, Renewing the European Health Insurance Card - gov.pt

Renewing the European Health Insurance Card

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows you to receive medical assistance during a temporary stay in a country in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.

Medical care is provided through that country's social security system, which means that some health care may not be free of charge and may require the payment of user fees.

The EHIC is valid for 3 years. In case of loss, misplacement or theft, you must report the situation to the Social Security as soon as possible.

NOTICE: ADSE no longer issues the European Health Insurance Card since 2020.

Service channels

Learn where you can carry out the service and what are the advantages of each channel

Who can renewing the European Health Insurance Card?

  • People registered in Social Security (active workers, pensioners and family members)
  • People enrolled in Voluntary Social Insurance
  • Persons enrolled in public health subsystems
  • Users of the National Health Service with no connection to Social Security or to a public or private health subsystem
  • People who have worked abroad, are pensioners and have returned to Portugal
  • Workers posted abroad.

EHIC for children and young people

Since the card is individual, each member of the insured person's family must have his or her own card. Children and young people can apply for their EHIC online by registering with Social Security Direct (SSD) with their Social Security Identification Number (NISS).

When can you renewing the European Health Insurance Card?

The European Health Insurance Card is valid for 3 years.

Renewal must be done within the last 30 days before the end of the validity period indicated on the card.

What are the documents and requirements to renewing the European Health Insurance Card?

To renew the EHIC, you will need to make a new application and attach the following data and documents:

  • personal data of the person who will be the cardholder (including the Social Security Identification Number and the National Health Service User Number)
  • personal data of the dependent family members of the person who will apply for the card
  • fill in the Application Form for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

If the application for renewal is made before the expiry of the card, you should also indicate the card number.

what is the timeframe for receiving the European Health Insurance Card?

The European Health Insurance Card will be sent to your home address within five to seven working days of submitting your application.

Provisional replacement certificate

If you are travelling within 10 days and have not yet received your new European Health Insurance Card, you can request a provisional replacement certificate (PRC). The certificate replaces the EHIC for a period of three months and guarantees the same rights.

You can apply online on Social Security Direct or at a Social Security office.

If you apply for the card via Social Security Direct, the provisional replacement certificate will be sent as a PDF to the email address you provide.

If you lose or forget your European Health Insurance Card and need healthcare while travelling, you can also ask Social Security to send the provisional replacement certificate to the medical establishment where you are are seeking healthcare.

What is the price to renewing the European Health Insurance Card?

It is free of charge.

Additional information

For more information about the European Health Insurance Card, see the Social Security portal and the "EHIC Practical Guide".

The SNS24 portal also has the following health guides available: "Health Guide - European Health Insurance Card" and "My Health in Europe".

What is the support legislation?