Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation from Portugal to the UK
Ambulância Aérea – Repatriação Médica do Algarve, Portugal, para o Reino Unido
Urgent Air Ambulance & Medical Repatriation from Portugal to the UK
Need to bring a sick or injured loved one home from Portugal? SkyCare provides emergency medical repatriation from Portugal to the UK and across Europe — including air ambulances from the Algarve, medical escorts from Lisbon or Porto, and ground ambulance transfers when suitable.
We operate 24/7 from Faro, Lisbon, and Porto — with particular focus on air ambulance repatriation from the Algarve. Most flights can be arranged within 24 hours, depending on the patient’s condition and aircraft availability.
Our bilingual coordinators manage everything — from ICU-equipped medevac flights from Portugal to bed-to-bed medical escort transfers with a qualified nurse or paramedic. We handle all documentation, hospital discharge logistics, and flight permissions.
Whether collecting from a hospital in Faro, a hotel in Albufeira, a villa in Lagos, or a care home in Vilamoura, we adapt the medical transport to suit the urgency, condition, and destination.
What Affects the Cost of Medical Repatriation?
Click here to understand what determines pricing and how SkyCare ensures fixed, transparent quotes for air ambulance and medical escort services.
Choosing the Right Transport Option
You may need a dedicated air ambulance from the Algarve, or a medical escort on a commercial flight from Portugal to the UK. Our experienced team will always advise on the safest and most cost-effective route. Compare your repatriation options here. Read our Portugal FAQ
Popular Airports
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Safe, Swift Air Ambulance from Portugal
SkyCare provides fast, reliable air ambulance and medical repatriation from Portugal — with a strong focus on the Algarve. We offer private ICU-equipped aircraft, ground ambulance transfers, and medevac escorts on commercial flights. Whether the patient is in a hospital, clinic, or holiday villa, our bilingual team manages the full bed-to-bed journey with clinical precision. We’re trusted across Faro, Albufeira, Lagos, Lisbon, and Porto — supporting urgent repatriation to the UK and beyond.
Private Air Ambulance from Portugal
SkyCare arranges urgent air ambulance repatriation from Portugal — especially the Algarve — to the UK and other parts of Europe. Whether the patient is in a public hospital, private clinic, or recovering at a villa, our ICU-equipped medevac aircraft and expert British medical crews ensure safe, bedside-to-bedside care.
We operate rapidly from Faro, Lisbon, and Porto, covering popular destinations like Albufeira, Lagos, Vilamoura, and Tavira.
Our English- and Portuguese-speaking teams coordinate every step — from medical clearances and airfield access to hospital handovers — ensuring a smooth, medically safe return home.
Commercial Medical Escort Flights from Portugal
For stable patients in Portugal who are medically cleared to fly, our commercial medical escort service offers a safe, dignified, and cost-effective alternative to air ambulance transport. A SkyCare nurse, paramedic, or doctor accompanies the patient bedside to bedside, providing continuous medical oversight throughout the journey.
We coordinate departures from all major Portuguese airports, including Faro, Lisbon, and Porto, and liaise directly with airlines, airport authorities, and receiving medical teams. This service is ideal for medical repatriation from the Algarve to the UK or other destinations across Europe — including collections from Albufeira, Lagos, Portimão, and Tavira.
Road Ambulance Repatriation from Portugal to the UK
When an air ambulance isn't suitable or is outside budget, SkyCare can arrange private road ambulance repatriation from Portugal to the UK. This is typically reserved for stable patients where time is less critical — as overland journeys from the Algarve are long and not always clinically appropriate.
Our vehicles are staffed by experienced paramedics and clinicians, equipped for continuous monitoring and support throughout the journey. We collect directly from hospitals, private clinics, or villas, and drive non-stop to the UK — without the need for commercial airports.
While air ambulance remains the preferred method due to distance and speed, we have supported ground transfers from Faro, Lagos, Portimão, Lisbon and surrounding areas when appropriate for the patient’s condition.
How to Arrange an Air Ambulance from the Portugal to the UK
- Request a Personalised Quote: Use our secure online form to receive a tailored quote based on your location in Portugal — especially the Algarve — the patient’s medical condition, and level of urgency.
- Confirm Medical Details & Booking: Approve the quote, submit medical documentation, and complete payment to confirm your medical repatriation from the Algarve or other regions of Portugal.
- Full Journey Coordination: We manage everything — including ground ambulance pickup from Algarve hospitals or villas, air ambulance flights, and handover on arrival in the UK.
