{"id":7927,"date":"2026-05-05T18:41:39","date_gmt":"2026-05-05T17:41:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/?p=7927"},"modified":"2026-10-28T18:09:41","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T18:09:41","slug":"occupational-medicine-portugal-guide-employers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/noticia\/occupational-medicine-portugal-guide-employers\/","title":{"rendered":"Occupational Medicine in Portugal: A Complete Guide for Employers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><small>Updated on 28 October 2026 \u00b7 Reviewed by Dr. Francisco de Oliveira Lopes, Clinical Director, SEPRI MT<\/small><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In short<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Occupational medicine is <strong>mandatory for every company in Portugal that has employees<\/strong>, from the first hire, under Law No. 102\/2009.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>There are three types of health examination: <strong>pre-employment<\/strong> (before work starts or within the following 15 days), <strong>periodic<\/strong> and <strong>occasional<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Periodic examinations are <strong>annual<\/strong> for workers under 18, workers over 50, workers exposed to high risk, night workers and teleworkers, and <strong>every two years<\/strong> for everyone else.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>After each examination, the occupational physician issues a <strong>fitness-for-work certificate<\/strong> (<em>ficha de aptid\u00e3o<\/em>): fit, fit with restrictions, or unfit.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Compliance is enforced by the <strong>ACT<\/strong> (Portuguese Working Conditions Authority). Breaches are serious or very serious administrative offences, with fines of up to <strong>\u20ac61,200<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Occupational medicine has become a core part of sustainable business management. With stricter legal requirements, pressure on productivity and a growing focus on organizational wellbeing, occupational health is no longer just an obligation: it is a strategic lever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For companies with large workforces, especially in high-risk sectors, an effective occupational health and safety system translates directly into higher productivity, lower absenteeism and better talent retention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This guide gives a complete overview of occupational medicine in Portugal, based on the legal framework of Law No. 102\/2009 and the technical guidance of the Portuguese Directorate-General of Health (DGS). It is written for HR, HSE and operations teams, including those of multinational companies with staff in Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is occupational medicine?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Occupational medicine is a medical specialty, <a href=\"https:\/\/ordemdosmedicos.pt\/a-ordem\/orgaos-tecnicos\/colegios\/especialidades\/medicina-do-trabalho\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">recognized by the Portuguese Medical Association (Ordem dos M\u00e9dicos)<\/a>, dedicated to preventing occupational risks and promoting workers\u2019 health in the workplace. Its goal is to promote the <strong>health and wellbeing of workers<\/strong>, focusing disease prevention and health promotion on factors specifically related to work. The aim is not to treat disease but to anticipate it: identifying risks, assessing each worker\u2019s fitness for their job, and making sure the work environment does not harm the people who work in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Portugal, occupational medicine is part of the broader concept of occupational health and is regulated by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pgdlisboa.pt\/leis\/lei_mostra_articulado.php?nid=1158&#038;tabela=leis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Law No. 102\/2009<\/a> of 10 September, which sets out the legal framework for the promotion of safety and health at work. The law requires every employer, regardless of size or sector, to provide occupational medicine services to its employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What does an occupational physician do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The occupational physician\u2019s role goes well beyond the consulting room:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Health assessment and surveillance<\/strong>: pre-employment, periodic and occasional examinations, with mandatory issue of the fitness-for-work certificate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Workplace visits<\/strong>: to identify specific risks and recommend mitigation measures adapted to each company<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Identification of occupational risks<\/strong>: together with the occupational safety technician<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Follow-up of occupational disease and work accidents<\/strong>: helping to prevent recurrence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Organizational health promotion<\/strong>: awareness campaigns, screenings and workplace wellbeing programs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Employers\u2019 obligations in occupational medicine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Law No. 102\/2009 requires every company to ensure the safety and health of its workers in all aspects of their work. In Portugal, compliance is enforced by the Working Conditions Authority (ACT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In practice, employers must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Organize occupational safety and health services, either in-house or by contracting an authorized and certified external provider such as SEPRI<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide health surveillance for their workers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carry out an occupational risk assessment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Implement measures to prevent the risks identified<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provide training and information to workers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These obligations apply regardless of company size, but become more demanding as headcount grows. They apply from the moment the employer has any workers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Risk assessment is the foundation of the whole occupational health system. The law requires all prevention measures to be based on a systematic analysis of the risks present at each workstation. Occupational risks are assessed by the occupational safety technician and the occupational physician. Besides seeing workers in the consulting room, the physician needs to know the physical side of the work: they make periodic visits to the company\u2019s workstations and issue a visit report identifying the main health risks and recommending mitigation measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are occupational risks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Occupational risks are any situations, conditions or factors in the work environment that can harm the health, safety or wellbeing of workers. Identifying, assessing and controlling them is one of every company\u2019s core occupational health and safety obligations. Portuguese law, in particular Law No. 102\/2009, requires employers to assess the risks in their workplaces and adopt appropriate preventive measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Occupational risks fall into five broad categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Physical risks<\/strong>: noise, vibration, extreme temperatures, ionizing and non-ionizing radiation, poor lighting or excessive humidity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Chemical risks<\/strong>: exposure to hazardous substances, dust, fumes, vapors, solvents or toxic products that can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Biological risks<\/strong>: contact with microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, fungi or parasites, common in healthcare, food and waste management.