Tourist clinic · Portugal 2026

How to see a doctor in the Azores as a tourist

Getting sick on holiday is stressful when you do not know the local system. Here is how healthcare works for visitors in the Azores — pharmacies, hospitals, 112 — and how to see a doctor online today without hours in an emergency room.

Licensed physician · Portuguese Medical Association · ERS 45475

Consultations in English, Spanish or Portuguese.

See a doctor online now — €39 Emergencies: 112

Video call with a licensed doctor · same-day slots · English, Spanish or Portuguese

Your options, from quickest to most serious

1. See a doctor online today: Lon Clinic is a Portuguese online clinic registered with the health regulator (ERS). Video consultation from where you are staying, prescription if needed.
2. Pharmacies (farmácias): Look for the green cross. Pharmacists help with minor problems, but antibiotics and many other medicines need a prescription. At night, the on-duty pharmacy (farmácia de serviço) is posted on every pharmacy door.
3. The local health service: The Azores have their own regional health service (SRS). The smaller islands have a health centre (unidade de saúde de ilha) rather than a hospital; serious cases are flown to a hospital island. Pharmacies in the Azores dispense Portuguese e-prescriptions with the code. On the smaller islands, call ahead to check the medicine is in stock.
4. Hospital emergency departments: Triage is colour-coded, so people with minor problems can wait many hours.

Main public hospitals in the Azores

Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo (Ponta Delgada, São Miguel): The main hospital of the Azores. After a fire in 2024, parts of it have been working from temporary facilities — in an emergency, call 112 and follow their instructions.
Hospital de Santo Espírito da Ilha Terceira (Angra do Heroísmo): Public hospital on Terceira with an emergency department.
Hospital da Horta (Faial): Public hospital for Faial and the central islands.

Tips for your stay in the Azores

Weather on the crater trails changes in minutes: fog, rain and slippery paths. Carry layers and water, and tell someone your route.

Whale-watching trips can be rough — take seasickness tablets from the pharmacy an hour before you board. On a small island, the nearest hospital may be a flight away: call 112 early if something is serious.

Insurance and costs

With a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK GHIC you can use necessary public care. It does not cover private or online consultations.

Everyone else should rely on travel insurance. Keep the invoice and medical report to claim reimbursement.

How the online consultation works

Book from your hotel

Same-day video slots are often available, seven days a week. €39, shown before you pay.
English, Spanish or Portuguese

A doctor registered with the Portuguese Medical Association sees you on video.
Prescription, if needed

A Portuguese electronic prescription, usually by SMS or email. You do not need a Portuguese health number.
Invoice for your insurer

You receive an invoice and a medical report to claim from your travel insurance.

Price

39 €

Video consultation with a licensed doctor, about 30 minutes. A Portuguese electronic prescription, if indicated, is included. Invoice and medical report for your insurer.

See a doctor online now — €39

Problems we can often assess online

Urinary tract infections
Stomach upsets and traveller’s diarrhoea
Sore throats and ear infections
Sunburn, skin rashes and insect bites
Allergies and eye infections
Replacing regular medication you have lost or forgotten

Call 112 instead

Chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke
Severe bleeding, a serious injury, loss of consciousness
A severe allergic reaction
Anything the doctor says needs an in-person examination

For a genuine emergency, call 112 or go to a public hospital emergency room (urgência).

FAQ

Can a doctor in Portugal see me online and prescribe medication?

Yes. After a video consultation, the doctor can prescribe if it is clinically appropriate. The prescription is electronic and works at Portuguese pharmacies.

Do I need a Portuguese health number?

No. You can book with your passport or ID.

When should I go to the hospital instead?

Chest pain, trouble breathing, stroke signs, severe bleeding, a serious injury, loss of consciousness or a severe allergic reaction: call 112. Also if the doctor tells you that you need an examination in person.

Reviewed by the Lon Clinic medical team

General information for visitors in Portugal. It does not replace an individual medical consultation. In an emergency call 112.