PT · Expiry & renewal tracking
Portuguese workplace health checks: track the next exam
In Portugal the employer must arrange health examinations assessing the worker's fitness; periodic examinations are yearly for minors and workers over 50 and every 2 years for others, and the occupational doctor may change the interval (Article 108 of Law 102/2009). After each exam the doctor issues a ficha de aptidão.
In Portugal the employer must arrange health examinations to assess the worker's physical and mental fitness for the job and the job's effect on their health (Article 108(1) of Law 102/2009). Unless special legislation provides otherwise, there are pre-employment, periodic and occasional examinations (Article 108(3)).
Periodic examinations are yearly for minors and for workers over 50, and every 2 years for all other workers. Depending on the worker's health and the results of risk prevention in the company, the occupational doctor may lengthen or shorten this interval (Article 108(3) and (4)).
After each pre-employment, periodic or occasional examination, the occupational doctor immediately completes a fitness certificate (ficha de aptidão) and sends a copy to the person in charge of human resources. The worker is shown the certificate and signs it with the date; it may not contain information covered by medical confidentiality (Article 110).
At a glance
| Legal basis | Law 102/2009, Articles 108 to 110 (as amended by Law 3/2014) |
|---|---|
| Pre-employment exam | Before work starts or, if urgent hiring justifies it, within the next 15 days |
| Periodic exams | Yearly for minors and workers over 50; every 2 years for others |
| Changing the interval | The occupational doctor may lengthen or shorten it (Art. 108(4)) |
| Occasional exams | Substantial changes to the material components of work; return after more than 30 days' absence due to illness or accident |
| Fitness certificate | Completed after each exam; copy to HR; signed by the worker (Art. 110) |
Who is responsible?
The employer arranges the health examinations (Article 108(1)); technical responsibility for health surveillance lies with the occupational doctor (Article 107). If the worker is found unfit, the doctor indicates, where appropriate, other duties the worker can perform (Article 110(2)).
If the deadline passes
Breaching Article 108(1) and (3), which include carrying out periodic examinations, is a serious administrative offence attributable to the employer (Article 108(7)). Breaching the fitness certificate rules is also a serious administrative offence (Article 110(7)).
Occasional exams: add a second record
When a worker returns after more than 30 days' absence due to illness or accident, an occasional examination is required (Article 108(3)(c)). If urgent hiring means the pre-employment exam takes place within the following 15 days, that deadline counts too. Create a second record for these dates.
Tracking it with ExpirySuite
- Add each worker and enter the date of the next periodic examination as the expiry date.
- Reminders arrive 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before the date and on the day itself.
- Assign a responsible person, such as HR; emails arrive in each recipient's language.
- The worker can upload the new certificate through a secure link that is valid for 14 days and needs no account.
- If the date passes, managers get further reminders 3, 7 and 14 days later.
Frequently asked questions
- How often are periodic health checks due in Portugal?
- Yearly for minors and workers over 50, and every 2 years for other workers, unless special legislation provides otherwise. The occupational doctor may lengthen or shorten the interval (Article 108(3) and (4) of Law 102/2009).
- Who receives the fitness certificate?
- The occupational doctor sends a copy to the person in charge of human resources and shows it to the worker, who signs it with the date (Article 110(1) and (4)).
- When is an occasional exam needed?
- When there are substantial changes to the material components of work that could harm health, and on return to work after more than 30 days' absence due to illness or accident (Article 108(3)(c)).
Sources
Last checked: Oct 1, 2026 · This page summarises official sources for general information and is not legal advice. Check the linked sources for current rules and fees.
Made for occupational health fitness certificate (Portugal)
A ready template for occupational health fitness certificate (Portugal) with sensible validity defaults, so you enter less and track more.
Reminders on time
Email alerts at 60, 30, 14, 7 and 1 day before each occupational health fitness certificate (Portugal) expires, plus overdue escalation to managers.
Assign an owner
Give each occupational health fitness certificate (Portugal) an owner and let employees update their own via a secure link — no login needed.