If you are not covered by a public health insurance, it is highly recommended that you are covered by a private insurance. Most private health insurance policies don't pay family doctors' fees or for medication that isn't provided in a hospital. Often, there will also be an 'excess' of around EUR75 more than the cost of treatment. Most will, however, pay for 100 per cent of specialists' fees and hospital treatment in the best Portuguese hospitals.
The cost of comprehensive private insurance with a Portuguese company varies considerably and can be very expensive, although young families can expect comprehensive coverage at competitive rates.
Update 11/03/2016
Expatriate health insurance in Portugal
With so much to deal with before leaving your home country, (taxes, moving house, paperwork etc.) the careful planning of your expatriation to Lisbon is an essential step. As far as healthcare is concerned, your local social security scheme won’t be accompanying you to your host country and, once abroad, you might be surprised by the care system you find in Portugal So, before leaving, make sure you have appropriate cover!
Designed for either short or long stays, APRIL International’s insurance policies offer protection against any problems that might arise before departure or during your time in Portugal: cancelling your trip, medical expenses following an illness or accident, needing to be repatriated, causing damage to a third party or losing your luggage.
14/12/2010