Health news in Portugal

Health Minister Ana Paula Martins rejected claims that a projected 2.68-billion-euro negative balance for the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) in 2027 constitutes an operational loss, calling it an estimate of funding needs. During parliamentary hearings on the 2027 State Budget (Orçamento do Estado), Martins pointed out that Portugal's foreign resident population grew to 1.6 million by 2025, adding service pressures to public hospitals. The remarks coincide with health data showing hospital surgeries fell by 4.2 percent in early 2026 despite increased state spending.

Health Minister Ana Paula Martins announced that the government will launch another cycle of public-private partnerships (parcerias público-privadas) across the healthcare sector. Speaking during parliamentary hearings on the 2027 State Budget (Orçamento do Estado), Martins said the administration plans to accelerate tender procedures as part of state reform. The minister also stated that new payment rates for locum doctors will be regulated by a forthcoming decree.

Portugal's National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM) will receive 313 million euros in funding in 2027, an increase of 117 million euros over the current year. Health Ministry budget documents indicate the additional revenue comes from insurance levies applied to health, life, personal accident, and motor vehicle policies in mainland Portugal.

Portuguese bank Millennium BCP reported a net profit of €873.7 million for the first nine months of the year, representing a 12.6 percent increase compared to the same period in 2025. Chief Executive Miguel Maya described the economic backdrop as challenging, but noted that domestic operations generated €727.9 million in earnings while non-performing loans in Poland declined. Customer loans across the group grew 7.8 percent to €66.2 billion.

The Portuguese Society for Obesity and Metabolic Surgery (Sociedade Portuguesa de Cirurgia da Obesidade e Doenças Metabólicas or SPCO) is contesting rules that exclude specialized bariatric surgeons from prescribing state-subsidised weight-loss medication. A ministerial order (portaria) published on 22 October created a special co-payment regime (regime especial de comparticipação) to make anti-obesity drugs more affordable. While welcoming the subsidy, the SPCO urged the government to expand prescribing rights to surgical specialists directly treating severe obesity.

Health authorities confirmed 19 cases of measles (sarampo) in Portugal this year, with nine detected in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley (Lisboa e Vale do Tejo) region since early October. The Directorate-General for Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) reported that three recent cases involved unvaccinated individuals who travelled abroad, leading to six secondary infections, including an infant. No patients are currently hospitalized, but six additional suspected cases remain under laboratory analysis.

The Directorate-General for Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) announced that the risk of Shamonda virus transmission to humans in Portugal is very low. The clarification follows the detection of the livestock pathogen on Portuguese farms and the confirmation of a rare human case in France. Health authorities confirmed that no human cases have been reported in Portugal and that monitoring of livestock herds remains in place.

A systematic review published in the journal Acta Médica Portuguesa found that burnout may affect up to 75 percent of resident doctors (médicos internos) in the country. The authors noted that chronic occupational stress compromises mental health, patient care standards, and clinical safety in public hospitals. The research urges health authorities to implement national psychological support programs and working-hour protections across medical residency programs.

The government will include non-urgent patient transport (transporte não urgente de doentes) operators in an emergency financial support package established under Decree-Law No. 199/2026. The aid aims to offset rising fuel and AdBlue exhaust fluid expenses for private ambulance firms providing patient transfers. The decision follows warnings from transport providers that they would suspend non-emergency runs and hold slow-drive demonstrations in Lisbon if they remained excluded from state fuel relief.

Nurses will begin monitoring low-risk pregnant women who do not have an assigned family doctor (médico de família), under a government order scheduled for publication in the official gazette (Diário da República). The dispatch defines specific competencies and responsibilities for nursing staff to manage routine prenatal appointments. The measure aims to maintain care standards across health centres facing persistent shortages of general practitioners.

The League of Portuguese Firefighters (Liga dos Bombeiros Portugueses or LBP) has called on the government to quickly establish a formal programme contract (contrato-programa) to finance volunteer firefighter associations. The organisation warned that the current funding model creates financial uncertainty for humanitarian associations managing local fire departments. Volunteer brigades carry out the vast majority of emergency and rescue operations in mainland Portugal.

