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Health · Portugal
Updated September 2026

👨‍⚕️ I cannot find a family doctor who takes new patients — who helps?

Direct answer

GP shortages are real in most of Europe, but you are entitled to primary care, and someone is responsible for finding it. Start with SNS 24 / Centro de saúde — inscrição (808 24 24 24) — your health insurer or the public health service — which keeps the list of practices accepting patients and in many countries must assign you one if you cannot find one. ERS — Entidade Reguladora da Saúde (ers.pt) is the official practice finder and advice line. If nothing works, Câmara Municipal / Junta de Freguesia (anmp.pt) has a duty to ensure care in the area and can intervene.

Call firstSNS 24 / Centro de saúde — inscrição
Report toERS — Entidade Reguladora da Saúde
If that failsCâmara Municipal / Junta de Freguesia

🗣️ What to say

"I live at [address] and have been unable to register with a family doctor: [practices] have refused because they are full. I ask you to assign me a practice or to tell me which practices in my area are obliged to accept me."

🪜 Step by step

  1. Use the official finderERS — Entidade Reguladora da Saúde lists practices with open lists; call in the morning, ask to be put on the waiting list.
  2. Ask the insurer: SNS 24 / Centro de saúde — inscriçãoMany insurers must find you a doctor within a set distance or time; put the request in writing.
  3. Urgent care meanwhileOut-of-hours services and walk-in clinics do not require registration; pharmacies handle minor issues.
  4. Municipality: Câmara Municipal / Junta de FreguesiaLocal authorities that fund practices can lean on them; a written request often works.
  5. Register the day a spot opensBring ID, insurance card and, if you have it, your previous records.

📇 All contacts

SNS 24 / Centro de saúde — inscriçãoFamily doctor, registration, complaintsFor finding a doctor and care questions📞 808 24 24 24🔗 www.sns24.gov.pt
ERS — Entidade Reguladora da SaúdeComplaints against public and private providersWhen the provider's citizen office does not resolve it🔗 www.ers.pt
Câmara Municipal / Junta de FreguesiaNuisances, roads, waste, certificates, lost propertyFor anything the municipality handles🔗 www.anmp.pt
Provedor de JustiçaComplaints about public administration, freeWhen the administration does not answer or acts unfairly📞 213 926 600🔗 www.provedor-jus.pt

❓ Frequently asked

I am new to the country and not yet insured

Emergency care is always given. Register with the insurer first — the insurance card is what practices ask for.

Can a practice refuse me?

Only for capacity reasons, not because of your condition or origin. A refusal for another reason is a complaint to Câmara Municipal / Junta de Freguesia or the equality body.

Can I see a specialist without a GP?

In most countries a referral is needed for reimbursement; the insurer explains the exceptions (eye, dental, gynaecology).

📎 Sources

Last checked: 2026-09-26

🔎 Common searches

Recognise your own search? The answer above covers all of these.

  • “find gp accepting new patients Portugal”
  • “no family doctor what to do”
  • “register with doctor Portugal”
  • “health insurer assign doctor”
  • “doctor shortage who to contact”

🧭 Is this still correct?

We check this information carefully, but phone numbers, websites and rules change — and sometimes we get something wrong. Spotted a mistake or a change? Let us know below.

🔗 Related questions

🏥Medical complaint→🧠Mental health waiting list→🧒Child at risk→♿Care support refused→

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