Moving to Portugal comes with a few non-negotiable requirements, and health insurance is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for new arrivals. 

Many remote workers, freelancers, and founders get stuck in the process simply because they don’t realize Portugal uses two different health insurance requirements: one for the visa application, and another for the AIMA residency appointment. 

Confusing these can lead to delays, requests for additional documents, or even a rejected application.  Let’s break it down clearly so you know exactly what you need.

Why Health Insurance Is Essential for Your Portugal Visa and Residency

Portugal requires every long-term visa applicant—including those applying for the D7 Visa or the D8 Digital Nomad Visa—to provide valid health insurance. This isn’t just a formality; it’s proof that you’ll have access to medical care from the moment you arrive.

With the 2025 rule changes, the type of insurance you need depends on where you are in the process: one policy for your visa application, and a different one for your AIMA residency appointment.

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The Two Phase Insurance Plan for Portugal

You’re required to provide two different types of insurance at two separate stages, and this is where many applicants get confused.

Stage 1: Travel Insurance for Your Visa Application

When you submit your Portugal visa application at the consulate in your home country, you must provide Schengen-compliant travel insurance which is also applies to Americans moving to Portugal. This policy is designed to cover your first entry into Portugal and the short stay allowed by your visa, usually up to 120 days.

  • Minimum Coverage: At least €30,000 for medical expenses, including emergencies and hospitalization.
  • Repatriation: Coverage for medical repatriation back to your home country if required.
  • Coverage Period: Usually 6 months, or the full validity of your visa if it’s shorter. Some consulates only require 120 days.
  • Type: Schengen travel insurance (often marketed as visa insurance) is fully acceptable for this stage.

Stage 2: Health Insurance for Your AIMA Residency Appointment

After arriving in Portugal, you’ll attend your AIMA residency appointment to convert your visa into a residence permit. At this point, the you need a regular Portuguese health insurance insurance and travel insurance is no longer accepted.

  • Private Health Insurance: A proper Portuguese-valid private health insurance plan, not travel coverage.
  • Duration: At least 12 months of coverage, and the policy must be renewable.
  • Required Proof: You’ll need official documentation showing policy registration and payment.

Health Insurance Required Documents for AIMA

When you attend your AIMA appointment, make sure you bring all the required health-insurance documents. You’ll need:

  • Insurance Certificate: The original policy document.
  • Proof of Payment: Receipts confirming that your premium has been paid.
  • Coverage Details: The full policy terms, ideally in Portuguese or English.
  • Validity Confirmation: Evidence that the policy is active and renewable.

Common Reasons Portugal Rejects Your Insurance

Many Portugal visa and residency delays come down to simple insurance mistakes. Here are the most common issues applicants run into—and how to avoid them.

Using Travel Insurance at AIMA

This is the number one reason for rejection. Travel insurance is only valid for the visa application, not for your AIMA residency appointment.

Short-Term Coverage

Policies with less than 12 months of coverage, or plans that don’t clearly state renewability, are often refused.

Non-Renewable Policies

AIMA expects proof that your health coverage can continue throughout your stay, so non-renewable plans are a red flag.

When do I Need to Purchase my Visa Travel Insurance?

When you buy your insurance can affect your coverage, especially because many policies include waiting

For Your Visa Application

Purchase your Portugal visa travel insurance once you know your visa appointment date. Set the policy’s start date to match your expected arrival in Portugal. This ensures you’re fully covered while traveling and during your initial stay.

For Your AIMA Appointment:

Switch to Portuguese private health insurance before your AIMA appointment. It’s best to buy this 2–3 months in advance to allow for any waiting periods. Make sure the policy is active on the day of your appointment.

How Long do I Need Travel Insurance for a Portugal Residence Visa?

For a Portuguese residence-visa application, your travel/medical insurance should normally cover the 120-day validity of the entry visa.

However, because AIMA appointments are often delayed and can happen after your 120-day visa expires, it’s safer to have a policy that covers a full 12 months. This ensures you’re fully covered from the moment you enter Portugal until you receive your residence permit.

Also, many consulates now expect or require applicants to show 12 months of coverage up front, so having a year-long policy avoids any issues with your application.

When to Switch to the Public Healthcare (SNS)

Once you receive your residence permit, you become eligible to join Portugal’s public healthcare system, the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS). After your AIMA appointment is approved and your residence card is issued, you can register at your local Centro de Saúde.

Visit the health center closest to your residential address and apply for your SNS number (Número de Utente). This is usually issued within one to two weeks.

Bring all the required documents—your residence permit, NIF number, NISS (if applicable), and proof of your Portuguese address—to ensure the registration process goes smoothly.

How Can We Help

Local Expertise

We know Portugal. Due to our extensive local knowledge, we believe that concentrating our services in a single country destination is the best way to give you the most thorough and useful information.

Honest Guidance

We recommend what’s best for you based on an extensive process experience that saves time and money to clients. Our pricing is clear and competitive, and we don’t sell services that make us more money.

All-in-One Solution

One single channel of communication for the entire process. We provide you with a comprehensive service that covers all aspects of your move, from identifying the ideal residency visa to finding your new home or helping you to settle.

Seamless Process

Technology plays a very important role in our company. We minimize our clients’ involvement in paperwork. We are customers ourselves and we know how to serve you.

Frequently Asked Questions

No visa is required for EU citizens, but you still need valid health coverage when registering your residency. An EHIC card is usually acceptable, though some offices may still request private insurance.

The NISS is your Portuguese Social Security Number. AIMA often requests it to confirm your legal registration in Portugal’s system, especially for work-based or self-employment visas.

You typically need a 12-month policy that is renewable and valid on the day of your appointment.

No. Travel insurance is accepted only for your visa application, not for AIMA. AIMA requires a full private health insurance policy.

Usually not. U.S. health policies generally don’t meet Portugal’s requirements unless they explicitly include international coverage valid in Portugal.

Not for your visa. You only need it before your AIMA appointment, but it’s smart to purchase it 2–3 months in advance due to waiting periods.

AIMA may reject your application. The policy must clearly state renewability or ongoing coverage.

No, but it must be in Portuguese or English. Other languages may cause delays or requests for translation.

Yes. Once you receive your residence card, you can register at your local Centro de Saúde and get your SNS number.

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