Healthcare for Expats in Greece and Portugal: A Step-by-Step Guide

Healthcare in Portugal for Expats: Step-by-Step

Like Greece, Portugal offers a robust public-private healthcare mix. The SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) is the public foundation, while private insurance is widely utilized by both expats and locals who desire faster specialist access.

Administratively, Portugal often feels incredibly straightforward, once you know the correct order of operations. The biggest hurdle is simply doing things in the wrong sequence.
 

Step 1: Arrange Insurance for the Visa Stage
 

Before you arrive, confirm the insurance requirements for your specific visa. Long-stay visa applicants usually must present medical or travel insurance that covers emergency care and repatriation. Because rules vary by consulate and nationality, always double-check the current checklist.

Keep this private cover active after you arrive. It gives you the necessary breathing room while you deal with AIMA (the immigration agency), your tax number, and health center registrations. If you are a EU-Citizen omit this step.
 

For the broader move, our guide to relocating to Portugal for work can help you line up the job, visa, and settling-in stages before healthcare registration begins.
 

Step 2: Get Your NIF and Proof of Address
 

Your NIF is your Portuguese tax identification number. Without it, you cannot sign a lease, open a bank account, or start a job.

For healthcare registration, your proof of address is vital because your local Centro de Saúde (Health Center) is strictly tied to where you live. Keep your rental contract, utility bills, parish certificate (Junta de Freguesia), or an employer letter handy.
 

Step 3: Complete Residence and Work Registrations
 

If you are relocating for work, your employment status directly supports your healthcare registration. It connects you to Portuguese social security and solidifies your residence process. Employees need to keep copies of their work contract and social security registration, while self-employed individuals need their tax activity and social security documents.

When your tax, residence, and employment records align, registering for healthcare becomes a breeze. If you are still comparing locations or roles, reviewing current jobs in Portugal can also help you understand where opportunities are concentrated, especially in Lisbon, Porto, and remote-friendly positions. 

Step 4: Request Your Número de Utente
 

The Número de Utente is your unique SNS user number. According to Portugal’s official public services portal, foreign citizens are assigned this number the very first time they visit a public healthcare unit. Being assigned a number does not automatically guarantee the SNS will cover 100% of your healthcare costs immediately.

To request your number, visit your local Centro de Saúde with:
 

• Passport or National ID
• Residence permit, certificate, or proof that your residence process is underway
• Your NIF
• Proof of address
• Social security number (if you have one)
• Employment or self-employment evidence
   

Bring both printed and digital copies to save yourself a frustrating second trip.
 

Step 5: Register With your Centro de Saúde

Once you hold a Número de Utente, you register formally with your Centro de Saúde. This is your gateway to primary care, routine checkups, specialist referrals, and vaccinations. Be aware that you may not be assigned a dedicated "family doctor" right away due to waiting lists in certain regions. You can still use the SNS, but it might require a bit more patience when booking routine appointments.

As of June 1, 2022, Portugal abolished user fees for almost all SNS services, meaning your public care is largely free at the point of use, with a few exceptions for unreferred emergency room visits.
 

Step 6: Use Private Care for Speed
 

Just like in Greece, the hybrid approach is king in Portugal. Many expats rely on the SNS for standard care but utilize private insurance for:

• Bypassing specialist wait times
• Accessing English-speaking clinicians
• Utilizing premium private hospitals
• Dental, vision, and broader outpatient extras
• Flexible appointment scheduling around working hours
   

This setup is highly common and incredibly practical, especially in expat-heavy hubs like Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve.
Emergency Care and SNS 24 in Portugal
For life-threatening emergencies, dial 112. For urgent but non-life-threatening health guidance, dial SNS 24 at 808 24 24 24. Health professionals staff this line to assess your symptoms, triage your situation, and direct you to the appropriate level of care (whether that means visiting a hospital, going to a health center, or resting at home).
 

