Among global migration destinations, Portugal has always been the country where “slow living and high happiness indices coexist.” Its sunny Mediterranean climate, stable social order, affordable cost of living, and high-quality education and healthcare systems have kept it ranked as “one of the most livable countries in the world” for many years.
According to the latest Global Peace Index, Portugal ranks among the top six globally; in the Mercer 2024 Cost of Living survey, Lisbon ranks only 100th, maintaining a very high cost-performance ratio compared to other European capitals. Furthermore, in the 2025 Global Residence Program Index, Portugal ranks third in the world, firmly holding a “golden seat” for European investment migration.
Today, beyond its livability and stable investment environment, the Portuguese government has brought another “hardcore benefit” to investors: an investment of 74 million euros to specifically reform the immigration agency AIMA, comprehensively improving the efficiency of immigration and visa approvals and building a modern immigration service system.
74 million euros invested to comprehensively optimize the immigration experience
Recently, while announcing the 2026 national budget, the Portuguese government announced a record-breaking allocation of 74 million euros for AIMA system upgrades, increasing staffing, and optimizing processes. The goal is clear: to clear all backlogged cases by the end of 2025 and achieve “zero backlog and efficient operation” in 2026.
To date, AIMA has processed approximately 900,000 cases, including 440,000 expressions of interest for residency and 220,000 residence permits for CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) citizens, showing initial results of the reform. For Golden Visa applicants, this is undoubtedly a long-awaited “acceleration signal.”
Establishing Immigration Support Centers
Making “settling down” more reassuring
The Portuguese government understands that immigration is not just about obtaining a visa, but about helping people truly “integrate into life.”
Therefore, AIMA is establishing “Local Support Centres for the Integration of Migrants (CLAIM)” across the country, providing full-cycle assistance ranging from language training to employment guidance, and from document regularization to access to public services.
The first center will begin operations near ISCTE University in Lisbon this November, with plans to expand to more cities in the future to help immigrant families quickly adapt to their new environment.
This initiative not only reflects Portugal's openness and inclusiveness toward immigrants but also turns the concept of a “livable Europe” into reality. For Golden Visa holders, whether it concerns education, healthcare, employment, or social life, there is a professional team to accompany every step of the way, ensuring a smooth and worry-free integration.
Investment and Residency Combined: A Gateway to Europe
With the deepening of AIMA reforms and the government's investment in upgrading the service system, Portugal is entering an unprecedented golden window. For investors looking to achieve asset allocation, educational planning, or retirement arrangements in Europe, this status is not just a residence permit, but a symbol of quality of life and freedom of movement.
Currently, through Portugal fund investment immigration, investors can apply for Portuguese Golden Residency status for their entire family of three generations with an investment starting from 500,000 euros.
Additionally, one can also immigrate to Portugal through the Portuguese cultural and artistic donation program. According to the legislation, applicants only need to invest 200,000 euros to apply for Portuguese Golden Residency status for their entire family of three generations, providing a low-cost and convenient way to obtain an EU passport.
Worldway — An active promoter of European investment immigration projects
The professional immigration agency that introduced the “Portuguese Golden Residence Permit Program” to China
• In 2013, Worldway became one of the first immigration agencies to promote the Portuguese Golden Residence Permit Program in China;
• On September 4, 2012, the Portuguese Ministry of Internal Affairs officially proposed the “Golden Residence Permit Program.” At the end of 2012, the President of Portugal and government officials met with Worldway senior management to discuss the details of the Golden Residence legislation;
• In April 2013, Worldway, in collaboration with the Embassy of Portugal in China, held the “Portuguese Golden Residence Permit Program Launch Ceremony,” introducing the program to China;
• In 2013, Worldway launched and organized the “2013 European Immigration Year” nationwide and held China's first Europe-themed “European Property Exhibition” in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Qingdao, sparking a wave of European investment immigration across China;
• For many years, Worldway has maintained friendly interactions with the Portuguese government. Senior executives of the Worldway Group have met with the President of Portugal, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador to China, and other dignitaries. As an active promoter of European investment immigration projects, Worldway possesses a professional European immigration documentation team with over 13 years of service experience, making it your trusted choice for handling Portuguese immigration.
(For details, please click to read: Worldway, along with Huawei, Tencent, and others, honored as one of the “Top 500 Asian Brands”)
For more details on Portuguese immigration, please inquire in Mainland China at: 400-138-2929, or contact the Hong Kong Customer Service Center at: (852) 2802 8798