What Are the Medical Facilities Like in Portugal?
Portugal has a modern healthcare system with well-equipped hospitals in major cities. Private clinics offer high-quality care with shorter wait times, and many doctors speak English, particularly in Lisbon, Porto, and tourist areas.
Public hospitals provide emergency care to all visitors, though wait times can be long for non-urgent matters. Private hospitals like CUF and Lusíadas offer excellent care and are preferred by many expatriates and travelers willing to pay out of pocket or with insurance.
Pharmacies (farmácias) are plentiful and pharmacists can advise on minor ailments and sell many medications that require prescriptions elsewhere. Look for the green cross sign. Most pharmacies close by 7 PM, but each neighborhood has a rotating duty pharmacy open 24 hours.
Travel insurance with medical coverage is strongly recommended. While EU citizens can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for public healthcare, American visitors should have comprehensive travel insurance that includes medical evacuation if needed.
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