Private hospitals in Portugal hit record €2.8 billion in revenue

More people in Portugal are choosing private healthcare than ever before, helping the country’s private hospital sector generate a record €2.79 billion in revenue last year.

According to a new analysis by Informa D&B, private hospital operators – including companies managing public hospitals under public-private partnerships (PPPs) – increased their combined revenue by 9.5% in 2025, reaching the highest level ever recorded.

The growth reflects a continuing shift towards private medical care, supported by the rapid expansion of health insurance, Informa D&B says.

Meanwhile, health insurance premiums rose by 17.5% in 2024 and a further 12.3% in 2025, reaching €1.782 billion last year.

According to the report, Portugal had 242 hospitals in 2024, of which 131 belonged to the private sector, including both commercial operators and private social solidarity institutions.

The country’s largest private healthcare providers operated 64 for-profit hospitals with a combined 4,537 beds as of April 2026, averaging 71 beds per unit. Porto accounted for the largest share of those beds (37%), followed by Lisbon (32%).

The sector also remains highly concentrated. The five biggest hospital groups generated 92.2% of total revenue in 2025, while the five largest health insurers accounted for 82.5% of all health insurance premium income.

The figures come as Portugal’s largest private healthcare groups continue to invest in new hospitals and expand existing networks to meet growing demand, with CUF completing the integration of the HPA network in the Algarve and Lusíadas investing €60 million in a new hospital in Faro.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.