Max E. Says:
As a restless 80-year-old who spent last summer in Portugal and loved it, I am curious about the availability of health insurance for a person my age.
IL Contributor in Portugal Tricia Pimental Says:
Dear Max,
Thanks so much for your question. It’s not surprising that you found Portugal so pleasing. It’s been topping the list for expats for years, given all that the country offers. In fact, International Living declared it the official Best Place to Retire in 2023 in this year’s Annual Global Retirement Index.
Before we respond to your question regarding health insurance, bear in mind that as a D7 visa-holding resident you will have access to the public health system, Serviço Nacional de Saude. This system does sometimes charge nominal fees for access to certain treatments, specialists, and prescriptions. Policies change, but my understanding is that at the present time adults over 65 enjoy 100% free healthcare.
Having said that, your question is about insurance. Insurance coverage for private healthcare is available from companies such as Médis and Fidelidade. My understanding is that the maximum age to obtain insurance from such companies is 75 years, but as policies change, you may want to research on your own to verify that information. Allianz and Cigna offer opportunities to receive estimates online, but be prepared to budget carefully for their services.
Perhaps of most interest may be Medicare.pt, a company which specifically states that age is not a concern for making one of their plans.
We hope this information will be of use to you and wish you the best on your journey!
Editor’s Note: You can find much more information on healthcare and insurance in our comprehensive Escape to Portugal guidebook, available on the IL Bookstore here.
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