Mental health for foreigners
The SNS (National Health Service) of Portugal is under the supervision of the Ministry of Health, also known as Ministério da Saúde. Portugal has an extensive tax-funded public healthcare system.
The public healthcare system in Portugal offers coverage for both primary and secondary medical care.
In Portugal, public hospitals offer a range of healthcare services to patients. These services include emergency treatment, outpatient treatment, nursing care, psychiatric care, specialised care for terminally ill individuals, post-operative care and maternal care.
Access to Public Health Care (SNS):
If you are a registered resident of Portugal, you can obtain a health user number (‘número de utente’) that allows you to access SNS services, including mental health consultations.
Make an appointment with a general practitioner (“médico de família”) at your local health centre (“centro de saúde”) for an assessment and potential referral to a specialist. Please note that interpretation services may not always be readily available.
For EU, EEA, Swiss citizens
People from the EU/EEA/Switzerland visiting Portugal for a short period of time may use the public health system as long as they have their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with them. However, the card is only valid for emergency services. If you need to seek treatment or make an appointment or examination with a doctor, the card will not cover these situations.
For World citizens
The first step to access free healthcare, if you are not a Portuguese or EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, is to register with the National Health Service and then contact your assigned general practitioner to book psychological or psychiatric consultations with specialists. Waiting times can be very long.
People from Andorra, Brazil, Cape Verde and Morocco can access public healthcare in Portugal for free or at a reduced cost. This is possible because Portugal has reciprocal health agreements with these countries.
If you are a non-resident or short-term visitor to Portugal, it is advisable to obtain private health insurance (travel health insurance) to ensure that you are covered during your stay.
General Mental Health Support:
- SNS 24 (National Health Service, Contact Centre): A 24/7 telephone and online service offering guidance on various health issues, including mental health. You can call (+351) 808 242 424.
- Emergency Services: In case of a mental health emergency, call 112. You can also go to the Psychiatric Emergency Service of the Hospital de São José (Rua José António Serrano, 1150-199 Lisbon), open 24 hours a day. For child psychiatry emergencies, the Hospital de Estefânia (Rua Jacinta Marto, 1169-045 Lisbon) also offers a 24-hour service.
- SOS Voz Amiga: A suicide prevention hotline. You can call (+351) 213 544 545, (+351) 912 802 669 or (+351) 963 524 660. The toll-free number is 800 209 899 (available daily from 21:00 to midnight).
- Voz de Apoio: Another telephone line offering support, available daily from 21:00 to midnight. Call (+351) 225 506 070.
- SOS Estudante: A student-run phone line for students in need of emotional support, open daily from 20:00 to 01:00. You can contact them on (+351) 239 484 020, (+351) 969 554 545 or (+351) 915 246 060.
- Telefone de Amizade: Offers emotional support every day from 16:00 to 23:00. Call (+351) 228 323 535.
- Linha VIDA (Substance Abuse Hotline): A free and confidential counselling service for addiction-related problems. Call 1414.
Specific Support for Foreigners:
- Online directories where you can find English-speaking therapists in Lisbon: TherapyRoute
It’s Complicated
Doctoralia
Therapy Helpers
International Therapist Directory
- Safe Space therapy: Expat Mental health support group (Meetup): This group offers a safe space for expatriates to discuss mental health and adjustment issues. They organise discussions and therapeutic exercises. Check their Meetup page for events and more information: https://www.meetup.com/safespace-mental-wellness/ and their website: https://safespacehere.com/
- Lisbon Psychology: This centre offers psychotherapy and counselling services to the international community in English, French and Portuguese. It is located at Rua Pinheiro Chagas 48, 4th floor, 1050-179 Lisbon, and you can contact them by email at info@lisbonpsychology.com or lea@lisbonpsychology.com, or by phone at (+351) 920 351 927.
- Drs. Enikö Hajas Psychotherapy for Expats: Offers in-person and online therapy with a focus on cultural adaptation. They speak English, Dutch and Hungarian. You can find their contact information in the International Therapist Directory.
- Ines Moreira Rato – Psychotherapy for Expats: Offers individual and couples therapy for expats in Lisbon, addressing issues such as anxiety, trauma and life transitions. Contact her at imr@inesmoreirarato.com or (+351) 918 198 886.
- AlterStatus: This clinic has multilingual professionals (including English) who offer psychiatry, psychology and psychotherapy services to international patients. You can book a session online through their website.
- Expatriate Forums and Communities: Getting in touch with expatriate networks in Lisbon can provide valuable support and recommendations for mental health professionals.
- Embassies and Consulates: Your country’s embassy or consulate in Lisbon may have resources or recommendations for mental health support.
In general, the SNS offers only limited mental health support. It is better to have private health insurance to access a greater variety of services.
