Settling in Portugal
Your new life.Your bearings in Lisbon.
A school for your children. Care for your family. The practical information you need to prepare your move.
Lisbon, Portugal
Finding the right school
International and French-language programmes, in Lisbon and its surroundings.
Selection · 36 schools shown
L'École trilingue
Lisbonne — Restelo (freguesia de Belém) · City
French · English · PortugueseFrench curriculum
From pre-school to primary
AEFE-accredited — partner school (pre-school: petite, moyenne and grande sections)
About this school
AEFE directory: Avenida do Restelo 21, 1400-314 Lisbon; three accredited levels out of four (pre-school). The official website advertises trilingual immersion teaching (French, English, Portuguese) from the toute petite section up to CE2; the primary classes are not accredited.
Lycée français Charles-Lepierre
Lisbonne — Amoreiras (freguesia de Campolide) · City
FrenchFrench curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
AEFE-accredited — directly managed school (établissement en gestion directe)
About this school
AEFE directory: Avenida Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco 32, 1070-112 Lisbon; fifteen accredited levels out of fifteen. The school's website confirms it takes pupils from the first year of pre-school (petite section) to the final year of upper secondary (terminale) and mentions the international French baccalaureate (BFI); the share of teaching in other languages is not specified.
Redbridge School (Redbridge International School)
Lisbonne — Campo de Ourique et Tapada da Ajuda · City
French · English · PortugueseFrench · British · IB · National
From pre-school to upper secondary
AEFE-accredited — partner school (établissement partenaire)
About this school
AEFE directory: Rua Francisco Metrass 97, 1350-164 Lisbon; fifteen accredited levels out of fifteen. The official website presents two campuses (Campo de Ourique; Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisbon), an international French programme from pre-school to the final year of upper secondary, a Portuguese programme (1st and 2nd cycles), a Cambridge pathway at secondary level and the IB Diploma. The distribution of levels between the two campuses is not specified on the page consulted.
Colégio Mira Rio
Lisbonne — Telheiras · City
Portuguese · EnglishNational · IB
From pre-school to upper secondary
Recognised by the IB for the Diploma since 2018 (according to the school)
About this school
Official website: Estrada de Telheiras 113, 1600-768 Lisbon; Portuguese school of the Fomento network, from nursery to secondary, with an IB pathway at secondary level. Included for the IB programme; the rest of the schooling follows the national curriculum. Language of instruction of the IB programme not specified on the page consulted.
Colégio Planalto
Lisbonne — rua Armindo Rodrigues (Lumiar) · City
Portuguese · EnglishNational · IB
From pre-school to upper secondary
About this school
Official website: Rua Armindo Rodrigues 28, 1600-414 Lisbon; Portuguese school of the Fomento network (single-sex education), from pre-school to secondary, offering the IB Diploma at secondary level. Included for the IB programme; the rest of the schooling follows the national curriculum. Language of instruction of the IB programme not specified on the page consulted.
Deutsche Schule Lissabon (Escola Alemã de Lisboa)
Lisbonne — Telheiras (freguesia de Lumiar) · City
German · PortugueseGerman · National
From pre-school to upper secondary
German school abroad recognised and supported by the Federal Republic of Germany
About this school
Official website: Largo Willy Brandt, 1600-891 Lisbon; kindergarten, primary school and Gymnasium up to the Abitur (German International Abitur); an encounter school (Begegnungsschule) where a majority of pupils are Portuguese, with the option of also obtaining a Portuguese diploma through “equivalência” teaching. The contact page mentions only one campus.
Montessori Bright Academy
Lisbonne — avenida Almirante Gago Coutinho (Areeiro) · City
Other curriculum
From pre-school to primary
AMI-certified educators (Association Montessori Internationale), according to the school
About this school
Official website: Av. Alm. Gago Coutinho 141, 1700-111 Lisbon; Montessori teaching (recorded as “other”), with toddler, primary and elementary classes. Language of instruction not specified on the page consulted.
