Government: Healthcare news in Portugal

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

A strike organized by three unions under the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (Confederação Geral dos Trabalhadores Portugueses or CGTP) caused significant disruptions to schools and health services across the country. While unions claim participation rates between 60% and 90%, the government reported that only 12% of public sector workers joined the walkout. The protest comes as unions demand salary increases ahead of the 2027 State Budget presentation.

Health Minister Ana Paula Martins met with the Association of Service Provider Doctors (Associação de Médicos Prestadores de Serviços or AMPS) to discuss the integration of non-specialist doctors into the SNS. While the government promised to publish an ordinance this month defining new fees, no agreement on specific hourly rates was reached during the three-hour meeting.

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 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.

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.

Approximately 300 patients remain in psychiatric hospitals awaiting specialized placements, challenging the deinstitutionalization goals of Portugal's mental health reform. National mental health coordinator Miguel Xavier noted that current capacity is insufficient, while international experts from the World Health Organization are currently in the country to evaluate the reform's progress.

The Ministry of Health is establishing a working group to improve the billing and collection of costs for medical care provided by the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) to non-resident foreigners. Officials noted that millions of euros in medical expenses remain unpaid, particularly in the Algarve region, where the volume of visitors is high.

Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins announced that the government will concentrate emergency services for orthopaedics and traumatology, prioritizing the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region. This reorganization aims to combine medical teams to improve efficiency, with the project expected to develop over the next few months. The ministry also confirmed that a separate initiative for low-risk pregnancy monitoring by specialist nurses will proceed as planned.

Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins announced that a national reorganisation of the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) emergency departments is underway. While the full implementation process is expected to take one year, the government plans to present the first results and solutions for the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region by the end of November. These measures will include new legislation regarding the use of temporary contract doctors.

New pharmaceutical treatments for Alzheimer's disease have become available in Portugal, carrying a cost of approximately 20,000 euros per patient. Medical professionals and advocates are calling for these drugs to be subsidized by the state to ensure accessibility for those in need.

The Central Administration of the Health System (Administração Central do Sistema de Saúde or ACSS) announced that the new online model for selecting medical residency vacancies ensures greater transparency. The system, which replaces in-person selection, was developed with input from medical representatives to improve the process for candidates.

President of the Republic António José Seguro has reiterated his call for a national health pact, emphasizing that improving the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) is a collective duty. During a ceremony at the Champalimaud Foundation, he and Prime Minister Luís Montenegro highlighted the importance of ensuring healthcare access as a fundamental right for all citizens.

Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins stated that the National Health Service (SNS) requires more than just additional resources, emphasizing the need for better organization and increased productivity. Her comments follow criticism from the Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos), which urged the government to move beyond rhetoric and implement concrete measures to strengthen primary care.

A record 847 retired doctors are currently working within the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS), an increase of 90 compared to last year. More than half of these professionals are family doctors, helping to fill staffing gaps in highly underserviced areas. Despite this, critics argue that the government has abandoned its goal of providing a family doctor to every citizen.

Projections for the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) indicate that family doctor coverage will remain at 85.37% through 2028. The report also highlights persistent underfunding and ongoing challenges with wait times for consultations and surgeries.

Update: Medical Association criticizes health framework

The Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos) has criticized the 2026-2028 Global Reference Framework, arguing that the 85% coverage target lacks the ambition needed to ensure quality patient care. The association warned that the plan risks creating a weakened, minimalist health service.

The Medical Association (Ordem dos Médicos or OM) has warned of a structural deficit of over 600 anaesthesiologists within the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). The organization is calling for a national strategy to attract and retain specialists to prevent further service disruptions in public hospitals.

Health Minister Ana Paula Martins announced that Portugal's Local Health Units (Unidades Locais de Saúde or ULS) face a shortage of approximately 850 to 870 nurses. The minister also warned that emergency departments in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region, particularly at Amadora-Sintra Hospital, will face significant pressure in the coming weeks.

