Mental health support for British nationals in Portugal
Information about support for British nationals experiencing mental health difficulties in Portugal.
What to do in an emergency
In an emergency or for urgent medical attention call 112 and ask for an ambulance or the police or go to the A&E department of any general hospital.
For less urgent medical attention visit the Portuguese state healthcare website or call SNS24 to speak to a healthcare professional:
- mainland Portugal: (+351) 808 24 24 24, press 9 for English
- Madeira and Porto Santo: (+351) 800 24 24 20 or (+351) 969 320 140 to speak to a psychologist
- Azores: (+351) 808 24 60 24
See our list of doctors and medical facilities in Portugal.
The national suicide prevention support line can be contacted on 1411. Visit the Portuguese state healthcare website for information on other mental health crisis helplines.
Not all medical or emergency services staff speak English. You may need to consider using a local translator or interpreter.
Prescriptions
Bringing medicines in to Portugal
Read guidance on taking medicine in or out of the UK and travel advice for Portugal.
Accessing medicines in Portugal
You may find it difficult to find certain medicines in Portugal. If you take regular medication, you should bring at least enough to last for your stay. Consider bringing extra in case your stay in Portugal is extended for any reason.
If you need a repeat or replacement prescription while you are in Portugal, you should go to the A&E department of the nearest hospital or a local high street pharmacy who may be able to provide advice on how to obtain the medication you need.
Bring a copy of your prescription to Portugal. This can help doctors find the exact or similar medication.
Admission to hospital for mental health reasons
Hospitals with mental health facilities are widely available in Portugal. To access inpatient care voluntarily in Portugal, go to your local health centre and ask to speak to a GP or call SNS 24 and ask for a referral to a local hospital.
People experiencing a mental health crisis may be admitted to hospital and treated against their wishes if they are thought to be a risk to themselves or others. In Portugal this is called internamento involuntário. A psychiatrist will assess the person and any decision to continue treatment without consent is subject to legal and clinical review. Treatment will end when it is no longer considered necessary.
Internamento involuntário is comparable to sectioning in the UK but there may be differences in procedure and law. UK mental health law is non-transferrable to other countries so even if a person is sectioned in the UK, this cannot be used to admit them to hospital abroad. The same applies to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) laws.
To assist health professionals treating you, you may be asked to provide a medical history or help in accessing UK medical records.
Outpatient treatment
If you are resident in Portugal, you may also be able to access outpatient care. You would normally have to be referred to a national health specialist by your GP unless you consult a doctor privately or go to a private clinic. You can find information on private medical services in our list of doctors and medical facilities for Portugal.
Medical bills and insurance
Hospital bills and other medical fees may be high in Portugal without adequate travel insurance. If you are treated in hospital against your wishes, you may still be charged medical fees.
The cost of hospitalisation may be covered by your travel insurance or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC).
You may be entitled to non-urgent medical attention. Check with your provider before receiving care.
Make sure you declare any pre-existing conditions to your insurance provider to ensure your insurance is valid. Enquire where possible ahead of any treatment about likely cost and whether it will be covered by your insurance or GHIC.
If you do not have adequate insurance, you will need to cover costs from your own personal funds.
Read about medical emergencies, treatment and hospitalisation abroad and foreign travel insurance.
Making decisions on behalf of someone lacking mental capacity
To make decisions on behalf of someone ‘lacking mental capacity’, speak to a lawyer in Portugal. You can also get advice on how to start a guardianship (maior acompanhado) application from the public prosecutor’s office at your nearest civil court. In the UK, you can apply to become someone’s deputy if they ‘lack mental capacity’ but UK deputies may not be recognised in Portugal.
Support from agencies and organisations in Portugal
Contact these organisations in Portugal for emergency mental health support and advice:
These organisations may not have English-speaking staff.
There are also some social support organisations in Portugal that you may wish to contact.
International organisations
These international organisations may be able to help you whilst you are overseas:
- Befrienders Worldwide with the Samaritans
- World Federation for Mental Health
- World Health Organization
Returning to the UK
If you are abroad and need help to return to the UK, the FCDO can try to assist in making plans for your return. See what the FCDO can and cannot do.
You may not automatically be entitled to state benefits if you have never lived in the UK, or if you have lived abroad for some time. This includes free NHS hospital treatment. See the returning to the UK guidance for more information, including on healthcare.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this guide is intended for your general guidance only, it is not a substitute for obtaining your own medical and legal advice. For more information, read our consular information disclaimer.