Expat health insurance
May 19th 2013, 10:21 pm
#16
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Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Poço Longo, Olhão
Posts: 836
Re: Expat health insurance
Then make alternative plans now....
May 19th 2013, 10:33 pm
#17
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Joined: Mar 2013
Location: central Portugal
Posts: 4,111
May 19th 2013, 10:41 pm
#18
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Joined: Apr 2007
Location: Poço Longo, Olhão
Posts: 836
Re: Expat health insurance
No you aren't. You have been lucky up 'til now. It will end.
May 20th 2013, 7:09 am
#20
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Joined: Apr 2013
Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK
Posts: 289
Re: Expat health insurance
Well I seem to have kicked over a hornet's nest with this thread! Since I am planning to move to central/western algarve perhaps I should have made that clear since the situation in central or northern PT seems to be different? Looks like I need to have a conversation with our bureaucrats in Newcastle.
May 20th 2013, 7:18 am
#21
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 24,043
Re: Expat health insurance
Well I seem to have kicked over a hornet's nest with this thread! Since I am planning to move to central/western algarve perhaps I should have made that clear since the situation in central or northern PT seems to be different? Looks like I need to have a conversation with our bureaucrats in Newcastle.
They won't care at all about any directive from Newcastle.
What you could do is be a blood donor,problem solved,they love them and you will definitely get health care.
May 20th 2013, 7:22 am
#22
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Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK
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Re: Expat health insurance
Really?
May 20th 2013, 8:16 am
#24
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Re: Expat health insurance
Mike
The link you posted is for EHIC cards which we don't have and (IIRC) aren't entitled to because although we're UK passport holders, we emigrated to Portugal from South Africa where we'd spent the last 12 years or so. - I was however under the impression that the EHIC card was only for people who resided in the UK and were visiting other EU countries.
Maybe those things makes a difference but (FWIW) although it took us a while to have the numbers issued, we have our permanent Portuguese NI numbers have both had (more or less) free treatment in the last 12 months and both get discounted drugs on repeat prescriptions........ I've no idea if it affects anything but although we don't receive any UK state pensions yet we do receive private pensions that we opted to take early.
I will look into it but so far we have been told and it looks like we're perfectly entitled to treatment here and if that's the case then I see no need for private cover.
As for giving blood, I'd be more than happy to do that any way but have no idea whatsoever how one goes about doing it here and any advice would be gratefully received.
As far as ambulances are concerned: Although I haven't done it yet, I'm told that one can buy some kind of Bombeiros supporters card for a few Euros a year and that also gives some of supposed preferential treatment with ambulances etc.
The link you posted is for EHIC cards which we don't have and (IIRC) aren't entitled to because although we're UK passport holders, we emigrated to Portugal from South Africa where we'd spent the last 12 years or so. - I was however under the impression that the EHIC card was only for people who resided in the UK and were visiting other EU countries.
Maybe those things makes a difference but (FWIW) although it took us a while to have the numbers issued, we have our permanent Portuguese NI numbers have both had (more or less) free treatment in the last 12 months and both get discounted drugs on repeat prescriptions........ I've no idea if it affects anything but although we don't receive any UK state pensions yet we do receive private pensions that we opted to take early.
I will look into it but so far we have been told and it looks like we're perfectly entitled to treatment here and if that's the case then I see no need for private cover.
As for giving blood, I'd be more than happy to do that any way but have no idea whatsoever how one goes about doing it here and any advice would be gratefully received.
As far as ambulances are concerned: Although I haven't done it yet, I'm told that one can buy some kind of Bombeiros supporters card for a few Euros a year and that also gives some of supposed preferential treatment with ambulances etc.
Last edited by mfesharne; May 20th 2013 at 8:32 am.
May 21st 2013, 11:00 am
#25
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Joined: Feb 2008
Location: Chesterfield - Derbyshire & Cabanas as often as possible!
Posts: 254
Re: Expat health insurance
I know I'm always saying this here, but anyone on the Algarve who doesn't have private healthcare should pay a visit to A&E at the hospital in Faro (hopefully not as a patient obviously!). From personal experience, the private hospital near the airport is a world away.
May 31st 2013, 2:24 pm
#26
Just Joined
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 6
Re: Expat health insurance
I'm under retirement age.I am registered with the local doctor,but prefer to use the private facilities I'm insured for.We pay € 147 per month for the two of us,and pay ten percent of any costs.Therefore to see a consultant for example costs about nine euros.
