Do digital nomads need health insurance for Portugal?
Yes, most digital nomads in Portugal arrange health insurance for their trips. While Portugal has a high-quality healthcare system, visitors often use private healthcare services, which can involve higher costs without insurance. Having coverage helps ensure access to medical care in emergencies, routine visits, and other unexpected situations during your stay.
Additionally, health insurance is frequently needed as part of the process for obtaining the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8). This helps meet visa requirements and ensures access to healthcare while living in Portugal.
Travel insurance vs. digital nomad insurance: Which one do I need for Portugal?
Travellers often compare travel insurance and digital nomad insurance when planning their stay in Portugal. Understanding the differences can help you choose the right plan for your trip.
- Duration:
- Travel insurance is for short trips, usually covering up to 30–90 days.
- Digital nomad insurance is designed for longer stays, offering flexible month-to-month coverage.
- Visa Documentation:
- Travel insurance typically doesn’t meet visa requirements.
- Digital nomad insurance can provide the necessary documentation for Portugal’s Digital Nomad Visa (D8).
- Flexibility:
- Travel insurance must be purchased before departure.
- Digital nomad insurance can be started or extended while abroad.
- Medical Coverage:
- Travel insurance covers emergencies but may exclude routine care.
- Digital nomad insurance includes both emergency and routine care during your stay.
- Regional Coverage:
- Travel insurance may only cover Portugal.
- Digital nomad insurance typically covers multiple countries, ideal for nomads travelling across Europe.
For more details, see: Travel Insurance vs Digital Nomad Insurance.
Genki Traveler for digital nomads in Portugal
Genki Traveler is a medical-only international insurance plan that provides worldwide coverage, including treatment received during a stay in Portugal. It operates on a flexible monthly subscription and covers a wide range of medically necessary care.
What Genki Traveler includes
- Medical coverage up to €1,000,000 per insurance year
- Outpatient and inpatient treatment
- Prescribed diagnostics (CT, MRI, X-ray, etc.) and medication
- Prescribed materials and devices (bandages, casts, crutches, rental mobility aids)
- Emergency dental care after accidents (up to €1,000 per case)
- Physiotherapy (up to 6 sessions per case) and telemedicine
- €50 deductible per case
Genki Traveler sports coverage
Coverage for many common sports and activities, including surfing, cycling, hiking, martial arts, skiing, and snowboarding (conditions apply).
Genki emergency assistance
- Ambulance transport (road, air, water, rail)
- 24/7 emergency assistance with possible direct billing for inpatient care
- Medically necessary repatriation and family hospital visit benefits (up to €5,000 per case)
- Coverage ends upon arrival if repatriation occurs
Genki home country & regional rules
- Emergency treatment in the home country for up to 6 weeks per stay
- USA/Canada: 7 days of emergency-only coverage per stay, with an option to upgrade to full coverage
Genki exclusions (summary)
Exclusions include pre-existing conditions, preventive care, maternity care, mental health care, non-accident dental treatment, alternative care, rehabilitative care (except post-hospital transfer), trekking above 4,000m, professional sports, and certain dangerous activities.
Other details
From €52.50/month. Flexible monthly subscription (1–12 months), eligible up to age 69, available for sign-up from home or abroad.
SafetyWing Essential is an international plan that combines medical coverage and travel-related benefits, with flexible 4-week billing and the option to purchase or renew while abroad.
What SafetyWing Essential includes
- Medical coverage up to US$250,000
- Inpatient and outpatient treatment, surgeries, medication
- Medically necessary diagnostics (X-ray, MRI, CT, blood work)
- Emergency dental treatment (up to US$1,000)
- Physiotherapy/chiropractic care (up to 3 visits per injury/illness)
- Prescription drugs (up to 60 days per prescription)
- No deductible
SafetyWing Essential sports & activities
Coverage for common leisure sports and motor-vehicle accidents under specific conditions. An adventure sports add-on is available for travellers who want broader activity coverage.
SafetyWing emergency assistance
- Medical evacuation (up to US$100,000 lifetime)
- Local unrest evacuation (up to US$10,000 lifetime)
- Medically necessary repatriation (up to US$5,000)
SafetyWing travel-related benefits
- Lost checked luggage (up to US$3,000, max US$500 per item)
- Trip interruption (up to US$5,000)
- Travel delay allowance (US$100/day, max 2 days)
- Death arrangements (transport up to US$20,000; local burial up to US$10,000)
SafetyWing home country rules
Emergency treatment during home visits after 90 days of active coverage (up to 30 days per 90-day period, or 15 days if the home country is the United States).
Exclusions (summary)
Pre-existing conditions (except emergency stabilisation), pregnancy and childbirth (except complications), mental health disorders, routine preventive care, congenital or hereditary conditions, cosmetic or experimental treatment, intoxication-related injuries, unlawful activities, and medical treatment in the USA unless the US add-on is purchased.
Other details
Pricing from US$56.28 per 4 weeks (ages 18–39), with optional add-ons like US coverage, adventure sports, and electronics theft.
Compare digital nomad insurance for Portugal: Genki Traveler vs SafetyWing Essential
Disclaimer: This comparison is a high-level overview based on each provider's published benefits. Always review the full policy wording before purchasing any plan.
