Table of Contents
- Step 1: What is the Portuguese healthcare system?
- Special situation for Brazilian students: can you use SNS?
- Private health insurance: is it just a visa requirement?
- Insurance plans available in 2026: which one is best for you?
- What to look for in coverage? Details that insurers don’t tell you
- Step-by-step guide: from arrival in Portugal to using insurance
- Real-life story: What I saw first-hand
- Should you buy dental and vision insurance separately?
- Important updates for 2026
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Conclusion: Protect your health, the foundation of your education
Dreaming of Portugal? Moving to Portugal from Brazil to study is a really big decision. The visa race, the search for a university, the accommodation arrangement — all are important. But I come across students every day who, after doing all this, forget one fundamental thing: health protection.
I myself have been in the insurance sector for years. On platforms like dotzee.eu, we have guided hundreds of students who have moved to Portugal. The experience of most of them is that if a health crisis occurs and there is no prior planning, then the burden on the pocket is so great that studies are affected.
This article is not just a collection of information. It is a summary of real-life stories from me and my clients, especially for Brazilian students according to the latest laws and conditions for 2026. 📅
Step 1: What is the Portuguese healthcare system? 🏥
Healthcare in Portugal is based on two main pillars. One is the SNS, the national system (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) , and the other is the private system (Private Healthcare) .
The SNS is the Portuguese public health system, which is funded by taxes. If you are a resident of Portugal (even if you are a student), you can register for it. Its main advantage is that it is very cheap. For example:
- A visit to a family doctor: around 5 euros 💶
- Admission to an emergency room: free in some cases, otherwise a very small fee
- Hospital stay: around 20 euros per day if there is a referral
But there is a big “but”. This system is very overcrowded. If you want to see a cardiologist or a dermatologist, you can wait weeks or even months. ⏳
On the other hand, there is the private system. Here you can find a doctor immediately, most doctors can speak English or Portuguese, the hospital standards are very high, and you don’t have to stand in long lines. But getting treatment here without insurance can be expensive. A visit to a general doctor starts at 50 euros, and a visit to a specialist can go up to 100 euros.
Special situation for Brazilian students: can you use SNS?
This is where Brazilian students have an advantage over other countries. Portugal and Brazil have an old friendship treaty under which Brazilian citizens (who are registered with the social security there) can also access public healthcare in Portugal.
For this you need a PB4 form. You can get this form in Brazil from your local INSS (Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social) office. Once you arrive in Portugal, submit this form to your local Centro de Saúde (Health Center), and you will then receive a local User Number (Utente Number) . You can then use all the SNS facilities just like local citizens.
But remember: this process is not instant. In some areas it takes two weeks, in others two months. If you need treatment during this time, you will either have to pay in cash or have private insurance.
If you do not have social security in Brazil, or cannot obtain a PB4 form, then private health insurance is your only option.
Private health insurance: is it just a visa requirement? 📑
When you apply for a D4 visa (student visa) or any other long-stay visa for Portugal, the embassy will definitely ask you for proof of health insurance. This cannot be a general insurance.
Portuguese consulates require that the insurance is valid throughout the Schengen area, and has a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. This is a legal requirement. Without it, the chances of getting a visa approved are very low.
Once you arrive in Portugal and register with the SNS, the legal requirement for private insurance is lifted. But in practice, I advise every student to continue with private insurance. Why? For two reasons:
- Long waiting lists: If you need urgent advice from a specialist, private insurance can get you an appointment the very next day. The SNS sometimes has a waiting list of three months.
- Language barrier: Private hospitals tend to have more English-speaking doctors. This is a huge advantage if your Portuguese is weak.
Insurance plans available in 2026: which one is best for you? 🔍
Now, let’s get to the real issue. There are several companies on the insurance market in Portugal, but three names stand out especially for students: Multicare, Medis, and Allianz Care.
I keep comparing these three for students on dotzee.eu. Here’s a simple summary:
1. Multicare – Most popular among students 🎓
It comes under Fidelidade. Its Student Plan is specifically designed for international students.
- Pros: Coverage across Europe, can also include dental coverage, wide network of local hospitals.
- Cons: Premiums are a bit higher than others.
2. Medis – Better on a budget 💰
Medis’ Medis Universitário plan is specifically designed for students.
- Pros: Cheap premiums, good coverage for basic care, network in major hospitals in Lisbon and Porto.
- Cons: Can have high co-payments for some specialists.
3. Allianz Care – For International Students 🌍
This is a German company, and its plans are mostly designed with international students in mind.
- Pros: Worldwide coverage (if you go on vacation to other countries), 24/7 helpline in English.
- Cons: Its network in local clinics in Portugal is a bit smaller than Multicare.
My advice: If you are in a big city like Lisbon or Porto, Multicare or Medis are both good. If you are going to university in a smaller city, first see which company has the strongest network there.
What to look for in coverage? Details that insurers don’t tell you 🕵️♂️
When you buy a plan, the brochure will have big words: “Hospitalization is covered, emergency is covered.” But in my experience, I have seen that students get stuck the most in these three things:
a) Dental coverage 🦷
Many cheap plans do not have dental coverage, or if they do, only annual check-ups. If you get a tooth infection, treatment can be expensive. I always say that if you have the budget, definitely take out a dental add-on.
b) Co-payment 💳
This is the amount you pay to the doctor yourself. Some plans cover 100% of a visit to a general practitioner, while others require you to pay 10-20 euros yourself. This small amount can make a difference in your monthly premium.
c) Waiting period ⏱️
Some plans do not cover any major illnesses for the first three months. If you already have a chronic condition, this condition could be a problem for you.
