An audit by the Health Regulatory Authority (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS) reveals that the Algarve Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde do Algarve or ULS Algarve) has over 1.2 million euros in unpaid medical bills from non-resident foreigners. The report identifies patients from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, and Brazil as the primary users of these services.
Algarve health unit reports unpaid bills from foreign patients
Wednesday, 29 July 2026AI summary
Context & Explainers
IGAS is the Inspectorate-General for Health Activities (Inspeção-Geral das Atividades em Saúde or IGAS), the government body that inspects and audits public and private health services, investigates complaints and can recommend sanctions or changes. After reported failures in emergency care, IGAS can open inquiries, publish findings and advise the Ministry or the SNS on corrective measures; residents and patients can also file complaints that IGAS may investigate.
The Algarve Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde do Algarve) is the public organisation that manages hospitals, primary care centres and emergency services across the Algarve region. Expats living in the Algarve rely on it for emergency care, specialist appointments and local public-health information, and should register with a family doctor in its network to access most services.
