PEP in Portugal: Emergency HIV Prevention

The Short Version

PEP (Profilaxia Pós-Exposição — PPE in Portuguese) must be started within 72 hours of potential HIV exposure. Go to the Urgência (emergency department) of a major hospital. In Lisbon, Hospital Curry Cabral is the best choice because it specialises in infectious diseases. PEP is free for SNS users and usually free or very low cost for tourists under EU/EEA protocols.

Emergency: 112 | SNS 24 health line: 808 24 24 24

What Is PEP

PEP is a 28-day course of antiretroviral medication taken after a potential HIV exposure — unprotected anal sex with a partner of unknown or positive status, a condom breaking with a high-risk partner, or a similar event. It is not 100% effective but significantly reduces transmission risk when started promptly.

The 72-hour window is the hard deadline. Earlier is better — within 24 hours is ideal.

Where to Go in Lisbon

Hospital Curry Cabral (best option in Lisbon) Rua da Beneficência 8, Lisbon Urgência open 24 hours This is the main referral hospital for infectious diseases in Lisbon — staff here are most experienced with HIV/PEP.

Hospital São José (alternative) Rua José António Serrano, Lisbon Urgência open 24 hours

Hospital Santa Maria (alternative) Avenida Professor Egas Moniz, Lisbon Urgência open 24 hours

Where to Go in Porto

Hospital São João (best option in Porto) Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, Porto Urgência open 24 hours — Doenças Infecciosas team on call

Hospital Santo António (alternative) Largo Professor Abel Salazar, Porto

The Process at Urgência

1. Go to triage (triagem)

Say: "Tive uma exposição de risco ao VIH e preciso de profilaxia pós-exposição." ("I had a risk exposure to HIV and I need post-exposure prophylaxis.")

Or simply: "Estou em risco de VIH. Preciso de PEP." ("I am at risk of HIV. I need PEP.")

2. Assessment

A doctor will assess when the exposure occurred, the nature of the risk, and whether PEP is indicated. Be honest and specific — this is a clinical decision and the more accurate your information, the better.

3. Starter pack or full course

They will give you either a starter pack (a few days of medication to begin immediately) or the full 28-day course. If you receive only a starter pack, you will need a follow-up appointment to complete the course — GAT or the hospital's Doenças Infecciosas team will arrange this.

4. Cost

SNS users: free. EHIC holders from EU/EEA countries: free or minimal administrative charge. Tourists without EHIC: there may be a fee, but Portugal's infectious disease protocols mean hospitals rarely refuse PEP for cost reasons. If you have travel insurance, it should cover this.

Cost Summary

Situation	Expected Cost
Portuguese SNS utente	Free
EU/EEA with EHIC	Free or minimal charge
Tourist without EHIC	Usually free; possibly small fee
Private insurance	Typically covered

After PEP

At the end of the 28 days you will need:

HIV test at 4–6 weeks post-exposure
HIV test again at 12 weeks (definitive result)
STI screen (syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia) — request throat and rectal swabs, not just urine
Consider starting PrEP to avoid being in this situation again — GAT/CheckpointLX can help

Practical Summary

Lisbon: Hospital Curry Cabral Urgência (Rua da Beneficência 8) — best option Porto: Hospital São João Urgência Say: "Preciso de PEP para VIH" Window: 72 hours — do not wait Cost: Free for SNS users and EHIC holders