
Lisboa; Oeiras ; Hospital da Luz Oeiras
Madeira; Funchal ; Hospital da Luz Funchal
Madeira; Santa Cruz ; Hospital da Luz Clínica do Caniço
Porto; Amarante ; Hospital da Luz Clínica de Amarante
Porto; Porto - Boavista ; Hospital da Luz Clínica do Porto
Porto; Póvoa de Varzim ; Hospor - Hospital da Luz Póvoa Varzim
Porto; Vila Nova de Gaia ; Hospital da Luz Arrábida - Gaia
Setúbal; Setúbal ; Hospital da Luz Setúbal
Viana do Castelo; Vila Nova Cerveira ; Hospital Luz Clínica Cerveira
Vila Real; Vila Real ; Hospital da Luz Vila Real

(PPP=Public hospital with private management)

_______________________________________________


LUSIADAS - Private Hospitals and Clinics
https://www.lusiadas.pt/en/

Units: 5 Hospitals & 7 Clinics
https://www.lusiadas.pt/hospitais-clinicas

Braga; Braga ; Hospital Lusíadas Braga
Faro; Albufeira ; Hospital Lusíadas Albufeira
Faro; Faro ; Clínica Lusíadas Faro
Faro; Faro ; Clínica Lusíadas Forum Algarve
Lisboa; Amadora / Reboleira ; CLISA - Clínica de Stº António
Lisboa; Cascais ; Hospital Lusíadas Cascais (PPP)
Lisboa; Lisboa - Expo ; Clínica Lusíadas Parque Nações
Lisboa; Lisboa ; Hospital Lusíadas Lisboa
Lisboa; Sacavém ; Clínica Lusíadas Sacavém
Porto; Porto ; Hospital Lusíadas Porto
Porto; Vila Nova de Gaia ; Clínica Lusíadas Gaia
Setúbal; Almada ; Clínica Lusíadas Almada, Forum Almada

_______________________________________________


TROFA SAÚDE - Private Hospitals and Clinics
https://www.trofasaude.pt/

Units: 16 Hospitals
https://www.trofasaude.pt/unidades/

Aveiro; São João Madeira ; Hospital Privado S.J.Mad
Braga; Barcelos ; Hospital Privado Barcelos
Braga; Braga Centro ; Hospital Privado Braga Centro
Braga; Braga Norte ; Hospital Privado Braga Norte
Braga; Braga Sul ; Hospital Privado Braga Sul
Braga; Guimarães ; Hospital Privado Guimarães
Lisboa; Amadora ; Hospital Privado Amadora
Lisboa; Loures ; Hospital Privado Loures
Porto; Famalicão ; Hospital Privado Famalicão
Porto; Maia ; Hospital Privado Maia
Porto; Matosinhos ; Hospital Privado Boa Nova
Porto; Trofa ; Hospital Privado Trofa
Porto; Valongo ; Hospital Privado Alfena
Porto; Vila do Conde ; Hospital Privado Sr.Bonfim
Porto; Vila Nova de Gaia ; Hospital Privado Gaia
Vila Real; Vila Real ; Hospital Privado Vila Real

_______________________________________________


Grupo HPA - Private Hospitals and Clinics
https://www.grupohpa.com/en/

Units: 4 Hospitals & 13 Clinics

Beja ; Odemira ; Clínica Particular de Odemira
Beja ; São Teotónio ; Clínica Particular S.Teotónio
Beja ; V.Nova Milfontes; Clínica Particular V.Nova Milfontes
Faro; Albufeira - Guia ; Clínica Particular do Algarve Guia
Faro; Albufeira ; International Health Centres
Faro; Faro - Gambelas ; Hospital Particular do Algarve
Faro; Lagos ; Hospital São Gonçalo
Faro; Loulé ; Clínica Particular do Algarve Loulé
Faro; Loulé - Quarteira ; Clínica Particular Vilamoura
Faro; Monchique ; Clínica Medchique
Faro; Portimão - Alvor ; Hospital Particular do Algarve
Faro; Portimão ; Hospital São Camilo
Faro; São Brás Alportel ; Clínica Particular Siipemor
Faro; Vila Real Sto António ; Centro Médico Internacional
Madeira; Funchal ; Clinica Madeira Medical Center
Madeira; Funchal ; Hospital Particular da Madeira
Setúbal; Sines ; CLÍDIS - Clínica de Diagnósticos de Sines

