Since 2017, there have been 810,546 more immigrants in the National User Registry (RNU), bringing the total to 975,397, according to data from the National Health Service (SNS). This means that, of the total number of immigrants registered in July of this year, 83% are recent, according to the Jornal de Notícias.
The number of immigrants registered in the SNS in July of this year was therefore six times higher than in 2017, representing an increase of almost 500%. However, only 85% (or 832,507) of the 975,397 immigrants are fully registered with a health centre.
The increase in immigrants registered with the SNS continued in the first half of this year, despite the decrease in foreign arrivals, with the end of the expression of interest period in July 2024. This occurred because some of the new registrants were already in the country and subsequently regularized their status.
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We were on holiday June2025 in Olhao, Portugal, what a beautiful place & more importantly felt VERY safe, unlike here in the UK where I was born. The indigenous people of the UK while all these illegal freeloaders get everything. Sadly, the UK is totally broken Although we're in our early 70s we're now thinking about moving to Portugal, due to how safe we felt. We know e will have to go through a lot of red tape,but we're no longer happy in the UK. We will not be spongers, & will have enough money to support ourselves & would be more than happy to integrate into the Portuguese way of life
By Sylvia Pilgrim from UK on 14 Aug 2025, 13:07
What's the value of this post? Singling a type of human and advising how much they are registered with a health service, why?
By Darren Johnstone from Porto on 14 Aug 2025, 14:20
I find this post not making any meaningful sense. It’s just a statistic that has no value apart from giving the publication a higher SEO linking to portugal and immigration. This topic is such a hot topic, that everyone has a view. Let’s not create more posts like this which are better suited for Facebook audiences. I value the quality content of your publication that should not be eroded by just publishing anything.
By Amanda from Lisbon on 15 Aug 2025, 06:55
I don't understand the 2 comments trying to minimize this story. I find it very relevant given the pressures the SNS is experiencing. The socialists/communistics maintain and continue to maintain that the mass immigration in Portugal over the last few years has no or little impact on the system. Clearly, that is not the case with such a huge increase in SNS users for a SNS system that was already over whelmed. So, yes, this is an important piece of news that should be reported on and not swept under the carpet as most mainstream media normally does!
By Elliott from Lisbon on 15 Aug 2025, 09:59
Funny how British people complain about immigrants while immigrating themselves. They sure didn't seem to care when they were colonizing and oppressing the world. I know many immigrants like myself who registered with the SNS so we can be notified about vaccines, etc...but have their own health insurance and don't use the public system. I feel I haven't put in the money so I will pay for my own. Many other immigrants do the same.
By Natalie Gray from Other on 15 Aug 2025, 11:16
I'm curious if you have any stats on how many immigrants are actually using the SNS. I'm registered with SNS (COVID vaccines) but carry private health insurance. Do you have any breakdowns of private vs. public usage?
By Barbara from Algarve on 15 Aug 2025, 13:56
We have been here for five years and are residents. We've had private insurance the whole time and registered for SNS for Covid vaccines. We use the private program solely. Keep in mind most immigrants pay income taxes and taxes on most items we purchase, thereby donating funds to SNS.
By Debra Custer from Lisbon on 16 Aug 2025, 08:33