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Thousands of users may lose access to the NHS from today: find out who is at risk
Politics

Thousands of users may lose access to the NHS from today: find out who is at risk

SAPO Notícias15 September 2026 at 07:49

Thousands of users may lose access to the National Health Service (NHS) from today due to the mandatory Life Proof requirement for emigrated pensioners. This measure specifically affects pensioners of the general Social Security scheme.

In 2026, the Life Proof requirement applies to pensionists aged 66 years and 9 months or older who have their registered address in Belgium, Canada, Cape Verde, Luxembourg, Netherlands, United Kingdom or Switzerland. Pensioners covered by this requirement must comply with the procedure to maintain access to health services.

If they do not comply with the Life Proof requirement, the affected users may lose access to the NHS. The measure aims to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries continue to be entitled to public health services.

Why this matters

Portuguese emigrant readers or those with family in the diaspora who receive pensions from Portugal will be directly affected by this bureaucratic requirement. Losing access to the NHS may mean the impossibility of using health centers and public hospitals in Portugal, even in emergency situations when they return to the country. This measure is part of a broader set of changes to Social Security procedures for pensioners residing abroad.

About this summary

This is our short summary of a report published by SAPO Notícias on 15 September 2026 at 07:49; the full text stays with the publisher. In our feed it sits under Politics. We currently carry 30079 items in that section.

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