What Families with Children, Future Residents, and Those Who Care About Their Health in Advance Should Know
When someone starts thinking about moving to another country, their attention usually turns to visas, housing, work, and education for children. The topic of vaccinations is often raised closer to the stage of preparing documents or booking medical appointments in a new country. That’s why it’s so important to consider vaccinations in advance — it can save you from many complications, both legal and medical.
Portugal does not have strict vaccination regulations for obtaining a visa or residence permit, unlike some countries in Asia or the USA. However, that doesn’t mean this issue should be ignored altogether. It’s especially important if you’re moving with children, planning a pregnancy, or simply want full access to the local healthcare system with confidence. Let’s break it down to see what’s really important, what is required before moving — so that you’re not surprised by documents later and don’t lose time trying to get them translated and certified.
Mandatory Vaccinations: Are There Any Formal Requirements?
Let’s start with the main question: are there any mandatory vaccinations required for obtaining a visa or residence permit in Portugal?
No, in most cases there are none. Neither the official immigration websites nor the D7, D2, or Golden Visa application requirements include any vaccination-related formalities. The same applies to the residence permit procedure.
However, once you arrive in Portugal and wish to use the public healthcare system (SNS), a vaccination card may be requested at the local health center (Centro de Saúde) to register you and your children. Especially if you plan to enroll your child in a local kindergarten or school, or if you intend to have a baby and be followed through the system.
Also, it’s worth considering that policies may change in the future — especially in the event of a worsening epidemiological situation. COVID-19 was a vivid example of how quickly the world can return to requiring medical certificates at borders. That’s why keeping your vaccination status up to date is a sensible precaution, even if it’s not currently required.
Why It’s Still Worth Paying Attention to Vaccination Before Moving
Migration is not only a change of country, but also a shift in the epidemiological context. Even if you have healthy children and are in good health yourself, a different climate zone, a new healthcare system, unfamiliar viruses and bacteria — all of this can pose unexpected challenges for your immune system. This is especially true if it has been many years since your last vaccination.
Moreover, when you move to Portugal, you’ll most likely want to get vaccinated through the public healthcare system (SNS). To do so, you’ll need to obtain a NIF and register your residence. However, when applying for a residence permit and accessing Serviço Nacional de Saúde for the first time, you may be asked to present proof of vaccinations — especially for children. If you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, this issue becomes not just a formality but a real aspect of medical care.
It’s also important to note: vaccinations in Portugal are free, but only those included in the national schedule and provided by SNS. If you can’t provide vaccination records or documentation, some vaccines may need to be repeated — simply as a precaution. And this means time, effort, and appointments you’ll likely already be short on in the first few months after the move.
National Vaccination Schedule in Portugal: What’s Included?
Portugal, as one of the countries in Europe with the highest level of trust in medicine and vaccinations, has a comprehensive and well-organized immunization schedule. It is published and regularly updated by Direção-Geral da Saúde (Directorate-General of Health).
Here is the list of vaccines included in Portugal’s mandatory child immunization program:
- BCG (for tuberculosis) — for newborns with risk factors;
- Hepatitis B — starting at birth;
- DTP — for diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus;
- Hib — Haemophilus influenzae type b infection;
- Polio;
- MMR — measles, mumps, rubella;
- Meningococcal and pneumococcal infections;
- Human papillomavirus — for both girls and boys in adolescence;
- Influenza — for the elderly and individuals with chronic conditions.
These vaccines are administered free of charge at public healthcare institutions. However, it’s important to note that the system assumes all previous doses have already been given. Therefore, during the first visit to a pediatrician — especially if you are coming from abroad — the doctor will verify your child’s vaccination status against the local requirements.
What Parents Need to Know: Kindergartens, Schools, and Vaccination
Enrolling a child in a kindergarten or school in Portugal does not require mandatory vaccination — this is an important point to emphasize. The law does not prohibit the admission of unvaccinated children. However, most institutions have the right to request a vaccination record. Formally, this is to understand the level of protection within the group the child is joining.
If parents refuse vaccination on personal grounds, the child will still be accepted, but the institution may ask the parents to sign a waiver of liability in case of infection. There is no official template for such a statement, and its content may vary from one municipality to another. Therefore, it is advisable to check this detail in advance with the specific kindergarten or school.
For those who do vaccinate: it is necessary to translate and bring an international vaccination card (or equivalent), indicating the dates and names of the vaccines. Ideally, the translation should be in Portuguese, although some institutions also accept English-language documents. After enrollment in the educational institution, the child will still be asked to undergo an initial check-up at a Centro de Saúde — this is where the data will be entered into the Boletim de Vacinas, the Portuguese vaccination card.
Where to Get Vaccinated in Portugal if Something Was Missed
If you or your child missed a vaccine in your home country, it’s not a problem. After registering with the SNS system, you can receive the missing vaccines for free — but only if they are included in the national immunization schedule. Appointments are made through your assigned doctor at the Centro de Saúde.
If you want to get vaccinated sooner, don’t want to wait for registration, or need a vaccine not covered by the national program (such as chickenpox or rotavirus), you can go to private clinics — CUF, Hospital da Luz, and others. These vaccinations will be at your own expense, but they come with no waiting lines and fast service. Prices depend on the specific vaccine but generally range from €30 to €100 per dose.
What Documents Should You Prepare Before Moving?
If you want to ensure that your vaccination status will be accepted in Portugal without issues, make sure to bring the following:
- An international vaccination certificate (the yellow booklet or its equivalent);
- A Portuguese translation with the dates, vaccine batch numbers, and manufacturer names;
- Preferably, a printout in English if you plan to visit private healthcare providers.
An apostille and notarization are usually not required, but they can be useful in official disputes, especially when dealing with public institutions.
How We Can Help You with Vaccination and Document Preparation
The Move to Cascais team supports families and individual clients throughout every stage of relocation. Specifically, we:
- Advise on current requirements and vaccination recommendations;
- Review your documents and suggest which vaccines should be done in advance;
- Assist with translating and preparing vaccination records;
- Organize support for visits to the Centro de Saúde or a private clinic;
- Ensure a smooth, stress-free transition into the local healthcare system.
Conclusion
Vaccination might seem like a secondary issue compared to visas, housing, and employment. However, in practice, it can play a key role in ensuring a smooth adaptation—especially if you are moving with children or planning for long-term health.
Portugal does not require mandatory vaccinations at the immigration stage. Still, preventive care is valued here, medical professionals are trusted, and scientific guidelines are followed. That’s why it’s best to prepare in advance: update your vaccination status, translate your documents, and integrate calmly into the new healthcare system.
Want to avoid unnecessary hassle and be sure everything is taken care of?
Book a consultation with Move to Cascais — we’ll help you prepare for your relocation 100%.
