SNS 24 Helpline (808 24 24 24): When to Call Instead of the ER
Portugal wants people to phone before they walk into a hospital emergency room. How the SNS 24 line and app work, what a referral changes and when to dial 112 instead.
SNS 24 is Portugal’s National Health Service helpline, reached on 808 24 24 24. Nurses assess your symptoms by phone and direct you to self-care, a health center appointment or a hospital emergency department. Call it for illness that is not life-threatening; for a medical emergency such as chest pain, severe bleeding or loss of consciousness, call 112.
A referral from SNS 24 also matters for money: according to the health regulator ERS, people sent to a hospital emergency department by the SNS do not pay the user fee (taxa moderadora). The rules and services below are as of November 2026.
When should I call SNS 24 instead of going to the ER?
Call SNS 24 first whenever you are unsure how serious a problem is but it is not an obvious emergency. Typical cases are fever, a cough, a sore throat, vomiting, a minor injury, a rash or a child who is unwell but alert. The line also answers questions about medicines and vaccines.
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| Chest pain, stroke signs, severe breathing difficulty, heavy bleeding, unconsciousness | Call 112 |
| Possible poisoning or swallowed chemicals | Call the CIAV poison line, 800 250 250 (free, 24 hours) |
| New symptoms, not life-threatening | Call SNS 24, 808 24 24 24 |
| Ongoing condition, repeat prescription, test results | Your health center or the SNS 24 app |
If your condition gets worse while you wait for a call back or an appointment, call 112.
How does a call to SNS 24 work?
A health professional asks about your symptoms and gives one of three outcomes: advice for care at home, a referral to primary care (often an appointment at a health center), or a referral to a hospital emergency department. The steps:
- Call 808 24 24 24 and have your SNS user number ready. If you do not have one yet, see our guide to the SNS user number.
- Choose the menu option for your problem. Option 1 is for respiratory symptoms such as cough, fever or sore throat.
- Describe your symptoms, current medicines and allergies.
- Follow the referral. If you are sent to a health center, the appointment is often booked for you; if you are sent to the ER, the referral is recorded in the SNS system.
Waiting times to get through can be long in busy periods. A government summary of an ERS report covering 2024 and 2025 noted a significant increase in calls waiting more than 30 minutes, so call early in an illness rather than late at night if you can.
What is “Ligue Antes, Salve Vidas”?
“Ligue Antes, Salve Vidas” (Call First, Save Lives) is the national project that asks people to contact SNS 24 before going to an emergency department. It started in May 2023 in two northern areas and the government says it now runs in 27 local health units (ULS).
Under the project, SNS 24 sends less urgent cases to health centers, which have expanded unscheduled appointments. According to the government, unscheduled primary care consultations rose from about 299,000 in 2024 to about 1.4 million in 2025, and more than 90% took place within 24 hours of the SNS 24 referral. Ask at your health center how the project works in your part of Lisbon.
Do I pay at the emergency department?
Since 2022, SNS user fees apply only in hospital emergency departments, and not when you were referred there by the SNS, for example by SNS 24, or when you are admitted to hospital from the ER. Several groups are exempt in any case, including children, pregnant women, people with a disability of 60% or more and people with low household income.
If you go to the ER on your own initiative, are not admitted and are not exempt, a fee may be charged. ERS also says fees can be charged if you leave the ER on your own before being seen.
What can I do in the SNS 24 app?
The free SNS 24 app works for anyone with an SNS user number, logging in with that number (if your phone or email is in the national user register) or with the Chave Móvel Digital. Main services as of November 2026:
- prescriptions and requests to renew regular medication;
- test bookings and results;
- a digital triage questionnaire for adults with respiratory symptoms, which can book a health center slot or tell you to call 112;
- the self-declaration of illness (autodeclaração de doença) for work: up to 3 consecutive days, twice per calendar year, requested within 5 days of the first day off;
- vaccination records and dental vouchers.
Teleconsultations and an in-person SNS 24 counter network are also available for help with digital services.
What if I do not speak Portuguese?
Say at the start of the call that you speak English and ask whether the professional can continue in English; keep simple Portuguese phrases ready in case not. Have your symptoms, medicines and SNS number written down. Deaf users have a separate accessible contact on the SNS 24 website.
Bottom line
Save 808 24 24 24 and 112 in your phone now, and register your phone number and email with your health center so the app works when you need it. A call before the ER usually means a faster appointment in the right place and no user fee.
FAQ
Is SNS 24 open at night?
Yes. The line answers around the clock, every day of the year, which makes it the main option at night when health centers are closed.
Can tourists call SNS 24?
Yes, anyone in Portugal can call for advice. Coverage of the cost of care depends on your status; see our guide to emergency numbers in Portugal for other services.
Where do I get medicine at night?
Pharmacies take turns staying open at night. See our guide to the on-duty pharmacy in Lisbon.
