{"id":446,"date":"2020-09-30T19:19:08","date_gmt":"2020-09-30T19:19:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ordemdosfisioterapeutas.pt\/?page_id=446"},"modified":"2026-02-25T09:26:39","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T09:26:39","slug":"perguntas-frequentes","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ordemdosfisioterapeutas.pt\/en\/perguntas-frequentes\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Functions of the order<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 - What is the function of the Order of Physiotherapists?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

The primary roles are:<\/p>

a) Regulate the access and practice of the profession;<\/p>

b) Defend general interests of patients from services provided by members, enforcing citizens right's to health;<\/p>

c) Represent and defend general interests of the profession, in national territory, ensuring its social function, dignity and prestige;<\/p>

d) Exclusively assign physiotherapist professional title and professional certificate to its members;<\/p>

e) Protect the professional title, including handling complaints about illegal practice of the profession, and becoming a part in criminal proceedings;<\/p>

f) Certify the specialization qualification of a physiotherapist who meets the requirements set by the specialists\u2019 member\u2019s board;<\/p>

g) Create and keep the professional registration of members updated;<\/p>

h) Ensure compliance with ethics and professional deontology rules;<\/p>

i) Use disciplinary power over its members;<\/p>

j) Awards or honorary titles;<\/p>

k) Offer services related to professional practice to members, accurate information, professional training and technical and legal support;<\/p>

l) Collaborate with Public entities in pursuit of public interests related to the profession of physiotherapy;<\/p>

m) Participate in legislation proposals regarding the profession;<\/p>

n) Participation in official accreditation processes and evaluation of academic education that give access to the profession;<\/p>

o) Recognize professional qualifications obtained outside Portugal, according to the Portuguese and European Union laws or international conventions;<\/p>

p) Provide advice regarding scientific and technical matters, requested by any entity, national or foreign, public or private, when there is public interest for the profession;<\/p>

q) Support the development of physiotherapy science and education;<\/p>

r) Any other role committed by law.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 - Will the Order defend Physiotherapists?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

According to Law 122\/2019, of 30 September, which can be consulted here<\/a>,<\/span> the Order of Physiotherapists regulates the profession, defends physiotherapy and protects the citizen against unqualified practice.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 - Does the Association act on bad practices in physiotherapy?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Order has a Jurisdictional Council that examines complaints against physiotherapists and has the power to act against bad practices and unqualified practice, intervening directly and\/or indirectly in such proven situations.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 - Can the Order legislate?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

No, the Portuguese Parliament or the Government, is the Portuguese legislative organization, it\u00b4s responsible for creating laws. The Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas can regulate all relevant aspects of the profession.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 - How will the specialty attribution process in Physiotherapy work? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

One of the attributions of the Order, set out in Article 4 of its Statutes<\/a><\/span>The aim of the title of specialist is to \"confer the title of specialist on physiotherapists who meet the requirements laid down by the competent bodies\".<\/p>

According to paragraph j) of article 26 of the Statute of the Order of Physiotherapists, it is the responsibility of the Board of the Order to propose to the General Council, the creation of the list of professional specialties in Physiotherapy. The preparation of a proposal, to be submitted to the General Council and for subsequent public consultation, is included in the 2023 Activities Plan.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Member services \/ support<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 - Which titles does or will the Order of Physiotherapists attribute?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

In accordance with the provisions of article 4 of the Statutes of the Order of Physiotherapists, in point 1, paragraphs d) and f), the Order attributes the professional title of Physiotherapist and respective professional c\u00e9dula.<\/p>

Once the specialties have been defined, it will also attribute the title of specialist to those Physiotherapists who meet the requirements set by the competent bodies.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 - Is the Order of Physiotherapists working to create better conditions for career progression and salary negotiations, or to set a salary ceiling for employers of Physiotherapists? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Without prejudice to the promotion of the socio-economic conditions of its members, according to Law 122\/2019, of 30 September, article 4, no. 2, \"The Order is prevented from exercising or participating in activities of a trade union nature or that relate to the regulation of the economic or professional relations of its members.\", so it does not intervene in issues of a labour and\/or trade union nature.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 - Can the Portuguese Physiotherapists Order provide legal counselling on labour issues?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

No. All issues related to career progression, salary aspects, or others, are not duties of Portuguese Professional Orders, without prejudice to studying the underlying issues, that may be advocated by the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 - Are physiotherapists who are independent workers exempt from VAT?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Physiotherapy, as a healthcare service is exempt from VAT. This will not happen if a physiotherapist has any other activity where the VAT is applied.<\/p>

There may also be cases where some devices connected to physiotherapy may be subject to VAT, regardless of their rate.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 - Does it cost anything to have a second copy issued due to theft or robbery?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes. The cost of issuing a duplicate of the c\u00e9dula can be found in the Regulation<\/span> of Dues and Fees<\/a>.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t6 - May the Order publish Job Offers? <\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