PaRK International School — campus Praça de Espanha et Restelo
Lisbonne — Praça de Espanha (avenida Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro) et Restelo (avenida das Descobertas) · City
English · PortugueseOther curriculum
From pre-school to primary
About this school
Official website: two campuses with identical levels (Early Learning School and Junior School), Av. Columbano Bordalo Pinheiro 52, 1070-064 Lisbon, and Av. das Descobertas 21, 1400-091 Lisbon; bilingual teaching (the school's own curriculum, recorded as “other”) up to Grade 4, with pupils moving to the Alfragide campus in Grade 5.
Prime School International — campus de Lisbonne
Lisbonne — Alvalade · City
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
Recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education; registered Cambridge International school
About this school
Official website: Cambridge pathway from Early Years to Year 13 (IGCSE, A Level); detailed address found only in a directory (Rua Carlos Lobo de Ávila 4, 1700-099 Lisbon). The Estoril and Sintra campuses have separate entries (different municipality and, for Sintra, different levels).
Queen Elizabeth's School
Lisbonne — Alvalade (freguesia de São João de Brito) · City
Portuguese · EnglishNational · British
From pre-school to primary
Cambridge International and Cambridge Primary school approved since 2013 (according to the school)
About this school
Official website: Rua Filipe de Magalhães 1, 1700-194 Lisbon; bilingual school following the Portuguese national curriculum, supplemented by an English programme aligned with British curricula, at nursery, pre-school and 1st cycle. Primarily a Portuguese-curriculum school; included because the English programme covers all the schooling offered.
The British School of Lisbon
Lisbonne — rua de São Paulo (primaire) et Restelo, rua de Alcolena (secondaire) · City
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Authorisation from the Portuguese Ministry of Education no. 266/EPC/Lisboa e Vale do Tejo/2022; COBIS member
About this school
Official website: primary campus at Rua São Paulo 89, 1200-427 Lisbon; secondary campus at Rua de Alcolena 10, 1400-004 Lisbon. British curriculum from early years to Year 11 (GCSE/IGCSE at the end of Year 11); no sixth form mentioned. COBIS member (COBIS search, Portugal filter).
The Lisboan International School
Lisbonne — Alcântara (rua Maria Luísa Holstein) · City
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
COBIS member according to the school (not found in the COBIS search on 15 October 2026); CIS and WASC processes under way
About this school
Official website: R. Maria Luísa Holstein, 1300-388 Lisbon; opened in September 2025, currently from FS1 to Year 10; Cambridge curriculum up to IGCSE, IB Diploma announced from 2027.
TISA — Theodore International Startup Academy
Lisbonne — São Sebastião da Pedreira (Avenidas Novas) · City
EnglishOther curriculum
From pre-school to primary
About this school
Official website: R. São Sebastião da Pedreira 27, 1050-010 Lisbon; private international primary school (pre-school and primary), in English, with the school's own curriculum (“inquiry-based”) and an entrepreneurship programme; annual Cambridge assessments. Twin campus in Leiden (Netherlands).
United Lisbon International School
Lisbonne — avenida Marechal Gomes da Costa (est de la ville) · City
EnglishIB · British · Other
From pre-school to upper secondary
NEASC and CIS logos displayed on the website; IB school (Diploma)
About this school
Official website: Avenida Marechal Gomes da Costa 9, 1800-255 Lisbon; teaching in English from pre-school to the end of secondary; International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC, recorded as “other”), IGCSE then the IB Diploma. The exact status of the NEASC and CIS accreditations is not detailed on the home page.
Almada International School
Almada — Sobreda · Surrounding area
English · PortugueseBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
About this school
Official website: bilingual teaching based on the Cambridge curriculum; nursery, kindergarten, primary and Cambridge Lower Secondary, the latter opening in 2026-27. Address found only in a directory (Azinhaga Urraca 1, 2815-619 Sobreda).
