Guide · Updated November 2026
Doctor at your hotel in Lisbon: how it works and what it costs
Feeling unwell in your hotel room is the worst part of a trip. A doctor who comes to you saves you the waiting room and the taxi ride. Here is exactly how it works in Lisbon.
When a hotel visit makes sense
A home or hotel visit is ideal for the common problems that ruin a holiday but do not need a hospital:
- Fever, flu-like symptoms, sore throat or ear pain
- Vomiting, diarrhoea or suspected food poisoning
- Urinary infections, skin rashes, allergic reactions or insect bites
- Minor injuries such as sprains or small cuts
- A sick child, when getting across the city is the last thing you want
For chest pain, difficulty breathing, signs of a stroke, a serious accident or heavy bleeding, call 112 straight away.
How it works, step by step
- Book online or by phone or WhatsApp. You give the hotel name and room number, or the address of your apartment.
- Confirmation: we confirm the doctor's arrival time. In Lisbon the doctor usually arrives within about an hour.
- The visit: an English-speaking doctor examines you in your room, explains what is going on and starts treatment.
- Prescription: if you need medicines, you receive an electronic prescription by SMS or email, valid at any pharmacy in Portugal.
- Paperwork: you receive a medical report and an invoice for your travel insurance.
How much does it cost?
A doctor visit at your hotel or apartment costs €150, with no extra charge at night or at weekends. A video consultation costs €80. Medicines are paid separately at the pharmacy. The hotel does not charge you anything for the visit.
Will my travel insurance pay it back?
Most travel insurance policies cover a private doctor visit abroad. Usually you pay first and then claim with the medical report and the invoice. Some insurers ask you to call their assistance line before the visit, so check your policy or call them if you can.
What if I need a hospital?
If the doctor finds something that needs tests or hospital care, they refer you and tell you which hospital to go to. Keep in mind that every hospital in Portugal first assesses patients through its own triage.
Tips before the doctor arrives
- Have your passport or ID ready, and a list of any medicines you take or allergies you have.
- Let reception know a doctor is coming, so they can show them up.
- Note your symptoms and temperature, and when they started.
This guide is published by DoctorsPortugal (Lighthouse Health Concierge, Unipessoal Lda.), a doctor home-visit service in Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra. The information here is general and does not replace medical advice. In an emergency, call 112.