Portugal’s healthcare system is on the verge of crisis. Patients are often forced to wait more than 10 hours to receive emergency care.
Closed departments, a shortage of medical staff, and failures in the new screening system pose a threat to the functioning of the National Health Service. Economist Pedro Pita Barros points to organizational and management issues, as well as competition with the private sector for staff. In response, the government introduced a reform plan in May 2024, but results remain unsatisfactory, with waiting times in some hospitals exceeding 30 hours.
The situation is worsened by mandatory preliminary consultations by phone, further extending waiting times. The Ministry of Health acknowledges the difficulties but responds with bureaucratic measures, such as creating call centers. Satisfaction with Portugal’s healthcare system has dropped from 74% to 56% in recent years, and in Europe, Portugal ranks 13th out of 35 countries. The Minister of Health has promised measures to improve the situation.
