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Top 10 Insurance Companies for Expats in Portugal

The top 10 health insurance companies for expats in Portugal include VUMI, AXA, Cigna, NOW Health, IMG, Allianz, Bupa, GeoBlue, Passport Card, and William Russell. Other quality insurers are A+ International Insurance and HealthCare International.

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Need to find the best insurance options for living abroad in Portugal? Whether you’re seriously or casually exploring your options, this blog post will help!

Learn more about the top 10 health insurance companies for expats in Portugal who need or want private medical insurance. We’ll provide some information about some additional insurance providers worth considering in Portugal and how to choose the best plan for you or your family.

Many of these high-quality insurance companies are also listed among the top ten insurance providers worldwide for expats.

10 Best Health Insurance Companies in Portugal for Expats

Image of Group Of People Standing Near A Statue In Portugal with text overlay of "Best Health Insurance Companies in Portugal"

The 10 best health insurance companies for expats in Portugal are:

  1. GeoBlue
  2. AXA
  3. NOW Health International
  4. Cigna
  5. William Russell
  6. Bupa
  7. Allianz Care
  8. VUMI
  9. IMG
  10. Passport Card

We’ll also provide some information about other health insurance companies in Portugal for expats. You may also want to consider one of the following private international medical insurance companies:

GeoBlue for Expats in Portugal

American expats moving to Portugal should consider a plan from GeoBlue. This insurance company boasts one of the largest global direct billing networks, provides covered telemedicine services, and an unlimited annual benefit limit to policyholders.

GeoBlue’s plans start at USD $412 monthly for comprehensive coverage for a 30-year-old female expat in Portugal. The annual deductible on this specific plan is USD $10,000. Policyholders in Portugal enjoy comprehensive benefits that include an optical exam and some coverage for contacts or glasses.

You can use the following table to compare plans from GeoBlue for expats in Portugal to the other Insurance Providers on our top 10 list.

GeoBlue Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through GeoBlue

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a 3-month waiting period
Maternity Coverage Available at renewal after 12 months
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Routine vaccines are covered, and there is a USD $500 limit for travel vaccinations.
Optical Coverage Up to USD $250 with a 30% co-pay for an eye exam and contacts or glasses

AXA Health Insurance in Portugal for Expats

AXA Health Insurance plans are worth considering for expats in Portugal because AXA’s highest annual benefit limit is USD $8,000,000. Low-deductible plans with maternity coverage through AXA start at only $421 per month for a 30-year-old female in Portugal.

AXA offers plans with $0 deductibles, and the highest deductible option is only $3,200 a year. When comparing premiums, make sure you consider the plan’s annual deductible. Having a lower deductible will reduce your spending at the point of care.

AXA’s options for annual deductibles on plans include:

  • USD $3,200 per year
  • USD $1,600 per year
  • USD $400 per year
  • USD $160 per year
  • $0 per year

The following table will allow you to compare available benefits for Expats in Portugal at a glance.

AXA Health Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through AXA

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available 
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a high limit of $16,000
Maternity Coverage Available with an 18-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Available including travel vaccinations
Optical Coverage $160 limit for eye exam and glasses or contacts

NOW Health International in Portugal for Expats

NOW Health International’s comprehensive plans for expats in Portugal start at $403 monthly for a 30-year-old female. The annual benefit limit is USD $4,500,000, and the annual deductible is USD $15,000. You’ll have a range of options for deductibles when you sign up.

NOW Health International’s plans offer the following comprehensive benefits to expats in Portugal:

Deductibles through NOW Health are available in the following amounts.

  • USD $15,000 deductible plans
  • USD $10,000 deductible plans
  • USD $5,000 deductible plans
  • USD $2,500 deductible plans
  • USD $1,000 deductible plans
  • $0 deductible plans

The following table illustrates differences in coverage for plans through NOW Health International, including waiting period lengths.

NOW Health International Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through NOW Health Intl.

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a 9-month waiting period
Maternity Coverage Available with a 12-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available on higher tier plans with a 6-month waiting period and a limit of USD $1,000
Vaccination Coverage Routine and travel vaccinations are covered up to the annual health check benefit limit.
Optical Coverage Eye exams and contacts or glasses are covered but subject to the annual health check limit.

Cigna for Expats in Portugal

Cigna’s Silver plan is a fantastic and affordable option for expats who don’t need maternity coverage while in Portugal. And for expats who do, Cigna has more comprehensive plans. The Cigna Silver Plan starts at only USD $92 monthly for a 30-year-old female expat in Portugal.

Cigna’s Silver plan, with a monthly premium of $92, offers basic coverage for inpatient care as well as dental coverage. The annual deductible is USD $10,000, and the annual benefit limit is USD $1,000,000.

Check out how Cigna compares to other companies in our top ten list using the following table.