Aprendizes — International Active Learning School (avec St. George's School et St. James's Primary School)
Cascais — rua dos Depósitos de Água · Surrounding area
Portuguese · EnglishNational · British
From pre-school to upper secondary
St. George's School presents itself as a Cambridge International School
About this school
Three separate official websites at the same address (Rua dos Depósitos de Água 339, 2750-561 Cascais): Aprendizes (pre-school to secondary, Portuguese national curriculum in Portuguese and Cambridge pathway in English from Grade 5 to IGCSE, AS/A Level and AICE), St. George's School (a “bicurricular” Cambridge school, from Year 2 to Year 11 in partnership with St. James's Primary School) and St. James's Primary School (https://stjamesschool.pt/). The exact legal relationship between these three entities is not specified: they are grouped here to avoid duplication.
Beyond International School
Barcarena (Oeiras) · Surrounding area
English · PortugueseBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
About this school
Official website: Rua Soeiro Pereira Gomes 59, 2730-178 Barcarena; Early Years, Cambridge Primary (Reception to Year 5), Cambridge Lower Secondary (Years 6-7); bilingual English-Portuguese teaching.
Butterflies School
Sintra — Beloura · Surrounding area
Portuguese · English · GermanNational · German
From pre-school to primary
About this school
Official website: bilingual English-Portuguese nursery, pre-school and primary following the Portuguese national curriculum; opening of a German section (“German curriculum pathway”) announced. Included for this section; levels of the German section not specified. Detailed address found only in a directory (Alameda Beloura 1, Quinta da Beloura, 2710-697 Sintra).
Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL)
Sintra — Linhó · Surrounding area
EnglishAmerican · IB
From pre-school to upper secondary
MSA-CESS (Middle States) accreditation displayed on the website; IB school (Diploma)
About this school
Official website: Rua António dos Reis 95, Linhó, 2710-301 Sintra; from pre-school to Grade 12; American high school diploma for all, IB Diploma optional in Grades 11-12.
EGI International — Educating Global Innovators
Oeiras — Fundição de Oeiras · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to primary
About this school
Official website: Rua da Fundição de Oeiras 20A, 2780-057 Oeiras; from nursery to Year 6; Cambridge Early Years and Cambridge Primary, with English as the common language.
Hypha International School
Sintra (parc naturel de Sintra-Cascais) · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to primary
About this school
Official website: pre-primary and primary; English curriculum in pre-primary, Cambridge International framework in primary, outdoor learning. Detailed address found only in a directory (R. Dr. Sá Carneiro 80, Sintra).
Instituto Español de Lisboa Giner de los Ríos
Cruz Quebrada-Dafundo (Oeiras) · Surrounding area
SpanishOther curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
Public school of the Spanish Ministry of Education (network of schools abroad)
About this school
Spanish Ministry of Education register: Rua Direita do Dafundo 40, Cruz Quebrada (Oeiras), 1495-724; “centro integrado” offering early childhood, primary and secondary education (ESO and Bachillerato) under the Spanish education system (recorded as “other”). School website not consulted; language of instruction inferred from the Spanish system, additional languages not verified.
International Christian School of Cascais (ICSC)
Alcabideche (Cascais) · Surrounding area
EnglishOther curriculum
About this school
Official website: Av. de Sintra 1154, 2755-322 Alcabideche; Christian school linked to the International Christian Church of Cascais, advertising an “accredited international curriculum” without naming it or the accreditation. Levels not specified (the enrolment form runs from Kindergarten to Grade 12); language of instruction presumed to be English (documents accepted in English or Portuguese), not confirmed.
International Sharing School — Lisbon (Taguspark)
Porto Salvo (Oeiras) — Taguspark · Surrounding area
EnglishInternational Baccalaureate
From pre-school to upper secondary
IB school (PYP, MYP, DP continuum)
About this school
Official website: Av. Dr. Mário Soares 14, 2740-119 Porto Salvo; IB in English from nursery to Grade 12. The website taguspark.sharingschool.org points to the same school.
IPS Cascais British International School
Bicesse (Alcabideche, Cascais) · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
COBIS member
About this school
Official website: English National Curriculum from the Foundation Stage to Year 9, IGCSE in Year 11 and A Level in Year 13 (“A-Levels coming soon”); new secondary section from Year 7 to Year 13.
