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Notabarbiedoll Asked July 7, 2024

I'm 75 and my boyfriend is 80. We are going to Greece and think we should have each other as a health care proxy. How do we do this?

Taarna Jul 14, 2024
Get appointment with local lawyer before your trip. It is an easy legal document to have prepared. Takes only 1 day.

Llamalover47 Jul 11, 2024
Notabarbiedoll: Retain an attorney.

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Chickie1 Jul 11, 2024
Perhaps a travel agent could advise you and direct you to health insurance for your travel.
Best wishes.

TouchMatters Jul 11, 2024
If me, I'd contact an attorney.
Do you need to be each other's POA?
[That you are 75 and have a boyfriend gives me hope.]

And read Geaton777 below who wrote: "As for legal documents... you will need to maybe check (maybe with the American Embassy in Greece?) to see if your US legal docs have any meaning overseas. At your advanced ages, I'd make really sure you know what will happen if one of you has a profound health issue over there.

Gena / Touch Matters

JoAnn29 Jul 8, 2024
When my daughter was 10 she and my Mom traveled to England to see my sister. I had a tempory POA made up, by a lawyer, saying that if anything happened to my daughter that Mom had a right to make decisions for her. You really need to see a lawyer and have POA written by a lawyer.

Geaton777 Jul 8, 2024
Are you moving to Greece and becoming citizens? Or just visiting (3-month maximum)?

The question shouldn't be "how" to do this, but "if" it has any meaning over there.

My BIL and SIL just sold everything, bought a sailboat and are now over in Greece living and traveling there (after prepping for 2 years). They are still US citizens, and not yet 65 but retired. They purchased travel health insurance (GeoBlue? BCBS). But it doesn't cover much and not for very long. Medicare means nothing overseas.

Unless you become Greek citizens you probably are not eligible for any healthcare services through the Greek system if you become ill over there. If you are injured, you may be able to get treated at a hospital, but anything more than that, probably not. This is how it was in New Zealand when my son went there for 3 months. "Free" healthcare is only for actual citizens, not tourists or visitors.

As for legal documents... you will need to maybe check (maybe with the American Embassy in Greece?) to see if your US legal docs have any meaning overseas. Between the language barrier, and the fact that Greece may not even have those types of documents so a Greek doctor or lawyer might not even know what to do with it. Only specialized translators will know medical and legal terms.

At your advanced ages, I'd make really sure you know what will happen if one of you has a profound health issue over there. Don't get caught up in the romance of it. Plan for the worst, hope for the best.
Hothouseflower Jul 8, 2024
What a great thing to do. Yes I'd plan for the worst and hope for the best.
freqflyer Jul 7, 2024
Please note, most health insurance policies are not accepted overseas, so you might want to look into purchasing travel medical insurance as a supplement to your current health insurance coverage.


As for a health care proxy, lot of good information in this link: www.nia.nih.gov/health/advance-care-planning/choosing-health-care-proxy

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