We use Multicare.
There are age restrictions.
Having said that,a friend suffered a stroke five weeks ago,and was zoomed to Lisbon,where they looked after him amazingly well,the clot was located within the hour,he regained all functions again and was home in less than a week,he can't speak highly enough of his treatment.
We use Multicare.
There are age restrictions.
Having said that,a friend suffered a stroke five weeks ago,and was zoomed to Lisbon,where they looked after him amazingly well,the clot was located within the hour,he regained all functions again and was home in less than a week,he can't speak highly enough of his treatment.
May 31st 2013, 2:40 pm
#27
Just Joined
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 6
Re: Expat health insurance
Mike
The link you posted is for EHIC cards which we don't have and (IIRC) aren't entitled to because although we're UK passport holders, we emigrated to Portugal from South Africa where we'd spent the last 12 years or so. - I was however under the impression that the EHIC card was only for people who resided in the UK and were visiting other EU countries.
Maybe those things makes a difference but (FWIW) although it took us a while to have the numbers issued, we have our permanent Portuguese NI numbers have both had (more or less) free treatment in the last 12 months and both get discounted drugs on repeat prescriptions........ I've no idea if it affects anything but although we don't receive any UK state pensions yet we do receive private pensions that we opted to take early.
I will look into it but so far we have been told and it looks like we're perfectly entitled to treatment here and if that's the case then I see no need for private cover.
As for giving blood, I'd be more than happy to do that any way but have no idea whatsoever how one goes about doing it here and any advice would be gratefully received.
As far as ambulances are concerned: Although I haven't done it yet, I'm told that one can buy some kind of Bombeiros supporters card for a few Euros a year and that also gives some of supposed preferential treatment with ambulances etc.
The link you posted is for EHIC cards which we don't have and (IIRC) aren't entitled to because although we're UK passport holders, we emigrated to Portugal from South Africa where we'd spent the last 12 years or so. - I was however under the impression that the EHIC card was only for people who resided in the UK and were visiting other EU countries.
Maybe those things makes a difference but (FWIW) although it took us a while to have the numbers issued, we have our permanent Portuguese NI numbers have both had (more or less) free treatment in the last 12 months and both get discounted drugs on repeat prescriptions........ I've no idea if it affects anything but although we don't receive any UK state pensions yet we do receive private pensions that we opted to take early.
I will look into it but so far we have been told and it looks like we're perfectly entitled to treatment here and if that's the case then I see no need for private cover.
As for giving blood, I'd be more than happy to do that any way but have no idea whatsoever how one goes about doing it here and any advice would be gratefully received.
As far as ambulances are concerned: Although I haven't done it yet, I'm told that one can buy some kind of Bombeiros supporters card for a few Euros a year and that also gives some of supposed preferential treatment with ambulances etc.
May 31st 2013, 2:40 pm
#28
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Thread Starter
Joined: Apr 2013
Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK
Posts: 289
Re: Expat health insurance
Are you asking me or Cleri? Moving the subject on a bit, by the time I move out there I will be 62 & apparently I can get an S1 certificate that will last a max of 2.5 years. Then after a break of 6 months I will be 65 & eligable for state pension, so can get another S1 certificate. Uk authorities say that with an S1 medical treatment would be provided. I know some on this forum don't rate the state facilities but is anyone else out there using an S1 certificate?
Jun 1st 2013, 10:48 am
#29
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Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Tavira
Posts: 661
Re: Expat health insurance
Over the years I have been in the A&E at Faro with relatives a few times and yes it was like a bomb site with people in various stages of distress lying in trolley beds in corridors, I was in last week and they now have a proper triage area and things are not quite as hectic and nobody lying in corridors.
Jun 1st 2013, 11:05 am
#30
Just Joined
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 6
Re: Expat health insurance
Hi . I am new to this site. Does anyone know if i have to pay tax on my UK company pension i am 50 years old its under 5000 UK pounds a year, And what is the personal tax allowance in Portugal compared to the UK? And can the Portuguese tax my UK savings that i have in UK bank? And can i pay voluntary national insurance contributions to get the public health service, as i think i get it free for 2 years i think being a UK citizen , but i would like to find out these things before deciding to live permanently or half the year there and keep my UK Tax and NHS rights. thanks hope someone can advice. Its very confusing moving to another country as i am beginning to find out. thanks.