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ergonomic risks<\/strong>: poor posture, repetitive movements, excessive effort or incorrect use of equipment, which can cause musculoskeletal disorders.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Psychosocial risks<\/strong>: work-related stress, burnout, bullying or workplace violence, increasingly recognized as risk factors with a direct impact on workers\u2019 health. <a href=\"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/noticia\/psychosocial-risks-assessment-and-services\/\">More on psychosocial risks<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Risk assessment should be carried out with the support of a specialized occupational health service, with the occupational physician and the safety technician at its center. Effective risk management reduces absenteeism, prevents work accidents and occupational diseases, and makes the organization more productive and resilient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are high-risk activities?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.act.gov.pt\/AnexosPDF\/DSPSST\/Atividades%20de%20risco%20elevado.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">ACT<\/a>, the following are considered high-risk activities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Construction, excavation, earthmoving and tunnel work with risk of falls from height or burial, demolition, and work on railways and roads without traffic interruption;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Extractive industries;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hyperbaric work;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activities involving the use or storage of hazardous chemicals liable to cause major accidents;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manufacture, transport and use of explosives and pyrotechnics;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Steel industry and shipbuilding;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activities involving contact with medium- and high-voltage electrical currents;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Production and transport of compressed, liquefied or dissolved gases, or significant use of them;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activities involving exposure to ionizing radiation;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activities involving exposure to carcinogenic, mutagenic or reprotoxic agents;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Activities involving exposure to group 3 or 4 biological agents;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Work involving exposure to silica.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the DGS, risk assessment and management should be a continuous process integrated into the company\u2019s operations, not a one-off or purely documentary exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Workers exposed to high risk<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under Portuguese law, workers exposed to high risk must have periodic health examinations every year, regardless of age. This applies to workers exposed to specific risk factors, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chemical, physical or biological agents that can harm health<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Postures, movements or efforts that can cause musculoskeletal injuries<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Noise and vibration above exposure limit values<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ionizing radiation or other hazardous substances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Night work or heat stress<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The occupational physician decides, case by case, whether the exposure justifies even more frequent examinations. The company, through its occupational health service, must ensure these obligations are met and keep an up-to-date record of all examinations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Teleworkers and occupational medicine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Teleworking does not change the legal framework for occupational medicine in Portugal. Companies must still provide occupational medicine consultations and examinations, and teleworkers have the same occupational health protection as on-site staff. Law No. 83\/2021 of 6 December, which amended the telework rules in the Labour Code and <a href=\"https:\/\/diariodarepublica.pt\/dr\/detalhe\/lei\/98-2009-489505\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Law No. 98\/2009<\/a> on work accidents and occupational diseases, requires teleworkers to have a periodic occupational medicine examination every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The employer must arrange a health examination before telework begins and annual examinations afterwards to assess the worker\u2019s physical and mental fitness for the job. The rules on work accidents and occupational diseases also apply to telework, with the workplace being the place the worker normally chooses to work from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to organize occupational safety and health services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Companies can organize their occupational medicine services in three ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>In-house service<\/strong>: with their own occupational physician, usually in large organizations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>External service<\/strong>: contracting a provider <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dgs.pt\/saude-ocupacional\/autorizacao-de-servicos-externos-de-saude-do-trabalho.aspx\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">certified and authorized by the DGS<\/a>, the most common option for small and medium-sized companies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Common service<\/strong>: shared between several companies, usually in the same sector or area<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whatever the model, the service must provide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Annual activity planning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prevention programs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ongoing worker involvement<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Continuous monitoring<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The approach should be systematic and focused on continuous improvement. You can <a href=\"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/contact\/\">request a tailored proposal<\/a> for your company based on headcount and business sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Mandatory occupational health examinations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Portuguese law sets out a series of mandatory