Health insurance becomes key employer benefit in Portugal

According to the 5th edition of the WTW Health Insurance Barometer, health insurance has become a critical factor for employees in Portugal. In 2026, 40% of workers cited health insurance as an important reason for choosing their current employer, a 13 percentage point increase from 2024. Additionally, the benefit plays a growing role in employee retention, with 43% of staff citing it as a key reason for staying with their companies.

Benefit packages now rank as the fourth most important factor in job selection, following remuneration, work flexibility, and variable incentive opportunities.

The report also highlights rising costs and demand in mental health services. In 2025, per capita costs for psychology consultations rose by 40%, while psychiatry costs increased by 14%. Telemedicine usage also saw a 13% increase, with over 287,000 consultations performed in 2025, primarily in general medicine, pediatrics, and mental health. Despite this growth, experts note that telemedicine utilization remains limited among insured individuals, suggesting significant potential for further digital health adoption.