How to Get an SNS Number in Portugal

How to Get an SNS Number in Portugal in 2026

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Foreigners living in Portugal can request an SNS number through a public health centre or hospital, and eligible applicants can also request it alongside their tax and social security numbers at designated Espaços Cidadão. However, some health centres use their own email instructions for handling requests, so applicants should check the procedure at their local facility before sending documents.

Portugal’s Administração Central do Sistema de Saúde (ACSS) confirms that the SNS number is a unique, permanent identifier in the national health register. Here is how immigrants can obtain one, what information they may need and what to know if their residence permit is still pending.

What Is an SNS Number?

An SNS number, officially called the Número Nacional de Utente (NNU), identifies a person in Portugal’s National Health Service (Serviço Nacional de Saúde, or SNS).

It is used when dealing with public health services, including health centres (centros de saúde) and public hospitals.

According to the official government portal, Portuguese citizens generally receive their SNS number automatically when applying for a Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão), while foreign nationals receive it when they first attend a public healthcare unit.

The number is free of charge and is intended to identify the same person throughout the national health system. The ACSS confirms that an assigned number is permanent and is not replaced by a new number simply because someone’s circumstances change.

How to Get an SNS Number

For many immigrants, the first step is to contact their nearest public health centre and ask how to request an SNS number.

In some health centres, applicants may see a notice explaining that they should send an email with the required documents instead of applying directly at the reception desk. However, there is no single national email address or universal email procedure published for every health centre.

The process can therefore depend on the local facility’s instructions.

What should you do?

  • Find the public health centre responsible for your area.
  • Check the notices displayed at the entrance or reception.
  • Ask whether SNS number requests are accepted by email or handled in person.
  • If the centre provides an official email address and document checklist, follow those instructions carefully.
  • If no email procedure is displayed, contact the centre or visit it to ask how to apply.

Do not send your passport or other personal documents to an email address found on an unofficial website or social media post. Confirm that the address belongs to the relevant health centre before sharing personal information.

What do the official rules say? The ACSS states that registration in the National Register of Users (Registo Nacional de Utentes, or RNU) is carried out in person at an SNS primary-care or hospital unit to verify identity and reduce fraud. This means that an email procedure advertised by an individual centre should not be confused with a universal national application method.

Which Documents Do You Need?

The information required depends on whether you are requesting an SNS number for the first time, completing your health registration or updating an existing record.

The official government guidance says that the following basic information is required when a public health unit creates an SNS record:

  • Full name
  • Sex
  • Date of birth
  • Country of nationality
  • Country of birth

The health unit may also request your address, telephone number, email address and other information.

If you are applying through your local health centre, check its instructions for the supporting documents it requires. Your passport or another accepted identity document is particularly important for establishing who you are.

If you want your record to be fully updated and to register with a health centre, additional documents may be necessary, including, depending on your circumstances:

  • Identification document
  • Portuguese NIF (tax identification number)
  • Proof of your Portuguese address
  • Valid residence permit or other applicable residence documentation

These additional requirements should not be mistaken for a universal checklist for simply assigning an SNS number. The distinction matters because the government treats obtaining a number and completing registration for primary healthcare as separate administrative steps.

Can You Apply for an SNS Number Without a Residence Permit?

Yes, the absence of a residence permit does not automatically prevent a foreign national from being registered in the SNS database and receiving an SNS number.

The ACSS explicitly states that a foreign national whose residence situation is irregular should be registered in the National Register of Users when they contact an SNS unit, using the minimum information required for registration.

However, this does not mean that every person without a residence permit automatically qualifies for the same healthcare coverage or can register with a family doctor.

The ACSS explains that a record may initially be classified as registo em curso (registration in progress) if some required information is missing. If the mandatory information is not completed within 180 days, the record can become registo incompleto (incomplete registration), which can affect primary-care registration and responsibility for healthcare costs.

If your residence permit is pending, explain your situation to the health centre and ask which documents it can accept. Do not assume that you must wait for the physical residence card before asking for an SNS number.

The government also lists a special historical measure for certain immigration cases that were already pending with the former SEF on 31 December 2021. This exception should not be treated as a general rule for all current residence applications.

Can You Get an SNS Number Through Espaço Cidadão?

Yes. Eligible foreign nationals can request their NIF, NISS and SNS number together through a government service available at designated Espaços Cidadão.

The service is particularly useful for people who still need all three identification numbers.

According to the official gov.pt service page, updated on 17 September 2026, applications are currently handled at 12 Espaços Cidadão.

To qualify, applicants must have a Portuguese address, not hold a Portuguese Citizen Card and meet at least one of these conditions:

  • Have applied for or already obtained a residence permit.
  • Be a citizen of an EU member state.
  • Have applied for international protection, including asylum or subsidiary protection.
  • Hold refugee status or qualify as a beneficiary of international protection.

The request may be made by the applicant or, under the applicable rules, a legal representative. Applications for minors can be made by a parent, guardian or legal representative.

If you do not meet these conditions, the government directs you to apply for the identification numbers separately through the relevant services.

Before travelling, check the official service page for the current locations and application requirements.

What Happens After You Receive Your SNS Number?

Receiving your SNS number does not automatically mean that you have completed registration with a local health centre.

The official government guidance says that people can register with a health centre by presenting their SNS number, preferably at the centre serving their residential area. If they do not yet have a number, they can request one as part of the registration process, subject to the applicable requirements.

For foreign nationals, the published health-centre registration service lists additional requirements, including residence documentation, a Portuguese address, civil identification and a NIF.

Once your record is complete, ask the health centre whether you are registered for primary healthcare and whether a family doctor can be assigned. Receiving an SNS number alone does not guarantee immediate access to a family doctor.

Does an SNS Number Mean Healthcare Is Free?

No. Having an SNS number alone does not guarantee that the SNS will cover all your healthcare expenses.

The Portuguese government explicitly warns applicants about this distinction on its SNS number service page.

The ACSS also explains that the information held in a person’s health record can affect their registration status and responsibility for healthcare costs. For example, an incomplete record may not qualify for the same arrangements as an updated record.

If you have recently received your number, ask the health centre whether your personal details and supporting documents are complete and what rules apply to your circumstances.

Do not assume that the number itself confirms eligibility for every public healthcare benefit.

Official Websites to Check Before Applying

Use these government sources to verify the procedure that applies to you:

Final Advice for Immigrants in Portugal

If you need an SNS number, start by contacting your local centro de saúde and checking whether it accepts requests by email or requires you to attend in person. If you need your NIF and NISS as well, check whether you qualify for the combined application service at an Espaço Cidadão.

Prepare your identification details, follow the instructions of the official service and confirm that your health record contains all the required information.

The most important thing to remember is that getting an SNS number is the first step, not necessarily the end of the process. Understanding your registration status and confirming your healthcare entitlements can help you avoid unexpected problems when you need medical care.

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