Among Chinese seeking to emigrate by investing in the county where they wish to settle, Portugal is the seventh-favourite destination, the Hurun Research Institute says.

The Chinese think-tank issued a written statement saying this is indicated by its Chinese Immigration Index 2018, which it compiled jointly with Visas Consulting Group.

The index gauges various influences on decisions made by Chinese emigrant investors about where to settle.

“Immigration policies make no demands on language, education, business background or funding,” the statement says of Portugal. “Residence requirements are also quite relaxed, allowing investors to purchase property and process immigration in a single step.”

The United States is the favourite place for Chinese emigrant investors to settle, Britain the second-favourite and Ireland the third-favourite, the Hurun Research Institute says.