We are proud to announce that MEDAL has been officially recognised among the TOP 10 Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the Insurance Brokerage sector in Portugal, according to the independent assessment carried out by SCORING, LDA, a company specialised in the financial and economic analysis of businesses.

This recognition is based on the company’s annual accounts (IES 2023) and highlights the organisations with the highest levels of Economic Quality of Sales, measured through the IDS x VN indicator.

The TOP 10 Best SMEs in the Sector – Portugal 2024 Certificate was issued on 31 March 2025, and reinforces our commitment to responsible, sustainable, and excellence-driven management practices.

The distinction is now available on the SCORING website, here: https://scoring.pt/empresas/medal

This certification is also a reflection of the trust that our Clients and Partners place in MEDAL on a daily basis. To all of you, our sincere thank you! We will continue to work with the same dedication and professionalism, to further raise the standards of service that those who choose us deserve and demand.

We are delighted to announce that MEDAL will once again participate as a guest speaker at the upcoming Living in the Algarve seminar events, organised by Open Media Group.

These complimentary events are designed for those considering relocating to the Algarve or investing in property in the region. Attendees will benefit from valuable insights shared by professionals across various sectors, including law, taxation, residency, healthcare, and insurance.

We will be delivering a presentation on healthcare and health insurance options tailored for expats living in Portugal, offering practical advice and guidance for those planning to make the Algarve their new home.

Event Details:
• Carvoeiro Seminar
- Date: 24th April 2025
- Location: Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel
- Sessions: Sessions at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM
- Registration: Free admission, but seat reservations are required - here

• Lagos Seminar
- Date: 8th May 2025
- Location: Cascade Wellness Resort
- Sessions: Sessions at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM
- Registration: Free admission, but seat reservations are required - here

We warmly invite all our clients, partners and friends who have an interest in these topics to join us at one of these sessions. It’s a great opportunity to meet our team in person, ask questions, and gain helpful insights into living in the Algarve.

For more information and full event details, please visit the official Living in the Algarve website at: www.livinginthealgarve.pt

On the 12^th and 13^th of October, MEDAL had the privilege of sponsoring once more and alongside Turismo do Algarve the 24^th edition of the BLiP Expo (Better Living in Portugal Exhibition), organised by afpop. This annual event continues to be an excellent opportunity to engage with the expat community and showcase our commitment to delivering personalised insurance solutions for expatriates living in Portugal.  

The BLiP Expo is more than just a business exhibition, it’s a platform where we reconnect with long-standing clients and partners, reaffirming relationships that have been built over the years. Moments like this are essential to be closer to those who have trusted us for many years, as well as to establish new connections that will allow us to continue to grow and serve our customers with the excellence they expect.

We would like to thank afpop for organising this remarkable event and all the visitors who contributed to yet another successful edition.

You can watch the recap video of this year's event, by clicking on the following link: https://youtu.be/8rmMcgvhqvE

On 11th September, the 15th edition of our prestigious afpop-MEDAL Annual Golf Tournament took place at the renowned Penina Hotel & Golf Resort in Portimão.

This event, now a long-standing tradition, strengthens our enduring partnership with afpop and provides participants with an excellent opportunity for networking, sport, and leisure. With a competitive yet relaxed atmosphere, the tournament brought together golfers from various regions, all enjoying a day of fair play and camaraderie on one of the Algarve’s most iconic and challenging courses.

As always, the organisation was impeccable, and participants were able to share moments of conviviality both during the tournament and at the post-event lunch, where stories and experiences were exchanged, reinforcing the spirit of unity and partnership that defines this event.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the participants, alongside with our long-term partner afpop and its team that made this year’s event another great success. Our commitment to excellence remains unwavering, and we are already preparing for next year’s edition, which we hope will be even more memorable.

You can watch the summary video of this fantastic day through the following link: https://youtu.be/qyxYelz-Us4

As has become tradition MEDAL will proudly 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 12 and 13 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 or www.facebook.com/blip.afpop

Portugal continues to be a top choice for those seeking a mild climate, rich culture, and exceptional quality of life. However, the risks of theft, earthquakes, and other natural disasters have been increasing year on year, highlighting the importance of having an appropriate and up-to-date home insurance policy, especially when considering that your home is likely one of the largest investments you will make in your lifetime.

How to insure and what to cover?
At MEDAL, we have developed an exclusive home insurance policy to protect your assets. We offer building insurance, contents insurance, and ‘All Risks’ coverage, including jewellery and valuable items. When taking out insurance, consider the following factors to determine the insured amounts:

•     Reconstruction Cost – this should include not only the building, but also terraces, walls, fences, swimming pools, and other small structures.
•     Contents – the amounts insured should be sufficient to replace the insured items with new ones (New for Old).

Why should you review your insurance annually?
As your home will likely be your biggest investment in Portugal, it is crucial to ensure that both the building and its contents are insured with appropriate values. Theft and natural disasters (such as earthquakes, storms, heavy rains, or even fires) are not that uncommon in Portugal, so an insurance policy with outdated insured amounts could have disastrous consequences in the event of a claim.

Read more about our thoughts on this matter in Portugal Resident's new article: here.

A reminder for the golfers that the fifteenth annual Golf Tournament, sponsored by MEDAL in partnership with afpop, will take place at Penina (Alvor), on 11th of September. 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 Member 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..

Are you considering moving to Portugal? MEDAL will once again be taking part as a speaker in the Living in Portugal series of seminars organised by the Open Media Group, which will take place across North America between 15 and 22 June, with the aim of providing essential information about life in Portugal, covering topics such as types of visas, taxation and the property market, as well as healthcare and insurance available in the country.

Details of the upcoming events:

New York Seminar
- Date: 15 June 2024
- Venue: Millennium Hilton, New York, USA

Chicago Seminar
- Date: 19 June 2024
- Venue: Park Hyatt, Chicago, USA

Toronto Seminar
- Date: 22 June 2024
- Venue: The St. Regis, Toronto, Canada

Don't miss this opportunity to clarify your doubts with a panel of professionals specialised in several areas of expertise. Secure your place now by registering here.

During 2024 MEDAL will continue to participate as speaker and partner in the “Living in the Algarve” series of free seminars, that are planned to take place along the Algarve. Organised by the Open Media Group, the Living in the Algarve events provide an excellent opportunity for anyone who is planning to either move to the Algarve or buy a property in the region.

Living in the Algarve’s 10th seminar is just around the corner and will take place at Vila Galé Tavira Hotel, on May 23rd.

The main objective of the event 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. MEDAL's COO, João Pinheiro, will address in his intervention the topic of healthcare and health insurance 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.

The healthcare landscape in Portugal is evolving, notably post-pandemic, with escalating medical costs and doctors opting out of insurance agreements. Hence, choosing a suitable health insurance has become pivotal, especially concerning competitive reimbursements outside insurers’ networks.

Some key considerations when choosing a health insurance in Portugal:

1. Coverage assessment – evaluate if coverage aligns with medical needs;
2. Exclusions and pre-existing conditions – understand waiting periods and exclusions;
3. Provider network – ensure access to a wide network of healthcare providers;
4. Deductibles and copayments – understand additional costs on top of the premium;
5. Additional services and customer support – assess supplementary services and customer support;
6. Premiums and financial conditions – compare costs, coverage and especially terms for an informed decision;
7. Territorial scope and coverage abroad – confirm if a domestic policy is enough or if you also need coverage outside Portugal;
8. Role of an insurance broker for expats – brokers offer vital guidance and comprehensive understanding for expats navigating local insurance dynamics.

Read more about our thoughts on this matter in Portugal Resident's new article: here.