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Hi Charles,
Sorry you’re having issues. The replay is at the top of the post. Can you not see it? If not we can send you a link so let me know.
Many thanks,
Lynn

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Hi Paul,

Really sorry for the delay getting back to you. We totally missed your comment. I’ve asked Ted Baumann for an answer to your question, he is our in-house visa expert. See below his response:

“Stamp 0 is meant for non-EEA (i.e. non-EU/EEA/Swiss) individuals who want to retire in Ireland on a “person of independent means” basis. For a couple, you’d apply jointly (or each individually, but the financial criteria take both of you into account) as retirees with independent means. If you want to qualify here’s what the authorities will expect:

* Stable, verifiable income: you need to show an annual income of at least €50,000 per person, so a couple would typically need around €100,000 combined per year from pensions, savings, or other reliable sources.
* Sufficient savings / lump sum: Beyond the income, you must have access to a lump sum (e.g. savings, liquid assets) large enough to cover major expenses — sometimes guided to be roughly equivalent to the cost of a dwelling in Ireland (to ensure you can handle major contingencies).
* Private medical insurance: You must have comprehensive private medical insurance covering hospitalization/illness etc., because Stamp 0 holders are not entitled to public health services or state benefits.
* Self-sufficiency condition: You cannot rely on state benefits or publicly funded services. The whole idea is that you are financially independent and won’t be a burden on the state.
* No employment or business activity: Under Stamp 0, you are not allowed to work or run a business in Ireland.
Financial evidence must be supported — typically: bank statements, pension/savings documentation, convertible into Euros, showing stable income and savings. Having savings/investments isn’t enough; they need to be liquid or accessible (not speculative) and documented in a way acceptable to Irish authorities (with an Irish accountant certifying foreign docs if needed).
Time spent under Stamp 0 does not count for reckonable residence when applying for citizenship or long-term settlement.
Stamp 0 is a temporary — not permanent — residence permission. If your long-term goal is permanent residency or citizenship, you need a different route.”

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Hi Marilyn,
This is Kimberly, the Portugal Correspondent. There is a small amount of pushback here toward immigrants (not Americans as much as Indian and specifically Bangladeshi 🙁 because of a new right-wing government. If I hadn’t been here for a few years I would never notice it. Face-to-face, one-on-one, the Portuguese are lovely and kind and welcoming.

The only tarrif “fallout” here that I’ve seen so far, is that we can no longer mail packages to the US through the Portuguese postal service, only through DHL which is pricey ($100) but we can mail letters without issue.

Transportation: If you live in a major city (Lisbon, Porto, Braga… or on a metro or ferry line; ie: Almada (across the river from Lisbon) Vila do Conde (the last metro stop north of Porto), Vila Nova de Gaia (across the Douro River from Porto), etc. –transportation is fantastic.

As mentioned in the talk, the healthcare is what really seals it.

~Kimberly Anne, IL Portugal Correspondent

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Hi Stacie, I am the Portugal Correspondent not the France one, but I sent your question to my cousin who lives in France on the visiteur visa. No decision has been made yet on the cost that will be charged to expats.

I found this as well, which may be helpful: https://www.forbes.com/sites/alexledsom/2025/11/20/france-healthcare-government-plans-new-fees-for-american-expats/

~ Kimberly Anne

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Hi Laura, I’m Kimberly, the Portugal Correspondent. I am a single woman, aged 60 and moved here alone.

There’s a large older expat community, the climate between Lisbon and the south is more temporate.

Healthcare is absolutely incredible, both the public and the private (which is very affordable).

Transportation outside of the cities (buses) can be hit or miss. There’s a great metro system in Lisbon and Porto. But (ride share) ubers and bolt are quite affordable and available in most places.
https://internationalliving.com/countries/portugal/

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Hi Don, I have Médis which I love but for pre-existing conditions and if you’re over 70, Mgen is the one that people recommend. You can also contact Celia Fernandes at Whiz for a free consultation and you don’t have to pay anything to get your insurance through her. teamwhiz@whiz-pt.pt

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Hi Donald, Kimberly the Portugal Correspondent here. The answer is: it depends. Portugal’s D7 visa has a lower qualifier for monthly income, $1,000 in passive income a month + $12,000 in a bank account here until you’re approved and then you can remove it + you can legally work on the D7.

For the Italian retirement visa, also known as the elective residence visa applicants must show an annual income of at least €31,000 but you cannot work on that visa.

Both require paperwork of course.

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Thank you 🙂

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Lynn here from IL. No need to sign up, it’s free for our subscribers. Just come back here at 11am EST.

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Lynn here from IL. No need to sign up, it’s free for our subscribers. Just come back here at 11am EST.

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No registration needed. It’s free for our subsribers. Just come back here today (Dec 3) at 11am EST.

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Lynn here from IL. No need to sign up, it’s free for our subscribers. Just come back here at 11am EST.

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This is a free event for IL subscribers. It will be posted here at 11am EST.

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