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Portugal · visa health insurance

Health insurance for Portugal’s D8 digital-nomad visa

By Covered Abroad Research Desk · Last verified July 2026

Portugal’s D8 (digital-nomad) visa applies the same published insurance rule as the D7: at the consulate, cover of at least €30,000, valid across the Schengen states for the full stay, including urgent care and repatriation. After arrival, the AIMA appointment expects full health insurance valid in Portugal — the stage that catches remote workers who arrived on a travel policy. Both rules are below, cited and dated.

Visa-ready plans from $721 per adult, billed annually · see your exact price by age.

The rule in writing

“At the consulate stage, Portugal’s national visas require insurance with minimum cover of €30,000, valid across the Schengen states for the full stay, covering urgent medical care, urgent hospitalisation, and medical repatriation. Some US visa centres now ask for a full year of validity.”

Official source: Portuguese MFA visa portal (vistos.mne.gov.pt) — Last verified:

The rule in writing

“At the AIMA residence-permit appointment after arrival, travel-grade insurance is no longer enough: applicants show full health insurance valid in Portugal, or registration with the public SNS. Applicants consistently report this second stage catching them out.”

Official source: AIMA appointment guidance as documented by applicants and advisors (not a single government checklist — confirmed case-by-case) — Last verified:

Why a nomad travel policy is not the finish line

Most remote workers arrive holding a nomad-style travel medical policy. That can clear the consulate if it meets the €30,000 Schengen standard — but the residence permit is issued later, at AIMA, and at that stage applicants consistently report travel-grade cover being refused.

The practical answer is cover structured for residence from day one: full medical and hospitalisation cover valid in Portugal, with a certificate that states the amount, territory, dates, and repatriation.

Working remotely, covered locally

International private cover follows you across the Schengen area — useful if your D8 year includes client trips or a border hop — while remaining valid in Portugal, where AIMA expects your cover to live.

Cover is worldwide excluding the United States, and pre-existing conditions are excluded. We say both up front so a quote is worth your time.

Honest limits: Cover is worldwide but excludes treatment in the United States. Pre-existing conditions are excluded, including conditions you did not know about. We disclose this before you request a quote. Consulates keep discretion, and requirements can change. We show the published rule and its source; the final decision is the consulate’s.

Cover levels that meet the rule

Benefits shown are public. Premiums are quote-based — we never publish prices.

Standard

From $1,133/yearabout $94/mo billed annuallyChildren 0–17: flat $853/yr

Adds everyday outpatient care — GP and specialist visits, prescriptions, and tests — to hospital cover.

  • US$1,000,000 overall plan limit per year
  • GP, specialist, medication & lab tests (US$750 each)
  • Outpatient surgical to US$25,000
  • Semi-private hospital room & board
  • Pre- & post-hospitalisation cover

New applicants up to age 70.

+ everything included — hover to expand

Scope: No dental or wellbeing benefits at this level.

Choose StandardSee your price by age →

Fully Comprehensive

From $1,906/yearabout $159/mo billed annuallyChildren 0–17: flat $1,439/yr

The highest level: full-cover room, uncapped surgeon fees, routine dental, and the largest limits.

  • US$2,000,000 overall plan limit per year
  • Full-cover private room & board
  • Full surgeon, professional & outpatient cover
  • Routine & major dental (after 6-month wait)
  • Wellbeing check-ups & vaccinations to US$500

New applicants up to age 70.

+ everything included — hover to expand

Choose Fully ComprehensiveSee your price by age →

See your exact price by age →

Budget options — limited cover

Essential Health

From $392/yearabout $33/mo billed annually

A budget plan for accident and emergency care in state hospitals only. Not full private health cover.

  • US$100,000 maximum plan limit per year
  • Unforeseen accident & emergency care only

Scope: State hospitals only, accident/emergency only. No outpatient, dental, or wellbeing cover. Not a substitute for full private health insurance on a visa application.

Choose Essential Health →

Major Medical

From $721/yearabout $60/mo billed annually

Hospital-focused cover: inpatient treatment, surgery, and emergencies, worldwide outside the US.

  • US$1,000,000 overall plan limit per year
  • Semi-private hospital room & board
  • Theatre, ICU, and emergency-room cover (full)

Scope: No outpatient, dental, or wellbeing benefits at this level.

Choose Major Medical →
  • Treatment is covered worldwide, excluding the United States.
  • Pre-existing conditions are excluded — including conditions you did not know about.
  • Evacuation & repatriation is an optional benefit that costs an additional premium.
  • Prices are Regency’s 2026 rates for the EU region: per person, per year, billed annually, starting at adult age 18 — your exact price depends on age. Children 0–17 pay a flat rate on every plan.
  • Plans run in 12-month terms and renew at the anniversary; the age limits shown apply to new applicants.

Common questions

Does the D8 have a different insurance rule than the D7?

No — the published consulate-stage rule is the same Schengen standard (€30,000, full stay, urgent care and repatriation), and the AIMA stage expects full cover valid in Portugal for both visa types.

I already have nomad travel insurance. Will it pass?

Possibly at the consulate, if it states €30,000, Schengen territory, your full stay, and repatriation. At the AIMA appointment, applicants report travel-grade policies being refused — full health insurance valid in Portugal is the safer plan for the year.

Can my spouse and children join the same policy?

Yes — family members on your application need compliant cover too, and one policy can cover the household. Tell us who is moving and a person confirms the certificate wording for everyone.

Get a certificate that meets the published rule

Tell us your destination, visa, and who’s moving. Our team reviews it against the current requirement and calls you with a quote — no obligation.

Before you request a quote: cover is worldwide but excludes treatment in the United States, and pre-existing conditions are not covered — including conditions you did not know about. We say this up front so a quote is worth your time.

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