Portugal Forum

robbie627
Joined 2017
Posts: 6

4 years ago

Repatriation and (Again) Deductible

4 years ago

I have two very specific questions, which both concern requirements for the Portuguese Temporary Residence Permit lodged with the SEF.

QUESTION 1: APPLICATION FOR THE RESIDENCE PERMIT AT THE SEF REQUIRES PROOF OF PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE. I CAN FIND NO LANGUAGE OR EVIDENCE THAT REPATRIATION COVERAGE IS REQUIRED? IS IT?
Note: I believe the requirement for Repatriation Coverage is required by the Schengan Agreement only when one applies for the 120-day Type 1 Visa. Schengan is not applicable, I believe, when applying for the Temporary Residence Permit at the SEF. Please See Portugal Article 77, Para. 1 (SEF) which requires “Health insurance or supporting evidence that he/she is covered by the National Health Service”. There is no mention of requiring an applicant to have “repatriation insurance coverage”.

QUESTION 2: AM I CORRECT THAT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RESIDENCE PERMIT AT THE SEF ALLOW PRIVATE HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE WHICH CONTAINS A DEDUCTIBLE?
Note: Many posts on this site assume, and probably correctly, that health insurance deductibles are not allowed when applying at the Consulate for the Type 1, 120-day Visa. Again, I believe the “no deductible” policy is a Schengan Agreement requirement. This may be inferred by Schengan’s language that the health insurance should “… cover any expenses…” for medical care. I believe “any expenses” means all expenses up to the policy limits. For example, if the insured had a policy with a $1000 deductible, and submitted a claim for a doctor’s bill of $500, the policy would NOT COVER the bill because the insured must pay the first $1000. Thus, only zero-deductible policies would satisfy the coverage requirements for “any expenses” (up to policy limits).
When one considers the requirements for health insurance on the SEF website and some of the legislation, there is no mention of “any expenses” or “deductible” at all. Indeed, unlike the Schengan requirement that a Visa applicant’s health insurance must provide a minimum of €30,000, the SEF language only requires “health insurance” with no specific coverage limits mentioned.

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