_______________________________________________


JCS - Joaquim Chaves Saúde  - Private Hospital and Clinics
(Medical, Radiation Oncology and Labs/Clinical Analysis Laboratory)

https://www.jcs.pt/en/

Units: 1 Hospital & 12 Clinics
https://www.jcs.pt/en/unidades_de_saude

Açores; Ilha de São Miguel - Ponta Delgada ; Clínica Radioncologia
Faro; Faro ; Clínica Radioncologia do Algarve
Faro; Faro ; Clinica JCS Faro
Lisboa; Carnaxide ; Centro Oncológico Dra.Natália Chaves
Lisboa; Carcavelos ; Hospital - Clinica Europa
Lisboa; Cascais ; Clinica JCS Cascais
Lisboa; Moscavide ; Clinica JCS Moscavide
Lisboa; Lisboa Centro ; Clinica JCS Entrecampos
Lisboa; Oeiras - Miraflores ; Clinica JCS Miraflores
Lisboa; Sintra ; Clinica JCS Sintra
Madeira; Funchal ; Clínica Radioncologia da Madeira
Porto; Porto ; Clínica Radioncologia do Porto
Santarém; Santarém ; Clínica Radioncologia de Santarém

________________________________________________________________________


Champalimaud - Research & Treatment Centres
(Medical, Radiation Oncology and Labs/Clinical Analysis Laboratory)
Oncology Hospital: Opening: Oct.2021

www.fchampalimaud.org/pt-pt/centro-clinico-champalimaud

Lisboa: Algés; Champalimaud Medical Centre
Lisboa: Algés; Botton-Champalimaud Pancreatic Centre

________________________________________________________________________


Other Private Hospitals:

Açores; Ilha de São Miguel-Lagoa; Hospital Internacional dos Açores
https://www.hospitalinternacionaldosacores.com/

Braga; Paredes ; Hospital da Misericórdia de Paredes
https://hpp.pt/

Bragança; Bragança ; Hospital Privado de Bragança
https://hpbraganca.pt/

Bragança; Mirandela ; Hospital Terra Quente
https://htq.pt/

Coimbra; Coimbra ; Casa de Saúde de Santa Filomena
https://www.sanfil.pt/

Coimbra; Coimbra ; Centro Cirúrgico de Coimbra
https://ccci.pt/

Faro; Loulé ; Hospital de Loulé
http://www.hospitaldeloule.com/en/

Leiria; Alcobaça ; Centro Hospitalar de São Francisco
https://www.sanfil.pt/

Lisboa; Lisboa Centro ; Hospital da Ordem Terceira - Chiado
https://www.hotc.pt/

Lisboa; Lisboa Centro ; Hospital de Jesus
https://www.hospitaldejesus.pt/

Lisboa; Lisboa Centro ; Hospital de St. Louis
https://hslouis.pt/

Lisboa; Torres Vedras ; Hospital Soerad
http://www.soerad.com/

Porto; Porto ; Casa de Saúde da Boavista
https://www.csaudeboavista.com/

Porto; Porto ; Fundação Santa Maria - Hospital de Santa Maria
http://www.hsmporto.pt/

Porto; Porto ; Hospital da Irmandade do Terço
https://www.hospitaldoterco.pt/

Porto; Porto ; Hospital da Lapa
http://www.hospitaldalapa.pt/

Porto; Porto ; Hospital da Ordem da Trindade
http://www.hospitaltrindade.pt/pt-pt

Porto; Porto ; Hospital de São Francisco do Porto
http://hospitalsaofrancisco.pt/

Setúbal; Almada ; Hospital Particular de Almada
http://hpa.pt/

Setúbal; Azeitão ; Hospital Nossa Senhora da Arrábida
http://www.senhoradaarrabida.pt/

Viana do Castelo; Viana do Castelo ; Hospital Particular V.Castelo
https://www.hospitaldeviana.com/

Vila Real; Chaves ; Hospital Privado de Chaves
https://hpchaves.pt/

(...)

If you do not have health insurance, the prices for medical appointments, admissions, exams and emergencies are posted on the websites, and may vary between hospitals/clinics within the same private group.

You should look for the price list for private Individuals / "Preçário para Particulares".

Eg:
https://www.hospitaldaluz.pt/pt/hospita … -e-faturashttps://www.cuf.pt/clientes-e-acompanha … carios-cuf

If one buys a non-worldwide private insurance (e.g. from Medis) and one needs medical attention in another EU country (e.g. Spain, France), will the person be covered?

Hi,
You can find that from each of the Private Healthcare System websites.
Some (or all) of them have healthcare providers in Spain.

I guess there is no Comarethemarket, moneysupermarket, gocompare etc in Portugal so the only option is to ring round and take the hassle of ongoing emails and telephone calls from each one as a result?

