Vickie R. Says:
My husband and I are seriously considering a relocation to Portugal, and the information we are getting here is wonderful!
I would like to bring my sister with us if possible. My sister has serious health issues: back disc surgery, diabetes, heart, arthritis, and seizures. In your opinion, can the healthcare profession in Portugal handle her? Possibly in a location such as Coimbra?
IL Contributor Tricia Pimental Writes:
Portugal has some of the finest doctors and medical training available anywhere. Teaching facilities include the School of Health Services at the University of Minho in the north, the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Coimbra— renowned for its expansive research fields and Ph.D. programs—and the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the New University of Lisbon in the south.
Many if not most doctors who graduate from these fine universities do studies and residencies in the U.K. and other European countries. Additionally, many of their upper-level courses use English-language texts and are taught in English. This results in most medical professionals having some level of fluency in English.
In big cities and tourist areas, including Coimbra, you are likely to find as good or better medical treatment as you have experienced in your home country.
There are many private clinics and hospitals throughout Portugal, and the number is growing daily. You will find health services readily available in all but the smallest towns. Even then, since Portugal is not a large country, the nearest big town is never very far away.
Most middle- and upper-class Portuguese citizens have private insurance, allowing on-demand access to a comprehensive network of private hospitals at minimal cost (in addition to public ones, of course).
A high-end policy for two people can cost in the region of €300 ($340) per month and covers 90% of the cost if the doctor is in network and 80% when out. It would then typically cost around €12.50 ($14) to see an English-speaking doctor of your choice.
In the Rolodex of our Escape to Portugal guidebook, you will find contact information for several of the private health networks and insurers in Portugal.
A word about pre-existing conditions: Private insurers in Portugal generally will cover these conditions as long as you can prove continuing coverage. In other words, if the plan you are currently on covers your sister’s condition, then you need to stay insured with that policy until the Portugal policy is in effect in order for the new policy to cover the pre-existing conditions.
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