Foz de Arelho, Portugal

Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Portugal?

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When we asked expats in Portugal if healthcare and health insurance are expensive in Portugal, they wrote...

"Healthcare in Portugal is generally considered to be of good quality and is relatively affordable. Public healthcare is free for Portuguese citizens and those with a valid residence permit, while private healthcare is available for those who can afford it. Health insurance is also available in Portugal, but it is not mandatory. Premiums for health insurance can be expensive, but there are also government subsidies available to help offset the cost," explained one expat living in Portugal.

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"The cost of public medical care in Portugal is affordable once you're on the National Health System. I have not yet used the private services, so I can't compare their costs, but everyone I know who uses them (especially Americans) says the cost is relatively low. In Portugal there are small co-pays, which are cheaper than in the States (when I lived there), but I've never had to pay a co-pay in Canada (and I've lived in 5 provinces)," said another expat in Porto, Portugal.

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About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is one of the founders of InternationalTravel.ai and the Founder and President of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange and InternationalTravel.ai, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

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With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip.
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With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip.
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