Medical Care in Portugal

Most towns and some villages will have local doctor and dentist surgeries. A pharmacy
can always be found nearby and the hospitals where the nursing staff will be found to
be dedicated and sympathetic are modernising at an amazing pace. The most modern
equipment can be found everywhere and methods of treatment and investigative
procedures are now probably on a par with any more developed European country - this
change having been observed in a period of only 8 years. Typically a visit to the doctor
needs some patience. Appointments are not made and one has to go to the surgery
between certain hours to be seen on a first-come-first- served basis. This can take hours
as the doctor takes at least 30 minutes with each patient, talking and checking everything.
One never feels rushed and it is always a friendly experience.
A private consultation will cost about £22

If there is any business type that can be frustrating, than that must surely be banking.
Although the bank premises all look ultra modern and professional, there seems to be a
general air of malaise amongst the employees. They all seem to have bad vision, which
seemingly makes the waiting clients appear invisible. Perhaps leg problems are another
common bankers' ailment, as they only seem to be able to shuffle around very slowly.
Everything seems to run in slow motion, so it isadvisable for "hasty" foreigners to go to
the bank a few hours early and not to expect that their business will be completed on the
same day. In this way one can remain sane and avoid committing a murder!
PS..Since writing this in 2002 I have found an excellent bank - anyone interested to know
which this is can email me. - Note in 2006 - I am happy to report that things have
changed a lot since 2002... not yet perfect but getting there.

It seems usual in European countries that one is expected to "export" one's car
within one year of taking up permanent residence in Portugal. This ties up with
Portuguese law which requires registration within the year. In the past this was
very costly - sometimes more than the value of the vehicle. It has recently changed to
an affordabe amount and can be done by oneself quite easily. It is best to fetch the
forms personally at the nearest Department of Transport offices.
Once filled in, they must be taken back and then there is a wait of about 2 months
whereafter they will be sent back.There are Portuguese agents who specialise in this kind
of service for foreigners. It is my experience that in many instances of employing such
services, procrastination is an issue and the wait is many months while one has the added
cost of approximately £80 for the service

Lawyers (advogados) are to be found everywhere. On leaving school many young females
now study law and after returning from University, these are setting up practice in their own
villages and towns. This is advantageous for foreigners needing advice as the "older"
generation" of Portugal, typically does not speak English. Fees are so variable that it is
impossible to give an idea of the costs. (In recent years, I myself paid £35 for services,
which included a consultation of half an hour plus a legal letter of complaint drafted and
posted by registered mail.

Although Europe is now considered "one" and anyone theoretically can live anywhere, it is
still advisable to apply for "residencia" if one lives in Portugal permanently. This, procedure,
as with all official procedures, can take a long time, sometimes many years. One needs to
aquire and complete the forms - these having to be accompanied by a birth certificate and
proof of income (pension or salary). Without any form of income one will be denied the permit,
but if one runs and registers as a self-employed one-man business this can be overcome.
This method does however mean that after the first 12 months of trading, the National
Insurance premiums of approx £100 per person per month becomes liable.

Medical and Dental Care

Banking

Care re-Registration

Legal Advice

Residence Permit