King's College School, Cascais
Cascais · Surrounding area
English · PortugueseBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Application for the IB Diploma in preparation (according to the school)
About this school
Official website: early learning and primary up to Year 2 at Rua Cesário Verde 395, 2750-657 Cascais; from Year 3 to senior school at R. Dr. Manuel António Costa Matos 164, 2750-290 Cascais. Cambridge curriculum up to Year 11 (IGCSE), bilingual Portuguese-English programme up to Year 5; IB Diploma planned for Years 12 and 13, not yet open. Boarding.
Lisbon Montessori School
Cascais · Surrounding area
EnglishOther curriculum
From pre-school to primary
About this school
Official website: international Montessori school (teaching recorded as “other”) from pre-school to the end of primary (Casa and Elementary), main language of instruction English, Portuguese-speaking assistants. Address found only in a directory (R. de Sant'Ana 1696, 2750-833 Cascais).
Oeiras International School (OIS)
Oeiras · Surrounding area
EnglishInternational Baccalaureate
From pre-school to upper secondary
NEASC-accredited (2019); CIS member (2022); IB school (PYP, MYP, DP)
About this school
Official website: campus in Oeiras on land leased from the municipality; Early Learning Centre then PYP, MYP and DP; since September 2026, three campuses a few minutes from one another (Early Learning Centre, Quinta, Horizon for Years 10 to 13). CIS accreditation visit announced for November 2025, result not published on the page consulted.
PaRK International School — campus d'Alfragide
Amadora — Alfragide · Surrounding area
English · PortugueseBritish · IB · Other
From pre-school to upper secondary
About this school
Official website: Estrada de Alfragide 94, 2610-015 Amadora; the only campus covering all school years; the school's own bilingual teaching up to Grade 4, Cambridge pathway from Grade 5, IGCSE (Grades 9-10), A Levels and the IB Diploma (Grades 11-12).
Prime School International — campus d'Estoril
Estoril (Cascais) · Surrounding area
English · PortugueseBritish curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
Recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education; registered Cambridge International school
About this school
Official website: Cambridge pathway from Early Years to Year 13 (IGCSE, Advanced Level); teaching in English with Portuguese every day. Detailed address found only in a directory (Rua Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 2765-043 Estoril).
Prime School International — campus de Sintra
Sintra — Portela de Sintra · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to lower secondary
Recognised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education; registered Cambridge International school
About this school
Official website: campus specialising in supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEN), Cambridge pathway from Early Years to Lower Secondary, with the possibility of continuing within the Prime network. Address found only in a directory (Rua Mestre Neves 20, 2710-422 Sintra).
Santo António International School (SAIS)
Estoril — Monte Estoril (Cascais) · Surrounding area
EnglishBritish curriculum
From pre-school to upper secondary
About this school
Official website: head office at Avenida Sabóia 662 A, 2765-277 Estoril; British international school, Cambridge pathway: campus I (Early Years to Year 6, Rua Dr. António Martins 26, 2765-194 Estoril), campus II (lower secondary and IGCSE), campus III (A Level and AICE diploma), all in Monte Estoril.
St. Dominic's International School
São Domingos de Rana (Cascais) · Surrounding area
EnglishInternational Baccalaureate
From pre-school to upper secondary
IB World School (PYP, MYP, DP); authorisation (alvará) from the Ministry of Education no. 2178 of 1975
About this school
Official website: Rua Maria Brown, Outeiro de Polima, 2785-816 São Domingos de Rana; from pre-school to the end of secondary; full IB continuum, with the option of a bilingual diploma.
St. Julian's School
Carcavelos (Cascais) · Surrounding area
English · PortugueseBritish · IB · National
From pre-school to upper secondary
COBIS member; Council of International Schools accreditation displayed on the website
About this school
Official website: Quinta Nova, Av. Jorge V 374, 2775-588 Carcavelos; Pre-Prep, Prep and Secondary with the IB Diploma and the IB Career-related Programme; bilingual section (primary and lower secondary) following the Portuguese curriculum.