Step-by-step guide: from arrival in Portugal to using insurance 🧭
Let’s get down to practical life now. I have seen many of my clients go through these steps:
Step 1: Choosing insurance in Pakistan or Brazil 🌏
Purchase a policy from a reputable company with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros before applying for a visa. This is called “Schengen Health Insurance” . It is usually temporary (3 months to 1 year).
Step 2: Register with the SNS upon arrival in Portugal 📝
As soon as you have your residence permit, or at least proof of residency, go immediately to the Centro de Saúde in your area. Take the PB4 form (if you are from Brazil) or the residency card. Your Utente Number will be generated there.
Step 3: Decide on private insurance 🤝
If you had temporary Schengen insurance, buy an annual plan from a local company in Portugal before it expires. I recommend doing this by comparing online at dotzee.eu, so you can get the best deal.
Step 4: When you need treatment 🏥
If it’s a minor problem (fever, cough), first contact your SNS family doctor. If they can’t make an appointment, use the private insurance app to book a next-day appointment with a nearby network doctor.
Real-life story: What I saw first-hand 📖
Last year, a Brazilian student who had entered university in Lisbon came to me. He had already filled out the PB4 form, but he didn’t think he needed any more insurance.
One day, he had a severe toothache. He made an appointment at the SNS dental department, but was told that he would be able to get one in six weeks. He couldn’t sleep at night in pain.He went to a private dentist.The dentist did X-rays, a root canal, and a crown — the total bill came to 850 euros. 💸
If he had had private dental insurance, he would have only had to pay 100-150 euros out of pocket.
I’m telling this story because both the SNS and the private have their place. The public system is great for basic needs, but for emergency or specialized treatment, private insurance provides great peace of mind.
Should you buy dental and vision insurance separately?
Most health insurance plans in Portugal have dental and vision (glasses, lenses) coverage as an add-on. This means that you buy a base plan, then you can buy dental and optical add-ons for a small additional premium.
In my experience, if you wear glasses, you should definitely get the vision add-on. Eyeglass frames and lenses are expensive in Portugal. Good insurance will cover the full cost of a pair of glasses or contact lenses per year.
Similarly, the dental add-on is very useful. Cleanings are free twice a year, and there are also big discounts on fillings or extractions.
Important updates for 2026 ⚠️
Portugal changes a lot every year. Keep these things in mind especially for 2026:
- Proof of residence for registration in SNS has now become stricter: previously only a university admission letter was sufficient, now in some areas a residence permit or fatura (electricity/water bill) is required.
- Private insurance prices increase by 3-5%: Most companies have increased premiums in 2026, especially for plans with international students.
- Digital health card mandatory: Most insurance companies now issue digital cards on a mobile app instead of a physical card. It is much easier to find a doctor, book an appointment, and make a claim in this app. 📱
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) ❓
Can I use insurance purchased from Pakistan/Brazil in Portugal?
Yes, if that insurance is “international” and specifically provides coverage for Schengen countries. But most local (Pakistani or Brazilian) insurers cannot bill the doctor directly in Portugal. You have to pay first and then make a claim, which can be a hassle. So it is better to buy a local policy when you arrive in Portugal.
Can I cancel my private insurance after registering with the SNS?
Yes, but I do not recommend it. Private insurance is very useful in the SNS due to long waits for specialists, language barriers, and emergencies. If your budget is very tight, at least have a cheap plan (like Medis Universitário) that only costs 20-30 euros per month.
Is the Brazilian PB4 form accepted in every city?
Yes, the system is the same throughout Portugal. However, in the Centro de Saúde in smaller cities, the staff is not very familiar with the form, so it can take a while. The process is faster in Lisbon and Porto.
Can the insurance also cover my family (who are coming with me)?
Yes, most companies offer “family plans” . If you have a spouse or children coming with you, they must take out separate insurance. They can also be registered with the SNS.
Is there any free insurance available for students in Portugal?
There is no official “free” one, but if you have a PB4 form, the SNS is practically free. In addition, some universities offer group insurance to their international students at a reduced price. Be sure to ask the university’s international office when applying.
Conclusion: Protect your health, the foundation of your education 🎯
Studying in Portugal is a beautiful experience. The environment, the people, and the quality of education are excellent. But a small illness or accident can ruin all your plans if you don’t have the right insurance.
Brazilian students are especially lucky that they can easily join the public system through the PB4 form. But based on my experience, I say don’t think of private insurance as just a visa requirement. Think of it as a guarantee of peace of mind during your studies.
At dotzee.eu, we always say: insurance is not an expense, it’s an investment. When you’re new to any country, your health is your greatest asset. Protect this asset, and everything else becomes a piece of cake. 🍰
If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me — I’m here to help in any way I can via dotzee.eu.
This article was written according to the latest laws and market conditions in 2026. Insurance terms may change over time, so be sure to read the brochure before purchasing any policy.