Movingto has handled immigration cases across Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, and the UAE since 2021. These anonymized case studies, some of them composites, show client journeys — timelines, challenges, and outcomes — so you can understand what to expect.

Movingto is a Portugal-first immigration firm that puts a named, Bar-registered lawyer from its in-house legal team on your case and publishes its fees.

Case Study 1: US Family → Portugal Golden Visa (Fund Route)

Client Profile

  • Origin: California, USA
  • Family: Married couple, two children (ages 8 and 11)
  • Profession: Tech entrepreneur (sold company, liquid assets available)
  • Goal: European residency for family flexibility, children's education options, path to EU citizenship
  • Budget: €500,000+ for qualifying investment

Why Portugal Golden Visa?

The client considered Spain, Greece, and Portugal. Portugal was selected because:

  • Fund investment route available (no need to purchase property)
  • Path to citizenship with minimal physical presence (5 years under the rules at the time; naturalisation applications since 19 May 2026 require 7–10 years of residence)
  • English widely spoken
  • Strong international school network
  • Access to Schengen area

The Journey

Month 1: Initial Consultation & Eligibility

  • Free eligibility call with Movingto
  • Confirmed family qualified under fund investment route
  • Discussed fund options using funds.movingto.com
  • Received a fixed-fee quote covering Movingto's legal and case work

Month 2: Lawyer Assignment & Fund Selection

  • Assigned to immigration lawyer in Lisbon (credentials and bar number provided before signing)
  • Used funds.movingto.com to compare 12 qualifying funds
  • Evaluated: strategy (venture capital vs real estate vs PE), fees, liquidity terms, PFIC status for US tax
  • Selected a venture capital fund with 6-year lock-up and US-friendly tax structure

Months 3-5: Document Preparation & Filing

  • Personalized document checklist from case manager
  • Documents: passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate, proof of funds, criminal background checks, health insurance, NIF
  • €500,000 transferred to qualifying fund
  • Application submitted to AIMA

Months 6-14: Government Processing

  • Portal updated with status at each milestone
  • Movingto followed up with AIMA monthly
  • Processing time: 9 months

Months 15-16: Biometrics & Cards Issued

  • Family traveled to Lisbon for biometrics
  • Golden Visa residence permits approved
  • Cards valid for 2 years (renewable)

Total Timeline: 16 months

Costs (excluding investment)

  • Movingto fee: €3,500
  • Lawyer fees: €6,000
  • Government fees (AIMA, current fee table): €27,785.20 for four people (€6,946.30 per person for a first card)
  • Translations & apostilles: ~€800
  • Travel for biometrics: ~€4,000
  • Total: ~€42,085 at current AIMA fees (Movingto and lawyer fees as charged at the time)

FAQ: US Family → Portugal Golden Visa

How long did the whole process take? 16 months from initial consultation to residence cards issued. Government processing (9 months) was the longest phase.

Why choose a fund over real estate? The family didn't want property management responsibilities. Fund investment qualified for Golden Visa without owning physical property, and real estate purchases stopped qualifying in October 2023. They used funds.movingto.com to compare options.

Do they have to live in Portugal? No. Golden Visa requires only 7 days per year in Portugal to maintain residency.

Case Study 2: UK Remote Worker → Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa

Client Profile

  • Origin: London, UK
  • Status: Single, no dependents
  • Profession: Software developer, employed by UK company (fully remote)
  • Income: £75,000/year
  • Goal: Live in Lisbon while keeping UK job

The Journey

Weeks 1-6: Eligibility, Documents, Filing

  • Confirmed eligibility: remote employment, income above the D8 threshold of four times the Portuguese minimum wage (€3,680/month in 2026)
  • Documents: passport, proof of remote employment, bank statements, employer letter, health insurance, criminal record check
  • Application submitted to Portuguese consulate in London

Weeks 8-16: Approval & Relocation

  • D8 visa stamped in passport
  • Relocated to Lisbon
  • Applied for residence permit
  • 2-year residence card issued

Total Timeline: 4 months

Costs

  • Movingto fee: €1,800
  • Lawyer fees: €2,500
  • Government fees: ~€250
  • Health insurance (annual): ~€600
  • Total: ~€5,500

FAQ: D8 Digital Nomad Visa

What income is required? Four times the Portuguese minimum wage: €3,680/month in 2026 (4 × €920). Verified through bank statements and employment contract.

