Expat Insurance in Portugal 🇵🇹

For the D7 Passive Income Visa, Portuguese immigration (AIMA) requires proof of health insurance that covers medical expenses in Portugal for the duration of your visa. The policy must be from a recognised insurer and typically needs to cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses. International plans from providers like Cigna Global, AXA International or Allianz Care are widely accepted. You'll need to present the insurance certificate (in Portuguese or with a certified translation) as part of your visa application. Note that the Digital Nomad Visa (D8) has similar requirements.

EU/EEA citizens and residents with the correct legal status can register with the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) and receive free or low-cost primary care. However, registration can be delayed while your residency is being processed, and specialist referrals can take many months. Non-EU residents on visas like the D7 or Digital Nomad are generally not entitled to SNS access until they become tax residents and complete the residency process. Even then, private insurance is often faster and more comprehensive for specialist care.

Yes — international health insurance from recognised providers is accepted for Portuguese visa applications, including the D7, Digital Nomad (D8), and Golden Visa. The key requirements are: (1) the policy must cover medical treatment in Portugal, (2) the coverage amount must be sufficient (typically €30,000+), and (3) the policy must be valid for the entire visa period. Providers like Cigna Global, Allianz Care and April International issue certificates specifically designed for Portuguese visa applications. Local Portuguese health insurance (e.g. from Médis or AdvanceCare) is also accepted.

Local Portuguese health insurance (from providers like Médis, AdvanceCare or Multicare) covers care within Portugal's private hospital network at a lower monthly cost — typically €50–€120/month for a healthy adult. International expat health plans (from Cigna Global, AXA International, etc.) cover you worldwide, which is ideal if you travel frequently or haven't committed long-term to Portugal. They cost more (€100–€250/month) but offer global coverage, direct billing at hospitals internationally, and often include more comprehensive dental and mental health benefits. The right choice depends on how long you plan to stay and how often you travel.

Most Portuguese mortgage lenders (including Millennium BCP, Caixa Geral de Depósitos, and Novo Banco) require borrowers to hold a life insurance policy linked to the mortgage — enough to pay off the remaining balance if you die during the loan term. While banks will offer their own insurance (which can be expensive), you are legally entitled to purchase life insurance from any EU-regulated provider and use it to satisfy the bank's requirement. Comparing independent life insurance through Valenvia can save you significant money over the lifetime of a Portuguese mortgage.