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Emergency numbers · Where to go · Hospital contacts · How SNS works
Save these before you need them
Emergency (Police / Ambulance / Fire)
Free from any phone. Works 24/7. Say "Urgência médica" for medical emergency.
Saúde 24 — NHS Health Line
Free NHS triage line, 24/7. Nurse triages your symptoms and tells you where to go. Available in English.
SNS Urgent Care Line (non-emergency)
For urgent but non-life-threatening issues. Guides you to the right facility.
INEM — Emergency Medical Institute
Direct line to emergency medical services. Alternative to 112 for medical emergencies.
Before you go to A&E — call 808 24 24 24 first
Portugal's NHS triage line is free, available in English 24/7, and a nurse will tell you exactly where to go and what to expect. This can save you hours of waiting at the wrong hospital. Not all hospitals have open paediatrics or obstetrics every night — the nurse will confirm this.
Not all emergency departments are equal — know what each type can treat
SUB — Serviço de Urgência Básica
Basic emergency unit. Handles minor injuries and low-complexity cases. No specialist services.
✅ Good for
❌ Go elsewhere for
SUP — Serviço de Urgência Polivalente
Full emergency department with specialties including cardiology, neurology and surgery.
✅ Good for
SUMc — Urgência Médico-Cirúrgica
Medical and surgical emergency. Mid-level unit — more capability than SUB but fewer specialties than SUP.
✅ Good for
❌ Go elsewhere for
Used in all Portuguese emergency departments
Red — Immediate
Target wait: 0 min
Life-threatening. Resuscitation room.
Orange — Very Urgent
Target wait: ≤ 10 min
Serious condition requiring rapid attention.
Yellow — Urgent
Target wait: ≤ 30 min
Potentially serious. Most common triage level.
Green — Less Urgent
Target wait: ≤ 2 hours
Stable condition. May wait a long time.
Blue — Non-Urgent
Target wait: ≤ 4 hours
Could see a GP. Consider alternatives.
White — Referral Only
Target wait: Variable
Sent by GP or other health professional.
Main public hospitals by region — phone numbers & services
Hospital de Santa Maria (ULS Lisboa Norte)
Av. Prof. Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisboa
Hospital São José (ULS Lisboa Central)
R. José António Serrano, 1150-199 Lisboa
Maternidade Alfredo da Costa
R. Viriato 1, 1069-089 Lisboa
Hospital Dona Estefânia (Pediatrics)
R. Jacinta Marto 1, 1169-045 Lisboa
Hospital Fernando Fonseca (Amadora-Sintra)
IC19, 2720-276 Amadora
Hospital Garcia de Orta (Almada)
Av. Torrado da Silva, 2805-267 Almada
Hospital de Cascais
R. Dr. Fernando Silva Domingues, 2755-009 Alcabideche
Hospital de Setúbal (ULS Arrábida)
R. Camilo Castelo Branco, 2910-549 Setúbal
Pediatrics and obstetrics departments may have reduced hours overnight. Always call 808 24 24 24 first to confirm availability before travelling.
EU/EEA Citizens
Present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/CESD). Emergency care is free or heavily subsidised.
Non-EU Citizens
Emergency care cannot be refused. You will be billed after treatment. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Residents
Register at your local health centre (Centro de Saúde) to get a SNS number and a family doctor (médico de família). Bring NIF and proof of address.
Pharmacies (Farmácias)
Pharmacists can treat minor conditions and prescribe some medications. Look for a green cross. Open 24h in rotation — check farmacias.saude.pt.
Private Healthcare
Faster access. Main networks: CUF, Lusíadas, HPA (Algarve), HPP. Monthly health insurance from €30-60/month for basic coverage.
What to Bring to A&E
Passport or Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão), SNS number if you have one, list of current medications, insurance card if applicable.
Preciso de ajuda
I need help
É uma emergência
It's an emergency
Chame uma ambulância
Call an ambulance
Tenho dores no peito
I have chest pain
Sinto-me mal
I feel unwell
O meu filho está doente
My child is sick
Estou grávida
I am pregnant
Sou alérgico/a a...
I am allergic to...
Tomo estes medicamentos
I take these medications
Onde fica a urgência?
Where is the emergency department?
Tenho seguro de saúde
I have health insurance
Qual é o tempo de espera?
What is the waiting time?
SNS Emergency Services Map
Official map of all open emergency departments with live schedules
Tempos de Espera (Wait Times)
Official SNS portal for current emergency waiting times by hospital
Saúde 24
NHS 24h health line — call 808 24 24 24 or chat online
SNS Transparência (Data)
Open data on hospital performance, waiting lists and more
INEM — Emergency Medical Institute
Portugal's emergency medical services
DGS — Directorate-General of Health
Official public health authority — alerts, guidelines, travel health