Around 80 golf enthusiasts gathered at the Penina Hotel & Golf Resort on September 13 to participate in the fourteenth annual Golf Tournament, sponsored by MEDAL in partnership with afpop. This prestigious event showcased not only the love for the sport, but also a commitment to fostering friendly competition and camaraderie among participants. 

The lush fairways of Penina Championship Course provided the perfect setting for a day of sporting excellence. Golfers from various backgrounds and skill levels came together under the sunny Algarve skies to test their capabilities on a challenging course. The tournament celebrated the sport of golf, emphasizing not only competition but also the joy of playing in a picturesque setting.

Following a day filled with excitement on the golf course, participants gathered for a very pleasant lunch at the Hotel. This provided a delightful opportunity for golfers to relax, share stories of their rounds, and enjoy culinary delights in a convivial atmosphere.

The pinnacle of the event was the official awards ceremony held at the end of the tournament. Golfers eagerly awaited the announcement of the winners in both categories. In the Ladies category, after winning in 2021, Ms. Sally Brown emerged victorious once again this year, restating her exceptional skills and determination. In the Gentlemen's category, Mr. Serafim Carvalho demonstrated his prowess on the greens, securing the top spot. Congratulations to both winners and to all the other amazing competitors!

The awards ceremony was not just about recognizing the winners; it was also a celebration of the sportsmanship and camaraderie that define the golfing community. All participants, organization and sponsor came together to applaud the achievements of their fellow golfers and share in the excitement of a day well spent.

The fourteenth annual Golf Tournament sponsored by MEDAL in partnership with afpop was a resounding success, celebrating the essence of golf and the joy of friendly competition. As golfers look back on this memorable day, they are undoubtedly eager to return for the fifteenth annual Golf Tournament, where they will once again tee off against worthy competitors and enjoy the spirit of the game.

MEDAL and afpop, through their continued support of this event, have shown their commitment to promoting excellence in golf and fostering a sense of community among enthusiasts and all expats in the Algarve region. With each passing year, the tournament continues to thrive, becoming a beacon for golf lovers and a symbol of sportsmanship.

MEDAL will be sponsoring, once again and alongside with Associação Turismo do Algarve/VisitAlgarve, this year's edition of BLiP - the Better Living in Portugal Exhibition, organised by afpop (Association of Foreign Property Owners in Portugal - www.afpop.com).

Join us in the Portimão Arena, on 14 - 15 October, and discover over 100 businesses and their solutions to your needs, with thousands of visitors in attendance. Don't miss out!

For more info, please visit: www.betterlivinginportugal.com ou www.facebook.com/blip.afpop

We're pleased to announce that MEDAL will be sponsoring SHARE Algarve 2023, a two-day Marketing and Innovation Conference filled with excitement, inspiration, and networking opportunities. The event will be held on October 22^nd and 23^rd, at the Algarve Congress Center in Vilamoura.

At SHARE Algarve, the attendees will have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and gain valuable insights from industry experts. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your journey, this event offers something for everyone.

Expect engaging keynote speakers, interactive workshops, and informative panel discussions. Discover the latest trends, innovations, and best practices in your field. Don't miss this opportunity to expand your knowledge and grow both personally and professionally.

Take advantage of the beautiful surroundings of Vilamoura and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere during the event breaks. Connect with fellow attendees, build new relationships, and create lasting memories.

Mark your calendar for SHARE Algarve 2023 and get ready for an unforgettable experience.

Early Bird tickets will be available until August 31, 12pm WEST and you can get them here: www.sharealgarve.com

Thanks to our experience and in-depth knowledge of the Portuguese market, we are able to offer unique and exclusive products that provide good value for money for all ages and nationalities.

It’s important to keep in mind that the market offers different options, but just a few solutions meet what an expat needs in terms of covers, limits of sum insured, etc.

For example, it is not easy to get an insurance policy in Portugal that undertakes all pre-existing medical conditions, but it is extremely important, otherwise they will all be automatically excluded in your new policy.

Before making a decision on a new insurance policy, we recommend you look closely at covers and limits of the sums insured for in-patient (hospitalisation, surgery) and out-patient (consultations/ exams/ treatments) care and confirm whether the insurance you’re taking provides cover for International Medical Assistance for serious illness and/or Second Medical Opinion, or even Travel Assistance.

It is also very important to double-check the co-payments values (amount that the client will have to pay for a medical procedure when using the insurance policy) inside and outside the Network of Hospitals and Clinics in order to avoid unpleasant surprises in case of hospitalisation, for instance.

When we talk about health insurance, we must have in mind how important the quality of the insurance policy is, but also the quality of the insurance broker and the knowledge they have of the policy conditions and how all the system works around the client (hospital/clinics and the insurance company). It is vital to assure the client that when they actually need to use the insurance policy, they will get a higher level of service than they expected and are paying for.

As expats living in Portugal, we advise you to choose an insurance broker that guarantees a personalised service, with experienced staff to help you and clarify your questions and bureaucracy with the hospitals and clinics. Sometimes it’s necessary to obtain previous authorisations for exams or surgeries, and you’ll need to have the maximum assistance in all those moments.

At MEDAL, and as Portugal’s leading insurance brokers for expats, we offer our clients the service that meets their needs through our specialised health insurance department. And with our offices in Portimão, Almancil and Estoril, we are able to provide a personal service to all expats and our clients to suit their lifestyle.