We got ours through the bank so yes maybe see what your bank offers you or go searching

Priority groups in covid19 vaccination:

https://www.sns.gov.pt/vacinacaocovid19 … oritarios/

If you belong to a priority group in covid19 vaccination and:

- you have a family doctor at the National Health System (SNS) who already knows your medical history, you will be flagged for priority vaccination and later be contacted by the SNS;

- you have no family doctor at the SNS, but you have a health insurance in the private health system, you should contact your private doctor who knows your medical history, or your insurance company, so that they can contact the SNS so that you can be flagged and then be contacted by the SNS for priority vaccination.

Dear Johnny PT
I'm shopping around for health cover but due to my age 76yrs I'm not having much luck. I have one "Cigna" who gave me a quote of 383Eurose a month. Do you have any suggestions? Many thanks

Hola, te agradezco mucho por toda la información que me has enviado, esta muy buena, me esta ayudando bastante, para escoger el seguro medico mío y de mi familia. Saludos.

Hi learning4all
We used to have our health insurance through the bank but this year we changed it to a company called MGEN which offers a far better cover for both of us that the bank didn't, my partner is 66yrs & his cover was so small like 2000€ for hospital needs that it was a joke. MGEN's cover is much greater & you are covered for life which is what we were looking for. Good luck in your search.

dennislg wrote:

If one buys a non-worldwide private insurance (e.g. from Medis) and one needs medical attention in another EU country (e.g. Spain, France), will the person be covered?


If you are a permanent resident in Portugal then you should normally have the blue European Health Insurance Card, which should cover emergencies (only). If you are travelling a lot, one might want to have a travel insurance that also covers  (amongst many other things) a flight back to your country of residence (emergencies only). You can get the latter as a one off insurance or as an annual one.

Jean Denise wrote:

Hi learning4all
We used to have our health insurance through the bank but this year we changed it to a company called MGEN which offers a far better cover for both of us that the bank didn't, my partner is 66yrs & his cover was so small like 2000€ for hospital needs that it was a joke. MGEN's cover is much greater & you are covered for life which is what we were looking for. Good luck in your search.


Jean Denise has made a good suggestion.

MGEN is probably the only insurance company in the portuguese market that does not exclude anyone, regardless of age or current health conditions or health background. MGEN works with AdvanceCare Network in Portugal.

The most of other insurance companies, at the end of each annuity, they may refuse to renew the client's policy. If the customer is already ill, with ongoing treatments or with undesirable age and/or adverse medical background, it is very likely that the insurance policy will not be renewed.


DECO (consumer protection association in Portugal) has a protocol with MGEN. You can find out more here:

https://www.deco.proteste.pt/saude/segu … -de-doenca

With this protocol, when you subscribe the policy, you will know the expected lifetime insurance cost. 

You can do a quote here:

[link moderated]

Thanks JohnnyPT
I researched for a better care cover after my partner took ill & we went to the international clinic for help (it was the weekend) anyway we paid for the treatment that he needed put the paperwork into the bank & waited then got told we were not covered this also happened with the dentist, so me not happy decided that was that researched & MGEN covered us even though my partner does have some medical issues they said not a problem & covered both of us till either we die & or I cancel

Link above:

DECO and MGEN insurance partnership
(Quote whether or not you are a DECO member)

https://www.mgen.pt/index.php/portfolio-items/deco/

Johnny

Are you able to offer an opinion on the following :  HOW important would it be for someone who has moved to Portugal , to even  get private health care, as opposed to that provided by the  SNS  Servi,co Nacional de Sau'de ?

IS the SNS  so bad that  private care becomes highly desirable ?

To answer your question you would have to say if you have done your 5yr residency at the SEF yet if not then you need to have private health care which i believe is part of what the SEF asks you also having private health care gives you the option if you have to have an operation weather to go via SNS or private.

Are you sure?...  for d7 visa?  this you must have insurance for one year, but once you have received full resident visa (2 year) under current Portuguese law anyone with a resident visa, can apply for and will receive full access to the Portuguese government health care system. You can always keep your private as well.

I don't know for the D7 visa just from our experience also apart from the food in the hospitals my husband had to have an emergency operation he was whisked up to Lisboa from faro he had the op doing ok now but that was on the SNS & he said they were good, we didn't have time to even think about him going private, I didn't even have time think it all happened so quickly.
When we came here we were told we had to have private health insurance as part of going through the residency process with SEF.

almirantereis wrote:

Johnny

Are you able to offer an opinion on the following :  HOW important would it be for someone who has moved to Portugal , to even  get private health care, as opposed to that provided by the  SNS  Servi,co Nacional de Sau'de ?

IS the SNS  so bad that  private care becomes highly desirable ?


