With the growing demand for quality medical services throughout the mint database and the existing problems in the National Health System (SNS), opening a medical clinic in Portugal can be an excellent idea for health professionals looking to invest in their own business and/or start out as entrepreneurs.
On the other hand, setting up a private healthcare unit can be a complex and time-consuming process, as it requires compliance with a set of regulations, obtaining licenses and authorizations, hiring qualified professionals, purchasing equipment, among other aspects.
Learn all the steps required to set up your own clinic or other type of private healthcare unit in Portugal, from the initial planning process to customer support.
Create a complete business plan
Creating a business plan for a medical clinic in Portugal is a crucial process for all entrepreneurs who wish to enter this market, especially because, if it is well prepared, it will allow you to identify the viability of the business, outline long-term objectives and establish future strategies, which will guarantee its success.
As such, this document must include aspects such as:
Analysis of the health market in Portugal (for example, the number of aesthetic medicine clinics in Portugal has currently increased significantly, which is an important fact to consider);
Healthcare market trends;
Competitive analysis;
Company mission and business objectives;
Financial plan, with short and long-term profitability analyses, in different scenarios;
Target audience;
Communication and marketing plan;
Between others.
On the other hand, the plan is an essential tool for obtaining financing from potential investors and financial institutions. See how to create a business plan ;
Identify the specialties and types of medical services
A medical clinic can either offer generalized care to patients - so-called "general care" - or focus on certain specialties or more urgent services.
Therefore, even within the scope of the medical clinic, it is essential to define which specialties you want to focus on, in order to guarantee personalized and quality care for patients.
At the same time, defining the specialties offered by the medical clinic will also help you position your medical clinic in the market, as well as select the right professionals who will ensure more efficient and quality care.
Examples of medical specialties: Pediatrics, Otorhinolaryngology, Dentistry, Cardiology, among others.
Note: do not focus on hiring a lot of doctors, but rather on ensuring that you have the necessary number of professionals, given the demand and supply of your services;
Set the location of the space
In Portugal, there are clinics and medical practices in almost every region. However, this healthcare is not always the most suitable or specialized, nor is it accessible to the entire population.
Therefore, taking into account the market analysis carried out and the business plan drawn up, it is essential to define the location of your clinic. Does it make sense to open a clinic in the interior of the country? Or in large urban centers? What type of technical facilities should you ensure for the practice of the activity?
We suggest that you investigate market gaps and population needs to ensure that you offer the necessary healthcare in a location that is accessible to everyone;
Form a team of doctors and other healthcare professionals
Investing in a quality medical team should be one of the main objectives of healthcare institutions, not only in Portugal, but throughout the world.
In addition to ensuring more effective and humanized care for patients, having a team of trained professionals directly impacts the number of medical errors and the safety and health of clients.
To achieve this, it is necessary to invest in hiring qualified healthcare professionals, such as doctors (from the clinic's different specialties) and nurses, as well as in their ongoing training, which will allow them to offer the highest quality of services;
See the licensing regime and other minimum operating requirements
Private healthcare service units require specific procedures and involve following a series of steps to ensure that the establishment complies with all the standards and regulations necessary to operate safely and with quality.
