Clínica Espregueira

What Clínica Espregueira does

Clínica Espregueira is a Porto-based, privately held Portuguese orthopedic and musculoskeletal healthcare provider originally founded in 1926 by João de Espregueira-Mendes and operated through Saúde Atlântica – Gestão Hospitalar S.A. (tax ID 502420235). It operates a flagship multi-specialty clinic at Estádio do Dragão in Porto and delivers care across 18+ Portuguese cities through a combination of fixed Regenerative Medicine Centers (Alverca, Aveiro, Estarreja, Santarém), mobile clinic units (Clínica Móvel) covering interior cities, online orthopedic consultations, and a long-term surgical partnership with Hospital da Lapa. The clinic is a designated FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence and an official center of ESSKA, ISAKOS, and ICRS, with clinical leadership anchored by Prof. João Espregueira-Mendes and an international bench including Prof. Niek van Dijk (Editor-in-Chief of JISAKOS).

The service offering centers on orthopedic surgery and sports medicine, with proprietary or first-in-Portugal capabilities including the Porto Knee Testing Device (BES Innovation Award-winning MRI-based knee instability quantification), the GUT cartilage graft, world-reference Hemicap ankle prosthesis placement, the Alter G anti-gravity treadmill, and a comprehensive regenerative medicine program (PRP, BMC, hyaluronic acid, adipose tissue derivatives, ESWT, Capillary PRP). Adjacent services span 40+ specialties (cardiology, ophthalmology, dermatology, psychology, urology, ENT, pediatrics, gynecology, etc.), advanced imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound, X-ray), physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, clinical Pilates, kinesis, and a branded supplement line (Cartienergy). The clinic has performed the first meniscal transplantation in Portugal, maintains over 100 international publications, and treats elite athletes including those from Real Madrid, AC Milan, FC Barcelona, and FC Porto (official support clinic).

Revenue is generated through a multi-payor mix: direct out-of-pocket patient payments, SNS/ADSE/SIGIC public-system reimbursements (via Unilabs), more than 30 private health insurance and subsystem agreements (Advancecare, Allianz, Multicare, Fidelidade, Generali, Médis, among others), fee-for-service surgical revenue, international/medical-tourism services, and branded supplement sales. In November 2021, the operator secured a EUR 50 million expansion partnership with Growth Partners Capital (lead) and Unilabs to scale the network from approximately 18 Portuguese cities to roughly 40 cities across the Iberian Peninsula, growing the workforce from 180+ to 600+ employees and entering Spain from 2024.

Name

Clínica Espregueira

Legal name

Saúde Atlântica – Gestão Hospitalar S.A.

Website

https://clinicaespregueira.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Clínica Espregueira is a Porto-based, privately held Portuguese orthopedic and musculoskeletal healthcare network founded in 1926, operating a flagship multi-specialty clinic plus mobile units across 18+ cities. It serves public, private, and international patients — including elite athletes under its FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence designation — with proprietary devices, regenerative medicine, and sports surgery.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Orthopedic and musculoskeletal healthcare services

NAICS

Offices of Physicians (6211)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

General Orthopedics (HLAKALAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Ambulatory Specialty Clinics (Multi-Specialty & Single-Specialty) (HLAFABAA)

Keywords

• Orthopedic healthcare services
• Sports medicine clinics
• Regenerative medicine treatments
• Musculoskeletal care
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation

Headquarters

HQ city

Porto Carreiro

HQ country

Portugal

HQ region

Europe

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Direct Patient Services: Out-of-pocket payments by patients for consultations, exams, and treatments across multiple specialties. Patients can book appointments online across 18+ cities in Portugal.
2. Public Health System (SNS/ADSE/SIGIC) Reimbursements: Reimbursements from the Portuguese National Health Service (SNS) and ADSE for clinical analyses, cardiology and radiology exams, and from SIGIC for surgeries, executed in partnership with Unilabs.
3. Private Health Insurance Reimbursements: Reimbursements from over 30 private health insurance providers and subsystems including Advancecare, Allianz, AMI, Continente Wells, CCMO, Ecco-Salva, Fidelidade, Future Health Care, Futebol Clube do Porto, Generali, Lusitania, Médis, Medis CTT, Medicare, Multicare, Multicare PT, RNA, Salvador Caetano, Saúde Prime, Sams Quadros, Sams Sibs, Tranquilidade, Victoria Seguros, MGEN, ADMG, Advantage Saúde, Agilcare, International SOS, Sorriso Mais, Servimed, Aegon Santander, Real Vida, and N Seguros.
4. Pharmaceutical / Supplement Sales: Sales of nutritional/dietary supplements under the clinic's own brand (Cartienergy) and other related products, supporting the broader health service offering.
5. Surgical Services (Private and Public): Fee-for-service revenue from surgical procedures, including an agreement to perform 750 orthopedic surgeries per year at Hospital da Lapa until 2045, plus private elective surgeries and SIGIC-funded surgeries.
6. International / Medical Tourism Services: International patient services supported by dedicated International Relations and Porto Surgical Tourism teams, treating foreign patients and athletes.

