The article revisits the literature on international migration and the welfare state by focusing on the emerging population of ageing migrants. The scope is to develop a theoretical model that would allow the understanding of the inclusion of ageing migrants in the welfare state. The article enquires how do ageing migrants become included in the welfare system. Further, it narrows down and compares the Portuguese and Swiss welfare states with a focus on access to health care and pensions. The conclusion points to a heterogeneous population of ageing migrants that policies and states are not yet ready to accommodate.