Portugal is quietly becoming one of Europe’s most compelling health-tech ecosystems. Over the past decade, a new generation of startups has emerged with a clear mission: to make healthcare more accessible, more precise, and more human-centered through technology. From digital therapeutics and AI-powered diagnostics to remote patient monitoring and surgical planning tools, Portuguese health-tech companies are solving real clinical problems at scale. Many are now operating internationally, partnering with hospitals, insurers, and research institutions across Europe and the United States. Top 10 health-tech startups in Portugal that are redefining healthcare innovation in 2026.

1. Sword Health – Redefining Recovery Through Digital Therapy

Sword Health has become Portugal’s most visible health-tech success story. The company delivers AI-powered digital physical therapy programs that allow patients to recover from musculoskeletal conditions without frequent in-person visits. By combining wearable sensors, clinical expertise, and real-time data analysis, Sword Health has transformed how rehabilitation is delivered and scaled it globally.

2. iLoF – Changing the Way Diseases Are Detected

iLoF sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence and photonics. Its technology enables earlier and more accurate disease detection while dramatically improving patient selection for clinical trials. By reducing both time and cost in the drug development process, iLoF is positioning Portugal as a serious player in precision medicine.

3. Kinetikos – Turning Movement Into Medical Data

Kinetikos uses everyday devices, such as smartphones and wearables, to capture detailed mobility data. This data helps clinicians monitor patients remotely and make better-informed treatment decisions. The startup’s approach reflects a broader shift toward continuous, real-world health monitoring rather than occasional clinical check-ups.

4. Knok – Bringing Healthcare Closer Through Telemedicine

Knok is one of Portugal’s leading telemedicine platforms, enabling secure virtual consultations between patients and healthcare professionals. By reducing geographical barriers and wait times, Knok improves access to care while easing pressure on traditional healthcare systems.

5. PeekMed – Precision Planning for Orthopedic Surgery

PeekMed applies artificial intelligence to one of healthcare’s most demanding areas: surgical planning. Its software analyzes medical imaging to assist orthopedic surgeons in preparing procedures with greater accuracy. The result is improved outcomes, shorter surgery times, and more confidence in complex cases.

6. HopeCare – Digital Health With a Social Purpose

HopeCare focuses on delivering technology-enabled healthcare and social support services. The startup has gained recognition for its innovative approach to integrating digital tools into community care, particularly for vulnerable populations. Its work highlights how health-tech can extend beyond hospitals and clinics into everyday life.

7. Glooma – Empowering Early Detection and Prevention

Glooma develops smart, portable devices designed to support early disease detection. One of its most notable products assists users in performing more effective breast self-examinations. By empowering individuals with accessible technology, Glooma promotes prevention and health awareness rather than reactive care.

8. Nutrium – Modernizing Nutrition and Lifestyle Care

Nutrium provides software that helps nutritionists, dietitians, and healthcare professionals manage patient care digitally. The platform supports personalized nutrition plans, progress tracking, and direct communication making long-term lifestyle management more practical and measurable.

9. IPLEXMED – Fast Diagnostics When Time Matters

IPLEXMED is developing rapid diagnostic tools designed for use outside traditional laboratory environments. Its technology focuses on fast, accurate detection of respiratory infections, enabling quicker clinical decisions in hospitals, clinics, and emergency settings.

10. DeepNeuronic – AI Vision for Healthcare Efficiency

DeepNeuronic applies computer vision and artificial intelligence to solve practical problems in healthcare environments. From automating visual monitoring tasks to supporting diagnostics, the company’s solutions aim to reduce human error and improve operational efficiency in clinical settings.

Portugal’s Health-Tech Ecosystem Is Gaining Momentum

What makes Portugal’s health-tech scene stand out is its balance of ambition and responsibility. These startups are not chasing technology for technology’s sake; they are addressing clear clinical needs, often in collaboration with healthcare providers and research institutions. With strong technical talent, growing investment, and innovation hubs such as HealthTech Lisboa, Portugal is steadily building a reputation as a country where health-tech solutions are tested, validated, and scaled responsibly.

Portugal’s health-technology sector has evolved into a mature and increasingly influential ecosystem, characterized by startups that combine clinical insight with technological rigor. Rather than focusing solely on digitization, these companies are re-engineering healthcare delivery improving diagnostic accuracy, extending care beyond clinical walls, and empowering patients through data-driven tools. From Sword Health’s globally adopted digital therapeutics to iLoF’s breakthrough diagnostic technologies and PeekMed’s AI-assisted surgical planning, Portuguese health-tech startups reflect a broader transformation in how healthcare is conceived and delivered. Their success underscores Portugal’s growing role as a credible innovator within Europe’s healthcare landscape. As healthcare systems worldwide face rising costs, aging populations, and increasing demand for personalized care, the solutions emerging from Portugal’s health-tech sector are well-positioned to play a meaningful role in shaping the future of medicine.