A press roundup reporting an increase in foreign doctors in Portugal — though not being brought into the SNS (Portuguese National Health Service) — and coverage that Spain is acting as a stumbling block to Mário Centeno’s prospects at the European Central Bank (ECB).

National surveillance shows fewer influenza cases and a drop in intensive‑care admissions, according to the public health institute Dr Ricardo Jorge (Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge). However, authorities warn that overall 'excess mortality' remains above typical seasonal levels, indicating the picture is improving but still worrying in aggregate. Those relying on public healthcare should remain vigilant for local updates and follow NHS guidance if they become ill.

When formal care breaks down, patients improvise — a situation that cannot become the normal operating mode of a health system. The piece examines the risks of self-medication and improvised care, and highlights research suggesting diagnostic and outcome disparities — for example, people with colour-vision deficiency and bladder cancer were 52% more likely to die within 20 years of diagnosis — to argue for better access, diagnostics and system-level solutions.

A new study from the Karolinska Institute strengthens evidence that Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), the common cause of glandular fever, can trigger an immune response that damages the brain and may contribute to the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). The research supports the hypothesis that EBV infection is a key environmental driver of MS, a chronic inflammatory neurological disease affecting nearly three million people worldwide, in which the immune system attacks the central nervous system.

Despite repeated technical assessments, confirmed financial capacity and clear structural proposals, the SNS and INEM keep failing to deliver timely emergency responses. This analysis points to implementation gaps — weak governance, fragmented coordination between national and regional bodies, staffing shortages and poor resource allocation — rather than lack of solutions; the result is delayed care that harms patients (including expats) and undermines public wellbeing. Addressing the problem requires transparent accountability, an independent audit of operational bottlenecks, data-driven redistribution of resources and political commitment to implement already-defined reforms.

Rising costs of medicines are a primary barrier to healthcare for the most disadvantaged, forcing some patients to cancel appointments and tests for lack of funds. This creates widening inequalities in health outcomes and places additional strain on services; addressing the problem requires policy responses such as targeted subsidies, improved coverage, price regulation and better access to affordable medicines.

In 2025, 14.26% of people reported not seeking healthcare when needed, reflecting significant access barriers in Portugal. More than half of the poorest households cannot afford all prescribed medication, while over 50% of initial consultations in the National Health Service (SNS) occur outside the appropriate timeframe. These findings point to intersecting problems of affordability and timeliness that disproportionately affect low-income groups and signal the need for targeted policy responses to improve medication coverage, reduce waiting times and strengthen primary-care access.

Survey-based reporting finds an increasing share of people no longer rely solely on the National Health Service and are turning to private healthcare providers; analysts say access difficulties in the SNS are a key driver and that wealthier patients who switch rarely return to public care. Residents who depend on the SNS should plan for longer waits for some services and weigh private options if timely access is critical.

Researchers report Portugal's first identified cases of Candida auris, a drug‑resistant fungal pathogen of concern in healthcare settings; outlets say the finding underscores the need for strengthened surveillance and infection‑control measures. Those receiving care in hospitals and long‑term facilities should expect heightened attention to hygiene protocols and, where relevant, screening or isolation procedures.

Difficulties accessing the National Health Service (SNS) are driving patients away from exclusive reliance on public care and toward private healthcare. More than half of people report self-medicating and the majority do not inform their doctor, while those who can afford private care rarely revert to the SNS once they switch. The trend suggests growing segmentation in access and a potential long-term shift of wealthier patients out of the public system.

A new report finds episodes of illness rising particularly among younger people in Portugal, contributing to an overall increase in the number of people falling ill while persistent barriers to accessing the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) remain high. The data suggest growing pressure on primary and urgent care, uneven access driven by geographic, capacity and administrative constraints, and possible underlying drivers such as changing infection patterns, mental‑health needs and disruptions to routine care. The report calls for targeted policy responses to expand capacity, improve outreach to younger cohorts and reduce practical barriers to care, and for more granular analysis to identify regional and demographic causes.

A fire at the Torre Sénior care home in Santo Tirso forced the evacuation of about 40 residents overnight; firefighters extinguished the blaze and authorities reported no injuries. Residents were triaged by teams from the Portuguese National Institute of Medical Emergency (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica or INEM) and temporarily housed in a municipal pavilion while the cause is investigated. Those with relatives in care homes should contact the facility for status updates and next steps; local councils handle temporary placements for evacuated residents.

