If you’re an expat wondering about getting ADHD medication in Portugal, I can tell you firsthand it’s been quite a journey. I was diagnosed with ADHD in my 20s after listening to a podcast and thinking, “Wait, this is my life, do I have ADHD?” Eventually, I went to a doctor and got a full-blown diagnosis. My life made so much more sense!
Preparing for the Move
Anyways, I had a regular prescription for years by the time we started getting ready to move. I researched a bit about doctors and getting medication here, and I knew it might be a little difficult. One thing I wish I had done sooner was check INFARMED’s Infomed database before we left. INFARMED is Portugal’s national medicines authority, basically the Portuguese equivalent of the FDA, and its database lets you search whether a medication is authorized for sale in Portugal. It would have saved me some surprises. I prepared myself to have a bit of a supply for a while after I got here, which was smart, but knowing ahead of time what was and wasn’t available would have been even smarter.
Finding Out My ADHD Medication Wasn’t Available in Portugal
I went to the doctor soon after we arrived and found out that the meds I was taking were not available in Portugal. I was going to have to switch to something else. Also worth knowing: there has been a Europe-wide shortage of methylphenidate (one of the most common ADHD medications), so even some medications that are technically authorized here have had availability issues. To switch to something else, I seemed to have a few options:
- Find a neurologist or psychiatrist in my private insurance network (my plan doesn’t allow for reimbursement, but many do, so it’s worth checking your policy carefully)
- Pay out of pocket for a doctor (about 90€ each visit, plus the cost of medication)
- Use the public health system, the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde), but I was warned it could be a very long process
If you want to know more about what navigating private healthcare actually looks like, I wrote about my experience with it after a shoulder injury here.
What Is the SNS?
A quick note on the SNS since it comes up a lot in expat conversations: it’s Portugal’s public universal healthcare system, funded through taxes. As a legal resident, you’re entitled to use it. You get an SNS user number the first time you visit a public health center. Services are free or very low cost, but the trade-off is wait times, and for specialty care like psychiatry, those waits can be significant. Many expats end up using a hybrid approach: SNS for emergencies and general care, private for specialists.
The Search for a Doctor Who Knows Adult ADHD
I decided to try to find a doctor who would take my insurance first. That seemed like the easiest route. I was wrong. It took me forever to find a doctor who treated ADHD in my network that wasn’t in Lisbon. During all this time, I was actually really struggling. I was having so much trouble focusing. I was in a rough space mentally, and it being so hard to find a doctor didn’t help.
Tips for Finding an English-Speaking Specialist
Eventually, I found a doctor! The easiest way to make an appointment is by email, which was helpful since I’m not fluent enough in Portuguese for phone calls. I asked in the email twice if the doctor spoke English and dealt with ADHD. They confirmed my appointment and didn’t address either question, so I went anyway.
When I got there, the doctor was nice, but he didn’t speak English very well, so it was a bit hard to communicate. My Portuguese is still very broken. I am learning, but for medical stuff, I really need to communicate clearly. I showed him my ADHD medical history documents. He told me that only little boys usually have ADHD and asked me if I wanted an antidepressant instead. He also told me he didn’t really deal with ADHD, and I should find another doctor. I explained that I had asked about it up front, and they still gave me an appointment anyway. After a bit more talking, he agreed to start me on a low dose of medication and once again advised me to find a new doctor.
If you’re trying to find an English-speaking specialist, honestly, the best resources I’ve found are either local recommendations or expat Facebook groups in your region. Real recommendations from people who’ve actually been through it are your best bet. And if you’re outside of Lisbon or Porto, be prepared for the search to take longer.
Navigating ADHD Medication Changes
The meds didn’t work for me very well. I had to go back for a higher dose. After that, they were making me sick, so I asked to switch to a different one. Each time, he told me I needed to see a different doctor, but he would still fill my prescriptions. Meanwhile, I was trying to find someone else but wasn’t having much luck. I thought I was going to have to go private.
An Accidental Win at the SNS
Then I got a bit of an accidental win. I stabbed myself in the hand and ended up going to the SNS to get my stitches out. I saw a doctor there and decided to just ask about getting refills since I had an active prescription. He was able to give them to me! That at least saved me the cost of the other doctor, not to mention it was closer and much more convenient. Moral of the story: if you have an active prescription and you’re seen at the SNS for something else, it’s worth asking. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Side Effects and a New Referral
Unfortunately, after having to up my dose, I started experiencing side effects. Bad headaches every day, and my eyes were acting weird. I talked to the doctor about it, and he decided to give me a referral for a psychiatrist through the SNS so I could figure out something better. The problem was that it could take months for an appointment. I also asked if the doctor would be familiar with adult ADHD. I didn’t want to end up in the same situation as before. He said probably, but couldn’t guarantee it.
ADHD Medication in Portugal vs the US
One thing that might surprise you if you’re coming from the US is that despite all the hoops I’ve had to jump through here, the cost of healthcare in Portugal is genuinely lower, even without insurance. The cost difference is pretty staggering when you look at the actual numbers. In the US, the GoodRx coupon price for a month of Ritalin LA runs around $58, and that’s the discounted cash price, not even factoring in what insurance premiums cost. Here in Portugal, I paid around 10€ for the same ADHD medication. Doctor visits with my private insurance ran about 19€ per appointment, and SNS appointments are free. Even navigating a frustrating system, I’m spending a fraction of what I was in the US.
The big thing to know before you move is that your US prescription does not automatically transfer, and the medication you’re on may not even be available here. Adderall, for example, is not available in Portugal at all, so I had to switch to something else entirely. That said, once I found a doctor here, showing my old prescription and medical history did help; I didn’t have to go through a full diagnosis again. For non-controlled medications, it’s even more straightforward since a GP can often just continue your prescription if you show them what you were taking. It’s the controlled substances like ADHD stimulants where you’ll need a specialist and a bit more patience.
The short version: Portugal can actually be more affordable, but the process is slower and less flexible. Go in prepared, and you’ll be in much better shape than I was.
Finally, Some Good News
I eventually got the letter with my appointment. It is set for late April. Meanwhile, I also got a recommendation from a friend for a doctor who specializes in adult ADHD and takes my insurance! I was able to get an appointment with him at the beginning of April. Things are finally moving in the right direction.
I am hoping that this appointment goes well and I can find something that will work, won’t make me sick, and won’t give me headaches. It has been a long road, but I am genuinely hopeful. I’ll update this post once I know more.
Helpful Resources
- INFARMED Infomed database to check if your medication is available in Portugal
- SNS portal for public health services and appointments
- INFARMED availability page for current medication shortage info
Continue Reading
- If you want to read more about my moving process, check out these posts.
- If you want to read even more reasons why I love living in Portugal, read this one
Follow Me
You can follow me on Instagram@vegas.to.portugal where I share more about my life in Portugal, my travels around Europe, and my gluten-free food adventures. You can also follow me on TikTok @expat.in.portugal where I share even more. 💙
