US Tourists Flock to Portugal 

British expats abroad have taken heart from the announcement that the government has introduced a bill to replicate the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), meaning that expats should continue to receive healthcare abroad even in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

As it stands, EHIC entitles Britons to state health care when in an EU or EEA country (European Economic Area) for treatments that are “medically necessary” as well as those for pre-existing conditions. Furthermore, as long as a person has not travelled abroad with the specific intention of giving birth there, they are also entitled to routine maternity care.

Although the Healthcare (International Arrangements) Bill does not replace EHIC it clears a pathway to a fast-track bill that will “provide the powers that are needed” in the event of British citizens’ healthcare rights being threatened by Brexit. It also means that, contrary to the fears of many expats, affording private medical insurance may not be an issue they will need to discuss with their expat financial services provider.

Life is inherently risky: if we did not accept risks as an inevitable part of life, we would never leave our homes or attempt to alter or improve the circumstances which lie ahead. So, we must negotiate a certain amount of risk while avoiding the most obviously dangerous situations.

Investing for retirement in stocks, shares and other commodities is similar; we need to accept the risks. By making calculated decisions we can hopefully avoid making detrimental investment decisions.

Unfortunately, those who don’t know how to invest for retirement, or those who receive bad, fraudulent or unregulated retirement investing advice, may be tempted by the promise of so-called “guaranteed” returns or unrealistically high dividends only to find that they have sacrificed their life savings for fool’s gold.