Algarve Senior Living

14/01/2025

Albufeira had a great firework show this New Year's Eve! Were you there?

09/10/2023

What a stunning victory by Portugal in the Rugby World Cup. A win against Fiji, after a draw against Georgia and spirited performance against Wales and Australia. Força Lobos!

The official site of Rugby World Cup 2023, with ticketing, venue and event information, news and videos.

14/09/2023

Are you an expat living in Portugal, or thinking about moving or retiring to Portugal?

Senior Living is conducting the biggest ongoing survey to get insights into expat life in Portugal. Your opinion is matters, and your feedback can help others who are considering the same move.

It will only take 5 minutes to complete the survey. Your participation is much appreciated!

To take the survey, just click this link: https://forms.gle/nEfVBMjeKZVatrow7

Algarve Senior Living looks forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences, and will subsequently share periodic results!

25/08/2023

At well below the European average, experience doctors working in Portugal earn on average €42,222 per annum. Pay is almost certainly the reason why many doctors are trained by the state system, at huge cost to the taxpayer and then choose to practice in the more lucrative private sector. If the government paid higher salaries in exchange for a minimum period of commitment to the public system, perhaps the country would be better served, with more stability and fewer crises.

17/08/2023

STABILITY IN LONG-TERM RENTALS IN PORTUGAL 🧐

Portugal's real estate market remains vibrant due to high demand and limited supply, resulting in property and rent hikes that outpace the rest of the euro area. Over the past year, Portugal has experienced some of the highest increases in property prices within the euro area, with house prices rising by an average of 8.7%, in contrast to the euro area's mere 0.4% growth. The rental sector echoes this trend, as Portugal saw a 4.2% increase in rents over the past 12 months, surpassing the euro area's 2.7% rise.

Amidst this dynamic environment, the concept of stability gains prominence. The chronic shortage of houses for sale, exacerbated by rising construction costs, further fuels this property boom. However, against this backdrop, the stability and visibility offered by our long-term rental portfolio with Algarve Long Lets emerge as a compelling alternative. As property prices and rents continue to surge, the question arises: Could long-term rentals be the solution to navigating Portugal's evolving real estate landscape? Join the conversation below and share your insights on the viability of long-term rentals in this changing market.

Portugal’s residential real estate market continues to be buoyant thanks to high demand and lack of supply. Increases in prices have been among the highest in the euro area over the past 12 months. The cost of renting too reflects high house prices. In the first quarter of this year while house pr...

12/08/2023

Had enough of the British "summer"? More and more people are considering overseas retirement and although Spain is always popular, Portugal has become the top choice because it offers everything that its neighbour does, plus lower taxes, a retirement visa called the D7 with much lower income thresholds, and a very friendly population.

A beautiful country has been named the best destination in Europe for retired British expats. The stunning spot topped the list due to its healthcare and average sunshine hours.

12/07/2023

Renting a house in Portugal has become increasingly expensive, with prices soaring across the country. The second quarter of 2023 witnessed a significant rise in rental prices, reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by both tenants and the government. According to the Idealista price index, house rents in Portugal increased by 6.1% compared to the previous quarter, reaching a median cost of €14.5 per square meter (€/m2) by the end of June.

The rise in rental prices can be attributed to several factors. Firstly, the escalating costs of home loans for purchasing a house have made it more difficult for families to enter the property market. With reduced purchasing power caused by high inflation and continuously rising house prices, many families are opting for rental homes instead. However, the demand for rental properties has outpaced the supply of available housing, creating an imbalance in the market.

In response to this challenge, the Portuguese government has introduced the Mais Habitação program, currently under parliamentary discussion. The program aims to generate more affordable housing options and address the housing supply-demand gap. By creating favorable conditions for the development of new rental properties, the government hopes to alleviate the pressure on rental prices and offer more accessible housing solutions.

Despite these efforts, rental prices have continued to surge, especially in major cities. Coimbra emerged as the city with the highest increase in rental prices during the second quarter, recording a staggering 11.9% rise. Madeira Island, Évora, Faro, Aveiro, Setúbal, Lisbon, and Leiria also experienced notable increases in rental prices.