Can I keep my UK employer? Yes. D8 is designed for remote workers employed outside Portugal.

Case Study 3: US Investor → Italy (Redirected from Portugal)

Client Profile

  • Origin: New York, USA
  • Family: Married couple, one adult child (22)
  • Original plan: Portugal Golden Visa

Why the Redirect?

Client engaged Movingto for Portugal in early 2024. During processing, Portugal delays extended to 12+ months. Movingto presented Italy as alternative with 3-6 month typical processing. Client agreed to pivot.

The Journey

Months 1-8: Portugal Application

  • Consultation, fund selection, document preparation for Portugal
  • Application filed Month 5
  • By Month 8, no movement; AIMA backlog severe

Month 9: Pivot Decision

  • Withdrew Portugal application
  • Investment redirected to a route that qualifies for Italy's Investor Visa (since December 2024, the €500,000 route covers an Italian company or a venture-capital fund constituted and operating in Italy)

Months 10-15: Italy Application

  • New documents prepared
  • Milan lawyer assigned
  • Nulla Osta issued Month 13
  • Visa issued Month 14
  • Residence permits issued Month 15

Italy-Only Timeline: 6 months

Why This Matters

Switching routes let the client stop waiting on AIMA. In this case, the Italy stage took 6 months; withdrawing a filed application has costs, covered below.

FAQ: Country Redirect

Can I switch countries mid-application? Yes, but it requires withdrawing the original application and restarting, with new documents, a new filing and some non-recoverable fees.

Did they lose money? Partial legal fees (~€2,000) were non-recoverable. The investment was redirected to the Italian route. Net additional cost: ~€5,000.

Case Study 4: UK Retiree Couple → Spain Non-Lucrative Visa

Client Profile

  • Origin: Manchester, UK
  • Family: Married couple, both 62
  • Income: Combined pensions + investments ~£4,500/month
  • Goal: Retire in coastal Spain

The Journey

Months 1-3: Documents & Filing

  • Confirmed income met the threshold for a couple: 400% of IPREM for the main applicant (€2,400/month) plus 100% for the spouse (€600/month), €3,000/month in total
  • Documents: passports, proof of income, health insurance, criminal checks
  • Filed at Spanish consulate in Manchester

Months 4-6: Approval & Relocation

  • Non-Lucrative Visa issued
  • Moved to Malaga
  • TIE (residence card) issued

Total Timeline: 6 months

Costs

  • Movingto fee: €1,500
  • Lawyer fees: €2,000
  • Private health insurance (year 1): ~€3,000
  • Total: ~€7,100

FAQ: Spain Non-Lucrative

Can I work on this visa? No. This visa prohibits employment in Spain. Designed for retirees with passive income.

Why not Spain Golden Visa? Spain abolished its Golden Visa for new applications on 3 April 2025. Non-Lucrative has no investment requirement — just income proof.

Case Study 5: UAE Golden Visa — Entrepreneur Route

Client Profile

  • Origin: Singapore
  • Profession: SaaS founder (profitable company)
  • Goal: UAE residency for tax efficiency, Dubai as regional base

The Journey

Weeks 1-4: Company Setup

  • Established UAE free zone company (DMCC)
  • Obtained trade license

Weeks 5-8: Golden Visa Application

  • Submitted through ICP
  • Medical fitness test completed
  • 10-year Golden Visa issued

Total Timeline: 8 weeks

Costs

  • Free zone company setup: ~$6,800
  • Movingto fee: $3,000
  • Government fees: ~$1,360
  • Total: ~$14,060

FAQ: UAE Golden Visa

How is UAE different from European Golden Visas? UAE is faster (weeks vs months), doesn't lead to citizenship, but offers 0% income tax. It's about residency and tax efficiency, not a second passport.

