At the beginning of 2026, the international capital market has received an important signal regarding the assessment of European countries.
Recently, the international credit rating agency Morningstar DBRS announced that it has maintained Portugal's sovereign credit rating at “A” (high) and confirmed a “stable” outlook. This is the first rating agency to assess Portugal's sovereign debt this year.
DBRS believes that the stable outlook reflects Portugal's “credit rating risk balance.” The agency explained in a statement: “Despite a challenging and uncertain external environment, Portugal's fiscal and economic performance remains robust.” The statement added: “Supported by a strong labor market, relatively loose monetary policy, and the implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Plan, Portugal's medium-term prospects should remain favorable.”
1. Fiscal Robustness and Promising Growth:
Medium-to-Long-Term Fundamentals
In Morningstar DBRS's latest rating analysis, it was explicitly noted that Portugal has achieved a fiscal surplus for three consecutive years.
Meanwhile, multiple forecasts indicate that Portugal's average annual GDP growth rate from 2025 to 2028 is expected to be approximately 2%, showing a promising future. For immigrant families and those seeking long-term residency, this macroeconomic environment—characterized by fiscal robustness, moderate growth, and high predictability—provides a stable and clear development landscape for long-term status planning, life arrangements, and asset allocation.
2. Beyond the Data:
Portugal's Comprehensive Advantages Continue to Emerge
Portugal's appeal is not only reflected in its impressive macroeconomic indicators but also in its long-accumulated comprehensive advantages.
As an EU member state, Portuguese residency allows for visa-free travel to 29 Schengen countries, offering convenient mobility and high status value. The social system is mature and inclusive, with well-developed healthcare, education, and public service systems, good social safety levels, and a comfortable, livable pace of life. At the same time, the cost of living in Portugal is relatively friendly, balancing quality of life with controllable expenses, making it particularly suitable for families to settle down for the long term.
At the policy level, Portugal maintains an open attitude toward international families, with clear immigration pathways. This has allowed Portugal to evolve from an early “cost-effective choice” into a preferred European country that integrates quality of life, status value, and long-term planning.
Currently, you can apply for the Portuguese Golden Residence status for your whole family of three generations by investing from 500,000 Euros in the Portuguese fund investment immigration program. Upon meeting the relevant conditions, you may apply for a Portuguese EU passport.
In addition, you 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 the Portuguese Golden Residence status for their whole family of three generations, providing a low-cost and convenient way to obtain an EU passport.
WorldWay—A professional immigration agency that introduced the “Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program” to China early on.
• In 2013, WorldWay became one of the first immigration agencies to promote the Portugal 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 “Portugal 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 the “European Property Exhibition” in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Qingdao, with Europe as the theme, sparking a wave of European investment immigration across China;
• For many years, WorldWay has maintained friendly interactions with the Portuguese government. WorldWay Group executives 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 15 years of experience, making it your trusted choice for handling Portuguese immigration.
For more details on Portuguese immigration, please contact: Mainland China: 400-138-2929, Hong Kong Customer Service Center: (852)2802 8798