Living in Portugal
HEALTH SERVICES
In Portugal, the provision of health care by the official services is organized by the National Health Service. Parallel to this offer, there are private health institutions and professionals' offices.
The hospital network is composed of modern and fully equipped units, distributed throughout the country, with longstanding partnerships including the main international and national insurers.
Hospitals have implemented personalized patient care and follow-up services, with care available in English.
In the complementary sense, there is an Integrated Medical Emergency System, which guarantees the victims of accidents or sudden illness, health care, promptness and excellent effectiveness.
The Portuguese health system is in 12th place in the ranking of the World Health Organization, where the average number of telephone emergency services is 7 seconds.
To know:
- Citizens of one of the 27 countries of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, have access to health care or with damp or even free costs.
- Foreign citizens holding a residence permit in Portugal must be enrolled in a Health Center and hold the User's Card.
EDUCATION
In Portugal the education system can be public or private. The Portuguese education system is very well-known in the world panorama, especially among Universities like Nova, Catolica or Porto's own.
In addition, International Schools scattered throughout the country, attended by Portuguese and foreign students, teach through international programs such as the "International Baccalaureate (I.B.) program", or "British GCSE and GCE examination systems", for example.
TRANSPORTATION
Driving
Traffic signs comply with international standards and the use of seat belts is compulsory. Traffic is lead from the right-most lane, prioritizing vehicles on the right in squares, intersections and junctions, unless there is a specific sign opposing it.
Person with disability - Driving
Driving rules for people with disabilities refer to their physical and mental fitness and may be subject to adaptations or restrictions, that will be mentioned in the driving license. Community-style parking cards issued by any of the Member States shall be recognized.
Car Rental
At the main transport flow points, namely airports or at the international railway terminal stations there are car rental services.
Public Transportation
With full diversity, the public transportation is wide and broad throughout the country establishing every point of the country accessible to anyone on a comfortable manner.
Information on public transport is fully available on www.transpor.pt.
Aerial Transportation
In Portugal there are 11 international airports, with service and comfort, with regular connections to all the countries of Europe, as well as high levels of security.
The connections go to the main countries of America and Africa, operated by the main flag, full service and low cost companies.
• Porto's airport, one of the main points of the Ryanair network, offers daily, regular and low cost flights to the main European capitals.
• Lisbon airport, the main national airport, offers daily connections to all European capitals and intercontinental flights to the United States, Africa and Brazil. Highlights include the recent direct flight to Dubai with fast connections throughout Asia. It also provides a quick and frequent connection to all other Portuguese airports, namely Madeira and the Azores.
• Funchal Airport also has regular direct flights to major European countries.
• Faro airport is notable for its low cost connections to major European markets, especially the United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland. It is the most accessible portal to the Algarve.