- Safe Repatriation to the UK: Our expert medical team provides continuous in-flight care, ensuring a smooth, safe transfer from the Algarve to your chosen UK hospital or home address.
Why Choose SkyCare for Air Ambulance Services in the Algarve?
- 24/7 Rapid Response: Immediate medical repatriation from Portugal to the UK, including same-day medevac flights from the Algarve when available.
- Dedicated Air Ambulance Fleet: ICU-equipped aircraft based across Europe, ready for emergency evacuations, intensive care transfers, and planned medical flights from locations including Faro and Lisbon.
- Expert Medical Team: All repatriations are staffed by experienced doctors, critical care nurses, or paramedics trained in international air medical transport.
- Bed-to-Bed Coordination: We manage everything — from hospital or private villa pickups in the Algarve to safe delivery at your chosen UK hospital or home.
- Trusted by Families & Insurers: SkyCare is relied on by British families, travel insurers, assistance providers, and NHS trusts for professional, reliable repatriation from Portugal.
Frequently Asked Questions – Air Ambulance Portugal & Algarve
SkyCare can typically arrange an air ambulance to or from Portugal within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the patient’s condition, medical clearance, and aircraft availability. Flight times from the UK start from approximately 3 hours, allowing most missions to be completed within a single day once confirmed.
We support patients across Portugal — whether they’re in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, private villas, or hotels. Most of our repatriations come from the Algarve, but we also operate regularly from key regions, including:
- Faro – main international airport for the Algarve, ideal for medevac departures
- Lisbon – the capital city with several major hospitals and clinics
- Porto – key for northern Portugal and surrounding regions
- Albufeira – popular tourist destination in the Algarve
- Lagos – western Algarve hub for air and ground ambulance coordination
- Vilamoura – known for expat communities and medical tourism
- Portimão – serving central Algarve and surrounding resorts
Wherever your loved one is in Portugal, our experienced team can coordinate a safe and timely repatriation to the UK or elsewhere in Europe.
Hospitals in Portugal — particularly in larger cities like Lisbon and Porto — are generally well equipped, but facilities in some parts of the Algarve can be limited, especially in peak tourist season. While many patients receive excellent care, there are situations where returning to the UK is preferable for ongoing treatment and family support.
This is especially true if the patient is elderly, in a non-English-speaking facility, or recovering in a regional hospital away from home comforts. In such cases, SkyCare can arrange safe and timely medical repatriation from Portugal — including dedicated air ambulance flights from the Algarve or a nurse-led medical escort on a commercial flight.
To better understand your options, please read this article written by our own Dr Lee Collier.
What Factors Influence the Cost?
The cost of an air ambulance from Portugal to the UK — particularly from the Algarve — depends on several key factors, including the patient’s condition, the departure location, and the type of medical team and aircraft required.
At SkyCare, we offer clear, fixed-price quotations that include everything: the air ambulance flight, experienced medical escort team, ground ambulance transfers in both Portugal and the UK, and full logistical coordination.
To receive a personalised quote, contact our team or request a quote online.
An air ambulance is a dedicated medical aircraft, equipped for intensive care and staffed by a specialist clinical team. It’s the safest option for patients who are too unwell to fly commercially — including those needing ventilator support, cardiac monitoring, or stretcher transport. Most flights from Portugal, especially the Algarve, can be arranged within 24 to 48 hours.
Alternatively, a medical escort involves a qualified SkyCare nurse, paramedic, or doctor travelling with the patient on a commercial flight. This option is ideal for medically stable patients who require in-flight support, medication, or mobility assistance — offering a more cost-effective route home to the UK or elsewhere in Europe.
We offer both services across Portugal — with full bedside-to-bedside coordination, including Algarve airport transfers, airline clearances, and hospital handovers on both sides.
Expert medical repatriation — fast, reliable, and tailored to your needs.
Need Immediate Medical Repatriation from Portugal?
SkyCare provides private air ambulance, commercial medical escort, and ground ambulance services from Portugal to the UK, available 24/7. Whether you’re supporting a loved one after surgery in Lisbon, arranging medical transport from Faro, or managing an urgent repatriation from the Algarve — our experienced team is ready to help.
We offer full bed-to-bed medical repatriation — including ICU-configured air ambulances, escorted commercial flights for stable patients, and ground ambulance transfers across Portugal and into neighbouring countries when appropriate.