Emergency Care and SNS 24 in Portugal
 

For life-threatening emergencies, dial 112. For urgent but non-life-threatening health guidance, dial SNS 24 at 808 24 24 24. Health professionals staff this line to assess your symptoms, triage your situation, and direct you to the appropriate level of care (whether that means visiting a hospital, going to a health center, or resting at home).

Healthcare for expats in Greece and Portugal usually has two stages: what you need before you are fully registered as a resident, and what you can access once your paperwork is in place. In both countries, private insurance is often useful at the start, especially during the visa or relocation stage. Later, many foreign residents can access the public healthcare system if they meet the local registration and social security requirements.

The tricky part is that “public healthcare” does not mean you can land, walk into any clinic, and immediately be treated like a fully registered local resident. You usually need the right identification number, proof of residence, and, in many cases, a link to the social security system through work, self-employment, pension rights, or legal residence.

This guide walks through the practical steps for Greece and Portugal, with a focus on what expats need to do before and after arrival.
Quick Comparison: Healthcare in Greece vs. Portugal
Before we dive into the step-by-step processes, here is a high-level look at how the two systems compare.
 

Healthcare in Greece for Expats: Step by Step

Greece operates on a mixed public-private healthcare model. Public services are delivered through ESY hospitals, health centers, local health units, and rural surgeries. Behind the scenes, EOPYY handles much of the public funding and reimbursement structure, while also contracting with select private providers.

In the real world, expats almost always use a blend of both systems: they rely on public hospitals and prescriptions when eligible, but turn to private doctors when they need speed, English-language support, or a specific specialist.
 

Step 1: Arrange Insurance for the Visa and Arrival Stage

Before packing your bags, verify the specific insurance requirements for your visa or residency route. Non-EU nationals generally must show proof of adequate medical cover to pass immigration. Even EU citizens may need "bridge" coverage if they aren't yet linked to Greek social security or another EU entitlement route.

Keep your private insurance active for your first few months. Greek bureaucracy takes time, and you will likely need to wait for your residence documents, proof of address, tax registration, and employment contract before your public healthcare route opens up.

If you are still planning the move itself, this relocation checklist for moving to Greece for work is a useful next step before you start gathering healthcare paperwork. 
 

Step 2: Get Your AFM and Proof of Residence
 

Your AFM is your Greek tax number. While it isn't a healthcare number, it is the crucial first domino in the administrative chain. You need it for housing, jobs in Greece, and banking.

Alongside your AFM, start gathering documents that prove you actually live in Greece. This can be a rental agreement, proof of tax residence, an employment contract, or a hiring certificate. For third-country nationals trying to activate their AMKA, the Greek administrative process specifically requires proof of actual residence and work-related documents.

Step 3: Get or Activate Your AMKA

The AMKA is your golden ticket. It is the social security registry number used for employment, insurance, prescriptions, and accessing public healthcare. For many third-country nationals, this is an in-person process, though applications can sometimes be routed through e-EFKA or a local KEP (Citizen Service Center).

Always bring more documents than the minimum required. The exact requirements can vary depending on the clerk and your specific status. Generally, you should bring:

• Passport or National ID
• Residence permit or proof of legal stay
• Your AFM document
• Proof of an address in Greece
• Employment contract or evidence of self-employment
• Existing insurance or social security documents
• Translated marriage/birth certificates for dependants (if applicable)

Step 4: Confirm Your Public Healthcare Eligibility

Having an AMKA is a massive step, but you still need to know what it actually entitles you to. Your eligibility hinges on your status: employed, self-employed, an EU citizen using an S1 route, a dependant, or a pensioner.

For insured residents, EOPYY’s health benefits are delivered through primary care networks, ESY hospitals, and contracted private providers. Generally, there are no patient co-payments for the EOPYY benefits package at public facilities, though small co-pays may apply at contracted private clinics.

A note for EU citizens: The Greek National Contact Point states that if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or an S-form, you can access the public system on the same terms as locals. However, EHIC is meant for temporary stays and necessary care. It is not a substitute for proper registration if you are moving permanently.
 

