The Central Administration of the Health System (ACSS) confirmed that several Local Health Units, including those in Leiria, the Algarve, and the Oeste region, have already launched tenders to create a total of five Model C Family Health Units, managed by private providers under public contracts. The bidding process is currently underway.

In the Algarve, two new Family Health Units are planned for Silves and Lagos. In addition, the regional health authority is preparing to launch a separate tender for another privately managed unit serving the municipalities of Albufeira, Loulé, and Portimão.

According to the ACSS, the remaining tenders are expected to be launched by the end of February and will also cover Local Health Units in Amadora/Sintra, Western Lisbon, Loures-Odivelas, Santa Maria, São José and the Tagus Estuary region.

Once operational, the new Family Health Units are expected to provide primary healthcare services to around 252,000 patients. The ACSS said the expansion is aimed at strengthening coverage in areas with higher concentrations of residents who currently lack a family doctor.

The move follows the approval of a government decree-law in September 2024 that permits the creation of mixed-management health centres, operated by public entities, private providers, and local authorities.

The measure was designed to address long-standing shortages in access to primary care.

Official data highlight the scale of the challenge. According to the National Health Service transparency portal, more than 1.55 million people in mainland Portugal were without an assigned family doctor as of November 2025.