From January 2026, Portuguese pensioners with former combatant status will no longer pay for reimbursed medicines. The measure, provided for in Decree-Law No. 61/2024, reinforces the State’s recognition of those who served in the former colonies, guaranteeing them full support for health expenses.
The diploma establishes that the State will now bear 100% of the part not reimbursed by the National Health Service (SNS) in medicines that already have reimbursement. The rule only applies to former combatants who are pensioners, and affects the reference price of each group of medicines.
2025 was the year of transition
Before the support was total, there was a period of adaptation: throughout this year, the State contributed 50% of this portion, already reducing by half the amount that the beneficiary would pay at the pharmacy.
In practice, this means that, if a medicine costs 20 euros and the SNS supports 12, the former combatant pensioner will only pay half of the remaining 8 euros until the end of this year, and nothing from next year onwards.
How the benefit applies
Full reimbursement only applies to medicines included in the official SNS list, managed by Infarmed. It is mandatory that the drug has an electronic prescription and that the user is duly flagged in the system as a retired former combatant.
If the medicine belongs to a homogeneous group, that is, there are several brands with the same active substance, the State covers the cost up to the reference price. If the user chooses a more expensive brand, they will only pay the difference between the reference price and the sales price.
What’s left out
Medications not reimbursed by the SNS remain entirely at the user’s expense, even if they have former combatant status. The same applies to over-the-counter drugs or supplements that are not on the State’s reimbursement list.
Therefore, doctors are advised to always prescribe generic versions or medicines included in reimbursed groups, so that beneficiaries can enjoy the full exemption.
Recognition and historical justice
This measure is part of a wider set of social benefits created by the Former Combatant Statute, which aims to “dignify and respect the memory of those who served Portugal overseas”. In addition to the exemptions on user fees and free passes on public transport, the Government has now decided to alleviate spending on medicines, recognizing that many of these pensioners currently face health problems and limited income.
The diploma also reinforces the importance of updating data with Social Security and health centers, ensuring that no beneficiary is excluded due to administrative errors.
Impact on the lives of beneficiaries
Starting next year, any pensioner with former combatant status, in accordance with the , of September 30, 2024, will be able to collect their reimbursed medicines without paying anything at the pharmacy, as long as the prescription is correctly identified.
This is a significant change, especially for those who have prolonged treatments and high monthly expenses.
An important step in valuing former combatants
With the full reimbursement of medicines, the Portuguese State finally fulfills a promise made several years ago: to guarantee decent and free healthcare to those who served the country in a context of war. The change, which comes into full force on January 1, 2026, represents more than economic aid: it is also a gesture of moral reparation and historical recognition.
Also read:
