Not always, but often at the start. EU citizens who move to Portugal without working there must hold health insurance to register as residents, and visa applicants need travel medical cover. Once you are actively registered with the public health service (SNS), it covers care in Portugal, so many residents keep international cover as a top-up.
It depends on
Economically inactive EU citizens must show sufficient resources and health insurance, while EU citizens working or self-employed in Portugal register on the basis of that activity.
Active registration, which requires a tax number (NIF) and a residence document, means the SNS bears the cost of care; before that, you may be asked to pay.
Public cover applies in Portugal, so private hospitals, treatment in Germany or elsewhere, and repatriation need separate insurance.
Who needs it
International health insurance matters most for three groups. People moving from Germany without a Portuguese job, such as early retirees or those living on savings, usually need private cover to meet the health insurance condition for the EU registration certificate, unless they are entitled to an S1 form, for example as a pensioner. Non-EU nationals, including non-EU family members, applying for a D7 or D8 visa must show travel insurance with medical and repatriation cover. And people who travel often, spend part of the year in Germany or want access to private hospitals frequently keep an international policy after joining the SNS. Employees of Portuguese companies are normally covered through Portuguese social security and the SNS.
How it works
- 1
Check your residence route
EU citizens staying longer than three months request a registration certificate (CRUE) from the municipal council (Câmara Municipal); non-EU nationals apply for a visa at a Portuguese consulate first.
within 30 days after the first three months - 2
Arrange cover that meets the condition
Inactive EU citizens need health insurance alongside sufficient resources. D7 and D8 applicants need travel insurance covering necessary medical expenses, urgent care and possible repatriation.
- 3
Get a NIF and register with the SNS
With a tax number and a residence document you can obtain active SNS registration and a user number (número de utente); some Espaços Cidadão process NIF, social security and SNS numbers in one request.
- 4
Decide whether to keep international cover
Compare what the SNS offers with your needs for private hospitals, treatment outside Portugal and repatriation, and check waiting periods and pre-existing condition terms before switching policies.
- 5
Avoid a gap when leaving Germany
Before your deregistration (Abmeldung), confirm with your German health insurer when cover ends and whether you are entitled to an S1 form.
What it costs
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| SNS care with active registration | Tax number (NIF) plus a residence document6 | Costs are borne by the SNS; with transitional or inactive registration you may pay yourself. |
| D7 reference income (first adult) | €920 per month48 | Insurance premiums come on top of the income consulates expect. |
| International health insurance premium | [amount] | Depends on age, deductible, area of cover and medical history; compare several written quotes. |
Key facts
| Fact | Value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU citizens: deadline to request the registration certificate (CRUE) | Within 30 days after the first three months of stay | 123 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| EU citizens without work or study in Portugal: health insurance | Required, together with sufficient resources | 12 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| D7/D8 visa applications: insurance requirement | Travel insurance covering necessary medical expenses, urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation | 45 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| SNS: requirement for active registration (número de utente) | Tax number (NIF) plus a residence document | 6 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) after moving to Portugal | Temporary stays only; not a substitute for cover after a move | 7 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| D7 visa: minimum passive income (first adult) | €920 per month | 48 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| D8 visa: minimum average income from remote work | €3,680 per month | 58 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| Minimum monthly wage (RMMG) 2026 | €920 per month | 8 | checked 15 October 2026 |
| Single request for NIF, NISS and SNS user number | Available at selected Espaços Cidadão | 9 | checked 15 October 2026 |
Common mistakes
- Relying on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) after moving, although it only covers temporary stays.
- Assuming the travel policy bought for a visa application is adequate long-term cover once you live in Portugal.
- Letting German cover end at deregistration before Portuguese cover or an S1 form is confirmed.
- Expecting SNS access from the day of arrival instead of first completing active registration with a NIF and residence document.
FAQ
Can I keep using my EHIC once I live in Portugal?
No. The European Health Insurance Card is designed for medically necessary state treatment during temporary stays. Once Portugal becomes your habitual residence, you need cover through Portuguese social security, an S1 form issued by your previous country if you are entitled to one, or private insurance. The card also excludes private treatment and return transport home.
Does the SNS cover foreign residents?
Yes. Legally resident foreigners can use the SNS on the same terms as other users. In practice you need active registration in the national user register, which requires a tax number (NIF) and a residence document such as the EU registration certificate or a residence permit. Until then, you may be asked to pay for non-urgent care yourself.
What insurance do D7 and D8 visa applicants need?
Consular checklists ask for travel insurance covering necessary medical expenses, including urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation. Income must also meet thresholds tied to the minimum wage: €920 per month for the D7 and €3,680 per month for the D8 in 2026. Requirements can vary slightly between consulates, so use the checklist of the post where you apply.
Is international cover worth keeping once I have SNS access?
That depends on your situation. The SNS covers care in Portugal, but people who travel frequently, spend part of the year in Germany, want access to private hospitals or need repatriation cover often keep an international policy. If you have pre-existing conditions, check how a new policy would treat them before cancelling existing cover. An independent insurance adviser can compare options.
Sources
- Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (AIMA), Lei n.º 37/2006, de 9 de agosto (consolidated text) (opens in a new tab)Law · checked 15 October 2026
- Câmara Municipal do Porto, Certificado de registo de cidadão da União Europeia – suporte informativo (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira – Portal das Finanças, Questões frequentes: atribuição de NIF a cidadão estrangeiro (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- VFS Global for the Consulate General of Portugal (London), D7 residence visa for retirement, religious purposes or living from individual revenues – checklist (opens in a new tab)Official guidance · checked 15 October 2026
- VFS Global for the Consulates of Portugal (USA), Residency visa for remote work (digital nomads) – checklist (opens in a new tab)Official guidance · checked 15 October 2026
- Entidade Reguladora da Saúde (ERS), Acesso de imigrantes à prestação de cuidados de saúde no SNS (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- European Commission, European Health Insurance Card (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- Direção-Geral do Emprego e das Relações de Trabalho (DGERT), Retribuição mínima mensal garantida para 2026 (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
- Governo de Portugal, Cidadãos estrangeiros em situação regular já podem obter os principais números de identificação num único pedido (opens in a new tab)Authority · checked 15 October 2026
About the author
[Author name]
[Role]
[Short bio.]
[Personal experience abroad.]
About the reviewer
[Reviewer name, qualification]
Specialist reviewer
[Short bio.]
[Professional background.]