Portugal regulates payment for non-resident foreigners access to public health services

The proposals arise as a response to the phenomenon of "health tourism" and aim to require proof of address or health insurance. The measures also intend to strengthen the mechanisms for collecting payments for services rendered.

In the parliamentary debate, the parties reportedly argued that "non-resident foreigners should pay for treatments, pointing to the difficulties in collecting the amounts due," as described in a note shared by the Government. PSD deputy Alberto Machado also says that, in the case of non-payment for services rendered, the debt will be paid by taxpayers residing in Portugal. The Government also assures that the approved measures safeguard the rights of legal resident immigrants and the access of non-residents to the emergency service, the costs of which must be borne by themselves or through health insurance.

The debate takes place in a context marked by difficulties in "identifying and charging for services provided to non-resident foreign users."

Data from the Central Administration of the Health System reveals that of the approximately 19.3 million user records in the SNS, about 4.4 million do not have complete identification information.