Air Ambulance, Medevac & Medical Repatriation from Portugal and the UK

Q: &ensp; How quickly can an air ambulance reach Portugal?

SkyCare can typically arrange air ambulance repatriation from Portugal to the UK within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the patient’s condition, medical clearance, and aircraft availability. Flight times from Faro to the UK are usually around 2.5 hours , and most missions are completed the same day — often within 12 to 24 hours of confirmation. We support British citizens, expats, and holidaymakers needing urgent return from Faro, Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, Vilamoura and other locations across the Algarve. Whether the patient is in a hospital, private clinic, hotel, or recovering at home, our air ambulance teams ensure a safe, fast, and fully coordinated journey back to the UK. Wherever your loved one is located in Portugal, SkyCare will organise a secure, medically supervised return to the UK or another European destination — with bedside-to-bedside care and full clinical oversight throughout the mission.

Q: &ensp; Can you repatriate neonatal or paediatric patients — including premature babies and children?

Yes — repatriation of neonates , premature babies , and children is one of SkyCare’s core specialities. We’re among the few providers globally equipped to transport twins together , and we offer dedicated clinical support for even the most delicate cases. Our UK-based paediatric team will advise you on the safest time to travel and the most appropriate method — whether that’s a private ICU-equipped air ambulance , or a medically escorted commercial flight for babies and children who meet airline medical criteria. From neonatal incubators and paediatric ventilators to specially trained flight nurses, we manage everything with precision, care, and parental reassurance — whether your child is in hospital in Faro, Lisbon, or receiving treatment at a private clinic in the Algarve.

Urgent medical flights, medevac (medivac) and air ambulance services from Algarve and the UK

Medevac & Medical Repatriation Services from Portugal

SkyCare provides urgent medical evacuation from the Algarve to the UK, with most air ambulance flights departing from Faro Airport (FAO). We also support private air ambulance repatriation, commercial medical escort flights, and international stretcher transfers on scheduled airlines.

Our 24/7 team works with British expats, families, embassies, and insurers to arrange repatriation from across southern Portugal — especially the Algarve region, including Faro, Albufeira, Vilamoura, Lagos, and Portimão. We also assist patients in Lisbon, Porto, Madeira, and the Azores where needed.

Need an urgent quote? Click here to request your repatriation quote now

Whether your loved one is in hospital, a clinic, or recovering at home, SkyCare arranges safe medical repatriation within 24 to 48 hours. We handle everything — from intensive care flights and nurse-escorted transfers to clearances, medical records, and hospital coordination.

See our pricing or read our Portugal FAQ.

Portuguese flag representing SkyCare’s air ambulance and medical repatriation services from Portugal to the UK

Popular Airports

Faro Airport (FAO)

^*4:10

Lisbon Airport (LIS)

^*3:20

Porto Airport (OPO)

^*3:10

Beja Airport (BYJ)

^*3:40

Funchal Airport (FNC)

^*4:45

^*Flight time from Biggin Hill Airport

Frequently Asked Questions – Air Ambulance Portugal & Algarve

SkyCare can typically arrange air ambulance repatriation from Portugal to the UK within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the patient’s condition, medical clearance, and aircraft availability. Flight times from Faro to the UK are usually around 2.5 hours, and most missions are completed the same day — often within 12 to 24 hours of confirmation.

We support British citizens, expats, and holidaymakers needing urgent return from Faro, Albufeira, Portimão, Lagos, Vilamoura and other locations across the Algarve. Whether the patient is in a hospital, private clinic, hotel, or recovering at home, our air ambulance teams ensure a safe, fast, and fully coordinated journey back to the UK.

Wherever your loved one is located in Portugal, SkyCare will organise a secure, medically supervised return to the UK or another European destination — with bedside-to-bedside care and full clinical oversight throughout the mission.

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 depends on several factors — including the patient’s medical condition, departure location, required clinical support, and aircraft availability.

As a guide, prices for a dedicated air ambulance to London typically start from £26,000. This base price does not include specialist ICU staff or ground ambulance transfers, which are quoted separately based on clinical need and logistics.

We regularly operate from key airports including Faro, Lisbon, and Porto. Most missions begin in the Algarve region, with direct transfers from hospitals, private clinics, or villas to the UK.

To receive a personalised quote, contact our team or request a quote online.

Yes — our UK-based clinical team works directly with leading London private hospitals and NHS facilities to match each case to the right consultant and care pathway. We can arrange admission, liaise with your receiving medical team, and ensure continuity of treatment from departure to arrival.

If the patient has a specific condition or injury — such as orthopaedic trauma, cardiac issues, or a neurological diagnosis — we’ll identify a suitable specialist and coordinate admission into the most appropriate private hospital. You don’t need to research or make calls — our clinical team will do the hard work for you.

Your journey is clinically overseen at every stage. We handle all arrangements for a complete bed-to-bed medical transfer from abroad to the UK.

Yes — repatriation of neonates, premature babies, and children is one of SkyCare’s core specialities. We’re among the few providers globally equipped to transport twins together, and we offer dedicated clinical support for even the most delicate cases.

Our UK-based paediatric team will advise you on the safest time to travel and the most appropriate method — whether that’s a private ICU-equipped air ambulance, or a medically escorted commercial flight for babies and children who meet airline medical criteria.

From neonatal incubators and paediatric ventilators to specially trained flight nurses, we manage everything with precision, care, and parental reassurance — whether your child is in hospital in Faro, Lisbon, or receiving treatment at a private clinic in the Algarve.

Need Immediate Air Ambulance or Medical Repatriation from Portugal?

Need urgent medical transport from Portugal to the UK? SkyCare provides 24/7 private air ambulance, commercial medical escort, and ground ambulance services — with fast response from Faro, Lisbon, and across the Algarve.

Whether your loved one is recovering from surgery, needs urgent ICU care, or is stable but unfit to fly alone, we arrange safe, fully managed bed-to-bed repatriation — including air, road, and commercial flight options.

We respond within minutes and handle every detail — with clinical oversight, logistical expertise, and compassionate support throughout.

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