Emergency Healthcare in Portugal — Hospitals & Urgências

The Emergency Number: 112

In Portugal — and across the European Union — the emergency number is 112. Call this number for:

• Medical emergencies (heart attack, stroke, severe injury, difficulty breathing)
• Fire
• Police assistance

The 112 service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Operators can assist in Portuguese and English. When you call, clearly state your location and the nature of the emergency. Stay on the line until the operator tells you it is safe to hang up.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

Portuguese hospital emergency departments (urgências) are designed for serious and urgent medical situations. You should go to the emergency room when:

• You have a condition that could be life-threatening or cause permanent harm if not treated immediately
• You experience severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, or signs of a stroke
• You have a serious injury (broken bones, deep cuts, head trauma)
• You experience severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
• You have high fever that does not respond to medication, especially in young children

For non-urgent issues — such as a cold, mild back pain, or a minor rash — your centro de saúde or pharmacy is the appropriate first step. Using the emergency room for non-urgent conditions leads to long waits for everyone and puts strain on the system.

How the Triage System Works

Portuguese public hospitals use the Manchester Triage System to prioritise patients. When you arrive at the emergency room, a triage nurse assesses your condition and assigns you a colour-coded priority level:

• Red — Immediate: Life-threatening conditions. Treatment begins immediately.
• Orange — Very Urgent: Serious conditions that need attention within 10 minutes.
• Yellow — Urgent: Conditions that should be seen within 60 minutes.
• Green — Standard: Less urgent cases. You may wait several hours.
• Blue — Non-urgent: Conditions that could be handled at a health centre. The longest wait times.

You are seen in order of medical priority, not arrival time. A person who arrives after you may be seen before you if their condition is more serious. This system ensures that the sickest patients get treated first.

What to Bring to the ER

When going to the emergency room, try to bring:

• Identification: Passport, citizen card, or residence permit
• SNS user card or number: Proves your registration with the National Health Service
• NIF: Your Portuguese tax identification number
• List of current medications: Names, dosages, and how often you take them
• Health insurance card: If you have private or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/CESD)
• Referral letter: If sent by your family doctor or Saúde 24

If it is a true emergency and you do not have these documents, go to the hospital anyway. You will never be refused emergency treatment because you lack documentation.

Copayments (Taxa Moderadora)

Public hospital emergency rooms charge a copayment called a taxa moderadora. This is a small fee intended to encourage appropriate use of emergency services.

The amount of the taxa moderadora is set by the government and can change. Check the SNS website for the current copayment amount for emergency room visits.

Who Is Exempt from Copayments?

Many people are exempt from paying the taxa moderadora, including:

• Pregnant women and new mothers (up to 60 days after birth)
• Children and young people under 18
• People with recognised chronic conditions (specific diseases listed by law)
• People with a disability of 60% or more
• Low-income individuals and families (below a threshold set by Social Security)
• Patients referred by Saúde 24 or their family doctor
• Unemployed people registered with IEFP
• Blood donors

If you believe you are exempt, inform the reception staff when you arrive. You may need to present documentation to prove your exemption status.

INEM Ambulance Service

INEM (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) is Portugal’s national emergency medical institute. It coordinates all pre-hospital emergency care in the country.

When you call 112 for a medical emergency, INEM’s coordination centre (CODU) dispatches the appropriate response, which may include:

• Basic life support ambulance: Staffed by emergency medical technicians
• Advanced life support ambulance (VMER): Includes a doctor and nurse with advanced medical equipment
• Emergency motorcycle: For rapid first response in urban areas
• Helicopter (heli—INEM): For remote areas or critical time-sensitive cases

INEM ambulances transport patients to the nearest appropriate hospital. The service is free for genuine medical emergencies.

Call Saúde 24 First

For medical situations that are urgent but not immediately life-threatening, call Saúde 24 on 808 24 24 24 before going to the emergency room.

Saúde 24 nurses will:

• Assess your symptoms over the phone
• Advise whether you need to go to the emergency room, visit your health centre, or manage your condition at home
• Provide a referral that may exempt you from the emergency room copayment
• Guide you to the most appropriate hospital if emergency care is needed

The service is available 24 hours a day in Portuguese and English. Calling first can save you unnecessary trips and long waits at the emergency room.

Private Emergency Clinics

Portugal’s major private hospital networks — including CUF, Luz Saúde, and Hospital da Cruz Vermelha — operate emergency departments in larger cities. Private emergency rooms typically have shorter wait times than public hospitals.

If you have private health insurance, check whether your policy covers private emergency visits. Without insurance, private emergency care is paid out-of-pocket and the cost varies by treatment required. If you are unsure, contact the private hospital before going to confirm they can treat your condition and to understand the costs.

Dental Emergencies

Dental emergencies (severe toothache, broken tooth, abscess, trauma to the mouth) can be treated at:

• Hospital emergency rooms: Public hospitals with dental services can handle acute dental emergencies, but not all hospitals have dental departments
• Your centro de saúde: Some health centres have dental consultations available — ask when you register or call ahead
• Private dental clinics: Many private dentists offer emergency appointments. Search online for “dentista urgência” in your area

For severe dental pain at night or on weekends, call Saúde 24 for guidance on the nearest available service.

Common Questions

What is the emergency number in Portugal?

The emergency number in Portugal is 112. This is the same across the European Union. Call 112 for medical emergencies, fire, or police. The service operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and operators can assist in Portuguese and English.

How does the Manchester triage system work in Portuguese hospitals?

When you arrive at a Portuguese emergency room, a nurse assesses your condition using the Manchester triage system. You are assigned a colour-coded priority: red (immediate, life-threatening), orange (very urgent), yellow (urgent), green (standard), or blue (non-urgent). You are seen in order of medical priority, not arrival time. Red and orange patients are treated immediately, while green and blue patients may wait several hours.

Do I have to pay to use the emergency room in Portugal?

Public hospital emergency rooms charge a copayment called a taxa moderadora. Some people are exempt, including pregnant women, children under 18, people with recognised chronic conditions, and those with low income. Check the SNS website for the current copayment amount and full list of exemptions. You will never be refused emergency treatment for inability to pay.

Should I call Saúde 24 before going to the emergency room?

Yes, in non-life-threatening situations, call Saúde 24 on 808 24 24 24 before going to the emergency room. Nurses assess your symptoms by phone and advise whether you need emergency care, a health centre visit, or can manage at home. In some cases, calling Saúde 24 first can also waive the emergency room copayment.

What is INEM?

INEM (Instituto Nacional de Emergência Médica) is Portugal’s national emergency medical institute. It coordinates emergency medical services across the country, dispatches ambulances, and operates the CODU emergency coordination centres. When you call 112 for a medical emergency, INEM is the service that responds.