Portugal is a tiny country with a big heart, located on the far west tip of Europe. Portugal's thriving economy, gastronomic lifestyle, rolling beaches and super-friendly indigenous people are just some of the reasons why Portugal has become a dream destination for people seeking a better life. The best thing is that Portugal is also one of the most welcoming countries for foreigners.
Here are eleven reasons why you should apply for Portuguese citizenship, ASAP!
The world is fast becoming an integrated nationality, and a ‘global citizenship’ is the need of the hour. As part of a country that offers dual citizenship allows you to experience exactly this - a vibrant global citizenship.
84 countries around the world allow dual citizenship, and Portugal is one of them. That means that Portuguese citizens holding or acquiring foreign citizenship do not lose Portuguese citizenship.
Although several countries are working to provide affordable healthcare to all their citizens, Portugal has managed to crack the universal healthcare code somewhat. The National Health Service offers 100 per cent health coverage to all its citizens through a complex network of hospitals and primary health centres. Although emergency care is free, most health services are offered at a relatively affordable rate, with higher reimbursements for those falling below the poverty line.
Through various health reforms, Portugal has also managed to be a pioneer in providing quality healthcare to its citizens, ranking 12th best in the world. The people of Portugal are among the healthiest in the world, living up to a ripe old age of 81.3 years. (4) Portugal has also seen a significant decline in infant mortality - around 94 per cent fewer deaths in just 45 years.
The Portuguese are among the most literate in the world, with at least 99.4 per cent of the population having basic education.
That is because public education in Portugal is free, compulsory and universal for all its citizens up to the age of 18.
Although higher education is not free, tuition fees are as low as 900 EUR a year in public universities. That is well below the EU average.
Educational quality itself is world-class, with the both University of Lisbon and the University of Porto ranked in the world's top 500 universities.
Portugal is also part of the Bologna Process aimed at centralizing participating countries' education. This means that Portuguese citizens are entitled to study at any university in the 48 countries which form part of the Bologna Process.
All degrees are valid throughout Europe and other participating countries such as the United Kingdom and India.
Likewise, all degrees from the Bologna countries are valid throughout the Portugal and European Union.
Portugal’s economy is rising more steadily than it has been over the last 18 years. As of March 2020, the unemployment rate in Portugal was just 6.7% relative to the 7.3% average unemployment rate in Europe.
In 2020 Portugal also increased its minimum hourly wage to EUR 16 (i.e. $17.5 per hour)
While this is a tad low relative to its neighbours, the minimum wage for Portugal is higher compared to other developed countries like Canada ($14.5 an hour as of 2020).
Besides, a loaf of bread in Lisbon is 20 per cent cheaper than in Rome or Paris.
The International Henley Passport Index considers the number of countries in each passport that require entry without a visa into a country. Portugal has held the title of sixth strongest passport in the world since 2018. This means that every Portuguese citizen has the right to visa-free travel and even procure work hassle-free in 185 countries around the world.
In Europe, the Schengen region comprises 22 EU countries and four non-EU countries which act as a single borderless country. As a resident of the Schengen region, Portuguese people do not need to renew their visas if they cross borders. That opens up multiple doors for international business and gives access to world-class education throughout the Schengen area.
Apart from helping to stabilize the participating countries ' economies, the European Union also has many benefits for the people.
As part of the European Union, Portugal citizens have the right to live, work and move freely in any of the countries of the European Union.
The European Union also gives you advantages such as access to free healthcare across any EU country, access to budget education, and a single, international market where you can work visa-free.
Portugal has a long history of being ahead of the times. The Portuguese were among the first European countries to abolish slavery in 1761.
In 2010, Portugal was once again among the first European countries to bring about another progressive change – legalizing same-sex marriage.
That's not all. Portugal was the friendliest country for an expat to live in, according to the 2019 expat insider survey.
The Portuguese 'care for one another,' literally. Perhaps that's why Portugal was ranked third in the 2020 Global Peace Index!
Portugal is probably the coolest warm country in Europe. Unlike its colder neighbours, Portugal temperatures rarely fall below 18 degrees Celsius for most of the year and remain at a pleasant 10 degrees Celsius during the winter months. Despite being in colder Western Europe, Portugal has a Mediterranean-tropical climate and is ideal for all seasons-summer, rain and even winter.
FYI, Portugal bagged the top spot in the Global Retirement Index 2020 for its great weather!
Portuguese cuisine seldom comes to mind when we talk of European cooking. The truth is, Portuguese have influenced world foods. The raechado stuffing widely used in Goan cuisine, for example, is probably derived from the Iberian stuffing technique.
Portugal's cuisine is also inspired by a broader world of cuisine — between spice trading and nourishing colonies, Portuguese cuisine has established an unbreakable bond with African and Asian cuisine.
This is evident from the extensive use of bread, rice, spices, and seafood in Portugal's staple diet.
Portugal's cuisine is not just about seafood. Food preparations based on meat are equally easy to get.
Portugal also takes the lead when it comes to meatless cuisine. Portugal's cuisine makes extensive use of vegetables and spices - from onions, potatoes, peanuts, coconuts and even cinnamon to African Piri- Piri.
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