Medical Plans for Portuguese Expats Living Abroad
There are more than 2.3 million Portuguese living abroad, which accounts for approximately 20% of the country’s population. According to data gathered in the most recent report from the Emigration Observatory, Portugal has the second-highest emigration population in the EU, behind Malta.
Portuguese emigrate mostly within Europe, to France, Spain, and the UK. Portuguese citizens are accustomed to a good quality healthcare system at home and use private healthcare only to supplement certain areas, such as dental or vision care.
As a result, expats from Portugal living abroad may find it confusing when they move to another country with a different healthcare system. Understanding and using private expatriate healthcare for the first time abroad can also seem complicated to anyone.
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Health Insurance for Portuguese Living in the European Union
Portuguese expatriates relocating to another European Union country can utilize their EHIC card. The European Health Insurance Card is free, and Portuguese expats must apply for it in Portugal before leaving the country.
It allows Portuguese expats to access public healthcare services on the same terms and at the same costs as local citizens of the country they’re visiting. However, there are downsides to using EHIC: first of all, public healthcare services differ from country to country.
While Portuguese citizens back home can enjoy free or heavily subsidized access to healthcare services, some European countries’ national healthcare systems have different coverage.
Also, EHIC is only available for emergency and medically necessary treatments, not for routine medical check-ups. While residing in another EU country, it is still essential to have medical coverage for any non-emergency medical care.
Will Your Portuguese Health Insurance Cover You Outside of the European Union
If you reside outside of Portugal for less than 183 days in a calendar year, you are considered no longer a permanent resident of Portugal, and you will stop being covered under Portugal’s social security system.
As a result, you will not be entitled to free or subsidized healthcare services, medicine purchases, or any other services under the Portuguese healthcare system.
Moreover, in addition to EHIC card coverage within the European Union, you will not be covered abroad for medical expenses, except for a few reciprocal healthcare agreements that Portugal has in place with certain countries.
Therefore, it is wise to purchase an international health insurance policy to cover the costs of healthcare abroad, which may be extremely high.
Reciprocal Healthcare Arrangement With the UK
Since the UK’s exit from the European Union, British citizens residing in Portugal and Portuguese citizens living in the UK can use their respective country’s emergency medical services, based on the EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) and the GHI (Global Health Insurance Card).
The coverage includes chronic or pre-existing illnesses and routine maternity care, as well as emergency care.
Reciprocal Healthcare Arrangement With Non-EU Member Countries
There are bilateral agreements between Portugal and non-EU member countries, subject to reciprocity, that allow for equal treatment of nationals in situations of stay or residence in these countries, covering illnesses and medically necessary treatments.
The countries with bilateral healthcare agreements with Portugal are as follows: Andorra, Brazil, Cape Verde, Morocco, and Tunisia. These bilateral agreements cover workers, pensioners, and their families.
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Buying Private Global Insurance While Living Abroad
However, neither the EHIC nor the reciprocal healthcare agreements Portugal has are a substitute for travel health insurance or actual health insurance.
These agreements only cover medically necessary treatments and do not provide reimbursement for routine care.
All expats from Portugal living abroad should have international health insurance to protect themselves from the high medical costs they can encounter abroad.
While the Portuguese healthcare system is comprehensive, of good quality, and mainly free to its citizens, it is not always the case with healthcare systems in other countries.
For example, in Finland, although the healthcare system is considered universal, there are nominal fees for each doctor’s visit and medical procedure. In contrast, although healthcare coverage in Poland is extensive and free, it may take months to obtain a specialist appointment.
Things for Portuguese Citizens Living Abroad to Consider When Buying Health Insurance
Expats from Portugal, when purchasing private health insurance abroad for themselves, should opt for a plan that closely resembles the standards of receiving healthcare to which they are accustomed back at home.
Usually, global health insurance plans cover all the things that you are used to having covered under your Portuguese health insurance.
And, of course, having an international insurance plan means you can access healthcare in Portugal when you are back there for a visit or when you decide to go back.
Another tip for Portuguese expats abroad who are buying health insurance is to ensure their new policy provides access to English-speaking doctors.
English-speaking medical and administrative staff can typically be found in private healthcare facilities worldwide; therefore, global health insurance is often the preferred option for expatriates when residing abroad.
There is nothing more daunting than not being able to explain your symptoms to a doctor or not fully understanding your treatment.
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Best Health Insurance for Portuguese Citizens Living in the US
Expats from Portugal arriving in the U.S. should be aware that the cost of healthcare in the U.S. is one of the highest in the world.
While in Portugal, you may have been used to free or heavily subsidized healthcare, there is no such thing in the U.S., not even for U.S. citizens.
Even if for a short stay, everyone arriving in the U.S. is highly encouraged to purchase U.S. health insurance to protect themselves from high medical costs.
Expatriates living in the U.S. do not qualify for any of the federal health insurance programs, Medicaid or Medicare; therefore, the only route to covering your medical expenses is through a private health insurance plan. Learn more about typical U.S. healthcare costs here.
When choosing the best health insurance for Portuguese citizens in the U.S., what’s extremely important is the medical provider’s network of the plan or insurance company you are covered with.
In the U.S., you are often given a private health insurance card, which in certain places allows you to receive medical treatment without having to pay for it upfront and then request reimbursement from the insurance company. This is called direct billing.
More exhaustive network provider lists also mean that your benefit limits within this network of medical providers can be higher compared to those at medical facilities outside the list.
This, of course, depends on your plan’s terms and conditions, but it is something to be aware of when deciding on your U.S. health insurance plan.
Large U.S. health insurance companies, such as Cigna or BCBS Global, are known to have a vast network of healthcare providers in the U.S. and worldwide.
BCBS Global Solutions Worldwide Premier
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Government Recommendations for Portuguese Expats Abroad
Portugal’s government provides comprehensive online information about its embassies and consulates worldwide.
The Portuguese Communities Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers a comprehensive list of information on several countries.
Among the information available, there is information about the entry and stay regime in each country (the necessary visas and documents), transport, accommodation, and healthcare when traveling there.
It also offers advice on living abroad, working abroad, accessing information regarding taxation, driving license, studying, rights of Portuguese citizens, and what to do in case of an emergency abroad. The majority of the pages in the portal are in Portuguese.
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- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
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