If you’re an expat pregnant woman planning your birth in Portugal, one common question might be whether you need to give birth in a private hospital or clinic to have access to a private room. The good news is that private rooms are sometimes available in public hospitals as well. Let’s clarify the details so you can make an informed decision.
Many public hospitals in Portugal offer maternity wards with private rooms. Some of these rooms even come with private showers and toilets. However, it’s important to note that the availability of private rooms depends on the hospital and their current capacity.
In some maternity wards, there may be a limited number of private rooms available. These can be fully booked depending on the affluence of patients at a given time. For example, the maternity ward at the Hospital de Cascais in Lisbon offers 22 private rooms, which can be converted into double rooms during periods of higher patient affluence. Additionally, this hospital provides 8 delivery rooms and 2 cesarean rooms. A notable feature is that the entire dilation process takes place in a private room for the mother’s comfort and privacy. If having a private room is important to you, the best approach is to visit the hospital in advance. You can inquire about the facilities, availability, and policies surrounding private rooms during your hospital tour.
Private Health Insurance and Public Hospitals
A common misconception among expat women is that having private health insurance guarantees access to a private room in a public hospital. Unfortunately, this is not true. The public health system in Portugal (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, or SNS) operates independently from private health insurance. Private insurance policies are only applicable to private clinics and hospitals and have no bearing on the services or amenities available in public hospitals.
Do You Need Private Health Insurance for Public Hospitals?
The SNS provides comprehensive maternity care, so private health insurance is not necessary when giving birth in a public hospital. All costs for prenatal care, delivery, and postnatal care are covered by the public health system for residents and those legally entitled to its services. If you’re considering private care, only then would private health insurance come into play.
Key Takeaways - Private rooms
Public hospitals in Portugal may have private rooms, but availability depends on the specific hospital and its capacity.
Some maternity wards in public hospitals have a limited number of private rooms that may be fully booked depending on patient affluence at the time.
For example, the Hospital de Cascais has 22 private rooms, 8 delivery rooms, and ensures that dilation takes place in a private room for added comfort.
Having private health insurance does not entitle you to a private room in a public hospital.
The SNS covers all essential maternity care, and private health insurance is only required for private clinics and hospitals.
To ensure you’re comfortable with your birthing plan, consider visiting your chosen hospital to ask about facilities and services in advance.
By understanding the differences between public and private healthcare options, you can make the best choice for your maternity experience in Portugal. If you’d like to learn more about giving birth as an expat in Portugal, explore my resources on Birth in Portugal!
Bonus: Download Your Free Guide
Planning your medical appointments, labs, and ultrasounds in Portugal can feel overwhelming. To make it easier, I’ve created a free guide to help you stay organized and informed. Download your free guide to medical appointments, labs, and ultrasounds in Portugal here.
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