Social Security & Health Benefits in Portugal

             Social Security benefits only apply to Portuguese nationals, qualifying European Union nationals, and those legally resident in Portugal as well as their spouses and dependents. 

            Citizens of other countries should seek advice from their Embassy or Consulate regarding obtaining private insurance.

• Comprehensive information in English from the European Commission: Click here (PDF)

The social security system has three basic schemes:

1. A contributory scheme for employed individuals and their families (for sickness, birth/adoption, disability, retirement, unemployment, death, work-related accidents or illness)
2. A contributory scheme for self-employed individuals (for birth/adoption, disability, retirement, death; optional coverage for family as well as illness and work-related illness)
3. A non-contributory scheme for those who do not meet the minimum income requirements to belong to either of the first two schemes (for disability, retirement, death and family)

           All individuals registered for social security coverage are also covered for healthcare in Portugal. All healthcare benefits are administered by the Ministry of Health (Ministério de Saúde) 

          while social security benefits (pensions, disability, maternity/paternity benefit, etc.) are administered by the Social Security Institute (Instituto da Solidariedade e da Segurança Social).

• Ministério de Saúde (Ministry of Health) At: Alameda D. Afonso Henriques, 45, 1049-005 Lisbon Tel: 218 430 500 Fax: 218 430 530 Helpline 24/7: 808 242 424 e-mail
• Instituto da Solidariedade e da Segurança Social (Social Security Institute)
  At: Rua Rosa Araújo, nº 43, 1250-194 Lisbon
  Tel: 808 266 266 / 218 425 700
  Fax: 272 240 900 e-mail or email
• The Social Security website has information in English: Click here

           Contributions are made by both employer and employee. Employer contributions cover work-related accidents and occupational illness.

          The Portuguese government pays for healthcare coverage while the employee pays for other benefits including maternity, old-age pensions and disability.