Genki Traveler
- Coverage typeMedical-only
- Medical limit€1,000,000 per year
- Deductible€50 per case
- Key medical benefitsOutpatient/inpatient care; diagnostics; prescribed medication; physiotherapy; emergency dental; telemedicine
- Sports coverageMany common sports; excludes high-risk activities
- Emergency supportAmbulance transport; 24/7 assistance; medically necessary repatriation; family visit benefits
- Travel benefitsNot included
- Home-country rulesEmergency care up to 6 weeks per stay
- USA/Canada rules7-day emergency-only; upgrade available
- Add-onsUSA/Canada full-coverage upgrade
- ExclusionsPre-existing conditions; preventive, maternity, mental health; certain dangerous activities
SafetyWing Essential
- Coverage typeMedical + travel benefits
- Medical limitUS$250,000 per coverage period
- DeductibleNo deductible
- Key medical benefitsOutpatient/inpatient care; diagnostics; prescribed medication; emergency dental; physiotherapy/chiropractic
- Sports coverageLeisure sports + motor-vehicle accidents; adventure sports add-on available
- Emergency supportMedical evacuation; local unrest evacuation; repatriation; death arrangements
- Travel benefitsLost luggage; trip interruption; travel delay; death arrangements
- Home-country rulesEmergency care up to 30 days/90 days (15 days USA)
- USA/Canada rulesAdd-on required for USA
- Add-onsUSA coverage; adventure sports; electronics theft
- ExclusionsPre-existing; pregnancy/complications; mental health; congenital; cancer; experimental; intoxication-related
| Category |
Genki Traveler |
SafetyWing Essential |
| Coverage type | Medical-only | Medical + travel benefits |
| Medical limit | €1,000,000 per year | US$250,000 per coverage period |
| Deductible | €50 per case | No deductible |
| Key medical benefits | Outpatient/inpatient care; diagnostics; prescribed medication; physiotherapy; emergency dental; telemedicine | Outpatient/inpatient care; diagnostics; prescribed medication; emergency dental; physiotherapy/chiropractic |
| Sports coverage | Many common sports; excludes high-risk activities | Leisure sports + motor-vehicle accidents; adventure sports add-on available |
| Emergency support | Ambulance transport; 24/7 assistance; medically necessary repatriation; family visit benefits | Medical evacuation; local unrest evacuation; repatriation; death arrangements |
| Travel benefits | Not included | Lost luggage; trip interruption; travel delay; death arrangements |
| Home-country rules | Emergency care up to 6 weeks per stay | Emergency care up to 30 days/90 days (15 days USA) |
| USA/Canada rules | 7-day emergency-only; upgrade available | Add-on required for USA |
| Add-ons | USA/Canada full-coverage upgrade | USA coverage; adventure sports; electronics theft |
| Exclusions | Pre-existing conditions; preventive, maternity, mental health; certain dangerous activities | Pre-existing; pregnancy/complications; mental health; congenital; cancer; experimental; intoxication-related |
Health insurance for long stays, expats, and Portugal’s digital nomad visa
Travellers planning an extended stay in Portugal, whether through the digital nomad visa (D8), a temporary residency route, or a remote work arrangement, often review their insurance needs differently from short-term visitors. While Portugal offers excellent healthcare, non-residents usually rely on private healthcare, which may require upfront payment for consultations, diagnostics, or emergencies.
For long-term stays or residency applications, travellers often choose international health insurance that covers not only medical care but also provides the necessary documentation for the digital nomad visa (D8). Some expat-style insurance options, like Genki Native or SafetyWing Complete, offer more comprehensive coverage than standard travel insurance, especially for longer stays and ongoing medical care.
As part of the visa application process, proof of health insurance is typically required. It is important to verify that your insurance provider can offer the required documentation to meet the Portuguese visa requirements. Additionally, for those spending time outside Portugal, coverage across the Schengen Area or multiple countries may be an important factor to consider when selecting your insurance.
Does insurance cover surfing and outdoor activities in Portugal?
Portugal is famous for its world-class surfing spots, coastal hiking, and other outdoor adventures. Digital nomads often review how their insurance covers these activities. Based on the published benefits:
Genki Traveler for surfing
- Covers many common sports and activities, including surfing, hiking, cycling, skiing, snowboarding, kite-surfing and other recreational sports.
- Excludes certain high-risk activities and professional or compensated sports.
SafetyWing Essential for surfing
- Covers injuries from leisure sports and motor-vehicle accidents when specific conditions (such as licensing and safety equipment) are met, including surfing.
- Offers an adventure sports add-on for broader coverage to include kite-surfing, which can be purchased if needed.
With popular surf destinations like Ericeira, Peniche, and Nazaré, many digital nomads carefully review their insurance to ensure proper coverage for surfing and outdoor activities.
Final overview: Health insurance options for digital nomads in Portugal
Travellers preparing for a stay in Portugal often compare international plans that offer medical coverage and, in some cases, travel-related benefits.
- Genki Traveler provides medical-only coverage, including outpatient and inpatient treatment, prescribed diagnostics, medication, physiotherapy, telemedicine, accident dental treatment, and published emergency assistance benefits.
- SafetyWing Essential combines medical coverage with travel-related benefits such as lost checked luggage, trip interruption, travel delay allowances, and evacuation-related features.
Travellers planning longer stays sometimes also review premium long-term products like Genki Native or SafetyWing Complete, which are marketed as broader international coverage options for extended travel or residency-style arrangements.
Because health insurance requirements and visa rules for Portugal may change, travellers should always check the latest information from official government sources and review full policy wording before making any decision.
💡📱 To make your trip setup even easier, we’ve also created a full Portugal eSIM guide where you can compare data plans, coverage across major cities, and the most reliable options for digital nomads.
