Do I have a right to a family doctor and timely appointments?
Yes: you have a right to a family doctor and to care within guaranteed maximum times — and the SNS is, in practice, free. Register at your area's health centre (with Citizen Card/residence permit, NIF and address) to choose or change a doctor. 24h triage is via the SNS 24 line — 808 24 24 24. The guaranteed maximum response times (TMRG) (Ordinance 153/2017) set, in primary care, acute illness same day and non-urgent cases ≤15 working days. Co-payments were abolished from 1 June 2022 (DL 37/2022). In 2024 the SNS was reorganized into 39 Local Health Units. In short: yes, it's a right — free and with deadlines.
📋 The rules
- Right to a family doctor (register at the health centre)
- 24h triage: SNS 24 line — 808 24 24 24
- TMRG: acute illness same day; non-urgent ≤15 working days
- Co-payments abolished since June 2022
- SNS reorganized into 39 Local Health Units (2024)
🔓 Exceptions
- Family doctor not guaranteed if lists are full
- A fee still applies in ER without referral (when not admitted)
- TMRG are graded by clinical priority
⚠️ Penalties & fines
There's no "fine" for the user — it's a framework of rights, not sanctions. The SNS is free since co-payments were abolished (1 June 2022, DL 37/2022), although a fee may still apply for an ER visit without referral when there's no admission. The right to a family doctor exists, but isn't legally guaranteed if lists are full. Beware myths: it's not Brazil's "SUS" or "Disque Saúde 136" — the Portuguese line is 808 24 24 24; and the abolished co-payment isn't the private-hospital "ER fee." To use your rights: register at the health centre, use SNS 24 for triage, and complain if the TMRG aren't met.
📎 Official sources
- SNS — users' rights →
- Ordinance 153/2017 — maximum response times →
- Decree-Law 37/2022 — end of co-payments →
❓ Frequently asked
Do I have a right to a family doctor?
Yes, you have a right to register at a health centre and have a family doctor. In practice, though, there may not be an immediate slot if lists are full. Registration is done with the Citizen Card or residence permit, the NIF and proof of address, and lets you choose or change a doctor.
Is the SNS free?
Yes, as a rule. Co-payments were abolished from 1 June 2022, so consultations, tests and care in the SNS no longer carry this cost for the user. One exception may be an ER visit without prior referral, when it doesn't result in admission.
How long can I wait for an appointment?
There are guaranteed maximum response times. In primary care, an acute-illness situation should be seen the same day, and a non-urgent case within 15 working days. These deadlines are graded by clinical priority and can be raised as a complaint if not met.
What is the SNS 24 line?
It's the National Health Service's health triage and advice line, available 24 hours a day, on 808 24 24 24. It provides advice, referral and, in some cases, appointments. It's the Portuguese line, and doesn't correspond to other countries' SUS or health hotlines.
Can I change my family doctor?
Yes. You can request a change of family doctor at your health centre, subject to available slots. Likewise, when you move, you can register at the corresponding health centre. Registration and choosing the doctor are part of the SNS user's rights.
🔎 Common searches
What people search to land here:
- “family doctor sns right”
- “sns 24 808 24 24 24”
- “maximum response times tmrg”
- “co-payments abolished 2022”
- “change family doctor”
- “sns free 2026”