Planning my move to Portugal is exciting. The picture I have is, at times, idyllic, bordering on romanticising about it. Occasionally those rose-tinted glasses return, but the reality of the task in hand isn’t far away.
Early on in my plans, I had a great conversation with someone else who is planning a similar adventure to Portugal. This individual had created a mood board to remain focused on their goal. My pictures remained in my head.
However, after listening to a podcast and taking a look at Coowoodoo (thanks Phil and Kim), I have made an effort to build my own mood board. I’ve started to collate pictures, but I’m more comfortable with words. I was recently gifted a new notepad and it’s definitely been put to good use!
Couple these words and pictures with the chats I am having with people who have already made the move – both good and bad – and the images are getting clearer.
But those images will only become things by making them happen.
So it’s back to getting things sorted for my D7 Visa. This week it’s the focus has been on personal health insurance.
Health insurance for D7 Visa
Personal health insurance is one of the requirements for the D7 Visa. Given the schedule for the application, this health insurance needs to be in place approximately four months before I travel to Portugal.
This means I’ll be paying for health insurance for at least four months to meet the criteria for my visa, although it is effectively invalid until I am physically in Portugal.
I have personal health insurance in the UK and understand, and support, the reasons for this being a requirement of the visa. However, I am clearly going to seek out the best value (not the cheapest) health insurance, and ensure that the least amount is “wasted” before I move to Portugal.
Therefore, this week I’ve been focusing on health insurance. I have travel insurance which covers me for medical emergencies when I am travelling but only for a maximum of 60 consecutive days.
There are differing views on whether travel insurance is acceptable for the D7 Visa. Several people have suggested that “backpackers” or “gap year” insurance policies are acceptable, but no guarantee.
Because I want to ensure that I exceed the minimum criteria level for the D7 Visa, I am not going to take the risk of going the “travel insurance” route.
Seeking out quotes
When I was sketching out an approximate budget on the living expenses in Portugal, I received a quote for health insurance. It was a little more than I am paying in the UK, although as I am a little older from when I took out the UK insurance so that wasn’t a surprise.
However, I am not sure whether this is a comparative price with other providers in Portgual. Through research and visiting forums, I’ve contacted a few other providers in Portugal to receive alternative quotes.
Here in the UK, comparison websites have made getting quotes for insurance, services and financial products so much easier. Until now, I’ve not managed to locate similar websites in Portugal so it’s old school and approaching companies directly. Thinking face. Potential business opportunity in Portugal for a comparison website?
Already, I’ve received quotes back from three companies and awaiting a couple more. Differing levels of insurance from the basic, minimum package through to the highest level. These present significant variances in price.
All of them provide flexibility to tailor it to my personal needs so I am confident that I will get insurance at the level I need at a fair price.
Planning scouting trip
I’ve also started getting my plans together for my scouting trip in March. A few property visits have been arranged and meetings with estate agents. I hope to meet up with a couple of people so will aim to work that around the appointments.
Unlike my first scouting visit, this one will have much more targeted house viewings and I have also planned some rest and relaxation time. Well, when I say relaxation, my intention is to get the walking boots on enjoy a small part of central Portugal on foot.
I continue to make small steps, which are leading to larger, more adventurous steps. Each step, whether small or large, is a step closer to my move to Portugal.
I’d like to thank everyone who reads my blog. I am humbled by your interest in my little world. I write for myself and I write in the way I read. I’ve always approached this as my personal blog. I enjoy writing and helps me think things through. Bordering on therapy I guess.
Muito obrigado.
Marc
The featured image is used thanks to the kind permission of Leah Kelley
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Thank you. Muitio obrigado, Marc