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Portugal Expat Health Insurance

Portugal is a country located in Southwestern Europe, officially known as the Portuguese Republic. The capital city Lisbon, one of the oldest cities in the world, is situated on the coast and is the westernmost city in Europe. The River Tejo, divides the country into two distinct areas. South of the river is much flatter, drier and less populated, while the area north of the river is characterized by valleys, mountains, and forests. Portugal is part of the Iberian Peninsula and borders Spain to the north and east and the Atlantic Ocean to the south and west. The Atlantic archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira are part of Portugal and water-lovers have plenty of opportunities to explore abundant ocean life. Divers are well provided for with two decompression chambers available, however care should be taken when visiting the beaches and swimming pools as death by drowning occurs every year. Portugal’s impressive corals, jellyfish and other marine-life can sting or poison swimmers if touched or stepped on. Appropriate expatriate travel and medical insurance which covers all the activities that nature-lovers wish to undertake should be arranged prior to travel. The climate in Portugal is one of the warmest in Europe and there are significant variations in temperatures; the average annual temperature ranges from 13 °C (55.4 °F) in the north to over 18 °C (64.4 °F) in the South.

In the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal established itself as a global empire largely as a result of maritime exploration. It was one of the world’s major economic, political and military powers at the time and its empire survived almost six centuries. In 1986 Portugal joined the European Economic Community (EEC), now known as the European Union (EU). Since becoming a member, Portugal’s industry has diversified and increasingly moved away from agriculture and towards the service sector. It experienced solid growth in the 1990s but GDP remained under the EU average. The world financial crisis hit Portugal hard, and the country was left with a ballooning deficit. In April 2011, the Prime Minister announced that the country would require financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the European Financial Stability Facility, becoming the third EU country to ask for a financial bailout.

Portugal Health Care and Insurance

In the 1990’s the population increased in Portugal by nearly 5 percent, due in part to the increase in life expectancy at birth as well as the return of more than half a million Portuguese from the Portuguese administered overseas territories, which became independent following the 1974 revolution. This naturally caused strain on the health system which in 2002 underwent much needed reform. The Portuguese healthcare system is made up of the National Health Service (NHS), the historical remnants of the social welfare system in the form of subsystems (membership based on profession or occupational category) and voluntary health insurance. The NHS provides universal coverage to those who contribute to Portuguese social security and their families; around 25 percent of the population of Portugal is covered by health subsystems and 10 percent by private health care often funded by private Portugal health insurance plans. The National Health Service (NHS) is similar to that of other developed nations. It offers free health care to all citizens with funding primarily through taxes. However, as is often the case with publically funded health services, it is underfunded and oversubscribed. There has been improvement over recent years, however the level of service varies across regions; long waiting lists and inconsistencies in service still exist, perhaps reflecting an estimated life expectancy lower than some other European countries at 75.28 years for males and 82.01 for females (CIA 2011). Many foreigners living in Portugal purchase additional private health insurance as they find the NHS does not meet their needs.

Private health care providers mainly fill a supplementary role to the NHS however the private sector still prospers. The majority of specialist consultations take place in the private sector whereas the public sectors provide the majority of general practice consultations. Tourists and expats visiting or working in Portugal are strongly encouraged to purchase private health care. Private medical care is expensive. You are expected to pay for medical services at the time of treatment and private hospitals may seek confirmation of medical insurance coverage or a guarantee of payment before admitting a patient. In the event of serious illness or injury requiring a high standard of care and immediate medical response, expatriate health insurance coverage for Portugal will be imperative. A national emergency response provides reliable ambulance services. The telephone number is 112.

Portugal Travel Insurance Concerns

Before travelling to Portugal, routine and Hepatitis B vaccinations are recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Hepatitis B virus can be transmitted through infected blood or body fluids, and travelers can be exposed through medical or dental treatment, via direct contact of open sores or engaging in risky behavior such as unprotected sexual contact or needle-sharing. Arranging expatriate health insurance in case of illness while travelling is recommended as is seeking medical advice prior to any travel to ensure that routine immunizations are up to date. Compared to other EU countries Portugal has a higher prevalence of HIV, 0.6% of population compared to 0.1 percent in UK, so normal precautions should be followed to avoid exposure. While there is no risk of contracting yellow fever in Portugal, proof of yellow fever immunization is a requirement for travelers arriving from a country that poses the risk of transmission. This also applies where countries with the risk of yellow fever have been visited on route to Portugal.

Driving in Portugal can be risky and caution should be exercised. Portugal’s road accident fatality rate is higher than the EU average despite the country’s investment in improving roads and the expansion of its motorway network. Advisories note that the local driving style can be aggressive and unpredictable, and that high speeds pose undue hazards. Road conditions also pose risks, including poor lighting, blind corners and poorly marked roads. Wandering livestock is a common problem in rural areas.

Public protests and general strikes reportedly occur frequently but are rarely violent. Even so, advisories note that travelers should avoid taking part. While the crime-rate in Portugal is considered low, petty crime is common with pick-pocketing and purse snatching occurring in crowded areas and popular tourist sites. These crimes are occasionally accompanied by violence. To reduce the risk of being targeted for such crimes, travelers are urged to remain vigilant with regard to personal security and ensure travel documents and personal belongings are secure at all times. Likewise, comprehensive travel and medical insurance should be arranged in order to cover unexpected costs such as stolen belongings and medical bills.

Portugal Expat Health Insurance

The private sector delivers health services to a high standard and good medical care is available in Portugal’s major cities, however public facilities can vary in standard particularly in regional and rural areas. Private medical facilities can be expensive and advance payment expected, therefore expats and those travelling are recommended to purchase private health insurance prior to reaching Portugal. Expat health insurance and travel insurance policies can be used worldwide, providing coverage wherever you may travel. Global Health Insurance has various medical insurance plans available for both long and short-term travel, and policies can be tailored to meet your specific needs, whether travelling the globe or to Portugal. Expat health insurance policies are transferable globally and can include emergency evacuation and repatriation, inpatient services, doctor consultations, medication, specialist care, maternity, dental coverage and many more. To ensure a medical emergency does not become your financial burden contact one of our insurance experts for guidance on the right health care insurance package for you and your family. You'll receive friendly and helpful advice at no cost.