Chave Movel Digital

The citizens area

We were able to get our Chave Movel Digital, today. What is that, you ask? It is the government sponsored account that allows you to identify yourself, via your cell phone number and a 4 digit code you select. It is used in banking, healthcare and many other areas.

All the operations are visible

As non-citizens, we had to appear in person at our local town hall after making an appointment. This is a citizen's area where such transactions are handled. It was done very quickly and efficiently and in the end, we were able to log onto our health network, easily. With access to SNS (national health system), we can view our prescriptions and appointments. So this is a big help.

After that, we went over the the clinic where we had our blood drawn for tests, yesterday and received the results. When I have my next appointment at SNS, I will bring these. The costs for the blood tests were a whopping $0.00. Of course, that is in euros.

Centro de Saude (Central Healthcare Clinic)

We had planned on using our private healthcare system, the cost of which is quite reasonable. But having had an examination for the driver's license exchange (which has to be done through SNS), apparently we are in their care system.

That is why I received my first Covid shot last week and am scheduled for the second one in a few weeks. Again, at the whopping cost of $0.00. They seem quite intent on keeping us healthy, here.

I got my first Covid-19 vaccine shot from the Public Health Service in Portugal. This was a free service and I was very impressed with the process.

First of all, it was offered to me via messaging on my phone. Obviously it is linked to my SNS account information. They gave me the option of accepting or rejecting the vaccine. Normally I don't take vaccines. Not out of any great bias, one way or the other... simply I'm usually too lazy. But it was free and that appealed to me. After accepting the offer, I was immediately given an appointment day and time.

Then a day or so before my appointment, they texted me and after that a person called me on the phone to confirm. Wow! That was unexpected.

I showed up a little beforehand and was ushered right in to a table to fill out a simple, one-page questionnaire. Then they took me to a private room where the vaccine was administered. I was given an appointment for the second dose and the card they issued stated the type of vaccine and the batch number (should anything go wrong).

After the vaccination, they kept me there for an additional 30 minutes to make sure I was OK and then let me go home.

Very efficient and I am appreciative. BTW - the shot was administered without any discomfort.

So far, the care we have received and the help to acquire necessary paperwork have been very helpful. Portugal has been very good to us.