Almost seven in 10 Portuguese people are worried about the state of the National Health Service (SNS), with over a third admitting the need to take out private health insurance, according to a study released today. The survey, conducted by the Behavioral Insights Unit (BIU) of the Catholic University of Portugal, found that 69.7% of the 575 respondents are very concerned about the SNS. The findings highlight a widespread sense of insecurity regarding the public health system's responsiveness, leading 35.5% of respondents to consider private health insurance as a necessary complement. While 57.8% believe they can access care when needed, only 5.9% express full confidence in the system. The study also notes that the trend of 'double coverage'—having both public and private health access—has grown significantly in Portugal, reaching 35.4% in 2023, which is three times the European average.