According to the WorldWay Group, Portugal, as a long-established immigration country, not only boasts beautiful scenery and abundant educational resources, but its social welfare policies are also excellent, so much so that even France, another European country, is "jealous."
According to foreign media reports, Portugal's non-resident tax policy offers substantial tax benefits for retirees, attracting many French retirees to apply. However, this has caused dissatisfaction among many French citizens, who believe that these retirees enjoy generous tax benefits in Portugal while no longer contributing to France's social system, yet continue to benefit from France's pension and healthcare welfare.
In fact, since Portugal implemented tax incentives to attract foreign retirees, it has drawn numerous foreign families to immigrate to Portugal. According to the official website of the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service, as of the end of March 2019, a total of 7,291 family units have been granted golden visas (with 83 new approvals in March), among which Chinese investors rank first, with 4,180 family units approved.
If you think that the benefits attracting people from around the world to Portugal are limited to this, you are underestimating it! Let’s take a look at the various benefits Portugal offers from birth to old age.
Childbirth Stage
Birth Allowance
The family allowance is a monetary subsidy provided by the state to pregnant women. All women legally residing in Portugal who are more than 13 weeks pregnant are entitled to apply, receiving a monthly payment of up to 145.69 euros (varying based on income), ending six months after the birth of the baby.
Maternity Grant
200 euros (one-time payment)
Paid Maternity Leave
The law stipulates that pregnant women are entitled to 30 days of paid maternity leave before childbirth and 42 to 90 days after childbirth. Additionally, starting in 2020, the paternity leave for fathers within 30 days of the child's birth has increased from 15 days to 20 days.
Rights of Pregnant Women
During the first year of the child's life, women who have given birth are entitled to one hour of breastfeeding time each day. Additionally, women who have given birth cannot accept night shifts. During pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding, companies are not allowed to dismiss women for any reason, nor can they reduce their wages.
Childhood Stage
Free Public Education
Portugal implements 12 years of compulsory education, providing free public education for students aged 6 to 18.
Child Benefit
Like most high-welfare countries in Europe, children receive government subsidies from birth, amounting to 145.69 euros per month, and 36.42 euros per month after turning one year old. If the child continues to study, benefits can be received until the age of 27. These two types of benefits do not require social security contributions, and all children of residents in Portugal can enjoy them.
Adulthood Stage
Unemployment Benefits
Those who have legally worked in Portugal and are involuntarily unemployed, with a record of receiving wages for more than 450 days in the two years prior to unemployment, or at least 180 days in the 12 months prior to unemployment, are eligible for unemployment benefits. Benefits can be received for a maximum of 540 days, amounting to 55%-65% of the original salary.
Sickness Benefits
This is a subsidy provided to compensate employees who are temporarily unable to work due to illness for their loss of income. Benefits can be received for a maximum of three years, amounting to 55%-75% of the original salary.
Paid Leave
Each employee works only 226 days a year and has 139 days off, including 22 days of paid leave. The annual salary received = normal salary for 12 months + Christmas bonus (January salary) + holiday bonus (one month salary) = 14 months salary.
Other Benefits
If a company in Portugal goes bankrupt, the government pays employees the owed wages, up to a maximum of six months.
Old Age Stage
Pension
Individuals aged 65 and above who have legally worked in Portugal and contributed to social security for a minimum of 15 years are eligible for pension benefits. The longer the contribution period, the higher the pension amount.
Guaranteed Pension
For individuals who have never contributed to the social security system, the guaranteed pension is 197.55 euros/month.
Other Pension Benefits
Individuals over 80 years old receive supplementary pensions, and those who are bedridden due to illness or have severe mental illnesses can apply for long-term care benefits. Elderly individuals living alone can apply for widowhood benefits. Additionally, Portugal has no inheritance tax, making it very suitable for family wealth transfer.
Through the Portugal Golden Residence Program, you can obtain a golden residence visa for your entire family across three generations by investing in real estate starting from 280,000 euros, enjoying Portugal's high-quality social welfare, traveling freely in Schengen countries, and acquiring property with permanent ownership—all in one go.
WorldWay Group, a leading organization in investment immigration and one of the top 500 brands in Asia, has always been at the forefront of the industry in Portugal's investment immigration. In April 2013, we partnered with the Portuguese Embassy in China to introduce the "Golden Residence Program" to China, marking the beginning of an exciting journey for investment immigration to Portugal. As one of the early immigration agencies promoting Portugal's "Golden Residence Program" in China, WorldWay Group has maintained a good relationship with the Portuguese government over the years, helping investors easily realize their dreams of immigrating to Portugal. For more details, please consult: 400-138-2929.