Svenska Skolan i Lissabon (école suédoise)
Carcavelos (Cascais) · Surrounding area
Other languageOther curriculum
From pre-school to primary
Official Swedish school abroad (according to the school)
About this school
Official website: Rua Quelimane 174, 2775-620 Carcavelos; Swedish school curriculum (recorded as “other”), from pre-school to the end of primary (förskola, förskoleklass, classes 1 to 6); language of instruction: Swedish (recorded as “other”).
TASIS Portugal
Sintra — Penaferrim (Linhó) · Surrounding area
EnglishAmerican · British · IB
From pre-school to upper secondary
Authorised by the Portuguese Ministry of Education, through the Direção-Geral da Educação (according to the school)
About this school
Official website: Alameda do Linhó 2, 4, 6 e 8, Penaferrim, 2710-697 Sintra; from Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12; American school (Core Knowledge), IGCSE (recorded as “british”) and the IB Diploma.
Check available places and admission requirements directly with each school.
Where this list comes from
Schools in Lisbon and in the municipalities where expatriate families commonly live (Cascais, Oeiras, Sintra, Amadora, Almada) offering a French, foreign or international curriculum. Sources: the AEFE directory, the COBIS member search, the Spanish Ministry of Education register for the Spanish school, then each school's official website for the address, levels and curricula; other names were found in a commercial directory and confirmed on the school's website. The official Portuguese list of foreign-curriculum schools (DGEstE / DGE) was not found online and the IB database was not consulted (anti-bot check). Excluded: schools following only the Portuguese national curriculum, including those that merely add Cambridge English teaching; hybrid or online schools and their “hubs”; tutoring institutes; language centres, Saturday classes and universities.
Compiled from the registers cited; it does not claim to be complete.
- AEFE — Rechercher un établissement (établissements homologués, Portugal)
- COBIS — COBIS School Search (filtre Portugal)
- Ministère espagnol de l'Éducation — Présence au Portugal : bureaux et centres
- Lycée français Charles-Lepierre — site officiel
- Redbridge School (Redbridge International School) — site officiel
- L'École trilingue — site officiel
- The British School of Lisbon — site officiel
- Deutsche Schule Lissabon (Escola Alemã de Lisboa) — site officiel
- United Lisbon International School — site officiel
- PaRK International School — campus Praça de Espanha et Restelo — site officiel
- Prime School International — campus de Lisbonne — site officiel
- Queen Elizabeth's School — site officiel
- Colégio Planalto — site officiel
- Colégio Mira Rio — site officiel
- TISA — Theodore International Startup Academy — site officiel
- The Lisboan International School — site officiel
- Montessori Bright Academy — site officiel
- St. Julian's School — site officiel
- Carlucci American International School of Lisbon (CAISL) — site officiel
- TASIS Portugal — site officiel
- St. Dominic's International School — site officiel
- Oeiras International School (OIS) — site officiel
- International Sharing School — Lisbon (Taguspark) — site officiel
- IPS Cascais British International School — site officiel
- King's College School, Cascais — site officiel
- Prime School International — campus d'Estoril — site officiel
- Prime School International — campus de Sintra — site officiel
- Aprendizes — International Active Learning School (avec St. George's School et St. James's Primary School) — site officiel
- International Christian School of Cascais (ICSC) — site officiel
- EGI International — Educating Global Innovators — site officiel
- Butterflies School — site officiel
- Svenska Skolan i Lissabon (école suédoise) — site officiel
- Hypha International School — site officiel
- Beyond International School — site officiel
- Almada International School — site officiel
- Santo António International School (SAIS) — site officiel
- Lisbon Montessori School — site officiel
- Instituto Español de Lisboa Giner de los Ríos — site officiel
List updated on Oct 15, 2026.
Your guide to healthcare
Understand your cover and prepare the first steps.
Mandatory health insurance
Depends on status
No private health insurance is required of all residents: access to the SNS is based on residence.
Access to the public system
Under conditions
Foreigners legally resident in Portugal access the SNS on the same terms as nationals and receive a single, permanent national user number (número de utente) in the Registo Nacional de Utentes (despacho 1668/2023).
