Healthcare

Portugal — Healthcare: Emergency Services

Emergency medical assistance in Portugal is organized nationally through the Integrated Medical Emergency System, coordinated by the National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM). Emergency departments (Urgências) are situated at major public hospitals and operate continuously to stabilize life-threatening conditions. For non-life-threatening medical issues, residents are urged to call the dedicated SNS 24 helpline before heading to an emergency room, allowing clinical triaging that directs patients to local health centers or urgent care units to prevent hospital overcrowding.

Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica (INEM) · Last verified 2026-07-17

Key Facts

  • The universal European emergency number 112 is used to summon ambulance and medical rescue services.
  • INEM manages all emergency medical dispatches, including highly specialized mobile resuscitation vehicles (VMER).
  • Public emergency room visits are prioritized using the Manchester Triage System, which ranks cases by clinical color codes.
  • Emergency departments charge a small moderating fee (taxa moderadora) of approximately €15, unless referred or exempt.
  • Exemptions from emergency fees apply to pregnant women, children under 12, and the unemployed.
  • Emergency medical treatments are administered immediately to all individuals, regardless of paperwork or residency.
  • Private hospitals in major cities also operate private emergency rooms for patients with compatible insurance.

Related Topics

public-healthcaremajor-hospitals
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