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

Clínica Espregueira is a multi-specialty private healthcare clinic (founded 1926, Porto) that delivers orthopedic, sports medicine, regenerative medicine, imaging, and rehabilitation services across 18+ Portuguese cities through fixed clinics and a mobile clinic unit. Its core clinical offering covers over 40 medical specialties, advanced imaging (MRI, CT, ultrasound), regenerative orthobiological treatments (PRP, Bone Marrow Cells, ESWT, hyaluronic acid, adipose tissue derivatives), minimally invasive surgery (including the proprietary GUT cartilage graft), physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, Pilates, Alter G anti-gravity rehabilitation, and online orthopedic consultations, complemented by its own Cartienergy supplement line.

Product overview

Clínica Espregueira (also referred to as Clínica Espregueira Mendes), founded in 1926, operates a single integrated healthcare offering centered on orthopedics, sports medicine, and rehabilitation, delivered through a flagship clinic in Porto complemented by its Clínica Móvel outreach unit. The core offering spans specialty consultations (including Cardiologia and Oftalmologia), a Regenerative Medicine program (with PRP, BMC, Super PRP, ESWT, and intraosseous infiltrations), and rehabilitation services (Fisioterapia, Hidroterapia, Pilates Clínico, Kinesis, and Alter G anti-gravity treadmill), which together form the patient's care pathway. Adjacent branded offerings include the Cartienergy nutritional supplement line and an online/telemedicine consultation service, while large-scale initiatives such as the announced 50 million euro hospital expansion (2021) and Clínica Móvel extend the platform's reach.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clínica Móvel: Mobile orthopaedic clinic unit (extension of Clínica Espregueira) that brings regenerative and musculoskeletal treatments to multiple cities across Portugal, hosted on clinicamovel.com.

Products and services

• Medicina Regenerativa (Regenerative Medicine)
• Fisioterapia (Physiotherapy)
• Pilates Clínico / Authentic Pilates
• Hidroterapia (Hydrotherapy)
• Kinesis
• Alter G (Anti-Gravity Treadmill)
• Performance Desportiva e Alto Rendimento
• Programas de Exercício Clínico
• Clínica Móvel (Mobile Clinic)
• Cartienergy
• Consultas de Especialidade (Cardiologia, Oftalmologia, etc.)
• Consultas Online / Telemedicina
• Exames (Diagnostic Exams — MRI, CT, Ecocardiograma, Ecografia, Electrocardiograma, Holter, Prova de Esforço, Check-Ups)

