What you need to know if you are a Tourist
If you are pregnant in Portugal or planning to have a baby, this article is for you. First, I would like to tell you that if you are a tourist and don’t have a Portuguese SNS number or NIF number (government documents), make sure you have proper health insurance that covers your pregnancy medical costs. Otherwise, you could be in big trouble.
I mention this because some people, especially immigrants from other European countries, come to Portugal during pregnancy to give birth. However, I have seen many people face serious problems, not getting proper services and spending a lot of money. Without an SNS number, you won’t receive any free medical services.
So, keep this in mind and avoid making hasty decisions that could cost you in the future. In this case, I recommend consulting with SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) to obtain your SNS number. They will assist you with the necessary documents. Once you have the SNS number, everything should go smoothly.
If You Are a Resident or Have Legal Documents
- Make Your SNS Number:
If you already have an SNS number, skip this step. If you don’t, call 8080242424 and ask them how to obtain an SNS number and where to go. They will give you the contact information for the nearest health center based on your location or provide an email address for submitting the required documents.
I’m not listing the documents here because they may change over time and depend on your situation in Portugal. It’s better to speak with them directly and explain your case. You can select the English option when you call, so don’t worry about that.
Some people might tell you to go to different places to get the SNS number, but in my experience, it’s much better to call SNS directly for accurate information rather than running around. - What To Do When You Find Out You’re Pregnant:
Parabéns 🎉 Congratulations!
You’ve taken a pregnancy test and confirmed you’re pregnant. Now what? Hopefully, you already have your SNS number, and they’ve assigned you a health center. If you don’t know the name of your health center, check your SNS paperwork—it should be written there.
Call your health center directly to make an appointment with a doctor. If you can’t find the information, you can call SNS at 8080242424, and they will assist you, possibly even sending an SMS with your doctor’s appointment. - After the First Doctor’s Visit – What’s Next?
During your first visit, your doctor will guide you step by step on what to do next. Typically, during this visit, the doctor will schedule an ultrasound after 12 weeks and give you blood tests to complete.
You can do these tests and ultrasounds anywhere, and your doctor may suggest some places. Keep in mind that you need to book the ultrasound appointment early, or you may miss the date. It is also possible to get the ultrasound done free of charge if you book early. I recommend scheduling the appointment as soon as your doctor gives you the paperwork.
Extra Tip: It’s a good idea to make an appointment with Social Security early to apply for social benefits. Although you can only apply after 13 weeks of pregnancy, appointments are difficult to get in Lisbon, so it’s better to book one early. Your doctor will let you know when to visit again, and it’s essential to ensure your Social Security appointment is scheduled after that, as your doctor will give you a declaration necessary for the social benefit application. You can read my other article on this topic. - After the Second Visit:
With your ultrasound report and blood test results, you’ll need to visit your doctor again. After the second visit, things become easier. Typically, your doctor will schedule monthly check-ups for routine monitoring, so there’s no confusion and nothing to worry about.
Your doctor will also inform you of the hospital to visit in case of an emergency.