What is your situation?
Show the information that applies to you.
Your cover · General rules
Mandatory health insurance
No private health insurance is required of all residents: access to the SNS is based on residence.
Read the details
No private health insurance is required of all residents: access to the SNS is based on residence. The requirement depends on the residence permit and the stage. At the visa application stage, including D7, D8, study or work residence visas, the application includes valid travel insurance covering medical expenses, urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation (regulatory decree 84/2007, article 12, consolidated version); an applicant who proves it is impossible to obtain may be exempted. At the stage of the residence permit issued by AIMA, the general regime (article 77 of law 23/2007) and study permits (articles 91 and 92) require health insurance or proof of SNS coverage. The residence permit for investment (ARI, “Golden Visa”) requires proof of health protection: SNS coverage, or internationally recognised health insurance covering the entire duration of the requested stay or with automatic renewal. AIMA's pages on residence permits for remote work (D8), employment and self-employment do not mention insurance. Health protection is checked primarily by consulting SNS databases (regulatory decree 84/2007, article 42-M); renewal of a temporary residence permit (article 63) no longer involves an insurance requirement.
Access to public healthcare
Foreigners legally resident in Portugal access the SNS on the same terms as nationals and receive a single, permanent national user number (número de utente) in the Registo Nacional de Utentes (despacho 1668/2023).
Read the details
Foreigners legally resident in Portugal access the SNS on the same terms as nationals and receive a single, permanent national user number (número de utente) in the Registo Nacional de Utentes (despacho 1668/2023). For a third-country national, registration is “active”, and care is covered, when the person has a NIF and a residence permit issued by AIMA; otherwise, registration is “transitional” for the maximum period shown, care is then billed, and registration becomes inactive if the situation is not regularised. For an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen residing in Portugal, registration takes place at the health centre on presentation of the Portuguese social security number (NISS) if they work or receive a Portuguese pension, the validated S1 form if they remain insured in another state, or the residence registration certificate issued by the town hall (Câmara Municipal) if they are economically inactive; they then pay only the taxas moderadoras (user charges). Whatever the administrative situation, the following remain accessible: urgent and life-saving care, communicable diseases, maternal and child health, care for resident minors and vaccination.
- Resident
- A third-country national holding a residence permit and a NIF obtains active registration with the SNS and accesses care on the same terms as Portuguese nationals.
- Citizen of the European Union, the EEA or Switzerland
- If they settle without working or receiving a pension, they apply for the residence registration certificate from the Câmara Municipal and present it at the health centre to obtain their número de utente. During a temporary stay (tourism, studies, short-term posting), the European Health Insurance Card (CESD in Portugal) or its provisional replacement certificate gives access to necessary care; only the taxas moderadoras remain payable.
- Employee
- An employee who is an EU citizen registers with the Segurança Social to obtain their NISS, then with the health centre using this document. An employee from a third country, once holding the residence permit for employment, falls under the ordinary SNS rules; AIMA's page on this permit does not mention insurance. Employee social security contributions are not a condition for access to the SNS; their rate has not been verified on an accessible official source.
- Self-employed
- A self-employed worker contributes to the Segurança Social at the rate shown, on relevant income declared each quarter and equal to a fraction of their turnover; a separate rate applies to sole traders. These contributions fund social protection, not access to the SNS, which depends on residence. AIMA's page on the residence permit for self-employment does not mention insurance.
- Study visa and residence permit
- The study visa application includes the travel insurance required for any visa. The residence permit for higher or secondary education requires health insurance or proof of SNS coverage; Instituto Camões scholarship holders are exempt.
- Retiree from another EU state (S1 form)
- A retiree who remains covered by the scheme of another EU, EEA state or Switzerland submits the S1 form to the Segurança Social district centre for their place of residence, which validates it and gives them a copy; on this basis, the health centre registers them in the Registo Nacional de Utentes. They then access care on the same terms as Portuguese insured persons.
- Retiree from a third country
- A retiree who is a third-country national generally settles with a D7 visa (see below); once holding the residence permit, they fall under the ordinary SNS rules.
