World Country Guide

1.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travellers over one year of age arriving in (or going to as a destination) the Azores or Madeira, if coming from infected areas. However, no certificate is required from passengers transiting through Funchal, Porto Santo and Santa Maria.

Health care
European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland:
If you or any of your dependants are suddenly taken ill or have an accident during a visit to an EEA country or Switzerland, free or reduced-cost necessary treatment is available – in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Each country has different rules about state medical provision. In some, treatment is free. In many countries you will have to pay part or all of the cost, and then claim a full or partial refund. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to medical repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised. Note that the EHIC replaces the Form E111, which will no longer be valid after 31 December 2005. Some restrictions apply, depending on your nationality.
If you require a doctor or a dentist in mainland Portugal, go to the nearest health centre (Centro de Saúde). Show your passport or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), and ask to be treated under the EU arrangements. You will be charged a non-refundable standard fee. Dental treatment is limited under the state scheme. You will probably have to pay, and the charges are not refundable. In Madeira, you can get a partial refund if you see a private doctor. Make sure you get an official (green) receipt. For some prescribed medicines, you will have to pay between 30 and 80 per cent of the cost. There is no charge for prescriptions issued for certain serious illnesses ('A Level'). Basic hospital treatment is free, but you will have to pay for secondary examinations, such as X-rays, and laboratory tests. More information can be obtained in Portugal from the nearest Administração Regional de Saúde (Regional Health Service Office).