{"id":8007,"date":"2025-12-24T05:37:50","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T05:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/?p=8007"},"modified":"2025-12-15T09:42:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T09:42:11","slug":"wintering-mediterranean-medical-oxygen-long-stay-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.oxygenworldwide.com\/de\/wintering-mediterranean-medical-oxygen-long-stay-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Wintering in the Mediterranean with Oxygen: A Long Stay Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article helps oxygen users who want to spend the long winter months in the warmer Mediterranean region detailing long stay travel with medical oxygen planning (how-tos, what you’ll need, and lists you’ll need to make before you start), discusses the available equipment and any advantages and drawbacks to each piece. \u00a0 You will also learn about the importance of having a back-up plan and back-up equipment, and highlights the many ways in which OxygenWorldwide can offer step-by-step support to your medical oxygen holiday planning, offering reassurance, practical assistance, smooth logistics and more.<\/b><\/p>\n

Dee was diagnosed with COPD after a lifetime on a factory floor, sewing fabric and inhaling small threads and particles \u2013 much of her working life was complete before health and safety regulations were strictly enforced in the workplace. Dee is lucky in that her COPD is relatively mild and if she takes care about her lifestyle, she manages very well in retirement. Recently, Dee went to Portugal to get away from the brutal damp of a UK winter, and found the climate to be absolutely wonderful. Sitting on her hotel terrace, in the soft winter air, she wondered if she would be able to come back next winter \u2013 maybe for the <\/span>whole<\/span><\/i> winter. The problem, Dee thinks, is that by next winter she will need more intensive medical oxygen than her current occasional use \u2013 her doctor has warned her of that much.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dee got in touch with <\/span>OxygenWorldwide<\/span><\/a> and we were quickly able to reassure her that yes, she absolutely could arrange a steady supply of medical oxygen for a multi-month stay in Portugal \u2013 especially in Portugal (and Spain and France too) as OxygenWorldwide has particularly strong contacts in those countries. Dee’s dream of wintering in Spain with oxygen is not only achievable, but it is far easier and simpler than she thought with the right preparation \u2013 OxygenWorldwide has experience with helping many oxygen users to travel widely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Why the Mediterranean Works for Long Stays with Oxygen<\/b><\/h2>\n

The Mediterranean has a wonderful mild climate in winter, and most of the towns are easily walkable \u2013 close enough that most venues are reachable in twenty minutes or so and accessible enough for many mobility aids to be used (with some caveats and exceptions \u2013 do check the guidebooks for specific information if you have especial trouble getting about). While the busiest resorts do fill up, especially during the peak holiday season, there are usually a host of small villages and hamlets along the coast where you can find reasonably priced accommodation for the duration of your stay. Even in these ‘remote’ areas, healthcare offerings are good, so you will be able to find a pharmacy or doctor’s surgery easily, and the electricity supply tends to be uniformly good, so you don’t need to worry about your batteries running out without being able to recharge them. And this often leads into the next point, which is that most of these places have easy access for the clients \u2013 and for delivery personnel bringing your oxygen equipment and refills!<\/span><\/p>\n

OxygenWorldwide will liaise with the accommodation<\/span><\/a> manager to ensure that your oxygen can be brought on site and installed in your room before you arrive to take up your winter residency, so you can confirm your bookings with a light heart and clear mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

Donna and Trevor have visited a tiny Spanish village every winter since Trevor’s retirement. His severe asthma loathes the cold, so they come out to Spain towards the end of October, and stay until March, beautifully looked after by Pilar and her mum. They tried it for one year, and were so delighted with the ease of using OxygenWorldwide to <\/span>ensure a reliable oxygen supply<\/span><\/a> that they have returned every year since \u2013 they’re currently planning their twelfth visit!<\/span><\/p>\n

Step One: Get Medical Clearance for a Longer Trip<\/b><\/h2>\n

Whenever you travel while you are using medical oxygen on a regular basis, you should make sure that you inform your medical team of your plans. This is almost more important for longer stays, as you may need to discuss changing oxygen needs, should your condition improve or progress while you are away. Your doctor will consider your flowrate, the equipment you’ll be using and the progression of your illness. But don’t worry \u2013 even if your doctor does recommend changing your <\/span>prescription<\/span><\/a> when you are going to be away for the whole winter, this doesn’t mean that you can’t go. You can still travel with your revised prescription.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step Two: Choose the Right Equipment for a Long Stay<\/b><\/h2>\n

Visiting a country for just a few days requires different equipment than you would need for a longer visit. For example, <\/span>portable oxygen concentrators<\/span><\/a> are great for mobility, but if you are going to be based in one room for three or four months, you will more likely be recommended to use a large <\/span>static oxygen cylinder<\/span><\/a> for night treatments. You can also access stationary concentrators that are bigger and quicker than the portable variety, and \u2013 occasionally \u2013 <\/span>LOX tanks<\/span><\/a> might be available if you have a high required flowrate and the destination country allows access to LOX.<\/span><\/p>\n

NB: In the USA, no oxygen can be carried on a flight, but there is occasionally space for <\/span>empty only<\/span><\/i> cylinders to be carried as checked luggage. There is no cross-border oxygen system for the USA, so you might be better off sourcing a bigger oxygen concentrator for long term travel.<\/span><\/p>\n

Europe, and the Mediterranean countries, are a little more relaxed, but you should always plan for power considerations, having the right space available for your equipment, whether on your mode of transport or in your accommodation \u2013 and you should always have a backup support system. This is where OxygenWorldwide comes in: we can help you source a new oxygen supply should your existing supply fail for any reason, or if you have to move to another hotel or village for any reason.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step Three: Sign Up with OxygenWorldwide Early<\/b><\/h2>\n

Going anywhere for a long period requires more planning than shorter trips when one-off supplies can be organised relatively easily. But needing a sustained supply of refills and top-ups requires more input: so starting the process as early as possible makes it easier for us to ensure the logistics of your trip are seamless. And there’s another reason to <\/span>fill out the OxygenWorldwide travel form<\/span><\/a> as early as possible \u2013 they will do everything for you! From checking availability, confirming your equipment order and liaising with the property or hotel manager, you won’t have to worry about a thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

Step Four: Picking Accommodation That Makes Oxygen Access Easy<\/b><\/h2>\n

While medical oxygen can be sourced and delivered to almost anywhere, there are a number of steps you can take to ensure that your oxygen is delivered willingly by the delivery agent. Here’s how:<\/span><\/p>\n