- D7 visa (retirees, passive income)
- The visa application includes the travel insurance required for any visa. At the residence permit stage, AIMA's page on the general regime requires health insurance or proof of SNS coverage; no AIMA page specific to the D7 was found. Thereafter, registration with the SNS on the basis of residence.
- Digital nomad visa (D8)
- The visa application includes the travel insurance required for any visa; the article of the regulatory decree specific to this visa adds no insurance requirement, and AIMA's page on the corresponding residence permit does not mention one. Thereafter, registration with the SNS on the basis of residence.
- Golden Visa (ARI)
- The application for a residence permit for investment must prove health protection: a certificate of SNS coverage, or internationally recognised health insurance covering the entire duration of the requested stay or with automatic renewal.
Your first steps
- Obtain a tax identification number (NIF).
- Third-country national: obtain the residence permit from AIMA. EU citizen: obtain the registration certificate from the Câmara Municipal and, depending on the case, the NISS from the Segurança Social or validation of the S1 form by its district centre.
- Go to the health centre for the place of residence with these documents to be registered in the Registo Nacional de Utentes and receive the número de utente.
- Request the assignment of a family doctor from the primary care unit; it is not automatic.
Official sources
- Décret réglementaire 84/2007, version consolidée — article 12 (documents à joindre à une demande de visa) — Diário da República (Portugal)
- Décret réglementaire 84/2007, version consolidée — article 12, dispense — Diário da República (Portugal)
- Décret réglementaire 84/2007, version consolidée — article 42-M (preuve de la protection maladie) — Diário da República (Portugal)
- AIMA — Autorização de Residência para Investimento (art. 90.º-A) — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Portugal)
- AIMA — Autorização de Residência (Regime e Requisitos Gerais, art. 77.º n.º 1) — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Portugal)
- AIMA — Autorização de Residência para estudantes do ensino superior (art. 91.º) — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Portugal)
- AIMA — Autorização de Residência para estudantes (art. 92.º) — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Portugal)
- AIMA — Autorização de Residência para atividade profissional prestada de forma remota (D8) : documents demandés — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (Portugal)
- SNS 24 — Acesso a cuidados por cidadãos estrangeiros (mis à jour le 3 juillet 2026) : formulaire S1 — Ministério da Saúde — SNS 24 (Portugal)
- SNS 24 — Acesso a cuidados por cidadãos estrangeiros : citoyens de l'Union inactifs — Ministério da Saúde — SNS 24 (Portugal)
- SNS 24 — Acesso a cuidados por cidadãos estrangeiros : coûts — Ministério da Saúde — SNS 24 (Portugal)
- SNS 24 — Taxas moderadoras (mis à jour le 22 septembre 2026) : exonération pour insuffisance économique — Ministério da Saúde — SNS 24 (Portugal)
- ACSS — Perguntas frequentes sur les taxas moderadoras (mise à jour février 2025) — Administração Central do Sistema de Saúde (Portugal)
- ERS — Alerta de supervisão n.º 6/2025 (18 décembre 2025) : taxas moderadoras — Entidade Reguladora da Saúde (Portugal)
- ERS — Alerta de supervisão n.º 6/2025 : dispense en cas d'orientation par le SNS — Entidade Reguladora da Saúde (Portugal)
- ERS — Accès des citoyens étrangers aux soins (présentation technique, 27 septembre 2023) — Entidade Reguladora da Saúde (Portugal)
- ERS — Alerta de supervisão n.º 6/2020 (mis à jour le 10 novembre 2020) : accès des étrangers au SNS — Entidade Reguladora da Saúde (Portugal)
- Segurança Social — Fiche d'information sur la modification du régime des travailleurs indépendants (décret-loi 2/2018) — Segurança Social / Direção-Geral da Segurança Social (Portugal)
- CLEISS — Votre couverture maladie lorsque vous partez en vacances au Portugal — Centre des liaisons européennes et internationales de sécurité sociale (France)
Information updated on Oct 15, 2026.
Please note