Gavião City Council launches free health insurance for residents

The Gavião City Council in the Portalegre district is implementing a new health insurance program intended to cover approximately 1,500 residents initially. According to Mayor António Severino, the insurance will be free for all registered residents aged 18 and older.

The municipal plan aims to complement the National Health Service (SNS) by offering services such as general practice, medical specialties, medical exams, home nursing, free telephone medical counseling, and pharmacy discounts. The mayor noted that the measure is expected to be particularly beneficial for the elderly population.

The municipality will bear the cost of the program, which is estimated at approximately 48 euros per enrollment. Implementation is expected to begin in early December following the approval of municipal regulations. The initiative also seeks to encourage local registration among residents who may currently lack access to healthcare services.