Step 5: Use Public Care Where It Works Best
 

Once active, the Greek public system covers primary care, diagnostics, specialist outpatient care, medicines, hospital treatments, and maternity care.

The public system shines when it comes to hospital treatments, emergencies, chronic disease management, and affordable prescriptions. Where it struggles is speed. Waiting for a specialist can take time, and finding English-speaking staff is much easier in Athens, Thessaloniki, or private clinics than in rural towns or on the islands. If you are moving to a smaller island, research local clinic access before signing a long-term lease!
 

Step 6: Keep Private Care as a Supplement
 

Many expats in Greece choose to maintain private health insurance or simply pay out-of-pocket for routine private appointments. This isn't because the public system is broken; it’s because private care offers convenience. Expats use it for:
 

• Faster specialist appointments
• Guaranteed English-speaking doctors
• Direct access to modern private clinics
• Shorter waiting times for diagnostics
• Seeking a second opinion

Emergency Care in Greece

For medical emergencies, dial 112 (the general EU emergency number) or 166 (the direct line for the EKAV ambulance service). The 112 service is free, and operators can answer in Greek, English, and French to connect you with the appropriate emergency responders.

Moving abroad for work? That’s how you find accommodation while avoiding scams.

Healthcare Checklist Before You Move

Greece and Portugal have become global talent hubs. Here is a checklist for each country for things you need to prepare before and after arrival.
 

Greece Checklist

Final Thoughts

Securing healthcare as an expat in Greece or Portugal is highly manageable, provided you treat it as just one piece of the wider relocation puzzle. Your insurance, tax numbers, residence status, and employment registration all overlap. Start with your country-specific relocation steps first, and simply build your healthcare registration around it.

If Greece is your next move, here’s all you need to know before moving to Greece for work. If Portugal is the better fit, then here is all the info you need if you are moving to Portugal for work. Welcome to the Mediterranean! Welcome to the Mediterranean!
 

FAQ

Can expats use public healthcare in Greece?

Yes, many expats can use public healthcare in Greece once they are legally resident and properly registered through the relevant AMKA and insurance route. Greece’s public system includes ESY providers and EOPYY-contracted providers, with EOPYY covering the healthcare costs of most of the domestic population.

Can expats use public healthcare in Portugal?
 

Yes, foreign residents can usually access Portugal’s SNS after registering through the appropriate route and obtaining a Número de Utente. Foreign citizens may be assigned this number when they first go to a public health unit, although the number alone does not automatically guarantee cost coverage in every situation.

Do I need private health insurance before moving?
 

In many cases, yes. Private or travel medical cover is often needed for the visa and transition stage, and it is sensible until your public healthcare access is active. Many expats also keep private insurance after registration for faster appointments and specialist access.

Is Greece or Portugal better for healthcare access?
 

Portugal may feel easier administratively once you have your NIF, address, residence status, and Número de Utente. Greece can involve more friction around AMKA activation and social insurance status, especially for third-country nationals. In both countries, the bigger difference is often local: a capital city usually offers more choice than a rural area or island.

What number do I need for healthcare in Greece?
 

The key number is AMKA, the Greek social security registry number. It is used for employment, insurance, prescriptions, and access to many healthcare services. Third-country nationals may need to activate AMKA in person through e-EFKA or KEP, depending on their situation.

What number do I need for healthcare in Portugal?
 

The key number is the Número de Utente, the SNS user number. It is assigned to people who need healthcare in public SNS units, and foreign citizens can receive it when they first go to a public health unit such as a health centre or hospital.

Can I use EHIC or GHIC as a resident?
 

EHIC and similar visitor healthcare documents are mainly for temporary stays, not a replacement for resident registration. If you move permanently, you should follow the local registration route in Greece or Portugal rather than relying on visitor cover.

Should I keep private insurance after registering publicly?
 

Often, yes. Public healthcare can be affordable and comprehensive once you are registered, but private insurance can make everyday healthcare easier, especially if you want shorter waits, English-speaking doctors, private hospitals, or faster specialist appointments.