How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Portugal?
The average annual premium cost for international health insurance in Portugal was USD $4,638 for individuals in 2025 and USD $12,828 for families in 2025. This proprietary data was collected from actual Pacific Prime expat customers.
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Do you need to secure private international health insurance in Portugal and aren’t sure how much to expect it to cost? Want to make sure you aren’t overcharged for your health plan?
This article is rich in the data you need. As an international health insurance brokerage, Pacific Prime has over 20 years of experience helping over a million and a half global citizens secure medical coverage all around the world, including in Portugal.
With our privately collected statistics on health insurance premiums and their inflation over the years, we can give you accurate facts about what you can expect to pay for individual and/or family coverage and tips on how to save money. We’ll also compare Portugal’s costs to the rest of Europe.
You also won’t want to miss our guide on the best expat international health insurance in Portugal.
Disclaimer: All data in this article is provided in USD.
Cost of Health Insurance in Portugal for Individuals
Health insurance in Portugal costs individuals an average of $4,638 USD in 2025. That’s a 1% increase from 2023 when the average annual premium was $4,591.
These averages come from verified international health insurance data collected by broker Pacific Prime and demonstrate the inflation that increases healthcare expenses every year.
The following chart details how the average annual premium costs in Portugal have changed between the years 2025 and 2019 for individual expat plans.
Portugal’s Annual Premiums for Individual Health Insurance |
|
| Year | Average Annual Premium |
| 2024 | $4,638 |
| 2023 | $4,591 |
| 2021 | $4,023 |
| 2020 | $3,798 |
| 2019 | $3,788 |
You can compare this data and more with Pacific Prime’s annual report Cost of International Health Insurance for Individuals and Families 2024.
Cost of Health Insurance in Portugal for Families
Health insurance in Portugal costs families an average of $12,828 USD in 2025. That’s an 11% increase from 2023 when the average annual premium was $11,594.
These averages come from verified international health insurance data collected by broker Pacific Prime and demonstrate the inflation that increases healthcare expenses every year.
The following chart details how the average annual premium costs in Portugal have changed between the years 2024 and 2019 for family expat plans.
Portugal’s Annual Premiums for Family Health Insurance |
|
| Year | Average Annual Premium |
| 2024 | $12,828 |
| 2023 | $11,594 |
| 2022 | $12,705 |
| 2021 | $10,899 |
| 2020 | $10,455 |
| 2019 | $11,181 |
Portugal’s Cost of Health Insurance Compared to Europe
Portugal’s $4,638 annual cost of international health insurance for individuals is considered a midrange price in Europe. This is due to how closely it comes to the $4,459 estimated annual average from the following 24 European countries in our data below.
The same is also true of Portugal’s premium average for families. Europe’s average cost for families is $12,294 and Portugal’s family plans are only a smidge higher than that at $12,828.
This first chart compares the average annual premiums for individuals living in Portugal compared to individuals living in other countries across Europe. We include years 2024 and 2023 and the percentage change between those years.
A Comparison of Portugal’s Individual Insurance Costs to Europe Costs |
|||
| Country | 2024 Average Premium | 2023 Average Premium | % Change |
| Portugal | $4,638 | $4,591 | 1% |
| UK | $5,770 | $5,314 | 9% |
| Switzerland | $5,532 | $5,441 | 2% |
| Spain | $5,193 | $4,877 | 6% |
| Greece | $4,859 | $4,846 | 0% |
| Russia | $4,849 | $4,737 | 2% |
| Ireland | $4,697 | $4,610 | 2% |
| Italy | $4,620 | $4,512 | 2% |
| Austria | $4,462 | $4,283 | 4% |
| Finland | $4,391 | $4,283 | 3% |
| Ukraine | $4,316 | $4,257 | 1% |
| Germany | $4,307 | $4,279 | 1% |
| Bulgaria | $4,264 | $4,164 | 2% |
| Serbia | $4,264 | $4,164 | 2% |
| Sweden | $4,261 | $4,163 | 2% |
| France | $4,213 | $4,182 | 1% |
| Denmark | $4,202 | $4,040 | 4% |
| Norway | $4,170 | $4,008 | 4% |
| Hungary | $4,143 | $4,044 | 2% |
| Czech Republic | $4,141 | $4,041 | 2% |
| Romania | $4,074 | $3,921 | 4% |
| Croatia | $4,074 | $3,921 | 4% |
| Slovakia | $4,074 | $3,921 | 4% |
| Netherlands | $4,071 | $4,008 | 2% |
| Poland | $3,900 | $3,847 | 1% |
This second chart compares the average annual premiums for families living in Portugal compared to families living in other countries across Europe. We include years 2024 and 2023 and the percentage change between those years as well.