health examinations that companies must provide to all workers. They are carried out by the occupational physician to assess the worker\u2019s fitness for the job and detect early any work-related harm to health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Examination<\/th><th>When<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Pre-employment<\/td><td>Before work starts or within 15 days of hiring<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Periodic<\/td><td>Annual for workers under 18, workers over 50, high-risk work, night workers and teleworkers; every two years for everyone else<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Occasional<\/td><td>Change of job, return to work after prolonged absence, and other cases provided for by law<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before the consultation, an occupational health nurse performs complementary diagnostic tests. The most common are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Vision screening<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Audiometry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Electrocardiogram<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spirometry<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Specific blood tests may be required depending on the business sector. The DGS <a href=\"http:\/\/projects.itn.pt\/JGAlves\/DGS_Guia_Tec_01.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Technical Guide No. 1<\/a> recommends specific tests for workers exposed to ionizing radiation (for example, dentists and other professionals who work with X-rays) and workers exposed to chemical agents. Choose an occupational medicine provider that knows the national requirements and carries out health surveillance in line with the law and regulators\u2019 best practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All occupational medicine costs are borne by the employer. The consultation is always free for the worker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to obtain the fitness-for-work certificate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The fitness-for-work certificate (<em>ficha de aptid\u00e3o<\/em>) is the document issued by the occupational physician after the occupational medicine consultation, and it is mandatory for every worker. The company must ensure all employees have an up-to-date certificate, a legal obligation under the Labour Code and Law No. 102\/2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To obtain it, the company should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Contract an occupational health service.<\/strong> The company must have an organized occupational medicine service, in-house or external. Most companies use specialized external providers such as SEPRI, which manage the consultations and the related documentation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Schedule the occupational medicine consultations.<\/strong> The employer and\/or its external provider schedules the consultations and makes sure workers attend. They may be pre-employment, periodic or occasional, depending on each employee\u2019s situation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consultation with the occupational physician.<\/strong> After the clinical assessment, the physician issues the certificate, classifying the worker as fit, fit with restrictions, or unfit for the job.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Filing and records management.<\/strong> The company must keep the certificates and make them available whenever the ACT requests them. <a href=\"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/noticia\/occupational-medicine-lisbon-what-it-is-legislation-and-obligations\/\">Read more on occupational medicine obligations<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fines for non-compliance with occupational medicine in Portugal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compliance with occupational medicine and occupational health obligations is enforced by the ACT. Breaches are serious or very serious administrative offences under Law No. 102\/2009. Fines <a href=\"http:\/\/bdjur.almedina.net\/citem.php?field=item_id&#038;value=1362224\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">vary with company size and the seriousness of the breach<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Company size<\/th><th>Minimum fine<\/th><th>Maximum fine<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Micro companies<\/td><td>\u20ac510<\/td><td>\u20ac3,060<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Small and medium-sized companies<\/td><td>\u20ac1,020<\/td><td>\u20ac25,500<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Large companies<\/td><td>\u20ac2,040<\/td><td>\u20ac61,200<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common breaches include failing to carry out pre-employment, periodic or occasional examinations within the legal deadlines, not having an organized occupational health service, and failing to issue the fitness-for-work certificate after each consultation. Prevention is always cheaper than remediation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to choose an occupational health provider in Portugal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Choosing the right occupational health provider is a strategic decision. An effective occupational medicine service does more than ensure legal compliance: it directly reduces absenteeism, prevents accidents and supports productivity. These are the criteria that matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. DGS certification and authorization.<\/strong> This is non-negotiable: the provider must be authorized by the DGS, which guarantees it meets the technical, human and organizational requirements set by law. Before signing, check that the provider appears on the <a href=\"https:\/\/portal.act.gov.pt\/Pages\/Entidades_autorizadas_servicos_externos.aspx\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">public list of authorized external services<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Qualified technical team.<\/strong> A quality service needs a multidisciplinary team: an occupational physician with the <a href=\"https:\/\/ordemdosmedicos.pt\/area-medica\/medicos-registados-na-om\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">specialty recognized by the Portuguese Medical Association<\/a>, an occupational safety technician and, ideally, other supporting health professionals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Responsiveness and geographic coverage.<\/strong> Occupational medicine requires periodic workplace visits and availability for occasional cases. A provider that responds quickly and is close to your sites means more efficiency and less disruption. For companies with several sites, nationwide coverage is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Experience in your sector.<\/strong> Occupational risks vary widely between sectors. A provider with proven experience in your industry, whether manufacturing, technology, healthcare or services, knows your specific risks and is better prepared to recommend the right prevention measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. Records management and deadlines.<\/strong> Tracking certificates, periodic examination deadlines and workers\u2019 clinical history is one of HR\u2019s biggest headaches. Choose a provider with effective digital records management that proactively meets legal deadlines, so your company does not have to.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. A preventive, not just reactive, approach.