Healthcare system, hospitals, and medical services in Portugal.
More than 466,000 calls to Portugal's SNS24 health line waited over 30 minutes in 2025 — eight times the 2024 figure — a Health Regulatory Authority study found, warning the numbers may underestimate the delays.
Who can give blood in Portugal, what to bring, how often you can donate, common waiting periods, what happens on the day, and your rights as a donor.
A University of Glasgow study by economist Joao Pedro Martins finds Portugal's 39 Local Health Units missed their business-plan targets while spending rose, with no gains in access, capacity or efficiency — echoing family-doctor teams who say the 2024 merger was rushed.
New SNS rules exclude lower-complexity procedures from the 'additional surgeries' programme that clears waiting lists, prompting some hospitals to suspend the extra activity. The Ordem dos Médicos, led by Carlos Cortes, is demanding an immediate reversal, warning of longer queues.
Who can be recognised as an informal carer in Portugal, the monthly support for main carers, rest and work rights, and how to apply to Segurança Social.
A regulation published on 2 July launches the SINACC on 1 August, replacing the 2004 SIGIC system and overhauling how the SNS contracts private and social-sector providers for scheduled surgery and consultations — with five-year conventions, central ACSS payment and costs charged to local health uni
Ana Paula Martins says keeping all 168 emergency units open this summer is 'very difficult' and has no full roster for three months. A new rule splits urgência funding 75/25 and penalises hospitals that close their doors.