A Comparison of Portugal’s Family Insurance Costs to Europe Costs |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country | 2024 Average Premium | 2023 Average Premium | % Change |
| Portugal | $12,828 | $11,594 | 11% |
| Switzerland | $15,359 | $14,306 | 7% |
| UK | $15,936 | $15,121 | 5% |
| Spain | $14,417 | $13,567 | 6% |
| Greece | $13,487 | $12,785 | 5% |
| Russia | $13,260 | $12,605 | 5% |
| Ireland | $12,970 | $12,503 | 4% |
| Italy | $12,798 | $11,594 | 10% |
| Austria | $12,300 | $11,481 | 7% |
| Finland | $12,106 | $11,457 | 6% |
| Germany | $11,859 | $11,457 | 4% |
| Ukraine | $11,779 | $11,457 | 3% |
| Bulgaria | $11,742 | $11,457 | 2% |
| Serbia | $11,742 | $11,319 | 4% |
| Sweden | $11,731 | $11,245 | 4% |
| France | $11,597 | $11,245 | 3% |
| Denmark | $11,582 | $11,140 | 4% |
| Norway | $11,486 | $11,138 | 3% |
| Hungary | $11,412 | $11,127 | 3% |
| Czech Republic | $11,399 | $11,043 | 3% |
| Romania | $11,217 | $11,043 | 2% |
| Croatia | $11,217 | $10,797 | 4% |
| Slovakia | $11,217 | $10,797 | 4% |
| Netherlands | $11,196 | $10,797 | 4% |
| Poland | $10,710 | $10,586 | 1% |
Expat Tips to Save Money on Insurance in Portugal
Expats purchasing health insurance in Portugal can save money on premiums by consulting with an international health insurance broker, excluding the U.S. from coverage if it’s not needed, and paying premiums annually instead of monthly.
Read the following 10 tips for more ideas on how to save:
- Choose Localized Plans Over Global Plans. Premiums for worldwide coverage (especially including the U.S.) are significantly higher than Europe-only or Iberian-only coverage. For expats mostly living and traveling within Portugal and the EU, restricting the geographic scope drastically reduces costs.
- Use Portuguese Public Healthcare When Possible. Portugal’s SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) is inexpensive and can cover routine or emergency needs, reducing reliance on private international policies. Using SNS for basics allows you to downgrade private coverage to major medical only.
- Exclude U.S. Coverage if Not Needed. U.S. inclusion is one of the most expensive riders on international plans. Most European expats and retirees have no practical need for U.S. care, so excluding it can easily reduce premiums by 30% or more.
- Opt for Higher Deductibles and Co-Pays. Plans with higher deductibles and cost-sharing offer lower monthly premiums. Many expats in Portugal use public care for common needs, so high deductibles for private care are rarely triggered.
- Select Emergency-Only or Major Medical Coverage. Instead of comprehensive outpatient and preventive coverage, major medical policies focus on catastrophic events. If you plan to use SNS for everyday appointments, emergency-only coverage can be a cost-efficient alternative.
- Pay Annually Instead of Monthly. Many international insurers offer discounts when premiums are paid annually rather than monthly or quarterly. Annual billing also simplifies financial planning for expats who manage cross-border banking or multiple currencies.
- Leverage EU-Wide Healthcare Networks. Insurers with strong European networks can offer lower rates than global networks because contract pricing is more favorable in the EU. This is especially beneficial for expats who travel to Spain, France, or Germany from Portugal.
- Consider Plans Without Dental and Vision. Optional dental and vision riders can add a surprising cost to international policies. In Portugal, affordable standalone dental clinics and optical shops make it simpler to pay cash for routine services.
- Bundle Life and Travel Coverage with Health. Some international insurers offer multi-product discounts for expats who need life, travel, or evacuation coverage. If you travel frequently between Portugal and other EU countries, bundled evacuation or travel coverage may offer savings.
- Verify Residency-Based Discounts and Local Brokers. Local brokers in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve often secure rates tailored to resident foreigners, including retirees under D7 visas or digital nomads under D8 visas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private health insurance cost in Portugal?
Private health insurance in Portugal typically costs between EUR 40 and EUR 150 per month for adults. Pricing varies by age, coverage tier, inpatient benefits, and whether pre-existing conditions or international coverage are included.
Are international health insurance plans expensive in Portugal?
International plans tend to cost more than domestic Portuguese policies because they include broader networks and global emergency benefits.
What factors influence health insurance prices in Portugal?
Age, coverage level, pre-existing conditions, and global travel benefits are the major pricing drivers for health insurance in Portugal. Additional variables include plan deductibles, co-pays, maternity coverage, and whether the policy is domestic or international.
Conclusion
Although international health insurance in Portugal has steadily increased in price from $3,788 in 2019 to $4,638 in 2025, the increase has been marginally slower than other European countries. This means expats can feel assured purchasing insurance now and not fear dramatic increases next year.
Now that you understand how much international health insurance costs for individuals and families in Portugal, how those premiums have changed over the years, and how they compare to neighboring countries, you are likely more prepared to compare the plans and quotes themselves.
That’s when Pacific Prime steps in! We are an international health insurance brokerage with over 20 years of experience helping over a million and a half expatriates just like you secure healthcare coverage.
Utilize our exceptional online database that features over 50,000 expat-focused health insurance plans to begin comparing benefits, plans, quotes, and more! It’s a free resource anyone can use and you won’t want to miss!
When you’re ready to speak to an international insurance expert, you can contact our team online or call +852-3113-1331.
We recommend expats and foreign citizens living in Portugal reference the following links:
- International Health Insurance
- Portugal Health Insurance for Expats
- How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in Spain?
- How Much Does Health Insurance Cost in France?
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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