Request the European Health Insurance Card

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to receive medical assistance during a temporary stay in a country of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Medical care is provided through that country's social security system, which means that some health care may not be free of charge and may require the payment of user fees.

In case of loss, misplacement or theft, you must report the situation to the Social Security as soon as possible.

NOTICE: ADSE no longer issues the European Health Insurance Card since 2020.

Service channels

Learn where you may submit your request and what are the advantages of each channel

Who can request the European Health Insurance Card?

    • People registered in Social Security (active workers, pensioners and family members)
    • People enrolled in Voluntary Social Insurance
    • People enrolled in public health subsystems
    • Users of the National Health Service not affiliated with Social Security or a public or private health sub-system
    • People who have worked abroad, are pensioners and have returned to Portugal
    • Workers posted abroad.

    EHIC for children and young people

    Since the card is individual, each member of the insured person's family must have his/her own card. Children and young people can request their EHIC online by registering on Social Security Direct (SSD) with their Social Security Identification Number (NISS).

When can you request the European Health Insurance Card?

The European Health Insurance Card can be applied for at any time, and is valid for 3 years.

What are the documents and requirements to request the European Health Insurance Card?

  • To apply for a European Health Insurance Card, you will need:

    • the personal details of the person who will be the cardholder (including the Social Security Identification Number and the National Health Service User Number)
    • the personal details of the dependant family members of the person applying for the card
    • to fill in the Application Form for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

How request the European Health Insurance Card?

Online:

  • On Segurança Social Direta - you need to have Social Security number (see how to do it in this video)
    • Select the menu "Doença" [Sickness]
    • Choose the option "Obter Cartão Europeu de Seguro de Doença" [Get European Health Insurance Card]
    • Press the "Iniciar pedido" [Start request] button and follow the instructions
  • On the Segurança Social Security + Próxima app (available for Android, iOS and Huawei)
    • Select the "Cartão Europeu de Seguro de Doença" [European Health Insurance Card] option
    • Follow the instructions.

On site:

How long does it take to receive the European Health Insurance Card?

The European Health Insurance Card is sent to your address within 5 to 7 working days after you submit the application.

Provisional Replacement Certificate

If you are traveling within 10 days and have not yet received the new European Health Insurance Card, you can apply for a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PEC). The certificate replaces the EHIC for 3 months and guarantees the same rights.

The application must be made at the Social Security offices.

If you lose or forget your European Health Insurance Card and need health care during your trip, you can also ask Social Security to send the PEC to the health facility where you are.

What is the price to request the European Health Insurance Card?

It is free of charge.

Additional Information

For more information about the European Health Insurance Card, see the Social Security portal and the "EHIC Practical Guide".

The SNS24 portal also has the following EHIC-related health guides available: "European Health Insurance Card" and "My Health in Europe".

What is the support legislation?