Minister of Economy and Territorial Cohesion Manuel Castro Almeida announced that two billion euros in projects originally excluded from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) will now be funded by the State Budget. The minister assured the public that this shift will not result in any tax increases.

Update: PRR execution reaches 100%

Minister Manuel Castro Almeida confirmed that Portugal has reached 100% execution of the PRR. He warned that the country must now prepare to rely less on European funds and increase public investment through the national State Budget (Orçamento do Estado).

The Azores region reported a record 13,945 patients on the surgical waiting list at the end of July. This figure represents an 8.3% increase compared to the same period last year, according to data from the regional health authority.

Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins has identified a critical shortage of anaesthesiologists, particularly in the Lisbon region. The government acknowledges that this staffing gap persists beyond the summer months, raising concerns about the stability of medical services.

Local Health Units (Unidades Locais de Saúde or ULS) are establishing specialized centres to handle medical and psychological assessments. This initiative aims to remove the burden of issuing routine certificates from general clinical services, allowing doctors to focus on primary patient care. The government has not yet disclosed the costs associated with these new units.

The Ministry of Health, led by Ana Paula Martins, plans to identify new regional emergency services by the end of November. The initiative aims to create a more integrated and sustainable national network, with a specific focus on evaluating orthopaedic response capacity in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region.

The Matosinhos Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde or ULS) has invested 2.2 million euros in new medical equipment, including a biplane angiograph and surgical beds. The upgrade was funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência or PRR), a European-backed initiative aimed at modernizing national healthcare infrastructure.

Paulo Raimundo, the secretary-general of the Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Português or PCP), accused the government of dismantling the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). During a visit to the Algarve, he argued that private interests are increasingly undermining public healthcare access in the region.

The Garcia de Orta Hospital has temporarily suspended voluntary pregnancy termination services, prompting the government to mandate that hospitals must guarantee access to these procedures or cover costs at other facilities. An inspection by the General Inspectorate of Health Activities (IGAS) identified structural and operational planning failures within the Almada-Seixal Local Health Unit. The Left Bloc (BE) has requested an urgent hearing with Health Minister Ana Paula Martins to address the service disruption.

Update: PS demands answers on suspended abortion services

The Socialist Party (PS) has formally questioned the government regarding the specific reasons for the service suspension at the Almada hospital. The party is demanding an urgent reinforcement of resources to ensure that women seeking these services receive timely care.

The Order of Doctors (Ordem dos Médicos) has welcomed the government's decision to postpone the new National System for Access to Consultation and Surgery, citing concerns over missing features and a lack of instructional guidance. Meanwhile, the Portuguese Diabetes Society (Sociedade Portuguesa de Diabetologia or SPD) has warned that current updates to the National User Registry (Registo Nacional de Utente or RNU) could disrupt access to subsidized medication for patients.

The Ministry of Health has denied claims that it is backtracking on new rules for additional surgeries within the SNS. While the ministry acknowledged the need to review the definition of minor surgery and ensure a smooth transition to the new SINACC digital system, it maintains that no clinical procedures will be excluded from waiting lists.

Minister of Health Ana Paula Martins stated that hospital accident and emergency department wait times are significantly better than in 2023 and 2024. However, the Pre-Hospital Emergency Technicians Union (Sindicato dos Técnicos de Emergência Pré-Hospitalar) criticized the current management of the National Institute for Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM), specifically the removal of 100 ambulances from the operational fleet.

The government has reallocated 630 million euros from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (Plano de Recuperação e Resiliência or PRR) to the health sector. These funds are designated for modernizing the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS), renovating infrastructure, and purchasing four emergency medical helicopters.

A new law establishing a special career path for dentists within the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS) was published this Tuesday. The measure, which takes effect with the next State Budget, aims to increase the number of dentists working in the public sector to address current shortages.

President António José Seguro has enacted a government decree clarifying the exceptional incentive scheme for doctors working supplementary hours in the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). This remuneration is cumulative with standard salary payments, aiming to resolve previous interpretation doubts regarding the scheme introduced in June.