How to Get a Número de Utente in Portugal (2026)

The número de utente is your personal ID within Portugal's public health system (SNS) — the number that unlocks free or subsidised consultations, a family doctor, and discounted prescriptions. Here's exactly how to get one as a foreign resident.

Who can register

You need proof of legal residence in Portugal — a residence permit (non-EU) or a CRUE registration certificate (EU/EEA/Swiss citizens). You do not need to be working; unemployed and retired residents register the same way.

Tourists and people still waiting on their residence permit cannot register for a utente number yet, but can always be treated in an emergency, and can use private clinics without one. Where to find English-speaking clinics meanwhile →

What you need

NIF (get it first if you haven't →)
Residence permit or CRUE certificate
Proof of address — a rental contract, utility bill, or a signed declaration
Passport or ID card

Step by step

Find your local centro de saúde. Registration is tied to your address — search "centro de saúde" plus your parish (freguesia) online, or ask at the Câmara Municipal.
Go in person (most health centers don't offer full online registration for first-timers) with the documents above. No appointment needed for this step at most centers — just the front desk.
Fill out the registration form (Boletim de Inscrição de Utente). Staff usually speak enough English to help, but bring a translation app for smaller towns.
Receive your número de utente — sometimes on the spot, sometimes by post within a couple of weeks.
Wait to be assigned a médico de família (family doctor). This is the slow part — in high-demand areas (Lisbon, Cascais, the Algarve) it can take months. You're on the SNS system either way; you just won't have a named GP yet.

While you wait for a family doctor

You're not without care in the meantime:

Emergency rooms (urgências) always treat you, utente number or not
Private consultations don't require a utente number at all — most expats use this route for the first months. Compare private health insurance →
Some regions let you request an unassigned GP slot (USF) — ask your centro de saúde directly

Using your utente number

Bring it (or your Cartão de Cidadão / residence card, which often has it linked) to:

Any SNS appointment or hospital visit
Pharmacies, to access subsidised prescription prices — find one near you →
Booking appointments via the SNS 24 app or phone line (808 24 24 24)

FAQ

Is registration free? Yes, there's no fee for the utente number itself.

Can I register before receiving my residence permit? Generally no — you need proof of legal residence first. This is one more reason to prioritize your AIMA appointment early.

What if I move to a different city? You need to re-register at the new area's centro de saúde; your utente number stays the same, but your assigned GP may change.

Do children need their own utente number? Yes, every family member registers individually, including babies (registered by a parent).

I only have a temporary/provisional residence document — can I still register? Many centros de saúde accept provisional AIMA documents (comprovativo) as proof while the final permit is processed. Bring it and ask — policies vary slightly by region.

Last updated: July 2026.