The Order of Physicians (Ordem dos Médicos) and the Independent Doctors' Union (Sindicato Independente dos Médicos) have voiced opposition to a new Ministry of Health order requiring internal ward doctors to staff hospital emergency departments (urgências) during peak periods. Published in the official gazette (Diário da República), the directive aims to alleviate severe hospital overcrowding and staffing shortages. Medical representatives warned that pulling physicians away from inpatient wards threatens the care and safety of hospitalized patients.

Extreme heat caused more than 50,000 excess deaths across urban areas in 30 European countries during the summer of 2026, according to two studies published in the journal Nature Health. The research attributed two-thirds of the fatalities directly to climate change, concluding this summer was the continent's deadliest on record. In Portugal, researchers registered 474 heat-related deaths across 14 monitored cities between June and August.

Private patient transport companies will stage a slow-moving protest across Lisbon's 25 de Abril Bridge (Ponte 25 de Abril) on Monday, October 26, to protest operational conditions. The Portuguese Ambulance League announced that around 100 ambulances and service vehicles will cross the bridge before driving through central Lisbon. Commuters should prepare for major traffic disruptions during the morning rush hour on key routes linking Almada and Lisbon.

The Directorate-General for Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) confirmed five new cases of measles (sarampo) in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region since October 6. The newly identified infections bring the national total to 15 confirmed cases this year. Health officials reminded the public that measles is highly contagious through airborne transmission, urging residents to verify that their vaccinations are up to date.

The government will subsidize new weight-loss medications at 15%, but has restricted eligibility exclusively to prescriptions issued by National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) specialists. Under a newly published ministerial decree (portaria), only endocrinologists, internists, and pediatricians within the public healthcare network may prescribe the subsidized treatments, with coverage capped at one year. The measure excludes prescriptions written by doctors in the private sector.

More than 60 National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) ambulances are stuck in mechanical workshops without repair orders, according to the pre-hospital emergency technicians union (Sindicato dos Técnicos de Emergência Pré-Hospitalar or STEPH). STEPH warned that failing to repair these vehicles jeopardizes emergency healthcare operations. The union criticized suspected management plans to replace full ambulances with lighter passenger vehicles, stressing that a new ambulance costs upwards of €100,000.

More than 31,000 children in mainland Portugal received immunisations against Respiratory Syncytial Virus during the first month of the seasonal campaign, according to the Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS). The campaign runs through 31 March and targets around 84,000 eligible infants, including premature babies and children at high clinical risk. Health officials reported strong early uptake, aiming to prevent severe pediatric respiratory infections and ease seasonal pressure on hospitals.

Former Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho has urged a return to stricter abortion regulations introduced during his administration and repealed in 2015. Speaking at an event hosted by the Portuguese Federation for Life (Federação Portuguesa pela Vida), Passos Coelho defended bringing back user fees (taxas moderadoras) and mandatory counseling, pointing to a rise in procedures performed on foreign women in Portugal. His position diverges from current Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who has treated existing abortion rules as settled.

Together for the People (Juntos pelo Povo or JPP) Secretary-General Élvio Sousa denounced prolonged healthcare delays in Madeira, stating that patients have spent over five years waiting for consultations, diagnostic exams, and surgeries. Sousa criticised the regional government led by the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) and the CDS-People's Party (CDS – Partido Popular or CDS-PP) for failing to resolve the backlog. The opposition leader called the multi-year waits unacceptable and urged structural reforms in the regional public healthcare system.

Health authorities reported a sharp rise in primary care consultations and hospital emergency room visits for flu symptoms and respiratory infections over the past week. Data from the Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) also showed increased call volumes to the NHS 24 (SNS 24) telephone triage service. The uptick coincides with the rollout of Portugal's seasonal vaccination drive against influenza and COVID-19.

The Portuguese Nurses' Union Association (Associação Sindical Portuguesa dos Enfermeiros or ASPE) warned of persistent technical failures in Portugal's national vaccination platform. The union called on the Shared Services of the Ministry of Health (Serviços Partilhados do Ministério da Saúde or SPMS) to implement urgent fixes to resolve operational bottlenecks. Nurses noted that the technical issues are creating delays in administering and recording vaccines.

Update: Health Agency Acknowledges Constraints but Defends Vaccine Rollout

SPMS acknowledged technical constraints in the vaccination platform caused by heavy demand at the launch of the seasonal vaccination drive for flu and COVID-19. The agency stated that the glitches never put the national vaccination program at risk, following complaints raised by ASPE.

