How to get your SNS number (número de utente) in Portugal

What it is

The número de utente (national health service user number) registers you with the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), Portugal's public health service. With it you can register at your local health centre (centro de saúde), get a family doctor where one is available, and use public hospitals at public prices.

Before you start

You'll usually need:

Your passport or EU identity card.
Your NIF.
Your residence document:
- EU citizens: your CRUE (registration certificate).
- Non-EU citizens: your residence permit, or your work visa.
If you don't have a residence document yet: an atestado de residência from your junta de freguesia (parish council), confirming you've lived in Portugal for more than 90 days.
Proof of address.

Steps

Find your health centre. You register at the health centre that covers your address. You can't choose a different one.
Go in person with your documents. Some health centres ask you to book first.
Ask for a número de utente and to register at the centre (inscrição).
Get your number. It's usually given on the spot, on paper.
Ask about a family doctor (médico de família). In busy areas there may be a waiting list.

You can also get your número de utente through the joint service for foreigners at some Espaços Cidadão, together with your NIF and NISS.

Cost

Getting the number is free, and most care at health centres is free too. You may pay a small charge (taxa moderadora) for some services, such as going to a hospital emergency department without a referral.

Common pitfalls

Wrong health centre. You must register where your address is. Get an atestado de residência if your rental contract isn't in your name.
Missing NIF. Get your NIF first: most health centres won't register you without it.
No family doctor straight away. Shortages are common. You can still use the health centre for open appointments and urgent care.
Moving. If you change address, register at the health centre for your new area.

When to ask a helper

If your health centre refuses to register you, asks for different documents, or you're between residence documents, ask someone who registered at a health centre in the same area.