For more information on health insurance and how it works in Portugal, please don't hesitate to contact us: here.

A reminder for the golfers that the fourteenth annual Golf Tournament, sponsored by MEDAL in partnership with afpop, will take place at Penina, on September 13. As usual, it will be a shotgun start at 8h45 and afpop will confirm all details in the upcoming August edition of its UPDATE magazine.

Any Members wishing to take part in the tournament can register their interest by contacting the afpop office on: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Law No. 32/2023, of July 10^th, was published today in the Diário da República (DR), which eliminates the obligation to display the car insurance couplet as of the current July 11^th (date of entry into force), accordingly amending the Decree-Law No. 291/2007, of 21 August – which institutes the compulsory insurance system for motor vehicle civil liability.

In addition to the elimination of the obligation to display the motor insurance sticker, from this date onwards its now contemplated, accordingly, the possibility of issuing documents which proves the insurance validity and its availability through electronic/digital means, without prejudice to their issue and availability on paper, without additional costs, at the request of the policyholder or, where applicable, by the insured person, or in cases where they do not demonstrably have adequate electronic means for the safe transmission and reception of these documents.

The Supervisory Authority for Insurance and Pension Funds (ASF) may establish, in a regulatory rule, the rules that are necessary for the implementation of the new format of documents proving insurance, it is also determined that documents issued through electronic means may now replace the certificate of insurance on paper for the purposes of the provisions of the Highway Code in Portugal, ceasing to constitute an offence the circulation of a vehicle without the motor insurance label.

In line with these news, MEDAL is also preparing to increasingly provide and send by e-mail (digital format) to its Clients the documents related to their insurances (namely and among others: Proposals, Policies, Receipts, Green Cards / Certificate of Insurance), with the sending of the physical/printed documents depending on the express request of each interested Client.

Henrique Pinheiro and João Pinheiro, General Manager and Director of Operations at MEDAL, respectively, recently shared their vision and experience on the evolution of the socio-economic landscape in the Algarve region, among other topics related to MEDAL's activity.

You can read the full interview in the new Portugal Resident article: here.

Thinking of moving to Portugal?

Come along and join us on the 22nd of June, in San Francisco at the Palace Hotel, or 27th June, in New York at the Martinique Hotel, for one of our seminar sessions and receive first hand advice.

Visit portugalseminars.com for more info and to book your seminar seats.

Alexandre Cabrita takes over MEDAL's marketing and communication department

MEDAL’s new Head of Marketing and Communication has a degree in Marketing and Advertising from IADE and a Master’s in Communication Sciences from Universidade Católica Portuguesa.

With near 14 years of professional experience, Alexandre Cabrita started his journey in 2009, as Junior Account Manager of two of the first free daily newspapers in Portugal, Destak and MeiaHora, part of Cofina Group. He then went through some trainee programs and professional internships at Companies such as Páginas Amarelas, EDP and Critical Software, until he finally took over the role of Internal Communication Manager at Sociedade Central de Cervejas of HEINEKEN Group, in mid-2015. In 2018 he has embraced a new position within one of the world’s major record labels, Warner Music, as Label Manager responsible for the entire international repertoire/roster of the Company in the Portuguese territory. During this period, he participated in the development and launch of new artists in Portugal, having also contributed to the success in our market of some of the biggest names in music scene worldwide.

It's already throughout the year of 2023 that Alexandre joins MEDAL, where the main objective is to start (re)structuring the marketing and communication department of the largest Insurance Broker for Expats in the Algarve and one of the fastest growing companies nationwide in this segment.

Regarding this new opportunity, Alexandre points out that “he has been faced with some key challenges, but perhaps the greatest focus will be on the improvement and development of areas such as Digital & Web, CRM and the relationship with the Client itself, as well as all the requirements involving the brand management and many other external and internal activities”, adding that he faces this new stage in his professional career with “a lot of enthusiasm, not only due to the return to his hometown of Portimão, but especially for possibility to join a Team of excellence that has recorded exponential growth in its business areas and contributed greatly to the enrichment of the socio-economic environment of the Algarve’s region.”

Henrique Pinheiro, founder and managing director of MEDAL, states that this appointment not only reinforces the Team, but also confirms the Company’s strong bet in the area of marketing and communication, as an important ally in the consolidation and development of the business and of several ongoing projects. “The experience and expertise that Alexandre will add to our Company will surely contribute to our continued success, as well as to satisfying the needs of our Clients with solutions and services that positions MEDAL as a leading Broker and a reference in the niche markets where it operates”, concludes Henrique.

João Pinheiro, MEDAL’s COO will participate as a speaker in the upcoming “Living in the Algarve” Free Seminar Event, which will take place at Cascade Wellness Resort, in Lagos, on the 15^th of June. 

The main objective of the event “Living in the Algarve” is to inform future foreign residents about several practical aspects of life in the Algarve, bringing together expert speakers on many different areas, including taxation, residency, healthcare, legal matters and property. João Pinheiro will address in his intervention some of the main topics related to health insurance and healthcare in Portugal. 

After the various speeches and respective presentations, participants will be able to ask questions, clarify doubts and participate in a tasting of regional wines from the Algarve. 

Two sessions are planned, one in the morning, at 11 am, and another in the early afternoon, at 3 pm.

Participation is free, but online registration is required.