<\/strong> A quality provider does more than run consultations: it follows workers\u2019 health over time, visits workplaces regularly, identifies emerging risks and proposes concrete improvements. Ask how often visits take place and what they cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. Transparency and communication.<\/strong> Assess the quality of communication, the clarity of reports and the availability to answer questions, especially in complex cases such as workers with restrictions or high-risk workstations. For multinational companies, check that the provider can report in English.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Employee health is one of any organization\u2019s most valuable assets, and choosing who manages it deserves time and care. Companies that invest in occupational health in a structured way are better positioned for sustainable results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Summary: what to check in a provider<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Criterion<\/th><th>What to check<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Certification: DGS, ACT and others<\/td><td>Check that the provider is on the public lists of entities authorized by the DGS and the ACT. Additional certifications, such as ISO 9001, give extra assurance about organization and process efficiency<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Qualified technical and clinical team<\/td><td>Occupational physician with the specialty recognized by the Portuguese Medical Association, a qualified nurse and a qualified safety technician. Check there is an administrative and contract management team to support activity planning and reporting<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Responsiveness and nationwide coverage<\/td><td>Availability for occasional cases and proximity to your sites<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sector experience<\/td><td>Proven knowledge of the specific risks of your industry<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Records management<\/td><td>Proactive tracking of certificates, periodic examination deadlines and clinical history<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Preventive approach<\/td><td>Regular workplace visits, identification of emerging risks and concrete improvement proposals<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Transparency and communication<\/td><td>Clear reports, availability for questions and quality of follow-up<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions about occupational medicine in Portugal<\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-sepri-en-1\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Is occupational medicine mandatory in Portugal?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. Every company with employees must provide occupational medicine services, regardless of size or sector, from the first hire. The obligation comes from Law No. 102\/2009 and is enforced by the Working Conditions Authority (ACT).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-sepri-en-2\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Which health examinations are mandatory, and how often?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>A pre-employment examination, before work starts or within the following 15 days; periodic examinations, annual for workers under 18, workers over 50, workers exposed to high risk, night workers and teleworkers, and every two years for everyone else; and occasional examinations, for example after a change of job or a return to work after prolonged absence.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-sepri-en-3\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Who pays for occupational medicine?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The employer. Occupational medicine examinations and consultations are free for the worker and should, whenever possible, take place during working hours.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-sepri-en-4\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What is the fitness-for-work certificate (ficha de aptid\u00e3o)?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>It is the document the occupational physician issues after each health examination, classifying the worker as fit, fit with restrictions, or unfit for the job. The company must keep it and show it to the ACT on request.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-sepri-en-5\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Does occupational medicine cover mental health?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes. Assessing psychosocial risks such as work-related stress, burnout or bullying is part of occupational health, in line with the guidance of the Directorate-General of Health (DGS).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-sepri-en-6\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Who enforces the law?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Working Conditions Authority (ACT) is the main enforcement body.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-sepri-en-7\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">What are the fines for not providing occupational medicine?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Non-compliance is a serious or very serious administrative offence. Fines depend on company size and the seriousness of the breach, ranging from \u20ac510 up to \u20ac61,200.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-sepri-en-8\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \">Where does SEPRI provide occupational medicine services?<\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>SEPRI has clinics in Lisbon and Braga and provides services nationwide, including the Porto area, at companies\u2019 premises or in a mobile health unit. It serves 1,300 client companies and covers 150,000 people.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/diariodarepublica.pt\/dr\/legislacao-consolidada\/lei\/2009-56365341\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Law No. 102\/2009, legal framework for the promotion of safety and health at work (Di\u00e1rio da Rep\u00fablica, consolidated version, in Portuguese)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.act.gov.pt\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Working Conditions Authority (ACT)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dgs.pt\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Directorate-General of Health (DGS), National Occupational Health Programme<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What occupational medicine is in Portugal, which health examinations are mandatory, how to get the fitness-for-work certificate and what fines apply under Law No. 102\/2009. A guide for HR teams and multinational employers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6136,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7927","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sem-categoria"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7927","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7927"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7927\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7930,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7927\/revisions\/7930"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7927"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7927"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sepri.pt\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7927"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}