Parliament approved two bills introduced by the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), CDS-PP, and Chega requiring non-resident foreigners to pay for healthcare in Portugal. The measures target non-EU citizens who do not reside in the country, seeking to curb health tourism by mandating full reimbursement for medical treatments. Complementary resolutions backed by the Socialist Party (Partido Socialista or PS) and Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) also supported charging non-residents for non-urgent care.

The Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) warned of poor air quality across mainland Portugal on Friday and Saturday due to an incoming warm air mass carrying dust from North Africa. Health authorities advised vulnerable populations, including children and people with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor physical exertion. Inhaled particulate matter is expected to affect visibility and increase pollution levels nationwide throughout the weekend.

The Portuguese League Against Cancer (Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro or LPCC) renewed its appeal for the government to provide 100% wage compensation for oncology patients on sick leave (baixa médica). The charity reported spending nearly €3 million on social assistance for struggling households in 2025, noting that cancer patients currently lose up to 44% of their net pay during their first month away from work. Extending full sick leave compensation to all cancer patients would cost the state an estimated €14 million annually.

Parliament debated legislative proposals from the Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD), CDS – People's Party (CDS – Partido Popular or CDS-PP), and Chega to restrict access to the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) for non-resident foreigners. The bills would require non-resident foreign citizens to pay user fees (taxas moderadoras) for public medical care. Opposition lawmakers criticized the measures during parliamentary debate, arguing that the right-wing parties are blaming foreigners for operational pressures across public hospitals.

Satisfaction among coordinators of Family Health Units (Unidades de Saúde Familiar or USF) regarding primary care reform fell to 26% this year, down from 31.9% in the previous period. A study by the National Association of Family Health Units (Associação Nacional das Unidades de Saúde Familiar or USF-AN) revealed that 85% of health centers are still waiting to receive outstanding financial incentives from the state. Clinic leaders also warned of chronic IT software crashes, equipment shortages, and excessive workloads across local practices.

The Assembly of the Republic (Assembleia da República) debated legislative proposals to regulate non-resident access to the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). Lawmakers considered introducing mandatory private health insurance requirements to prevent foreign visitors from misusing Portuguese medical facilities at public expense. The initiative follows findings that over 20% of the 19 million patient records in the national healthcare database lack full identification information.

The Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos) proposed a comprehensive national study coordinated by the Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) to evaluate healthcare and long-term clinical outcomes for youth undergoing gender transition. Association head Carlos Cortes defended the need for solid clinical data and individualized assessments during a parliamentary hearing discussing legislative proposals from the PSD, Chega, and CDS. The proposals under parliamentary review address requirements for medical evaluations during transition procedures.

Leaders of the Directorate-General of Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) and the National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge (Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge or INSA) sent internal messages urging staff to remain calm during an upcoming merger. The reorganization forms part of the government's healthcare overhaul to establish a unified public health agency. Health sector workers expressed concern over how the restructuring might affect daily operations.

The government's proposed 2027 State Budget (Orçamento do Estado) includes the first spending reduction in the health sector since 2011, leaving limited room for public investment. Although the sector receives over €17 billion, hospital administrators and medical associations warned that the plan slows the recovery of the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). The draft sets targets for 3,000 additional continuous care beds and faster emergency medical response times.

Workplace stress, anxiety, and burnout cost Portuguese businesses up to €13.3 billion annually in lost productivity, according to the Order of Portuguese Psychologists (Ordem dos Psicólogos Portugueses). Lost work time attributed to mental health conditions has quadrupled since 2020, with employees losing an average of 40 days of productivity each year through absenteeism and reduced efficiency. The professional body reported that small and medium-sized enterprises absorb most of the financial impact, while targeted workplace prevention could save employers nearly €4 billion each year.

The São José Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde de São José) in Lisbon hired 137 nurses between July and early October to reinforce hospital frontline care. The newly recruited nursing staff were deployed to high-pressure departments, including intensive care units, surgical operating rooms, and emergency services. Hospital officials said the additions help address critical staffing needs across the public medical facility.

