Immigrating to Portugal and purchasing property there has become a popular trend in overseas investment today. Portugal is a truly unique place in the world; “Where the land ends and the sea begins” is a famous poetic line used to describe it; however, the uniqueness of Portugal goes far beyond that......
The international charity Oxfam International recently released a research report summarizing the characteristics of the healthiest diets in European countries and the specific health benefits they provide. In this survey, Portugal ranked 8th, making it one of the countries with the healthiest diets in the world.
Portuguese cuisine is a typical Mediterranean diet. Located in Southern Europe, Portugal is rich in seafood such as cuttlefish, plaice, cod, octopus, and shellfish. The Portuguese prefer cod, pork, chicken, and beef. Their flavors tend to be salty, using natural ingredients like olive oil, wine, garlic, tomatoes, and sea salt for seasoning, employing simple and restrained cooking methods to present the most natural and authentic taste of the ingredients.
Natural geographical advantages and a unique Mediterranean climate have created locally distinctive olive oil and wine. Olive oil is renowned in the West as "liquid gold" for its natural health and beauty benefits, while wine contains over 600 nutrients, including various amino acids, minerals, and vitamins. The nutritional value of both is widely recognized.
Living in Portugal, the locals are free from social hierarchy, laid-back, colorful, and fascinating. Walking on the mottled cobblestone streets, you do not need to be elegant, luxurious, or follow rigid rules. As the sun sets, some sit in small taverns, eating seafood while listening to the famous local folk music, Fado; others stand on the street, drinking beer and smoking; some are still tirelessly queuing in front of century-old egg tart shops; while others join large gatherings of young people on the hills, meeting new friends. In addition to natural delicacies, Portugal's high-quality education system and resources are deeply popular. Its education is aligned with European and American standards, with specialized language training institutions, and immigrant children can directly enroll in international schools. Portugal implements a 12-year compulsory education system, including primary, middle, and high school curricula. For university, students can choose from famous institutions such as the University of Lisbon, the University of Coimbra, the University of Porto, or the Technical University of Lisbon. Children of investors who have obtained Portuguese residency can apply as "local students" for more opportunities at world-class universities across the 26 EU Schengen countries and enjoy tuition discounts of approximately 40%.
"Work in Brussels, eat in France, live in Portugal"—this saying vividly summarizes the ideal life for Europeans. With its pleasant climate throughout the year, picturesque scenery, low environmental pollution, high social safety, a thriving real estate market, and excellent medical services, Portugal is indeed an ideal place to live.
In the eyes of most Portuguese, among all aspects of life, housing is the most important. Therefore, local residential designs are very suitable for living, and the environment is excellent. Open-plan detached villas with gardens are definitely the favorite of all families. This combination of indoor technology and outdoor rural charm allows people to achieve a balance between science and nature.
According to the "Economic Newspaper," property prices in the historic center of Lisbon rose by 22.3% in 2015. The Confidencial Imobiliário index also pointed out that "the change in property prices largely depends on the development of trade and tourism demand in recent years, as well as the vigorous promotion of urban reconstruction plans, which has driven the appreciation of real estate in the entire region, and there will be significant room for appreciation in the future."
Portuguese investment immigration only requires the purchase of property worth 500,000 Euros to obtain immigration status, and one can apply for citizenship after holding a valid residence permit for 6 years. One person applies, the whole family immigrates, enjoying EU benefits, traveling to 172 countries worldwide, and moving freely within the 26 European Schengen countries.