Cigna Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through Cigna

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available on most plans
Dental Coverage Available with waiting periods of 3, 12, or 18 months
Maternity Coverage Available on Gold or Platinum Plans
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available, but some plans only cover annual exams for children 17 & under
Vaccination Coverage Available, but travel vaccinations are excluded
Optical Coverage Available with sub-limits

William Russell for Expats in Portugal

William Russell is among the top ten health insurance companies for expats in Portugal because its plans are comprehensive yet affordable. Plans start at USD $195 monthly for a 30-year-old female in Portugal. Worldwide plans are also available at a higher price.

The annual benefit limit for William Russell’s expat health insurance plans in Portugal is USD $5,000,000. 

Another great aspect of plans through William Russell is the many options for annual deductibles. Expats can choose between saving on monthly premiums or out-of-pocket costs. The following list shows the deductible options.

  • USD $10,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $5,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $2,500 annual deductible plans
  • USD $1,600 annual deductible plans
  • USD $1,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $500 annual deductible plans
  • USD $250 annual deductible plans
  • USD $100 annual deductible plans
  • USD $50 annual deductible plans
  • USD $0 annual deductible plans

The table below shows the coverage possibilities with William Russell for Expats in Portugal. 

William Russell Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through William Russell

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available after a 6-month waiting period, but some plans have a 10-month waiting period for major restorative work
Maternity Coverage Available after a 12-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available after a 6-month waiting period
Vaccination Coverage Available for routine and travel vaccinations with sub-limits
Optical Coverage Coverage for eye exams only

Bupa for Expats in Portugal

Bupa offers coverage for routine and travel vaccinations, 24/7 Global Virtual Care, and an extensive direct billing network for expats in Portugal. Bupa policyholders enjoy high annual benefit limits for dental coverage with a co-pay.

Plans are available in Portugal through IHI BUPA IHHP, Healthcare IHI BUPA ISM, and BUPA International Worldwide Health Options.

Annual benefit limits range from USD $2,000,000 to USD $4,400,000, and the following deductible amounts are available for plans through Bupa in Portugal:

  • USD $20,000 annual deductible
  • USD $10,000 annual deductible
  • USD $3,400 annual deductible
  • USD $2,700 annual deductible
  • USD $1,600 annual deductible
  • USD $1,350 annual deductible
  • USD $400 annual deductible
  • USD $200 annual deductible
  • USD $0 annual deductible

Bupa’s lowest-cost plan is an IHHP plan with a deductible of USD $20,000 and a monthly premium of USD $488 for a 30-year-old female expat residing in Portugal.

The following table displays the coverage highlights for Bupa’s expat health insurance plans in Portugal.

Bupa Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through Bupa

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available on many plans
Dental Coverage Available with a 24-month waiting period for orthodontic benefits
Maternity Coverage Available with a 12-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Available for routine and travel vaccines
Optical Coverage Available for routine eye exams and glasses and contacts with sub-limits

Allianz Care for Expats in Portugal

Allianz Care plans are available for expats in Portugal. Worldwide coverage, including or excluding the United States, is available for expats with this high-performing insurance company. Select plans offer annual benefit limits of up to USD $5,000,000.

Allianz Care provides its policyholders with an Expat Assistance Program and coverage for second medical opinions.

Check out the options for coverage available through Allianz Care for expats in the table below.

Allianz Care Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through Allianz Care

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available
Maternity Coverage Available with a waiting period of 10 or 18 months
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Available

VUMI for Expats in Portugal

VUMI is a successful expat health insurance provider in Portugal because their 5 long-term insurance plans offer flexibility that can be customized to your individual needs. VUMI may cover your preexisting medical conditions, including HIV/AIDS. Maternity care only has a 12 month waiting period.

Below are some of the deductible options you’ll be able to choose from when covered by VUMI.

Inside the USA:

  • USD $50,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $20,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $10,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $5,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $3,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $2,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $500 annual deductible plans

Outside the USA:

  • USD $50,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $20,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $10,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $5,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $3,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $2,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $1,000 annual deductible plans

The following table displays the coverage availability for expats in Portugal through VUMI.

VUMI Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through VUMI

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Partial to Full Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available
Maternity Coverage Available with the Superior, Ultra, and Total plans
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Partial to Full Coverage
Vaccination Coverage Available
Optical Coverage Optional coverage available

IMG for Expats in Portugal

IMG’s top-rated international health insurance plans offer flexibility when it comes to getting worldwide or regional coverage. The Bronze Global Medical Insurance plan for a 30 year old female living in Portugal for a year begins at USD $90 a month with a $10,000 deductible.

Expats in Portugal can choose to be covered wherever they go, or to exclude certain countries like the U.S., Japan, and others. All 4 IMG plans include prescription drug coverage.

Here are the annual plan limits for each of IMG’s expat health insurance packages:

  1. Bronze: $1,000,000
  2. Silver: $5,000,000
  3. Gold: $5,000,000
  4. Platinum: $8,000,000

The deductible options available with IMG global medical plans in Portugal include:

  • USD $25,000 annual deductible
  • USD $10,000 annual deductible
  • USD $5,000 annual deductible
  • USD $2,500 annual deductible
  • USD $1,000 annual deductible
  • USD $500 annual deductible
  • USD $250 annual deductible

Next is a chart that details some of the core benefits available in Portugal for expatriates who get insured through IMG Global.

