PUBLIC HEALTH AND INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION
Given the global public health emergency that is currently happening due to Coronavirus, it is necessary to reflect on the importance of having a “Plan B” when Public Health is at risk in your country of residence.
Having the possibility to easily travel to another country with your family and stay there legally can be a great advantage in a context of dissemination of any illness.
COVID-19, considered a pandemic by the World Health Organization since 11 March 2020, is having a global impact, affecting 184 territories at the present time. Although we live in an age of intense international migration, the truth is that there are viruses or diseases affecting only one particular region or country. It should also be noted that when the World Health Organization ranked Covid-19 as a pandemic, there were more than 118,000 confirmed cases worldwide and more than 60% were in one country: China.
For this reason, and because no one likes to feel stuck with one option, having the possibility to travel, living in another country for a long period, or even change their residence permanently to another country, by obtaining a new passport, can be one of the best investments to make.
Today, it makes even more sense to invest in a “Plan B” for the whole family.
Portugal has one of the most attractive Residency Programs through Investment in the European Space (GoldenVisa) and ranks 12th in the Ranking of the Best Health Systems in the World, according to the World Health Organization.
According to that same Organization, a well-functioning health system requires a stable financing mechanism, a properly trained and adequately paid workforce, well-maintained facilities, and access to reliable information to substantiate decisions.
Unfortunately, in some countries of the world, this is not the case and we know that the lack of quality medical care can result in poor quality of life and even lower life expectancy in times of crisis or when the health service of the countries is put to the test.
Countries such as Lebanon, Indonesia, Iran, India, Pakistan, China, Vietnam and South Africa occupy very low positions in the ranking and, for this reason, turn out to be countries looking for alternatives to their Health Systems and not only in other countries, but also in the European environment.
From the moment the Applicant acquires the Portuguese Golden Visa, he has access to the same rights and duties as a Portuguese citizen, namely access to education and health.
The Golden Visa Program has a duration of 5 years, after which the Applicant may choose to obtain the permanent residence card or apply for Portuguese nationality and, with this, have access to the Portuguese passport, which is one of the strongest in the world, according to the “Passport Index 2021”.
For these and other reasons, the Golden Visa Program in Portugal has been the subject of much interest for foreign citizens coming from all over the world over the last few years.
