PCS’ing to NSE Lisbson? Here is a quick introduction to the area. (INTERPIXELS (Adobe Stock))
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This U.S. National Support Element (NSE) is located on a small NATO base located at the Reduto Gomes Freire (Gomes Freire Redoubt) in Oeiras, just west of Lisbon, Portugal. It provides support to U.S. personnel serving within any of four North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) units in the Lisbon Area and limited military retiree services to U.S. veterans living in continental Portugal.
As access to this NATO base is restricted, early communication with the NSE is critical. You must coordinate with the NSE prior to arriving in Lisbon to process essential documents and gain approval for base access.
The NSE will expedite your settling into the community and will schedule you to attend an Orientation to the Lisbon Area (OLA) brief to help you integrate into the local community. (armando oliveira (Adobe Stock))
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During in-processing, your unit-assigned sponsor will be critical to facilitating your integration into your assigned unit and accessing services from the NSE and base agencies. The NSE will expedite your settling into the community and will schedule you to attend an Orientation to the Lisbon Area (OLA) brief to help you integrate into the local community. All active duty and spouses are encouraged to attend this invaluable briefing.
Housing
All housing is procured from the local economy. Housing office staff, working with your sponsor, will make recommendations for you to book your Temporary Lodging based on the facilities you require (pets, size of family, etc..) so that you can remain within your Temporary Lodging Allowance (TLA) limit. To facilitate your housing search, the staff will link you with local realtors who serve as military personnel advocates with local landlords. All inbound personnel are advised of the need to have funds on hand for up-front temporary lodging payments and rental housing deposits associated with this assignment.
Security Management
Processes security certificates for you to work in NATO.
Transportation
The Personal Property Shipping Office (PPSO) processes all Unaccompanied Baggage, Household Goods and Personally Owned Vehicle shipments into and out of Portugal.
Health Benefits
The Health Benefit Advisor provides essential guidance to help personnel and families access medical and dental care while assigned to the Lisbon area. The advisor assists with navigating TRICARE Overseas Program options, coordinating authorizations, and resolving issues with claims and referrals through TRICARE Overseas and United Concordia.
The Health Benefit Advisor provides essential guidance to help personnel and families access medical and dental care while assigned to the Lisbon area. (Drobot Dean (Adobe Stock))
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Morale, Welfare and Recreation
MWR provides numerous community recreation, fitness and entertainment opportunities. MWR also maintains a library, recreational facility and offers free check-out gear.
Navy Pay and Personnel Administration
Handles pay, travel, etc. for Navy personnel.
DEERS and RAPIDS Processing
Schedules and issues active-duty military, military retiree and dependent identification cards.
School and Community Liaison Officer (SLO/CLO)
As there are no DoWEA schools in Portugal, the SLO helps community families find the best fit for their school-aged children’s (Pre-K–12th grade) education needs from among the many international and vocational schools in the Lisbon area. The high cost of tuition and transportation is absorbed by the Non-DOW Schools Program (NDSP). For more information please visit: www.dodea.edu/non-dow-schools.
The CLO helps service members and their families integrate into the local community by sharing essential Portuguese cultural information and disseminating regulatory requirements. Although English is widely spoken in Portugal, the CLO helps service members and their families with emergency translation by phone and/or interfaces with Portuguese authorities on their behalf.
Galp Fuel Program
The NSE manages this discount fuel program for U.S. assigned personnel.
Post Office
Provides mailroom services for the U.S. military community.
Navy Exchange (NEX)
The NEXMART is located inside the U.S. Embassy grounds in Lisbon. The NSE will process a NATO Privilege Card once you arrive which you will need to access the embassy compound.
Open Monday - Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Every 2nd and 4th Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Routine medical and dental care in the Lisbon area is provided through approved civilian network providers. If care at a Military Treatment Facility (MTF) is required, the nearest facility is Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, located approximately six hours away by car. All MTF appointments will be coordinated through Naval Hospital Rota.
