Retiring in Portugal
D7 visa, pension tax, healthcare, costs, and where to settle.
SNS
Portugal's Hospitals Told Not to Increase Surgeries or Consultations in 2026 — Waiting Lists Already Topping 1.3 Million
The SNS Executive Directorate has instructed public hospitals not to expand surgical or consultation activity in 2026, even as waiting lists hit record levels. Hospital managers and the Ordem dos Médicos warn the decision will cause real harm to patients.
Nurses Set 20 March Strike as Career Dispute with Ministry of Health Reaches Breaking Point
Portugal's nurses have a strike date. The Portuguese Nurses Union (SEP) announced on Wednesday that it will call its members out on 20 March, covering both morning and afternoon shifts across the country's public hospitals and health centres. The...
Portugal's SNS at a Crossroads: What the 2026 Healthcare Reforms Mean for Expats and Residents
Portugal's National Health Service is undergoing its most significant restructuring in decades. New hospital networks, private partnerships, and telehealth expansion — here's what changes in 2026 and what expats need to do now.