Request the SNS’s user number

A user number is given to every individual for identification purposes when accessing public healthcare in the National Health Service (SNS).

Portuguese citizens obtain a user number automatically when applying for a Citizen Card (the number is printed on the back of the card).

Non-Portuguese nationals with permission to reside or stay in Portugal must apply for an SNS user number.

Service channels

Learn where you can carry out the service and what are the advantages of each channel
  • Request on the location
    Portuguese citizens obtain the user number when they request a Citizen Card

    Free of charge

    If you are a foreign citizen living in Portugal, you must submit: residence permit and Tax Identification Number (tax card)

    Search for a point of service near you:

Who can request the SNS’s user number?

  • Any foreign citizens who have permission to live or stay in Portugal and wish to have access to national public healthcare services.

    If you do not have permanent residence in Portugal, you will have to enrol provisionally in the National User Register.

    Note: if you have a Citizen Card, you do not need to apply for a user number. Portuguese citizens are given an SNS user number when applying for a Citizen Card (the number is printed on the card).

When can you request the SNS’s user number?

Any person with foreign citizenship may request an SNS user number when they have permission to live or stay in Portugal or hold a visa entitling them to work in Portugal.

If you are not legally resident or do not have a work permit, you will need to apply for a certificate of residence at your local parish council, certifying that you have been in Portugal for more than 90 days.

What are the documents and requirements to request the SNS’s user number?

  • If you are a foreign national and have a permit to live or stay in Portugal, you must show the following documents at a health centre:

    • residence permit/permission to stay, or
    • work visa, and
    • tax identification number (TIN).

    If you are a foreign national, do not have a residence permit, permission to stay or a work visa, but have lived in Portugal for more than 90 days, you need to apply for:

    • a certificate of residence at your local parish council proving that you have been in Portugal for more than 90 days *.

    *Please note: two witnesses, also resident in the area, are needed to confirm the information, e.g. neighbours or people you know who work in shops where you are a customer, etc.

    If you have foreign citizenship, have lived in Portugal for less than 90 days, but are not permanently resident in Portugal, you can enrol provisionally. Contact the 24-Hour Health Line (808 24 24 24) for help getting a provisional user number.

What is the price to request the SNS’s user number?

It is free of charge.

How request the SNS’s user number?

If you have a residence permit or a Portugal work visa, simply go to the health centre in your area of residence with that document and your tax identification number (TIN).

If you do not have a residence permit or work visa, but have lived in Portugal for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence certificate from your local parish council.

Then just submit this document and the TIN to register with the health centre and get a user number. With a user number you will be able to access SNS healthcare services.

If you have lived in Portugal for less than 90 days and are not permanently resident in Portugal, you can enrol provisionally. Contact the 24-Hour Health Line (808 24 24 24) for help getting a provisional user number.

What is the support legislation?

  • Order No 1774-A/2017 of 24 February 2017 - sets out the rules for the organisational and management mechanisms for the National User Register (RNU) and defines the criteria and procedures for organising and updating user lists in Health Centre Groupings (ACeS) and their functional units.