When you are ill in Porto

Image: Teleporto.

Call 112 if someone is collapsing, not breathing, bleeding heavily, or has chest pain, a sudden weakness on one side, or a seizure. That number is the emergency line. Do not start with a Google search.

For everything that feels urgent but not life-threatening, SNS 24 is the front door of the public health service. The line published by the service is 808 24 24 24, and the same help is on sns24.gov.pt and in the SNS 24 app. A nurse on that line can tell you to stay home, to go to a health centre, or to go to hospital. Using it first is how the system is meant to work.

The public hospitals

In the city, people still say Hospital de Santo António and Hospital de São João. Santo António sits by the river, west of the centre, and is part of ULS de Santo António. São João is up in Paranhos, by the university, and is part of ULS de São João. Both have an emergency department. Which one is right for you is a medical decision, not a neighbourhood preference. If SNS 24 or 112 names one, go to that one.

A family doctor at the local health centre is for ongoing care, sick notes and repeat prescriptions. How to ask for a health-service number is in A family doctor in Porto. Having the number does not mean a named doctor is free this week. The duty pharmacy, which is a different problem, is in The pharmacy open tonight.

Private urgent care

Private hospitals and clinics will see you faster for many non-emergency problems, and they will bill you or your insurance. Take the insurance card and passport. This page does not rank them. If you already have a clinic, use the number on their door.

This is not medical advice. It is a map of which door to knock on.

Checked 24 October 2026. If an official page disagrees, follow that page.