I can speak about my experience with the Portuguese NHS. I have been hospitalised twice in different public hospitals, and I was treated very well, both by doctors and by nurses. I don't have private health insurance. Whenever I need to, I have my NHS family doctor, and when I need a specialist doctor, I go to the private system, paying in full for the medical appointment.

The problem with the NHS in Portugal has to do with waiting times for specialist appointments and non-urgent surgery in hospitals. It is not to do with human resources or medical facilities, which are generally good.

In the local health centres, it's easy to get a non-urgent appointment, to obtain medication and some exams. For specialty issues, I go to a private doctor.

The idea that expats have that english is spoken only in the private system is not true. English is understood both in the NHS and in the private system.

jlujan63 wrote:

Are you sure?...  for d7 visa?  this you must have insurance for one year, but once you have received full resident visa (2 year) under current Portuguese law anyone with a resident visa, can apply for and will receive full access to the Portuguese government health care system. You can always keep your private as well.


What you are saying here is right.

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 42#5168245
(post #9)

@JohnnyPT  Thank you, Excellent information, that will work for us old-timers ! This is such a great country.

@JohnnyPT : I have the same good experience as you refer here.

Insurance for dental care (Seguro dentário / Saúde dental):


You can get quotes (simulações) on these sites:


Ageas

https://www.ageas.pt/particulares/produ … is-dental/


Tranquilidade

https://www.tranquilidade.pt/particular … e-dentaria


Multicare / Fidelidade

https://www.multicare.pt/PT/particulare … ental.aspx


Medis / Millenium BCP

https://www.medis.pt/lp/dental-desde-9-30-mes/


Allianz / BancoBPI

https://www.allianz.pt/seguro-dental.html


Zurich / BancoCTT

https://www.zurich.com.pt/pt-pt/particu … sorridente


(...)


________


Insurance comparison:

https://www.comparaja.pt/seguros-de-sau … o-dentario

@JohnnyPT


Do you know which private healthcare plans are best and most affordable for seniors? I am 69 yrs old.


Tx.

Susan

Hi Susan,


At your age, you can still choose health insurance. You have to do simulations on the websites. From 75 years old, it is much more complicated, I think only MGEN accepts to make policies.

@JohnnyPT my husband is 69 and im 64. We have Allianz through AFPOP and we are very happy with it. We have had it since 2019

@JohnnyPT


Hello Johnny and all,


thank you and our members  for all the valuable info about the private health insurance plans available in Portugal.

My question is: Is it worth it subscribing to an interim international health care plan such as Allianz Care after our move to Portugal until we can sign up for a plan such as MGEN?

i can hold onto my Securite Sociale coverage in France for about a month after our move, but it's questionable if a return to France right after moving to go to a doctor is rational.

I want to avoid being without coverage even for a week.

Do any of you know: what is the waiting period before a plan is in effect after signing and do you have to be in possession of a residency permit (I'm EU so no need for visa) in order to contract a private plan in Portugal? (I would suppose the answer is yes, but I don't mind asking stupid questions in this case only :))

thank you so much in advance for your replies!

Hi bettinakozlowski,


The waiting period ("período de carência" in portuguese)  is the period of time between taking out a policy and being able to make use of its services. Usually this waiting period does not apply to accidents but only to illnesses and is stipulated by each insurer and is, as a general rule, 90 days for illnesses.


https://www.montepio.org/ei/pessoal/sau … -de-idade/

Thank you, Johnny! This means I need a interim “international insurance”- ugh :)

I am so happy to have read all the good posts here which have led me to a company (hopefully) that allows normal pre existing conditions.

EDP Health Plan


EDP is the main energy provider in Portugal.

This EDP health plan is managed by Future Healthcare, one of the PHS networks, already mentioned above in post #1 in this thread.


When you sign up for a health plan, you have access to discounts on access to healthcare in a network of Portuguese healthcare providers. Health insurance, although it also allows you to pay less for medical appointments, exams, treatment or surgery, has other characteristics and its own legal framework.


________


EDP Health Plan:


- The EDP health plan is a Health Plan and not Health Insurance


- It implies a 12 month subscription contract.



FAQs

https://www.edp.pt/particulares/apoio-c … faq-13234/



Differences between a health plan and health insurance:

https://www.doutorfinancas.pt/seguros/s … -de-saude/

I would be interested to find out whether there is an information source that can tell me how medically successful a specific clinic/hospital or hospital group is with respect to specific services/interventions they offer.


For example, if you needed a knee reconstruction then which hospital has the highest success rate and the lowest complication rate. In some other EU countries the health insurances or government bodies have this information and make it available.