All healthcare units form public, private, cooperative, and social sectors in Portugal are subject to the Portuguese Health Regulatory Authority's (ERS) regulation, regardless of their legal status, including, but not limited to, hospitals, clinics, health centers, medical offices, clinical laboratories, telemedicine equipment or units, mobile healthcare units, and thermal spas.

In the exercise of its supervisory powers, ERS is specifically responsible for:

a) Ensuring law and regulations enforcement and other applicable standards governing activities within the scope of its responsibilities;

b) Issuing orders and instructions, as well as individual recommendations or warnings whenever necessary, on any matters related to the objectives of its regulatory activities, including imposing conduct measures and taking necessary actions to safeguard the legitimate patients’ rights and interests;

c) Carrying out registrations, granting authorisations and approvals, and issuing, suspending, or withdrawing operating licences in cases provided by law.

Furthermore, in exercising its supervisory powers, ERS may conduct market studies and surveys in specific areas of activity deemed necessary to fulfil its mission, namely for:

a) The supervision and monitoring of markets;

b) The verification of circumstances indicating distortions or restrictions to competition, access to healthcare, the legality of healthcare providers’ operations, transparency in their functioning or in their relations with funding entities or healthcare users, or in relation to the rights of the latter.