How to Get Medical Tests Done in Portugal

How to Get Medical Tests Done in Portugal


1) Decide what exactly you want to test — and why

“Just a blood test or urine test to check if everything is OK” usually doesn’t work.
You need to know the specific parameters, ideally with a doctor’s referral.

“Can I do tests without a referral?”
Sometimes yes — if you know exactly what you need and can explain it to the laboratory.
However, most laboratories usually require a referral.

“Where do I get a referral?”
From your doctor.
I personally called several laboratories and confirmed: referrals can be electronic and even in English.
So if you still have contact with doctors from your home country, you can request a referral from them as well.

The referral must include:

  • Your full name

  • Exact test names (not “mochevaya kislota”, but “uric acid / ácido úrico”)

2) Find a laboratory

There are large laboratory chains and many small local labs. You can find collection points near your home, on main streets, or town squares — even in small towns.

Examples of major laboratory networks:

Tests can also be done in small private clinics and large hospitals.
Some private offices collect samples and send them to these laboratories.

3) Book an appointment or walk in

Often no appointment is required, but it’s best to check in advance:

  • Collection hours

  • Whether fasting is needed

  • Any special preparation

So you don’t arrive fasting only to discover that “biochemistry is collected only on Wednesdays.”

Some tests require additional preparation: hygiene procedures, prostate massage, choosing the correct day of the menstrual cycle, stool samples in multiple containers, etc.
Make sure you know exactly what, how, and when to collect.

4) How much does it cost?

Always ask before the samples are taken.

Prices can range from around €10 to €300+ and more (for example, when someone decides to test “all hormones and microelements just in case”).

If you have health insurance:

  • Ask if the laboratory works with your insurance

  • Confirm what discount is applied

“Can I get free tests?”
Yes — but only with a referral from a public doctor in the public healthcare system.
If you get such a referral, congratulations 🙂

5) Results

Results are usually sent by email, and the laboratory will tell you the expected timeframe.

  • Basic tests: 1–2 days

  • Specialized tests: up to about a week

If results take unusually long, check whether your contact details were entered correctly.
Mistyped names or wrong email domains (gmail.com instead of mail.ru, ukr.net, etc.) happen quite often.

Always double-check.

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