The Order of Nurses (Ordem dos Enfermeiros) has publicly rejected proposed limits on nurse recruitment, warning that restricting hiring would damage service quality and patient safety and exacerbate staffing pressures. Observador and Correio da Manhã report the body said workforce shortages and an ageing staff profile already strain care delivery. For expats who rely on public healthcare: staffing pressures could mean slower non‑urgent services and longer waits in some units; consider registering with a local family doctor and check private options if continuity of care is essential.

Parliament approved a Statute for Older People that consolidates rights—priority in queues, protection from violence and the right to age at home—but commentators say it largely compiles existing rules without providing enforcement tools, clear carer regulation or pay for carers. Observers call it an improvement but warn it may not change on-the-ground care without implementation measures. Expats caring for elderly relatives should not expect immediate new benefits and should follow guidance from local health and social services on available support.

During a tense election campaign swing through Ovar, São João da Madeira and Lamego, AD-backed candidate Marques Mendes publicly challenged Health Minister Ana Paula Martins to “show up and explain” mounting problems in the National Health Service, notably failings in emergency departments. Mendes, accompanied by two ministers and supported at events by Porto mayor Rui Moreira, pressed for direct public explanations as the health portfolio becomes a campaign battleground; the minister already has a public engagement scheduled. Elsewhere on the campaign trail, André Ventura “survived” an incident in Aveiro—famously described as a "chuva de cavacas"—and later thanked supporters in Viseu's so-called “Cavaquistão,” underscoring how confrontational moments and popular gestures are shaping voter perceptions. The episodes highlight healthcare policy and political accountability as central issues in the race and illustrate how personalised campaign incidents are influencing public debate.

The National Authority for Emergency and Civil Protection (Autoridade Nacional de Emergência e Proteção Civil or ANEPC) has opened an inquiry into an ambulance 'task force' set up by the Portuguese Firefighters’ League (Liga dos Bombeiros Portugueses or LBP), calling the operation illegal and 'marginally created'. ANEPC told Lusa it will investigate whether the reinforcement complied with rules for pre-hospital rescue operations. Expats relying on emergency services should note the inquiry could affect availability of volunteer-run ambulance support in some areas while regulators review the operation.

Update: Multiple outlets report the LBP rejects ANEPC's claim, saying the temporary task force was set up to bolster pre-hospital cover and lamenting a lack of dialogue; the League named four ambulances from Ajuda, Cabo Ruivo, Camarate and Cascais brigades as part of the reinforcement. Coverage shows a clear disagreement between the regulator (ANEPC) and the LBP about legality and procedure — the probe may lead to operational changes while authorities review compliance with pre-hospital rescue rules. Expats should be aware volunteer-led ambulance support may be disrupted in some areas during the inquiry.

The government has signed a formal negotiation agreement with the National Federation of Doctors (FNAM) and said it will continue seeking consensus with health professionals. The move opens structured talks aimed at resolving labour and service delivery issues in the medical sector, signalling a willingness to engage on healthcare policy and doctors’ demands rather than imposing unilateral measures.

The Socialist Party (PS) will submit a bill titled “Coming Home” to Parliament proposing the creation of transitional residences aimed at reducing social institutionalisation. The policy seeks to shift care from large institutions to local, secure accommodation that supports reintegration, bridging healthcare and housing needs. Analytically, the measure could advance deinstitutionalisation and community-based care, but its success will depend on funding, local delivery capacity, regulatory safeguards and clear pathways to permanent housing.

Beja Hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology emergency service will be closed overnight due to a shortage of doctors, operating from 20:00 on Saturday until 08:00 on Sunday and again from 20:00 on Sunday until 08:00 on Monday. The closures are attributed to an inability to complete the rota, raising concerns about patient access to urgent maternity and gynaecological care and potential pressure on neighbouring services. An accompanying opinion notes systemic failings in emergency logistics — exemplified by ambulances held up by missing stretchers — as symptomatic of wider incompetence in healthcare operations.

The Portuguese government approved construction of the new Central Hospital of the Algarve with a maximum budget of €426.6 million spread over 27 years and an annual cap of €50 million. Operations are expected to begin in 2031. The financing structure signals a long-term public investment approach with potential fiscal and timeline risks to monitor, while promising a significant upgrade to regional healthcare infrastructure.