Lisbon remains the most expensive city in Portugal to rent a house, with an average price of €20 per square meter (€/m2). Porto and Funchal follow closely behind, with average rental prices of €15.3/m2 and €13.3/m2, respectively. Faro, Aveiro, Setúbal, Évora, Coimbra, and Braga also feature among the cities with higher rental costs. On the other end of the spectrum, Castelo Branco, Viseu, Leiria, and Viana do Castelo offer more economical options for renters.

Examining rental prices across districts and islands reveals a mixed picture. While Viseu, Aveiro, and Viana do Castelo experienced slight declines in rental prices, Madeira, Évora, Coimbra, Vila Real, Faro, Braga, Lisbon, Setúbal, and Porto all saw an increase in rental costs. Lisbon and Porto remain the most expensive districts to rent a house, while Viseu, Portalegre, Vila Real, Castelo Branco, and Santarém offer relatively lower rental prices.

Expanding the scope to regional analysis, all regions of Portugal witnessed a rise in rental prices during the second quarter of 2023. The Autonomous Region of Madeira experienced the highest increase at 18.5%, followed by Alentejo and the Algarve at 7.6% and 7.3%, respectively. The Lisbon Metropolitan Area, the North, and the Centre also saw notable increases in rental prices.

Despite the challenging rental market, efforts are being made to provide affordable housing options for tenants. The government's Mais Habitação program aims to address the housing supply-demand imbalance and generate more accessible rental properties. However, the impact of these initiatives is yet to be fully realized.

As rental prices in Portugal continue to rise, tenants face increasing financial burdens. Finding affordable housing, especially in major cities, has become more challenging than ever. While the government's efforts to tackle the issue are commendable, a comprehensive and sustainable solution is required to alleviate the pressure on the rental market and provide affordable housing options for all residents.

Price reports are made with idealista/data: technology for real estate analysis technology. Our service offer includes different data solutions to support decision making in the real estate market, mainly focused on solutions for investment area analysis and asset valuation.

26/06/2023

Happy Pride! The month of June brings the rainbows out to the streets and celebrations across the country. Events like the parade & Arraial Pride have been happening since 1997! Portugal continues being the choice for many, from the LGBTQ+ community, as a safe country to relocate to.

20/05/2023

THE CO-EXISTENCE OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HEALTHCARE IN PORTUGAL: A PRACTICAL EXAMPLE

"In mid-April, during a conference in Portugal, disaster struck - I fell ill and after one negative test and a few days later, the second test was positive for Covid-19. I called the national health line (saúde 24), and after being taken through a comprehensive set of questions by a nurse, it was determined, based on symptoms and previous Covid track record, that I would need to be seen urgently by a local health center.

Just as I was getting ready to leave, I received a phone call from the health center letting me know that the doctor had not shown up for work, and that I should not make my way there. They suggested I call the Saúde 24 helpline again, which I did. The health line was unable to provide any alternative solutions, as there were no other available locations/slots on that evening or over the weekend. Literally, they were unable to offer any suggestions – not even the recommendation of going to A&E.

At this stage, I was left with two options: going directly to A&E, or trying to get a more detailed diagnosis via a doctor. I chose the latter route, because I was feeling very unwell and wanted to visit someone as soon as possible, and close to where I was staying. That happened to be a private hospital’s A&E.

On arrival, they asked me whether I had private medical insurance and checked me in.

I was seen fairly quickly by a foreign doctor who asked for blood tests and a chest X-ray. While the chest appeared to be clear, the blood results were a cause for concern, and due to the deviation from the norm, of several readings, the doctor affirmed he had no option but to refer me to a specialist Covid ward in one of the region’s public hospitals.

I was surprised by this decision, for two reasons:
1) It seemed to me that the private hospital was limiting its level of responsibility, and passing the risk back to the state, generating income at the “easy” front end and then referring the patient to the state system for the more complex (and correspondingly potentially expensive) stage of diagnosis and treatment.
2) The Portuguese state was creating this pressure for itself: it was forcing patients to seek private medical advice due to lack of capacity, but then accepting patients back into the system with a likely higher cost of treatment. If one were a little more cynical, it could be interpreted as a way of making a saving by forcing the outsourcing of part of the process, thereby eliminating associated costs for that part of the medical process.

Administratively, the private system worked well, even at night. The receptionist kindly asked if I had a loyalty card for a large national retail group, and with that I received a 25% discount on the total cost of around €150.

