How to register an S1 form in Portugal (healthcare for pensioners)

What it is

An S1 form shows that another country pays for your healthcare while you live in Portugal. Pensioners use it most: if your state pension comes from another EU country, the EEA, Switzerland or the UK, and you don't also get a Portuguese pension, that country usually covers you. With your S1 registered, you use the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde) like Portuguese residents.

Do you need this guide?

• State pension from another EU or EEA country, Switzerland or the UK? Yes.
• UK State Pension, moving after 2020? Yes: UK pensioners can still get an S1.
• You work in Portugal or get a Portuguese pension? No: you're covered as a resident. See the SNS number guide.

Before you start

You'll need:

• Your S1 form, from the country that pays your pension:
  • UK: phone NHS Overseas Healthcare Services (+44 191 218 1999) and ask for an S1.
  • EU, EEA or Switzerland: ask the health insurance or pension body in that country.
• Your passport or EU identity card.
• Your residence document: the EU registration certificate (CRUE) or your residence card.
• Your NIF.

Steps

1. Get your S1 from the country that pays your pension. Ask before you move if you can.
2. Register it at a Segurança Social office (serviço de atendimento da Segurança Social).
3. Register it at your health centre (centro de saúde), with your S1, passport, residence document and NIF. You get your número de utente if you don't have one yet.
4. Ask about a family doctor (médico de família). In busy areas there may be a waiting list.

Cost

Registering the S1 is free. The SNS charges small fees for some services, as it does for residents.

Common pitfalls

• Asking Portugal for the S1. It comes from the country that pays your pension.
• Registering only at the health centre. Register the S1 with Segurança Social too.
• Leaving Portugal. Tell Segurança Social, your health centre and the country that issued your S1 when you move away.

When to ask a helper

Ask someone who registered an S1 in your area recently: they'll know which Segurança Social office handled it and how the health centre registered them.