Besides being elected as the best destination in the world, Forbes has elected Portugal as a great option to retire after the coronavirus outbreak, followed by Mexico and Belize.
We believe that now is the time to better take advantage of the many opportunities that the world continues to offer, in the sense that diversifying your lifestyle and investment portfolio will make sure you’re prepared for whatever tomorrow brings. Investing overseas will ensure you’re not reliant on a single government, economy, marketplace, or currency.
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- Foreign buyers interested in Portugal Real Estate must make a move
And why is retiring in Portugal a good option after the pandemic?
Besides the great quality of life, tax advantages, great climate, and especially great people, it is no surprise that even after having been through a few catastrophes, like the great earthquake in 1755, or the recent financial crisis recovered mainly thanks to tourism, the way Portugal is dealing with the current pandemic is an example to be followed by many.
Although and unfortunately Portugal was not left unscathed by the pandemic bubble, the country has been doing its best to provide a bright spot for its population, whether they’re locals or foreigners. The Government has recently announced that all migrants in Portugal will be granted citizenship rights and treated as permanent residents until 1 July to ensure they have access to health services during the coronavirus outbreak.
Having the 22nd best healthcare system in the world, this decision reflects Portugal’s reality in wanting to prioritize unity and equity, ensuring that vulnerable populations are not left behind from the coronavirus threats. By ensuring no one is denied access to care and treatment of the virus, the country is hoping to contain the spread and have a quick national recovery.
These kinds of measures are also reasons why Portugal was granted the 7th place on the list of best democracies in the world, according to a study conducted by Varieties of Democracy.
Read also:
Portugal grants migrants citizenship rights during coronavirus outbreak
Several national companies are also launching solidarity campaigns and initiatives to help others, like Food for Heroes, in which Portuguese restaurants have gathered to provide food to medical professionals who make a huge daily effort to fight the pandemic and take care of those who are infected.
It was the fear of developments similar to those seen in Spain, the neighbouring country, that drove Portugal to adopt protection measures early on when the first cases started to show. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa was the first head of state to go into voluntary quarantine, and in early March declared the State of Emergency, appealing the population to take the correct course of action, in order to better protect the people, and prevent further spread of the virus.
In order to help the Portuguese population and foreigners who live here, Lisbon city administration has also waived rent payments until the end of June in publicly owned housing and provided food coops along with shelters for the homeless.
Listen to how a former investor and retiree in Portugal, Tricia Pimentel, is living in Portugal during the COVID19 pandemic.
So far, self-discipline, the early reaction of public institutions, and the geographical position of the country at the head of Europe may be the primary explanations for the fairly mild outbreak in Portugal, but we are still doing all the efforts to avoid further spread.
Where to find more information
Since the coronavirus pandemic is an unprecedented situation, and it’s constantly changing stay up to date with what’s happening in the country, through the following websites:
- The World Health Organisation
- Serviço Nacional de Saúde (Portugal’s National Health Service)
- Direção-Geral de Saúde (Portugal’s Public Health Authority)
Were you planning to visit Portugal during the next few months?
If you were planning a trip to Portugal in the next weeks for a property-hunt mission, our teams at Portugal Homes are still available to book remote meetings, and once the storm settles down, you’ll be able to make your investment as soon as possible, with all the information and guidance you need once you reach the country.
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