Entry regulations		Residence regulations		Additional information
No restrictions for people with HIV/AIDS. No HIV testing on entry.

HIV-specific entry and residence regulations for Portugal

There are no specific entry or residence regulations for people with HIV/AIDS. No HIV test result is required when entering the country. Residence permits for immigrants are issued by the consulates following the principle of reciprocity. There are no specific residence regulations. 

The new Immigration law no 23/2007, Art 32, para D from July 4, 2007 stipulates that entry can be denied only in situations defined by the WHO, or in cases of infectious diseases or parasites that would require protective measures in Portugal itself.

(Source: 1, 2) 

When applying for a work or residency permit (issued by the Portuguese consulates following the principle of reciprocity), a health certificate assuring that the applicant bears no infectious or contagious disease is required. 

It is common understanding in Portugal that HIV/AIDS is not in this category and no HIV specific test result is required. However, the interpretation of the requirement may depend on health authorities and consulate staff at the country of origin.

(Source: 3)

 

HIV treatment information for Portugal

In Portugal, everybody has access to the public health care system in case of an emergency, independently of nationality or legal status. Foreigners and EU citizens without proper health insurance documentation will need to pay for the care provided. 

However, there is no common understanding for the definition of an emergency situation. 

It might be rather difficult to convince most doctors or health staff that running out of antiretroviral treatment would be an emergency situation. The same applies for the need for post exposure prophylactic treatment. 

When facing a clear emergency situation, call the national emergency number 112. In more complex situations, it might be better to contact one of the NGOs mentioned below and ask for advice or assistance. 

Main HIV treatment centres in Portugal: 

Abrantes

• Hospital Dr. Manoel Constâncio
  Estrada Nacional
  2200-336 Abrantes

Amadora

• Hospital Dr. Fernando Fonseca
  Estrada IC 19 – Amadora
  2700-276 Amadora

Carnaxide

• Hospital de Santa Cruz
  Rua Prof. Reynaldo dos Santos – Carnaxide
  2799-523 Carnaxide

Cascais

• Hospital Conde Castro Guimarães
  Rua Padre José Maria Loureiro
  2750-349 Cascais

Coimbra

• Centro Hospitalar de Coimbra
  Rua Augusta
  3000-061 Coimbra
   
• Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra
  Av. Bissaya Barreto - Praceta Mota Pinto
  3000-165 Coimbra

Lisboa

• Maternidade Alfredo da Costa
  Rua Viriato
  1069-089 Lisboa
   
• Hospital Dr. Estefânia
  Rua Jacinta Marto
  1169-045 Lisboa
   
• Hospital de S. José
  Rua Bempostinha, 68
  1169-094 Lisboa
   
• Hospital Curry Cabral
  Rua da Beneficência, 8
  1169-166 Lisboa
   
• Hospital Egas Moniz
  Rua da Junqueira, 126
  1349-019 Lisboa
   
• Hospital S. Francisco Xavier
  Estrada do Forte do Alto do Duque
  1440-005 Lisboa
   
• Hospital de Santa Maria
  Rua Prof. Egas Moniz
  1600-190 Lisboa
   
• Hospital Pulido Valente
  Alameda das Linhas de Torres, 117
  1769-001 Lisboa

Porto

• Hospital de S. João
  Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro
  4201-451 Porto

Torres Vedras

• Hospital Distrital de Torres Vedras
  Rua Aurélio Ricardo Belo
  2560 Torres Vedras

Vila Franca de Xira

• Hospital Dr. Reynaldo dos Santos
  Apartado 22
  2600 Vila Franca de Xira

(Source: 3)

 

HIV information / HIV NGOs in Portugal

• ABRAÇO - Associação de Apoio a Pessoas com VIH/SIDA
  Largo José Luís Champalimaud, 4A
  1600-110 Lisboa
  Phone: 217 997 500
  Fax: 217 997 599
   
• ADDEPOS - Assoc. dos Direitos e Deveres dos Positivos Portadores do vírus da SIDA
  Quinta das Lapas
  Monte Redondo
  2560 Torres Vedras
  Phone: 261 312 331
  Fax: 261 312 332
   
• Associação Positivo - Grupos de Apoio e Auto Ajuda
  Rua de S. Paulo, n.º 216 - 1º a
  1200-429 Lisboa
  Phone: 213 422 976
  Fax: 213 424 346
   
• GAT - Grupo Português de Activistas sobre Tratamentos de VIH/SIDA
  Avenida Gomes Pereira, 98 - 4º andar
  1500-332 Lisbon
  Portugal
  Phone: +351 309 712 825
  Cellphone: +351 91 360 62 95
  Fax: +351 309 731 409
  E-mail: gatcontactos@gmail.com
  Web: www.gatportugal.org
   
• LPCS - Liga Portuguesa Contra a SIDA Rua do Crucifixo, n.º40 - 4º E
  1100-183 Lisboa
  Phone: 213 225 575/6
  Fax: 213 479 376
  E-mail: info@ligacontrasida.org

(Source: 3)

Updated information is available through the aidsmap search engine at www.aidsmap.com/en/orgs/ux/default.asp.

 

Global Criminalisation of HIV Transmission Scan

The Global Criminalisation Scan is an initiative of GNP+. It aims to collect and keep up to date information on national and state level laws criminalising the transmission of or exposure to HIV. It also aims to provide an easily accessible ‘clearing-house’ of resources, research, and initiatives on the subject and to provide a platform for advocacy initiatives.

Find out more about the scan and the criminalisation of HIV transmission legislation at http://criminalisation.gnpplus.net/.

 

Key HIV resources for Portugal

1. Embassy of Portugal, Berlin, January 28, 2008
2. German Embassy, Lisbon, March 4, 2008, with the support provided by the Coordenação Nacional para a Infecção VIH/sida
3. GAT, Pedro Silvério Marques, August 20, 2007, by e-mail

 

updated: 11/10/2008
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