Mobilidade de Doentes

27 EU countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland

                        LAWS:

1. CITIZENS WITH HEALTH INSURANCE

1.1 NON RESIDENTS

DIRECTIVE 2004/38/EC – ARTICLE Nº6

Citizens from the European Union, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland have residence right in another Member State territory up till three months without any restrictions.

WHAT IS THE EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD – EHIC?

A free card that gives you access to state-provided healthcare, when necessary, during a temporary stay in any of the 27 EU countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

USE YOUR EHIC  

European Union citizens must have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in case of illness during their stay in Portugal.

HOW DOES THE EHIC WORK?

• When you present your EHIC, you will receive treatment under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country.

• The EHIC is NOT an alternative to the travel insurance. It does not cover any private healthcare or other costs such as a return flight to your home country or lost/stolen property.
• The EHIC does NOT cover your costs if you are travelling for the express purpose of obtaining medical treatment.

PLEASE PAY ATTENTION

• The EHIC can be used to access medical treatment but it has NOTHING to do with repatriation. The card will NOT help transport you back home free of charge if you fall seriously ill or suffer a serious accident. For that situation, you will need a separate insurance.

HOW CAN I OBTAIN A CARD?

• You can obtain the EHIC by contacting your local health authority. Every country is responsible for producing and distributing the card in its own territory.
• To be eligible for an EHIC from the UK, you must be a UK resident.

IN CASE OF CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITION

• You are entitled to necessary treatment during your temporary stay in another Member State taking into account your medical condition if you suffer from asthma, diabetes or cancer.
• You should organise your stay in advance to make sure that you have access to the equipment or treatment you require. You can do this by contacting the local medical specialist unit in the country you are going to visit before you leave home.

NECESSARY DOCUMENTS – E-FORM

• If moving to another EU country you will need a “portable document” (E-form) that can be issued by your social security institution upon your request. It is recommended to request the document before leaving. The social security institution in the new host country can also obtain the necessary data directly from the institution in your home country.
• The “portable document” (E-form) from your health insurance institution certifies that the cost of the treatment you might need abroad will be covered. It should contain your personal health data, the coverage time span and the name of establishment providing the treatment.

1. CITIZENS WITH HEALTH INSURANCE

1.2 RESIDENTS

The residence right for Union citizens and their family members for periods longer than three months should be subject to conditions.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS – PENSIONIST

• If you are insured in another country than in the one where you reside, you should register at the local healthcare institution in your residence area. You need an S1 form in order for the Portuguese Social Security Services to recognize your situation and to receive a Social Security Number (NISS).

Required documents:

• Personal Identification Document
• Security Social Number – NISS
• Financial Services Number – NIF
• Registration Certificate

2) CITIZENS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE

     2.1 NON-ACTIVE CITIZEN

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS – Non Active Citizen

• Personal Identification Document
• Registration Certificate(you can get this in your municipality)

 2.2 EXCEPTIONS

ACCESS CONDITIONS TO THE NHS IN PORTUGAL (NON-PAID HEALTH CARE ACTS)

• In case of Transmissible diseases (Disease Declaration obligation of tuberculosis, HIV/aids, Sexual Transmitted Diseases)
• Maternal care, children’s’ health and family planning (all situations are covered as the public health includes prevention on a primary, secondary and tertiary level)
• Vaccination (all vaccines that are included in the National Vaccination Plan are freely distributed)

Download information here (pdf):

Manual de Acesso aos Cuidados de Saúde por Cidadãos Estrangeiros – ARS Algarve 2019 

Manual de Acolhimento no Acesso ao Sistema Nacional de Saúde de Cidadãos Estrangeiros 

Powerpoint presentation: Access to the National Health System in Portugal

Flyer: Access to the National Health System in Portugal with EHIC (European Health Insurance Card)

Flyer: Access to Health Care By Foreign Citizens (ERS)

USEFUL INFORMATION:

EUROPEAN SITE: http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=559&langId=en

CONTACTS:

e-mail: gabcidadao@arsalgarve.min-saude.pt

Telephone Number: 00351 289 88 99 00