Call us now on +44 (0)203 150 3999 or request a confidential quote online.
We respond within minutes — managing every detail with medical expertise, empathy, and complete logistical coordination.
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What our clients say.
Airport-to-Hospital Medical Transfer in London
Straightforward and genuine. Craig helped us get our mum safely from the airport to the hospital. Highly recommended.
Commercial Medical Escort from Boston, MA to London
SkyCare made a complex overseas transfer from Boston to London feel effortless. Craig and Sarah were outstanding — calm, professional, and always in touch. They handled everything, from visas to flight logistics, with genuine care and attention. The costs were very reasonable, but it was their empathy and support for both patient and family that made all the difference. I can’t recommend them enough.
Vietnam to London — Medical Repatriation by SkyCare.
Fantastic professional company. We couldn’t have done this without them. My friend suffered a stroke and was paralysed on the right side. Due to a technicality, his insurance wouldn’t cover repatriation, so we had to go private. If anyone is ever in the same position, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend SkyCare. They made a stressful situation feel manageable, and I’m so grateful for their calm, capable support throughout.
France to UK — Ski Injury Repatriation by SkyCare.
Fantastic service. I was repatriated from France after a skiing accident with multiple injuries. We contacted Craig at 4am and by 10pm I was home — ground ambulance, air ambulance, and ground ambulance again. Everything went smoothly with incredible medical care and kindness. After two miserable weeks in hospital, I finally felt safe and supported. I cannot thank SkyCare enough and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them.
Vietnam to London — Stroke Repatriation by SkyCare.
Amazing team of people. My brother had a stroke in Vietnam and the insurance company were useless. SkyCare guided me through the process, sorted everything out, and got him safely home. The whole team were fantastic, but special thanks to the medical crew — Adam and Sarah — who flew out and did an incredible job. I can’t recommend SkyCare enough for their calm, professional help in such a difficult time.
UK to Malaysia — Long-Haul Medical Repatriation by SkyCare.
If you’re in the UK looking for a repatriation company, I couldn’t recommend SkyCare enough. They arranged medical transport for my dad from London to Kuala Lumpur — a 12-hour flight. From my first message, they responded quickly and handled all documents and approvals efficiently. Huge thanks to Craig for making everything smooth and to Nurse Nav for caring for my dad the whole way home.
Spain to UK — Stroke Repatriation by SkyCare.
SkyCare were brilliant with us, helping to bring my dad home to England after he suffered a stroke in Spain. From the moment we reached out to the day of the repatriation itself, the entire team showed professionalism, compassion, and expertise. We felt fully supported and reassured throughout the process. Thank you to everyone involved — I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend SkyCare to anyone in a similar situation.
Las Palmas to UK — Air Ambulance Repatriation by SkyCare.
Thank you to Craig and Ben for organising our return home from Las Palmas. My dad was extremely anxious about the process, but everything ran so smoothly at every stage. Mum is now safe in Maidstone Hospital, and she’s just happy to be somewhere she can easily communicate. The whole experience was calm, compassionate, and professional — we really appreciate everything SkyCare did to make it seamless.
— Pete McNair (via email)
France to UK — COVID-Era Medical Repatriation by SkyCare.
From first contact to the final update confirming safe arrival, SkyCare’s care and coordination were second to none. They handled all COVID testing, documents, and border requirements with professionalism and warmth. Repatriating two elderly parents during a pandemic was daunting, but they made the process seamless — even providing journey tracking door to door. Their genuine care and clear communication reassured us at every stage. I highly recommend SkyCare for compassionate international patient transfers.
Cannot thank the team at BM Ambulance enough for getting my Dad home from Spain. Craig/Sarah/James/Emma & Danny were all absolutely amazing. It was a huge 24 hour journey and they made Mum & Dad feel comfortable and safe the entire way. I don’t think my Dad would have made it without your help. He’s still not in the best of health but at least we have him home. We definitely could not have done this without you. Thank you all involved. Amazing people offering a fantastic service. x
BM Ambulance Service helped my son get home after he fell ill in France. They were fantastic from the start to finish. I do hope we never have to go through this again but if you are unfortunate enough to need this, I would highly recommend.
I would have given more than 5 stars if I could have. A big thank you to Craig, Sarah and John for the safe delivery of our much loved mum, mother in law, Nan and great grandmother from Spain after suffering a stroke.
Accreditations
AOC (Air operator certificate) #2480
British Business & General Aviation Association
European Business Aviation Association