IMG Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through IMG

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Partial to full coverage available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Optional add-on available
Maternity Coverage Available with Platinum plan
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Available
Optical Coverage Optional add-on available

Passport Card for Expats in Portugal

Passport Card offers comprehensive insurance plans with low deductibles for expats in Portugal. Monthly premiums start at USD $350 monthly for a 30-year-old female expat. Regional or worldwide coverage is available. Expats can save by only selecting the necessary coverage area.

Note that worldwide coverage through Passport Card still excludes the United States, but other insurance companies have options if you need health insurance coverage including the United States.

Passport Card’s low annual deductible options include:

  • USD $2,000 annually
  • USD $1,000 annually
  • USD $500 annually
  • USD $250 annually
  • USD $0 annually

See the table below for a quick snapshot of the coverage available through Passport Card for expats in Portugal.

Passport Card Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through Passport Card

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a 3-6 month waiting period
Maternity Coverage Available with a 16-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available
Vaccination Coverage Available for children only, and travel vaccinations are excluded
Optical Coverage Available with USD $400 for an eye exam and contacts or one pair of glasses

More Health Insurers for Expats in Portugal

There are more than ten outstanding insurance companies for expat medical insurance in Portugal. Compare and consider plans from A+ International and HealthCare International too.

A+ International Insurance in Portugal for Expats

A+ International Insurance offers basic expat health insurance coverage at a bargain price. Monthly premiums start at USD $72 for a 30-year-old female living in Portugal. Co-pays are low: only USD $10 per visit.

To customize the plan, you can choose your annual benefit limit. Options include a limit of USD $200,000 or $400,000. 

The following deductibles are available through A+ International Insurance:

  • USD $5,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $1,000 annual deductible plans
  • USD $500 annual deductible plans
  • USD $250 annual deductible plans
  • $0 annual deductible plans 

The following table shows the plan benefits through A+ International Insurance for expats in Portugal.

A+ International Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through A+ International

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Unavailable
Maternity Coverage Unavailable
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Unavailable
Vaccination Coverage Unavailable
Optical Coverage Unavailable

HealthCare International in Portugal for Expats

HealthCare International offers plans with copays ranging from no co-pay to 30%, so expats in Portugal can customize their plans in multiple ways. More comprehensive plans through Healthcare International also offer benefits for acupuncture and traditional Chinese Medicine

Policyholders in Portugal can choose one of the following annual benefit limits through HealthCare International:

  • USD $1,500,000
  • USD $2,000,000
  • USD $2,500,000

The following table shows the plan benefits through HealthCare International for expats in Portugal.

HealthCare International Insurance Coverage Availability for Expats in Portugal

Benefit 

Availability through HealthCare International

Inpatient & Outpatient Coverage Available
Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation Available
Dental Coverage Available with a 6-month waiting period
Maternity Coverage Available with a 12 to 18-month waiting period
Coverage for Annual Health Checks Available with a 12-month waiting period
Vaccination Coverage Available, but travel vaccinations excluded
Optical Coverage Coverage is available for glasses is available on some plans, but no coverage is available for eye exams.

Choosing the Best Expat Health Insurance in Portugal

Choosing the best expat health insurance in Portugal can be time-consuming. Using a broker’s obligation-free quote generator can help you compare multiple quotes at once and review the coverage specifics.

This article only provided a quick overview of the coverage selections available for expats in Portugal through the top ten insurance companies. Many more aspects of coverage impact treatments and premiums. Working with a broker can help manage this complexity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Americans get free healthcare in Portugal?

American citizens who qualify as permanent residents in Portugal can access Portugal’s universal healthcare. Americans without permanent resident status will need private international medical insurance for coverage in Portugal.

How much does health insurance in Portugal cost for expats?

Comprehensive health insurance plan premiums start at USD $72 monthly for a 30-year-old female expat in Portugal. Age of the policyholder, the geographical coverage area, deductible, and annual benefit limits are aspects that affect the cost of expat health insurance in Portugal.

Can you use US health insurance while in Portugal?

US domestic health insurance plans will not cover you while traveling or living abroad, including travel to Portugal. Secure travel insurance before visiting Portugal because Medicaid, medicare, and other US plans will not cover you abroad.

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Conclusion

VUMI, GeoBlue, AXA, NOW Health International, Cigna, IMG, William Russell, Bupa, Passport Card, and Allianz Care are the top ten expat health insurance companies in Portugal.

Overwhelmed with shopping for health insurance abroad? Contact an insurance expert today for free and personalized help.

Are you still exploring places to live abroad? Check out the Top 10 Insurance Companies in Germany or the Top 10 Insurance Companies in South Korea.

Additional Resources for Living Abroad in Portugal as an Expat

Additional resources for moving and living in Portugal as an expat are available in these Pacific Prime blog posts:

Head of Content at Pacific Prime
Serena Fung is the Head of Content at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 6+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

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.
Serena Fung