Case Study 6: South African Family → Portugal Golden Visa

Client Profile

  • Origin: Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Family: Married couple, three children (ages 5, 9, 14)
  • Profession: Mining industry executive
  • Goal: Plan B residency, children's EU education options
  • Complexity: Non-EU passport, eldest child approaching 18

Fund Selection

Used funds.movingto.com to evaluate options. Selected Portuguese VC fund with 6-year lock-up, which aligned with the citizenship timeline under the pre-2026 rules. New applicants should plan around the current 7–10 year residence requirement.

Challenges

  • South African documents require DIRCO apostille (6-8 weeks)
  • Police clearance takes longer than EU/US
  • AIMA requested additional proof of funds origin — responded within 2 weeks

The Journey

  • Month 1: Consultation, started police clearance immediately
  • Month 3: Fund subscription (€500k)
  • Month 5: Application filed
  • Month 10: Additional documentation requested (source of funds)
  • Month 17: Biometrics
  • Month 18: 5 residence cards issued

Total Timeline: 18 months

Costs (excluding investment)

  • Total at the time: ~€25,815 (family of 5). At current AIMA fees (€6,946.30 per person for a first card), government fees alone would be €34,731.50.

FAQ: South African Applicants

Why is South African documentation more complex? SA documents require DIRCO apostilles (6-8 weeks). Police clearance also takes longer. Plan for this from day one.

Why did AIMA request additional documents? Large transfers from certain jurisdictions trigger AML checks. This is normal. Responding promptly with clear documentation resolves it.

Case Study 7: US Tech Entrepreneur → Portugal Golden Visa (Fast Track)

Client Profile

  • Origin: San Francisco, USA
  • Status: Single, no dependents
  • Profession: Sold SaaS startup
  • Goal: European base, fastest possible timeline

US Tax Optimization

Used funds.movingto.com to filter for US-friendly funds. Selected fund structured as partnership providing K-1s, enabling QEF election to avoid worst PFIC consequences.

Why Faster Than Average?

  • Single applicant (no dependent documentation)
  • US documents simpler than many jurisdictions
  • Premium document preparation (FBI expedite)
  • Complete application — no deficiencies

Total Timeline: 11 months

Costs (excluding investment)

  • Total at the time: ~€11,000. At current AIMA fees, government fees alone would be €6,946.30.

FAQ: US Applicants & Tax

What's the PFIC issue? Most foreign funds create punitive US tax treatment. Funds structured as partnerships or offering QEF elections avoid this. Always involve a US tax advisor.

Case Study 8: British Family → Portugal Golden Visa (Post-Brexit)

Client Profile

  • Origin: London, UK
  • Family: Married couple (45), two teenagers (16 and 17)
  • Profession: Finance executives
  • Goal: Secure the right to live in Portugal after Brexit
  • Urgency: 17-year-old turning 18 in 9 months

Critical Age Cutoff Strategy

Filed application 5 months before 17-year-old's birthday. Dependent status is determined at filing date, not approval date. This secured the child as dependent despite turning 18 during processing.

Total Timeline: 16 months

Costs (excluding investment)

  • Total at the time: ~€20,182. At current AIMA fees, government fees alone would be €27,785.20 for four people.

FAQ: Post-Brexit & Age Cutoffs

Can British citizens still get Golden Visa? Yes. Since Brexit, British citizens need a residence permit to live in Portugal, and the Golden Visa is one route that provides one.

What happens when kids turn 18? If filed as dependents before 18, they remain on the permit. Status is determined at filing date.

Case Study 9: Chinese Investor → Portugal Golden Visa

Client Profile

  • Origin: Shanghai, China
  • Family: Married couple, one child (12)
  • Profession: Manufacturing business owner
  • Budget: €800,000
  • Complexity: Chinese capital controls, document authentication

Unique Challenges

Capital Controls: China limits individual foreign exchange to $50,000/year. Client accumulated funds in Hong Kong over several years through legitimate business profits.

