Health Tourism as a Driving Force for the Economy in Portugal

Health tourism is a rapidly expanding sector worldwide, with Portugal increasingly establishing itself as a leading European destination. This technical note analyses Portugal’s strategic positioning in the international health tourism market, examining the main sub-sectors – medical tourism, wellness and spa tourism – the associated economic flows, and the structural challenges that constrain the sector’s sustainable development. Based on secondary data from institutional reports, scientific publications and national and international statistics, the paper discusses growth opportunities, current governance models and identified research gaps. The results show that health tourism represents a significant economic driver for Portugal, contributing to the diversification of the tourism offering, the creation of skilled jobs and the enhancement of natural resources and national human capital in the health sector. Technical recommendations are proposed, aimed at consolidating integrated public policies and strengthening the sector’s competitiveness.