Presidential candidate André Pestana argues that funds currently routed to private healthcare providers should instead be invested in the NHS. He says greater NHS investment would strengthen health professionals' careers and deliver practical improvements — for example, better ambulances available sooner — reducing reliance on private sector services.

PSD MP Miguel Guimarães welcomed the announcement to purchase 245 ambulances, saying it will allow INEM to increase its response capacity across multiple locations, notably Greater Lisbon and Setúbal. Analytically, the investment should improve coverage and potentially reduce response times in high-demand areas, but its effectiveness will depend on deployment strategy, crew availability and integration with existing emergency services. Close monitoring of allocation and operational metrics will be required to ensure the intended gains in emergency healthcare delivery are realised.

The prime minister announced what was described as “the largest investment in ambulances in over a decade” — 275 new vehicles — less than 36 hours after three citizens were reported to have died while waiting for care. Critics have called the timing “strange” and labelled the move demagoguery, arguing it risks masking systemic negligence in emergency services rather than addressing deeper policy and resourcing failures in healthcare and public safety. The episode has intensified calls for transparent planning, independent oversight and comprehensive reforms to emergency medical services rather than one-off equipment purchases.

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has promulgated the government’s health reform while formally requesting improvements to three related decree-laws. His interventions focus on the decree-law that centralises emergency services regionally and on the new regime for hiring locum doctors, where he identified unclear requirements and potential incompatibilities. The request for clarification signals legal and policy concerns that could prompt amendments, highlighting tensions between centralised emergency planning and the need for a flexible medical workforce.

The coordinator of INEM’s Workers’ Committee acknowledged failings in how minimum-service requirements were communicated during the late‑2024 strike, saying the institution’s president had conveyed that minimum services were not required during overtime hours. The admission raises operational and public‑safety concerns, highlights potential legal and labour‑relations implications, and underscores the need for clearer protocols, stronger internal communication and contingency planning to protect emergency healthcare delivery during industrial action.

Update: New reporting puts more than 420 patients waiting for an initial assessment in hospital emergency departments today, slightly lower than earlier figures of 440–470 published in our previous update; numbers vary by hospital and by outlet. The persistent delays are being reported alongside a broader flu surge and strained emergency services, keeping pressure on admissions and ambulance handovers. For expats, expect longer waits for non-urgent A&E care and consider contacting your family doctor or using scheduled appointments where possible.

Update: New outlet figures give local detail — a national average urgent-patient wait of about 3 hours 16 minutes, with much longer waits at some hospitals (Amadora‑Sintra reported ~11 hours; Santa Maria ~6 hours). Sources vary on the exact totals and some hospitals report better performance; overall coverage emphasises regional differences and continued pressure on admissions and ambulance handovers. Practical takeaway for expats: plan non-urgent care in advance and check local hospital performance if choosing a referral or appointment.

Update: New analysis highlights structural problems beyond seasonal pressure: successive hospital mergers have created large Local Health Units (Unidades Locais de Saúde), some with budgets reported above €1bn, but observers say management capacity has not kept pace and individual hospitals have lost identity. The reporting links those governance issues to dysfunctions such as trolleying and delayed ambulance handovers in the National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde or SNS). For expats this reinforces earlier practical advice — expect variability between hospitals, consider non-emergency options and register with a family doctor where possible.

Update: RTP reports hospitals are now struggling to admit a rising number of patients with respiratory problems, adding pressure to A&E triage and inpatient beds at a time of high seasonal demand. This increase is being cited by hospital sources as a driver of current delays.

Update: Admiral Carlos Gouveia e Melo has publicly called for changes to leadership in the health sector, accusing the State of failing to meet deadlines and urging new appointments to improve management and accountability. His criticism adds a political voice to coverage that links structural governance issues with current operational stresses in emergency departments.

Update: Reporting in Público and CNN Portugal says the dermatology service at Hospital Egas Moniz, part of the Lisbon Western Local Health Unit (Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa Ocidental), was judged in October 2024 to lack conditions of “safety, health and hygiene” and still has no set date for relocation; authorities had recommended relocation but no timetable has been published. The situation may disrupt specialist outpatient dermatology care in Lisbon while a resolution is sought.