Document Authentication: The four-step chain in this case (notary → local Foreign Affairs → Ministry of Foreign Affairs → Portuguese Embassy, 6-8 weeks) applied before the Apostille Convention entered into force for China on 7 November 2023. Chinese public documents now need an apostille instead of consular legalisation.

The Journey

  • Months 1-3: Pre-planning, verified fund origin documentation
  • Month 5: Document authentication completed
  • Month 6: Application filed
  • Month 12: Additional source of funds documentation requested
  • Month 19: Cards issued

Total Timeline: 19 months

Costs (excluding investment)

  • Total at the time: ~€28,349. At current AIMA fees, government fees alone would be €20,838.90 for three people.

FAQ: Chinese Applicants

How did you move €800,000 out of China? Accumulated in Hong Kong over several years through business profits and dividends. Proper documentation is essential.

Is document authentication still that complicated? Less than before. Since 7 November 2023, Chinese public documents need an apostille rather than four-step consular legalisation, though notarisation and translation still take time.

Case Study 10: Indian IT Professional → Portugal Golden Visa

Client Profile

  • Origin: Bangalore, India
  • Status: Married, no children
  • Profession: CTO, startup exit liquidity
  • Goal: European base, Schengen access, remote work flexibility

Indian-Specific: FEMA Compliance

Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) allows $250,000/year per individual. Client + spouse remitted $500,000 under LRS. Remaining ~€40,000 from NRE account.

The Journey

  • Month 1: FEMA planning with Indian CA
  • Month 4: LRS transfers processed
  • Month 6: Application filed
  • Month 16: Cards issued

Total Timeline: 17 months

Costs (excluding investment)

  • Total at the time: ~€17,616. At current AIMA fees, government fees alone would be €13,892.60 for two people.

FAQ: Indian Applicants

What is LRS? Liberalised Remittance Scheme allows Indian residents to remit up to $250,000/year abroad. Golden Visa investment qualifies. Both spouses can use their limits.

Summary: Portugal Golden Visa Timelines

  • US Family: 16 months
  • South African Family: 18 months
  • US Single (fast track): 11 months
  • UK Family: 16 months
  • Chinese Family: 19 months
  • Indian Couple: 17 months

Average timeline: 16 months Range: 11-19 months (depending on complexity, nationality, family size). These are historic timelines from first consultation; for a new application, plan for 12 to 24 months or more from submission to the first residence card.

Why Clients Choose Movingto

The case studies above share common threads — here's what our clients consistently value:

US Client Specialization

We understand IRA/401k investments, PFIC tax issues, FBAR reporting, and the specific documentation US investors need. Our dedicated IRA/401k desk — a specialist team of lawyers with a workflow built specifically for retirement account investments — handles the SDIRA structures, custodian coordination, and compliance requirements these investments involve.

Fund-First Approach

We built funds.movingto.com to compare Portugal Golden Visa funds on strategy, fees, liquidity terms and US tax treatment. The Portugal Golden Visa cases above that mention it used it to compare and select funds.

Portugal cases are handled by a named lawyer from Movingto's in-house Portuguese legal team — not farmed out to anonymous affiliates. The same legal team handles case after case, building expertise and consistency.

Full Lifecycle Support

Notice how the case studies mention NIF, bank accounts, biometrics, and renewals? We don't disappear after filing. From pre-arrival setup to citizenship applications, we support the full journey.

Multi-Country Capability

Case Study 3 shows a client redirected from Portugal to Italy when processing stalled. Movingto works across Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy and the UAE, so a case can switch routes when circumstances change.

Family-Owned, Reputation-Focused

Movingto is owned by Dean and Ana Fankhauser, who relocated across five countries themselves. We built this firm after our own Golden Visa journey. Our reputation is everything — every client matters.

Learn More

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Book a free eligibility assessment →

Compare Golden Visa funds →

See services & pricing →