Quantifiable outcome

• 50 million euro investment for Iberian Peninsula expansion announced in 2021
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature11 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• UnilabsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnilabs is a strategic partner in the Iberian Peninsula expansion, and also provides diagnostic services — clinical analyses, cardiology and radiology exams — for Clínica Espregueira patients, with agreements covering SNS, ADSE, and SIGIC-funded procedures.
• Futebol Clube do Porto (FC Porto)flagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerClínica Espregueira is the official support clinic of FC Porto. The partnership includes co-branding on the clinic's website (with FC Porto logo), the FC Porto corporate partners program, and an insurance agreement under 'Futebol Clube do Porto' for clinical analyses and exams.
• Porto Surgical TourismcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPorto Surgical Tourism is a dedicated medical-tourism partner routing international patients to Clínica Espregueira, with a dedicated contact email ([email protected]) listed on the clinic's Contacts page.
• Hospital da LapacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHospital partnership under which Clínica Espregueira will perform 750 orthopedic surgeries per year at Hospital da Lapa until 2045.
• FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerClínica Espregueira is a designated FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, referenced across multiple unit pages (Ankle, Foot, Knee, Shoulder, etc.).
• ISAKOS (International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial center status displayed on website footer. Prof. Dr. Niek van Dijk is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of ISAKOS (JISAKOS) and serves as a consultant for the Ankle Unit.
• ICRS (International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial center status displayed on website footer.
• ESSKA (European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial center status of ESSKA, displayed on the website footer and referenced on the Knee Unit page.
• Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS) / ADSE / SIGICcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAgreements with the Portuguese National Health Service (SNS), ADSE (civil servant health subsystem), and SIGIC (surgical waiting list system) — executed in partnership with Unilabs — covering clinical analyses, cardiology and radiology exams, and surgeries.
• Advancecare (Açoreana Seguros)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• AllianzcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• MulticarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement (including Multicare PT variant) covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• Médis / Medis CTTcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreements covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira, including the CTT-subsidized Medis plan.
• FidelidadecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• GeneralicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• Future Health Care (Aegon Santander SafeCare)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• Lusitania SeguroscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• MedicarecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• TranquilidadecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• Victoria SeguroscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• Saúde PrimecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• RNA (RNA Medical / N Seguros)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira, including both RNA Medical and N Seguros.
• AMI (Assistência Médica Internacional)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate health insurance/subsystem agreement covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• SAMS Quadros / SAMS SBN / SAMS SibscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsystem agreements (banking SAMS subsystems) covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira.
• CCMO (Caixa de Crédito dos Militares) / Salvador Caetano / Continente Wells / Ecco-Salva / Futebol Clube do Porto (subsystem)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSubsystem agreements covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira, referenced on the homepage 'Acordos' section.
• PT2030 / Compete2030 / Lisboa2030 / European UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funding partners in research and innovation projects (including ADAPT and DILATO), with logos displayed in the website footer.
• EUREKA Cluster / Eureka SMART ClustercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-funding partners in research and innovation projects, with logos displayed in the website footer.
• Saúde Atlântica – Gestão Hospitalar S.A.flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSaúde Atlântica – Gestão Hospitalar S.A. (fiscal ID 502420235) is the group entity that operates and manages the Clínica Espregueira units, including data protection and the Departments of Surgery, Teaching & Training, and Reports.
• Vitória Sport ClubecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDr. Jóni Nunes appointed as Clinical Director (Diretor Clínico) of the Medical Department since 2023, providing orthopedic and sports medicine services to the club.
• Gil Vicente Futebol ClubecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDr. Tânia Pinto Freitas serves as physician of the women's football team, providing orthopedic care. Dr. Tiago Frada was also a physician for the club during 2017-2019.
• International SOS / Real Vida Seguros / Agilcare / Advantage Saúde / LOGO Seguros / UNA SeguroscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdditional private health insurance and subsystem partners covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira, listed on the Acordos (Agreements) page.
• Misericórdias Saúde / Serviços Sociais CGD / Sorriso Mais / Servimed / ADMG / ARS / RAR / SAD PSP / Sim Saúde / Flying So FarminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdditional insurance and subsystem partners covering consultations, exams, and treatments at Clínica Espregueira, listed on the Acordos page.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Aspetar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital: Qatar-based specialist orthopedic and sports medicine hospital, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence. Comparable because it is the benchmark elite-athlete orthopedic and sports medicine clinic that Clínica Espregueira is benchmarked against and where several of its surgeons (Nunes, França) trained.
• Isokinetic Medical Group: International sports medicine and rehabilitation clinic group (FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence network). Comparable as a specialized orthopedic and sports rehabilitation chain with elite-athlete clients and a multi-city footprint that mirrors the model Clínica Espregueira is replicating across Iberia.

Broad incumbents

• Quironsalud: Spain's largest private hospital network. Comparable as the most likely large-scale incumbent that Clínica Espregueira will face when entering Spain from 2024, with multi-specialty coverage and established orthopedic departments.
• Hospital da Luz: Largest private hospital group in Portugal, owned by Fidelidade/Grupo Luz Saúde. Comparable because it is a multi-specialty private healthcare network operating across Portugal that competes for the same paying, insurance-reimbursed, and SNS-contracted patient base that Clínica Espregueira targets.
• Clínica Universidad de Navarra: Major Spanish academic private hospital. Comparable as a high-end multi-specialty academic center with strong orthopedic, regenerative medicine, and sports medicine capabilities, and an established medical-tourism funnel that competes for international patients.
• Hospital Particular do Algarve / HPA Saúde: Large private hospital group in southern Portugal. Comparable as a private multi-specialty operator with insurance agreements and growing footprint, overlapping with Clínica Espregueira on orthopedic and sports-medicine demand.
• CUF (José de Mello Saúde): Major Portuguese private hospital network with multi-specialty coverage across Portugal. Comparable as a national, multi-site private healthcare operator with insurance and SNS agreements, competing for similar elective surgery and specialty consultation volume.

Others

• Grupo IHP (Instituto Hispalense de Pediatría) / Hospital San Juan de Dios: Spanish pediatric and general specialty hospital networks. Comparable as adjacent Iberian specialty healthcare providers that demonstrate the fragmented competitive set Clínica Espregueira will face when entering Spain from 2024.

Regional players

• Centro Médico Teknon: Premium Barcelona-based private hospital. Comparable as a high-end specialty care provider in Spain attracting international and sports-medicine patients, relevant as a competitor for Iberian cross-border orthopedic demand once Clínica Espregueira enters Spain.
• Hospital Quirónsalud Barcelona / Hospital Universitari Dexeus: Spanish private hospitals with strong orthopedic and sports-medicine reputations. Comparable as established Spanish private orthopedic centers that will compete with Clínica Espregueira's planned Spain units for elite athletes and private-pay patients.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cespregueira
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/espregueiramendes
• Facebookfacebook.com/clinicaespregueira
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/2598692
• Instagraminstagram.com/clinica_espregueira

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Clínica Espregueira