In 2025, the Order of Physiotherapists launched the Job Vacancy Exchange Portal. This is available to all members in the Reserved Area.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Registration<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t1 - Who can register in the Order of Physiotherapists?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

In accordance with the provisions of article 3 of the Regulation of Registration of the Order of Physiotherapists:<\/p>

\"1- You may enrol in the OF:<\/p>

a) Have a graduate academic degree in physiotherapy, completed after a program of study of no less than four curricular years, by a Portuguese higher education institution;<\/p>

b) Have a foreign academic degree in physiotherapy, with equivalence to the program of study mentioned on the previous paragraph;<\/p>

c) Are a national certified practitioner from EU Member States or European Economic Area whose qualifications have been obtained outside Portugal, pursuant to Article 67 of the Statute of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas.<\/p>

2 - You can also register if you:<\/p>

a) Are a Physiotherapist who, in accordance with Statutes and applicable legal provisions, is a certified practitioner;<\/p>

b) Holders of the professional license of physiotherapist, issued under the terms of Decree-Law no. 320\/99, of 11 August.<\/p>

3 - The registration of nationals of third States whose qualifications have been obtained outside Portugal and to whom the provisions of paragraph 1(c) apply, shall also depend on the guarantee of reciprocal treatment, under the terms of an international convention, including a convention celebrated between the OF and the congeneric authority of the country of origin of the interested party.<\/p>

4 - The following can also register as members:<\/p>

a) Professional societies of physiotherapy, including the branches of associative organizations of physiotherapists, created under the law of another country, pursuant to article 68 of the Statute of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas;<\/p>

b) Permanent representations in national territory of associative organizations of physiotherapists, constituted under the law of another State, pursuant to article 69 of the Statute of the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas.<\/p>

5 - Registration to practice physiotherapy may be refused if:<\/p>

a) You don\u2019t have higher academic training pursuant to points a) to c) of paragraph 1, without prejudice to the provisions of paragraph 4, of article 1;<\/p>

b) The person concerned has been punished with an interdiction or suspension of practice provided by law, or a criminal, administrative or disciplinary infraction.<\/p>

6 - The recognition required for purposes of point c) of paragraph 1, must be requested by the interested parties.<\/p>

7- Enrolment in the OF may be made in any of the specialties recognised under the terms defined in the Regulation of Specialties, following their creation.\"<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2 - Where can I register?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

The enrolment of the Physiotherapist in the Order can be made exclusively through the site<\/a><\/span> of the Order of Physiotherapists, without the need to go to the head office for that purpose.<\/p>

https:\/\/ordemdosfisioterapeutas.pt\/inscricao-na-ordem-dos-fisioterapeutas\/<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t3 - Do I need to register with the Portuguese Association of Physiotherapists, even though I am registered with the ACSS?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Yes, even if you are registered with the ACSS or have a valid registration with APFisio, you will have to register with the Order of Physiotherapists.<\/p>

Registration in the Order is compulsory and is a necessary condition for the use of the professional title of Physiotherapist and access to professional practice.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t4 - As I am unemployed, will it be possible not to pay the registration fee?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

If you register you must pay the registration fee. Registration with the Order is a mandatory condition for exercising the activity. The fees for this process are defined by regulation, and no exemptions are provided. Registration with the Order will be relevant to prove your professional qualifications when seeking employment.<\/p>

If you are unemployed and therefore not exercising the activity, you can choose to delay registration until you effectively exercise the profession, in whatever form, namely liberal. You should, however, provide proof of this situation by sending the Order a statement with the respective supporting document.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t5 - If I don't work in Physiotherapy, should I register in the Order?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

The decision to register in the Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas and to maintain or suspend this registration is an individual decision, and a right of the person who has the qualifications\/ requirements to do so.<\/p>

However, only those registered can use the professional title of Physiotherapist and legally practice the profession.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t6 - Since registration with the Order of Physiotherapists is mandatory, what is the deadline for registration of physiotherapists holding a Professional Card from ACSS?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

The Statute of the Order of Physiotherapists, approved by Law 122\/2019, of 30 September, as well as the articles thereof, enable registration as a member of the Order to occur at any time.<\/p>

This is the principle applicable to those who wish to start their activity, such as young graduates or professionals from other countries moving to Portugal.<\/p>

However, with the creation of the Physiotherapists Association, the previous registration in the ACSS is no longer sufficient condition for the legal exercise of the profession of Physiotherapist, being now necessary the registration in the Association. Since 13 May 2021 the conditions for the effective registration in the Order are met, and this is a legal condition for the exercise of the profession.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t7 - What happens if a Physiotherapist does not register with the Order?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Registration with the Order is obligatory and a legal condition for exercising the profession. Employers are obliged to require their employees to register with the Order, so you should co-operate with your employer to ensure that you and your employees are not in breach of your obligations. In the case of a self-employed professional, exercising the profession without being registered with the Order also constitutes a situation of non-compliance.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/i><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t8 - Which document do I need to insert to prove my professional domicile?<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t

Any of the following up to date documents may be accepted for inclusion:<\/p>