Temporary Stay Visa for Medical Treatment in Portugal: What You Need to Know Before You Go

Danielle Avidago | Immigration Consultant

Portugal is widely known for its pleasant weather and breathtaking diverse views: from mountains to beaches within short hours, and from snowy to breezy within a few months. However, what also attracts foreigners to our beautiful country is its functioning health service. 

Portugal has emerged as a recognised destination for high-quality healthcare in Europe, offering advanced medical facilities, competitive costs, and an increasingly international outlook in its public and private health sectors.

From renowned cancer treatment centres and advanced medical care to a well-functioning public health system, Portugal offers more than just an escape from cold or foggy weather. For many, it represents hope, a path toward better health and longer life expectancy, which currently approaches 80 years.

The quality of life and efficient healthcare you seek cannot be accessed with only a tourist visa. To have the health treatment you deserve, you first need to apply for a temporary stay visa. And the temporary stay visa that better suits your intentions in Portugal is the temporary stay visa for medical reasons. 

This very special kind of temporary stay visa can be found in Article 54º No. 1 a) of Law 23/2007, 4th July, better known as Portuguese Immigration Law. The visa is issued by Portuguese consular authorities abroad and allows the holder to stay in Portugal for a period exceeding 90 days but less than one year. It is renewable if the treatment requires a longer period, subject to medical justification and compliance with visa conditions.

To obtain a temporary stay visa for medical treatment, the applicant must demonstrate a medical necessity and that he was accepted by a Portuguese medical institution to proceed with the intended treatment.

Portugal also understands the importance of going through this delicate phase of a person’s life beside the family members who love and support us. Being accompanied by a beloved family member is essential for the patient’s mental health, accelerating the healing process of the physical illness he is suffering from.

Having this link between mental and physical health in consideration, Portuguese immigration law also allows the issuance of temporary stay visas to family members accompanying a patient undergoing treatment. This special temporary stay visa can be found in article 54º No. 1 g) of the Immigration Law, and it is particularly relevant for minors, elderly patients, or individuals whose condition requires ongoing family support.

The accompanying family members must prove the specific family relationship in question and that they can financially cover the family member’s expenses.

It should be noted that the accompanying visa is dependent on the main applicant’s visa. If the patient’s visa is cancelled or expires, the accompanying family member’s visa will also terminate.

Applications must be filed at the Portuguese consulate with jurisdiction over the applicant’s country of residence. Kindly note that processing times vary depending on the consular post, but applicants should anticipate several weeks and plan accordingly. In urgent cases involving humanitarian or emergency medical situations, applications may be expedited.

It is important to know that although holders of a temporary stay visa for medical treatment are authorised to remain in Portugal for the duration of the treatment programme, several restrictions apply. 

There is no automatic right to work, as this visa does not entitle the holder to take up employment in Portugal. Its sole purpose is medical treatment. The visa is valid for the duration of the treatment, up to a maximum of one year, and may be renewed only with proper justification. In fact, one of its major advantages is that it does not require the applicant to move to Portugal or leave behind their job and home. Holders may freely circulate within the Schengen Area for short stays, but the place of treatment must remain in Portugal.

The Temporary Stay Visa for Medical Treatment reflects Portugal’s humanitarian and practical approach to immigration law, allowing foreign citizens access to the country’s healthcare system while maintaining clear safeguards. Importantly, the inclusion of family members ensures that patients can benefit not only from medical expertise but also from the essential support of loved ones.

Legal guidance is invaluable in preparing a strong, compliant application, particularly in cases involving complex medical needs or multiple family members. By ensuring proper documentation, careful timing, and full compliance with the legal framework, patients and their families can focus on what matters most: recovery and well-being.