How to Get Your SNS Utente Number and Register at a Portuguese Health Centre

Once you live in Portugal, one of the first practical steps is joining the public health system, the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde). The key to it is your número de utente, your personal health user number. Here is how it works for foreign residents.

What the utente number is

It is the number that identifies you as a user of public healthcare. In practice it is a simple paper with your details and your number. Portuguese citizens get theirs automatically with the Citizen Card. Foreigners are given one the first time they go to a public health facility, such as a health centre or a hospital. It is free.

How to get it

• The number is allocated automatically the first time you go to a health centre or hospital for care.
• You can also ask for it at any public health facility even when you do not need care, which is a good way to be ready in advance.

What the health centre will ask

Basic details: your name, sex, date of birth, country of nationality and country of birth. You may also be asked for your address, mobile number and email.

Having a number is not the same as being covered

This is the point most people miss. Having a utente number does not by itself guarantee that the SNS covers your healthcare costs. For that, your registration must also carry:

• an identification document,
• your Portuguese tax number (NIF),
• your full address in Portugal, and
• a valid residence permit.

In some cases provided by law, care can be covered without these details. Without them, you may be charged for care, so it is worth completing the registration as soon as your documents are in order.

A NIF and an address come first

You will need both for a complete registration. If you do not have a NIF yet, our NIF service can get it for you before you even arrive.

Bring your family

Each family member has their own number and registers separately. If your family joins you under reunification, register them once their residence documents are issued.

Private insurance still helps

Many newcomers keep private health insurance as well, for faster access to specialists. Some visas also require health insurance during the application, so keep it until your public registration is complete.

General information based on the official public health service guidance. Check the current requirements with your local health centre.