Traveling to Portugal requires compliance with certain rules. These include visa requirements and health insurance, which is mandatory when entering this country. Find out what insurance you need to travel to Portugal and why the policy requirements may differ for different categories of travelers

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine

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When applying for a long-term visa to Portugal, or when traveling to this country on a visa-free basis, you cannot do without health insurance. We will tell you all about insurance for traveling to Portugal.

Is insurance required to enter Portugal?

Insurance is mandatory for all Ukrainian citizens planning to enter Portugal, regardless of the purpose of the trip. Given that Portugal is a member of the Schengen area, the basic insurance requirements are the same as for other countries in this zone.

What kind of insurance policy do I need to enter Portugal?

The insurance requirements for entering Portugal may vary depending on the purpose of the visit and the duration of your stay in this European country. In general, Portuguese law requires everyone arriving in the country to have a travel insurance policy. Although it would be more accurate to call it health insurance for traveling abroad.

To meet the requirements of Portugal, the insurance must include:

1) A minimum sum insured of at least 30,000 euros to cover medical expenses;

2) Emergency medical care coverage: the policy must cover the costs of hospitalization, direct treatment, evacuation and repatriation if necessary;

3) Coverage throughout the Schengen area. That is, the policy should be valid not only in Portugal, but also in all Schengen countries through which you may transit.

Earlier, we wrote in detail about the stay of Ukrainians in Portugal in 2024

Why is an insurance policy important in Portugal?

Healthcare in Portugal, as in other European countries, is not what Ukrainians are used to. This does not mean that Portuguese medicine is not of high quality, but it operates under strict rules, and this should be taken into account in advance. After all, if you get sick in this southern country, you can spend a considerable amount of money on treatment in private clinics, and you also need to take into account the cost of interpreters, transfer to the hospital, purchase of medicines, etc. That is why having an insurance policy is not only a requirement of Portuguese law, but also a general need for every visitor to Portugal.

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Travel insurance to Portugal

Portugal is undoubtedly a tourist country, and it is the tourist visa to Portugal that is one of the most common, and with it travel insurance. However, while EU citizens in Portugal can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), Ukrainian tourists in Portugal must have a separate policy.

Please note. Travel companies usually sell such insurance together with the package, and in most cases it will be a standard traveler's policy that meets the minimum requirements of Portuguese law. To get a travel insurance that will cover all or most of the health-related expenses, you need to choose the policy option yourself.

Insurance for students in Portugal

Portugal divides students into categories depending on the duration of their studies, so the requirements for student insurance may vary. However, when it comes to studying in Portuguese universities, students need to take out long-term insurance. And although in some cases an insurance policy is included in programs for international students, it is a separate private insurance that is the most convenient and reliable way to be financially insured in case of illness or accident.

Long-term student insurance in Portugal

Students who study at Portuguese universities for a long time have access to the Portuguese healthcare system (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, SNS) after paying the appropriate fees. However, it is recommended that students in Portugal have private insurance for the initial period.

Insurance when applying for a work visa to Portugal

In order to work legally in Portugal, you need to obtain an appropriate visa. And one of the requirements for obtaining such a visa is to have an insurance policy with a standard coverage of at least €30,000. Ukrainians going to work in Portugal should consider long-term health insurance options that are designed for a long stay and include coverage for medical services not related to emergencies only.

Insurance for refugees in Portugal

Refugees arriving in Portugal have access to medical services within the Portuguese national healthcare system, however, this program is designed for emergency care only. And let's repeat once again - the healthcare system in Portugal is fundamentally different from the Ukrainian one. And to avoid unforeseen expenses and to be sure of timely assistance, refugees are also advised to have private insurance, at least for the period of paperwork in Portugal.

Interesting facts about the healthcare system in Portugal

- The healthcare system in Portugal is publicly funded and provides access to healthcare services for all residents and EU citizens;

- Foreigners can use SNS services after paying special state contributions or through private insurance;

- Treatment in emergency situations is provided free of charge in public hospitals, but this care will be provided according to Portuguese standards, which differ from Ukrainian ones;

- For a long-term stay in Portugal, it is necessary to have a local registration in the SNS system;

- Medical services in private clinics in Portugal are available for a fee, and the prices for such medicine are quite high;

Additional types of insurance for entry to Portugal

Ukrainians should also pay attention to other types of insurance that may be useful during their stay in Portugal:

1) Liability insurance, which covers damages that you may accidentally cause to third parties.

2) Luggage insurance, which will protect you in case of loss or damage to your luggage during your trip.

3) Cancellation insurance, in case the trip is disrupted for some reason. This type of insurance will help to return the money already paid for the trip.

Choose an insurer for a trip to Portugal

Safe traveling starts with reliable insurance. To make your trip to Portugal or any other European country safe, take care of your insurance policy right now. Visit Ukraine portal offers a convenient service for obtaining an insurance policy for traveling abroad. Choose a proven policy from licensed insurers in Ukraine, with a guarantee of payments in case of insured events.

To learn more about Portugal and the current rules of stay in this country, please visit our website

Just to remind you. Ukrainians have the opportunity to obtain temporary protection in Portugal until the end of 2024.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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