almost1
1/24/2016 14:12 EST
My wife and I are 75 years old. It seems that our Medicare Full Coverage (U S only) is not accepted for a visa requirement in Portugal?
We have the required financials but not the answer to the medical problem?
Is this correct? Is there any other way to solve this problem?
Please help!
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craigandmicki
1/24/2016 14:59 EST
You're not too old for the Visa but yes, you do need a private health plan that covers you on Portugal IF you plan to stay here beyond 180 days. Medicare doesn't cover you for the Schengen Visa. It is rare to find a plan you can buy after age 70...I don't know of any but you can check at Cigna, Bupa or IMG. This suggests you can't live here (or any Schengen Agreement country) year-round but can live here part of the year.
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almost1
1/25/2016 09:25 EST
After a stay of 6 months in Portugal what is the term a person must be out of the country, cross over to Spain for example, before they can return and stay for another 6 months? Is this possible without being illegal or cheating?
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almost1
1/25/2016 09:28 EST
thank you for your quick and honest reply. We have tried every insurance outlet existing but most have nothing and only less than a few have such astronomical rates that it makes no financial sense. Guess we are out of luck for full time retirement in Portugal.
It is deeply appreciated that you answered so quickly and thoroughly.
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debdesaix
1/25/2016 10:38 EST
Have you tried websites such as insuremytrip.com? It's travel insurance, but you can buy a policy of one year's duration that satisfies the requirement, and I don't think there is an age limitation. I know of someone who is 71 who has lived in France for over 2 years now, and he buys a policy from them every year. My husband and I bought a year-long policy from them before we moved to Lisbon in September. The price was reasonable, and it includes the repatriation, etc that is required, along with sickness and injury care and some hospital, in all foreign countries. Even 1 month of coverage when we visit the U.S.! No wellness coverage, but prices are not high here for things like that.
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craigandmicki
1/25/2016 12:20 EST
Debbie...I wondered if Travel Insurance could be the solution for an over-70 person. And, once one has the Residence Permit, one can go to the local Saude office and apply for Portuguese health care. It won't cover hospitalization (travel insurance takes care of that), but for minor cuts, injuries, fevers, colds, shots it works and the treatments cost a few euros.
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Countga
1/25/2016 15:23 EST
I am 70. I got travel insurance. I used squaremouth.com which compares company policies based on your critieria. I opted for an annual policy and included rental coverage. There is also a filter on the left side of the site for Schengen Visa. This filtered out all but one vendor. Another popular site is worldnomad.com I did go to Squaremouth just now and put the ages of 75 and 74 for a quote and got one. Try the annual policy based on your information and see the results. Good luck!
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almost1
1/25/2016 16:55 EST
Thank you for the info on the over 70,s possible insurance avenues. Very kind and appreciated. I will try later today.
Tom
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Almamia
1/27/2016 15:46 EST
Hello Every One,
This is not for answer your question but t to ask you how was your time in Portugal, what age your are and if you can what is the average cost for an studio in clean area?.
I'm a female in the 70s who will travel alone.
Thanks a lot for your info.
Alma
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sasha7
1/27/2016 21:07 EST
Alma,
I will give you my recent experience in Lisbon. I'm in my mid 50s and single. I received a retiree visa last July and stayed for 4 months. Getting the visa was not very difficult if you follow the steps in Susan's list. The DC embassy was quick to respond to emails. The hard part for me was actually getting the resident permit while I was in Lisbon. The people in the Lisbon office spoke very limited English and it took months to get an appointment. If you had a question you would have to call the office and make another appointment which would take another two months. The retirement visa is only good for 4 months so by the time I had my last appointment my visa was expiring in a matter of days and I still had no permit. I'm not sure what it is like in other cities or towns in Portugal. The immigration office in Lisbon was packed every time I was there. I stayed in a 2 bedroom apartment in the suburbs in Telheiras for 700 euros for a couple of months. Also stayed in an Airbnb in Alcantara and a Pension when I first arrived. When I was there the flats were more expensive the closer you were to the center of town. I would check the Portuguese rental sites for apartments but most want you to stay for 6 months or longer. I studied Portuguese while I was there and also had a background in Spanish. When I was in the suburbs it was 50-50 with the people knowing English so knowledge of basic Portuguese was very important for me in going to restaurants, asking directions and for reading the real estate ads. You wouldn't have any problems with English in the center of Lisbon. I rode the metro, buses, trams and trolleys while I was there. I would definitely recommend staying close to the metro for ease of movement. In Alcantara I would have to either ride the bus or the tram to the center. I traveled alone as well. When I stayed at the Pension I talked with the hotel clerks who had great tips and information. The Airbnb place was not that good at all and I got dehydrated while staying there and actually went to the local hospital. The place in Telheiras was very quiet but I had a 20 minute walk to the metro and the nearest grocery was even farther so I would either walk or take the bus. I made a mistake taking that place but it was very hard to get a short term apartment for 3 months. Anyway, that is probably more than what you wanted to hear but that was my Portuguese experience.
Mike
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Countga
1/28/2016 05:19 EST
Alma
This is a follow up to what Mike said. I am in the Algarve. I have been in Portugal for less than a month. I have a 3 bedroom/2 bath furnished apartment for 600 Euros a month. I have already been to the SEF (Immigration Office). I got an appointment in one week and got everything done at the appointment & will get my one year resident card within a month. Everyone in the SEF office spoke English. In the Algarve it is rare to find someone who does not speak some English. This area has a lot of British retirees. I will add that here I found there was not a lot of selection when it came to apartments or flats. There appear to be a lot of places for sale. I initially looked in Lagos and found nothing in my price range. I then looked at 2 places in Tavira and immediately took my present apartment for a one year period although I can get out after 8 months, per the contract. I hope that give you some idea of the differences
between the Lisbon area and the Algarve (Southern Portugal). All the best.
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almost1
1/28/2016 07:47 EST
All of this information is so very helpful and well appreciated. Do you speak Spanish or Portuguese?
I lived in Argentina for over 6 years, invested a fair sum after the first year and came out very good prior to leaving. I am anxious to reside in "P" but am concerned about the medical for a person at 75 years (young and very active) of age. I am researching all avenues and the reply's herein have been great. I thank you one and all and hope I hear some ongoing reports if ever any of you find the time.
T
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Almamia
1/31/2016 03:25 EST
Hello Countga,
What you said about the the place you found was music to my soul, the price and region of Algarve are the perfect dream come true,
Do you mind to tell if you move by yourself or with family or partner? Did you emigrate from Unite States?
I'm planing to move by myself to Portugal. I'm female getting into the 70 s. Is this a crazy idea or too difficult for a person like me?
Thankful for your opinion
Almamia
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Almamia
1/31/2016 03:47 EST
Hello
Thank you so much for your info, it's very helpful .
Almamia ( Alma)
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Countga
1/31/2016 16:44 EST
Hello Almamia. I came to Portugal by myself. I am from the USA but most of last year I was in Ecuador. I returned to the US to get my Portugal visa. My household goods remain in the US. One has 1 year in which to import them duty free and a "baggage certificate" is required from the Portugues Embassy in the US. I am renting a furnished apartment. so I brought the essentials with me. Since I do not know you I cannot comment on how difficult it might be for you personally to make the move. I suppose it depends on one's motivation and physical/mental capabilities. Hope my response helps.
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