Patients admitted with urgent yellow triage wristbands (pulseira amarela) faced emergency room wait times of up to 14 hours at Amadora-Sintra Hospital due to medical staffing shortages. More than 60 urgent patients were waiting for doctor consultations on Wednesday afternoon, far exceeding the recommended one-hour target. The delays also stranded volunteer firefighters (bombeiros voluntários), leaving ambulances held outside the facility for hours while waiting to transfer incoming patients.

Mainland Portugal recorded its warmest September since 1931, driven by two successive late-summer heatwaves, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera or IPMA). Average maximum temperatures reached 31.03 degrees Celsius, exceeding seasonal norms by 4.21 degrees. The weather agency also reported below-normal rainfall across most of the mainland throughout the month.

The National Authority of Medicines and Health Products (Autoridade Nacional do Medicamento e Produtos de Saúde or Infarmed) banned the export of 52 medicines to safeguard supplies in Portuguese pharmacies. The restriction covers pain relievers, antibiotics, antidepressants, and treatments prescribed for cancer care. The measure took effect immediately to ensure domestic access amid international supply chain pressures.

Portugal has been named the fourth best destination for retirees in the 2026 Annual Global Retirement Index by International Living. The country ranks behind Greece, Panama, and Costa Rica, making it the second highest-rated European destination in the report, which is primarily aimed at North American expatriates.

Gulf Med Aviation Services, the company responsible for medical emergency air transport, has warned that rising fuel prices threaten the sustainability of its operations. The company is requesting inclusion in government public support schemes, noting that aviation fuel costs have risen by approximately 80% since July 2025.

The anti-fraud commission for the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) has referred several public procurement cases to the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Court of Auditors. The commission reported critical weaknesses in existing safeguards, while the General Inspectorate of Health Activities (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS) noted that only three of 224 investigated workplace harassment cases were confirmed over the last decade.

The Family Health Units (Unidades de Saúde Familiar or USF) association reports that it remains possible to provide a family doctor for every patient in the SNS by 2029. While approximately 680 family doctors are expected to retire by that year, over 1,400 specialists are currently in training. The association has called for increased efforts in hiring and retaining these professionals to meet the target.

The seasonal vaccination campaign for autumn-winter 2026-2027 against the flu and Covid-19 officially begins today. The National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) has acquired 2.7 million vaccine doses to support the effort.

The Directorate-General for Health (Direção-Geral da Saúde or DGS) reported that 44.2% of pregnancy terminations in 2025 involved foreign nationals. While the total number of procedures remained stable at approximately 18,869, the DGS highlighted the need for better support to address linguistic and cultural barriers in accessing healthcare.

The Lisbon Alcoholism Unit (Unidade de Alcoologia de Lisboa or UAL) has reopened its inpatient service at the Health Park after being closed since the start of the pandemic in 2020. The facility now provides 16 beds for treatment programs lasting between 10 and 21 days.

The Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata or PSD) and the CDS – People's Party (CDS – Partido Popular or CDS-PP) have resubmitted a bill to restrict non-resident foreigners' access to the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). The proposal, which previously lapsed due to the dissolution of parliament, aims to limit care for those without residency status.

President of the Republic António José Seguro has reiterated his availability to mediate a long-term national health pact to stabilize the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). Speaking at the Cascais International Health Forum, he criticized the current level of political noise and emphasized the need to retain medical professionals.

Four elderly residents have died following a respiratory disease outbreak at a nursing home in Veiros, Estremoz. While 25 of the 28 residents showed symptoms consistent with Influenza A, the virus has been confirmed in only one of the deceased. The Public Prosecutor's Office has opened an inquiry into the deaths, and health authorities have implemented isolation and sanitation protocols.

The Portuguese Private Hospitalization Association (Associação Portuguesa de Hospitalização Privada or APHP) has warned that private hospitals may terminate agreements with the health subsystem for civil servants, known as ADSE, for the treatment of cancer patients. The move comes in response to planned reductions in reimbursements for oncology services scheduled to take effect in October.

New data indicates that over 60% of Portugal's 1,525 registered orthopaedists currently practice outside the National Health Service (SNS). The shortage is particularly acute in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, though the government has pledged to address the issue by consolidating emergency services.

Portugal has lost approximately 750 continuing care beds since 2021, with 260 closures occurring in 2026 alone. Healthcare institutions report being financially overwhelmed, raising concerns that the capacity for patient recovery support may continue to decline through the end of the year.