They provided me with copies of my blood results as well as a CD with my X-rays. I was also given a referral letter for the hospital A&E and recommend to attend Portimão which apparently had a better reputation than Faro.

The public hospital:
I arrived at A&E at the public hospital in Portimão at around midnight and after checking in, was asked to wait in a covered, outside area reserved for anyone diagnosed with Covid or suspected of having it. A few minutes later, I was led to a special “isolation” ward set up in a set of containers. Each patient had an individual, disinfected room with a chair and a toilet, where communication with staff was via a glass panel.

I showed my blood results, and was asked to take a chest X-ray, which I refused, because I had a CD version of the X-ray I had just taken. The male nurse on duty was quite dismissive, saying that radiologists liked to take their own X-rays and the hospital system was unlikely to be able to read the CD. I insisted, and what was the nurse’s surprise when the radiographer agreed with me and downloaded the images onto the system. In addition to looking foolish, it was disappointing to note that the nurse showed no interest in reducing possible costs. My immediate thought was to the thousands of times when unnecessary expenditure had been incurred due to laziness or lack of flexibility.

My hospital visit lasted approximately two hours, and fortunately the doctor, again foreign, felt that I could recover at home. I was discharged with a prescription for antibiotic and a few other things.
Reimbursement of expenses.

I was covered by insurance which reimbursed all my private hospital bills and the medicines, less a deductible, in 3 days after my claim. The only real cost was therefore the insurance policy deductible.

Conclusion: managing the interface between public and private healthcare in Portugal.

As I have always known, when any health situation is severe, the solution lies with the public health system. Despite its shortcomings, it is still the place to which most of the population turn.
The public system is also slow, and so when something is urgent, primary care such as the health centres or centros de saúde, that feed into the hospital system, are often unable to react in time. It is here that the private system can play an interesting role: in accelerating access to diagnostics and first opinion.

Should it be needed? In a country such as Portugal, where the national health system is a universal franchise, no. But the reality is that with doctor shortages, low pay, bureaucratic system and much more, it is worth considering a private (and relatively inexpensive) health plan that can hep when the public system is unable to respond quickly enough."

Have you had any experiences in either the public or private health system in Portugal? Let us know in the comments how it went.

09/04/2023

🐣 Easter in the Algarve is a unique experience that once again blends religious traditions with cultural celebrations.

Celebrations like the most important Festa das Tochas Floridas in São Brás de Alportel /(where flower torches made from local blooms adorn the streets) and the Procissão do Enterro do Senhor in Tavira (a solemn and moving event that commemorates the death of Jesus Christ).

In addition to these religious events, visitors can enjoy local cuisine such as folar, a savory bread made with eggs and chorizo or ham. Easter in the Algarve is also an opportunity to explore the region's natural beauty, from the stunning cliffs of Lagos to the tranquil beaches of Faro.

🎉 Overall, Easter in the Algarve is a time of celebration, reflection, and tradition. Whether you are seeking a religious experience or a cultural adventure, the Algarve offers something for everyone during this special time of year.

07/04/2023

Holy Friday is a significant day in the Christian calendar and is observed with great reverence around the world. In the Algarve, this day is marked by a range of religious ceremonies and cultural events that offer visitors a unique and memorable experience.

If you have planned to spend Holy Friday in the Algarve, you probably witnessed a range of solemn processions, masses, and other religious events that take place throughout the region. One of the most famous of these events is the "Procissão dos Passos" in Loulé, which involves a procession of religious figures and mourners carrying the cross through the streets of the city.

Another popular event is the "Festa da Mãe Soberana" in Loulé, which takes place over several days and includes a range of processions, masses, and cultural events. This festival has been celebrated for over 500 years and is considered one of the most important religious events in the Algarve.

In addition to the religious events, there are also many cultural activities to enjoy in the Algarve during this sunny Holy Friday. It's a unique and special experience that offers a blend of religious and cultural activities that will leave visitors with lasting memories.

20/03/2023

Happy first day of spring, everyone! Today marks the official start of the season of renewal, growth, and sunshine. And here in Portugal, we are experiencing a particularly beautiful first day of spring, with plenty of warm, sunny weather to enjoy.