DGS

Published 4 November 2026, 21:42

DGS — Direção-Geral da Saúde (Directorate-General of Health)

The country's public health authority: it writes clinical standards for doctors, runs vaccination programmes and tells the public what to do during heatwaves, cold spells, poor air quality and disease outbreaks. Its recommendations are not law, but they are what schools, employers and health centres refer to when they cancel outdoor activities or ask people to stay at home.

Where you come across it. In news about heat, smoke, dust and air quality; in vaccination rules and in the clinical standards your doctor refers to.

DGS advises rather than bans: its guidance uses the word “recommends”. Do not confuse it with ERS, which handles complaints about healthcare providers, or with INFARMED, which is responsible for medicines.

Official website: dgs.pt

Guides

Adult vaccinations in Portugal: what you're entitled to, what's free and where to take your records from home Tiger mosquito in Portugal: how to recognise it, why it is dangerous and what to do at home The Asian hornet in Portugal: how to recognise it, what to do if you are stung and where to report a nest