To register with the SNS and obtain a User Number, you must go to the health unit (USF/UCSP) of your area of residence (preferably in the parish where you live). This registration is free.

According to the rules defined by  Despacho n.º 40/2025, of January 2, 2025, citizens with foreign nationality must keep their data updated in the National Register of Users (RNU) to be enrolled in primary health care (CSP) and benefit from financial coverage by the National Health Service (SNS). The required data are:

• Name

• Gender

• Date of birth

• Country of nationality

• Country of birth

• District, municipality, and parish when the place of birth is Portuguese

• Type of identification document

• Tax Identification Number (NIF)

• National residence address

• Valid residence permit document

If you present all the updated data/documents above, you will have access to:

• Registration (“inscrição”) at a local health unit (USF/UCSP);

• Co-participation of the health services costs (price reduction, paying only a fee (“taxa moderadora”) similar to national citizens):

  • When purchasing medication prescribed by a doctor; 

  • In appointments carried out in SNS institutions or private institutions affiliated with the SNS;

  • In complementary diagnostic exams carried out in SNS institutions or institutions affiliated with the SNS;

• Exemption from paying fees if you present criteria to be exempt (you can check these criteria here).

Users with incomplete records (missing or outdated mandatory data) lose their registration for primary healthcare. This means they are no longer linked to a health center. In these cases, the “third‑party payer” regime applies: the SNS stops covering healthcare costs, which become the user's responsibility — unless they:

• • hold a document proving a bilateral agreement between Portugal and their country of origin (learn about the agreements here);

  • have refugee status;

  • are covered by valid health insurance (in which case they will be reimbursed).

If they don't have a residence permit, the SNS will only cover financial costs for urgent and vital care, as provided by law (see here which services are included). In these cases, a certificate from the parish council proving residence in Portugal for over 90 days is required (Art.º 34.º, do Decreto-Lei n.º 135/99, de 22 de Abril). 

Learn more about your rights here.

Primary Health Care

Primary health care is provided in Local Health Units (“Unidades Locais de Saúde” - USF) and Personalized Healthcare Units (“Unidades de Cuidados de Saúde Personalizados” - UCSP), both known as “centros de saúde”. Here there are general practitioners (that might also be family doctors - “médico de família”), nursing staff, psychology, nutrition, oral health and social support. These Units provide several types of services: health surveillance, disease prevention, vaccinations, pregnancy surveillance, child and school health, treatments and homecare.

You must seek these services at the USF or UCSP where you are registered (or the one located in the area where you live). See the list of ULS São José's health units here.

Hospital Care

In SNS hospitals you can find specialist medical and nursing appointments (which you can access after a referral from your family doctor), inpatient care, and emergency services for urgent or emergent health situations. If you are in one of these situations, you must call 808 24 24 24 (SNS Linha 24) or 112 (in more serious situations) before going to the Hospital.