13 May 2025
For many Filipino expats living in Portugal, looking after loved ones back home is a top priority. A common question arises: Can you get reimbursed in Portugal for medical expenses incurred by your dependents in the Philippines? This concern grows especially urgent when families rely on expats to support healthcare needs during emergencies.
This blog explores how Portugal’s healthcare system treats overseas medical expenses and what Filipino workers can do to manage them. We’ll also look at smart ways to send money to Philippines from Portugal for health-related needs—quickly and securely.
Portugal offers universal healthcare access, but this access doesn’t always extend to treatment costs outside the country. Here's what Filipino expats need to understand.
Portugal’s healthcare system, the Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), primarily covers citizens and legal residents for treatments within Portuguese territory. The SNS generally does not reimburse costs for medical treatment received abroad—especially for non-EU countries like the Philippines—unless under specific, pre-approved circumstances.
According to the Ministry of Health, Portugal, reimbursements may apply only if the patient receives prior authorization and if the treatment abroad is unavailable locally or urgently required. That means regular or emergency treatments in the Philippines typically won’t qualify for SNS reimbursements.
Dependents living in the Philippines aren’t considered residents under Portugal’s healthcare system. They aren't automatically covered by your SNS benefits, even if they are your legal dependents. This means expats are responsible for their medical expenses out-of-pocket and must plan accordingly.
The system prioritizes care for individuals residing and receiving treatment within the EU/EEA. Hence, reimbursing costs for treatment in the Philippines isn’t standard policy.
Some expats invest in private international health insurance that covers both the policyholder and their listed dependents, regardless of geographic location. Such policies may reimburse expenses incurred in the Philippines—but they come with conditions, premium costs, and paperwork.
Check with providers like Allianz or Cigna Global for policies that cover family members back home. Read the fine print and confirm whether outpatient and inpatient treatments in the Philippines are included.
Here's a quick comparison between Portugal's public system and private international health insurance to guide your choice:
Feature | SNS (Portugal’s Public Healthcare) | Private International Health Insurance |
Coverage for Treatment Abroad | Rare, requires prior approval and is EU-focused | Often includes global coverage depending on policy |
Eligible Dependents | Only residents of Portugal | May include non-resident family members |
Reimbursement Process | Complex, with strict pre-authorization | More flexible, but documentation-heavy |
Cost | Free or low-cost for residents | Premium-based (monthly/annual) |
Practical for Philippines | Not applicable for most cases | Yes, if provider covers the Philippines |
Best For | Residents in Portugal needing local care | Expats supporting family abroad |
Because reimbursement for Philippine-based treatments is unlikely, many Filipino expats choose to directly fund their families' healthcare expenses. This makes money transfer to Philippines from Portugal a practical and essential financial move during health crises.
Using a low-cost and fast remittance service like ACE Money Transfer ensures your family gets the medical attention they need—without unnecessary delays or high fees.
Since reimbursement isn’t guaranteed, the best solution is sending funds smartly and promptly. Let’s explore how.
Many Filipino families maintain a separate bank account strictly for emergencies. You can deposit funds directly into this account via an online money transfer helping your loved ones act quickly without waiting for reimbursements or approval.
This also avoids unnecessary paperwork or dependence on slow financial channels.
If you do have private insurance or anticipate some form of reimbursement in the future, keep all documents like hospital receipts, doctor’s notes, and medication invoices. Even if SNS won’t cover it, private insurers or employer-sponsored plans might.
Encourage your family members to share digital scans or photos of these records through secure messaging apps or cloud storage.
Traditional banks are slow and often expensive. In contrast, fintech-powered remittance platforms provide faster, cheaper, and more transparent transfers.
ACE Money Transfer, for instance, offers highly competitive exchange rates and lightning-fast delivery when you send money to Philippines online from Portugal. Funds can be received in minutes through cash pickup, bank deposit, or mobile wallet.
With a 4.8+ rating on Trustpilot, ACE Money Transfer continues to earn the trust of thousands of expats worldwide for secure and speedy remittances.
This is especially vital when covering urgent medical expenses like hospital bills or diagnostic tests.
Not all remittance services are created equal. Look for:
These features become crucial during medical emergencies, when delays are not an option.
Filipino expats in Portugal cannot generally claim healthcare reimbursements for dependents in the Philippines through the national healthcare system. However, alternative options like private insurance and proactive money transfers can bridge the gap. Investing in reliable remittance services ensures that your loved ones get the medical support they need—without bureaucratic hurdles or delays.
For urgent or routine medical support, you can send an online money transfer to Philippines from Portugal using ACE Money Transfer.
ACE Money Transfer ensures your money reaches your family quickly, securely, and with full transparency. Join the thousands of satisfied expats who trust us every day.
No, SNS primarily covers medical services within Portugal and doesn’t extend to non-resident dependents abroad.
Yes, international private insurance may offer partial reimbursement, but always verify geographic coverage first.
Most transactions are processed instantly or within minutes, depending on your chosen payout method.
Yes, always keep digital copies of receipts and medical records for claims.
ACE Money Transfer offers speed, low fees, and high trust—making it ideal for urgent family medical support needs.
