Portugal

If an immigrant does not have enough money to stay in the country, they can ask for help from a sponsor. The sponsor guarantees the government that the immigrant will receive financial support during their stay. Sponsors can be family members, friends, companies, or anyone else. Sponsors have certain responsibilities. First and foremost, their financial situation must allow them to help the immigrant while still being able to provide for themselves.

Vladlena Baranova

The Portugal D7 Visa appeals to foreigners with its accessible requirements. A monthly income of at least €920 is enough to obtain the visa, followed by a residence permit. However, an important detail is often overlooked: only passive income qualifies, meaning salaries and freelance payments do not count. As an alternative, Portugal offers the Digital Nomad Visa, which does not require passive income. Instead, applicants qualify based on remote work earnings if they can demonstrate a monthly income of at least €3,680. In 2023, Digital Nomad Visas were issued to 2,460 foreigners.

Vladlena Baranova

Portuguese taxpayers are issued with a unique nine-digit number, Número de Identificação Fiscal (NIF). It is also referred to as Número de Contribuinte, the contribution number. NIF is often required even for simple everyday transactions. We explain why you need this individual tax identification number even if you are not planning to move to Portugal and pay taxes there.

Vladlena Baranova

It seems to only feel natural for Britons to seek variety. J.K. Rowling had completed the first three chapters of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone” while in Porto, Portugal, and Ian Fleming made James Bond’s ties with Switzerland obvious. It's estimated that around 5.5 million British citizens reside abroad. Britons move abroad to boost their quality of life, optimise taxes, and find a more affordable lifestyle. We’ve compiled a list of the best countries for Britons to move to.

Lyle Julien

An Ireland residence permit can be obtained for an investment of €400,000. The Investor Visa allows the holder to work, do business, and study in the country, and after five years of residence, they can apply for citizenship. We discuss who is eligible to apply for an Irish residence permit by investment, how to participate in the investment program and the grounds on which an Irish passport can be granted.

Elena Ruda

Research companies publish rankings of the best cities to live in every year. In 2021, such a review was published by Resonance Consultancy. It includes 100 cities with a population of one million, in which it is pleasant to live and work.

Alevtina Kalmuk

Rating agencies and financial magazines estimate banks to choose the most reliable ones for individuals and companies. Global Finance, an American financial magazine, assesses banks that work worldwide and are suitable for foreign investors. In 2022 it estimated banks from 150 countries. The list of winners was based on how banks performed in the previous year and such criteria as reputation, management excellence, and leadership in digital transformation. Read on to discover the list of reliable banks for investors.

Albert Ioffe

For most of our clients, their children's future is the main issue. Therefore, it is crucial for those who plan to get a Portugal residence permit to determine where their children will study in advance. Sometimes this can be the deciding factor for moving.

Eymi Castro

Foreigners planning to visit or move to Portugal can choose from four visa types, depending on the duration of their stay. Short-term visas include the Schengen, temporary stay, and Job Seeker visas. Residence visas, such as the Startup and D7 Visa, allow for longer stays. Learn if you need a visa for Portugal and which type suits your situation.

Eymi Castro

Choosing a school is one of the decisive factors for families with children when moving to Portugal. First, parents pay attention to the school's prestige, cost, and study language. Here is a guide on the best Portuguese schools. Learn how to enrol a child in a school, how much it costs and how to study for free.

Eymi Castro

French citizens can travel without visas to 188 countries and freely visit the countries in the Schengen area, the USA, Canada, Australia and Japan. France is a member of the European Union. With a French passport, you can work, do business, enroll in a school or university of any country in the European Union, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Iceland.

Elena Ruda

Is it possible to obtain multiple citizenships? The answer is yes. A person can be a citizen of two or even more countries.  However, some countries do not allow dual citizenship, and in such cases, the original passport may be revoked. For instance, Austria requires individuals to renounce their previous citizenships when acquiring Austrian nationality. Keep reading to explore the conditions and potential challenges of holding multiple citizenships.

Vladlena Baranova

Germany citizenship allows the holder to live in Europe, visit 191 countries without a visa, access high-quality medicine and a prestigious education. A German passport can not be obtained by investment but only by naturalization, birth, adoption, marriage or immigration.

Elena Ruda

Finnish citizenship allows you to travel visa-free to 189 countries throughout the world, live and work in the EU, and take advantage of a free education system, as well as a high quality medical system. We discuss the conditions that need to be met to get a Finnish passport, the benefits of Finish citizenship, and whether you can remain a citizen of another country at the same time.

Elena Ruda

The European Union is not the same as the Schengen Area: some EU countries are not part of the Schengen Area, and vice versa.   These differences can restrict visa-free travel for second passport holders, and they need to be considered when selecting the European country where you want to live.  Learn which countries are visa-free for EU residents.

Vladlena Baranova

Third-country nationals can move to the EU after getting residency. A residence permit allows one to move to the country that granted the status, study there, get treatment, use reliable banking services, and in most cases — travel across the Schengen Area visa-free. Participating in state residency-by-investment programs is the most convenient way to become an EU resident. One can obtain not only status but also acquire profitable assets.

Vladlena Baranova

With a Czech passport, you do not need a visa to enter 185 countries. To travel to the US or Canada, citizens only need to obtain an eTA. The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union, and therefore its citizens enjoy benefits and privileges in other countries of this association. We tell you how to get a Czech passport, what benefits applicants receive if approved, and whether they can retain citizenship of other countries.

Elena Ruda

Immigrant Invest has already helped 10,000 investors and their family members to obtain a second citizenship and residence permit in the EU and the Caribbean. Investors return to get additional services after receiving the status. For example, to obtain a passport for a newborn child, to renew a residence permit card, to register a yacht, or to open a bank account.

Elena Ruda

The Portugal education system consists of three stages — primary, secondary and higher schooling. Kindergartens and nurseries are not required but are in great demand among locals and expats. What are the advantages of studying in Portugal? How can a foreigner enter a local university and enrol a child in a school or kindergarten?

Eymi Castro

With over 35 million Indians living abroad, India ranks third globally for its expatriate population. Indians migrate for various reasons, including better job prospects, quality education, and improved living standards. Let’s consider countries with developed economies, good opportunities for entrepreneurship or making a career, and quality education and healthcare. Some of them are easier for Indians to immigrate to because of residency by investment programs.

Lyle Julien

The Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) in Portugal is a special tax status for new residents. Its owners are exempt from paying taxes on global income in Portugal for 10 years. The income earned in Portugal is taxed at a flat rate of 20%. From January 1st, 2024, the NHR tax regime was discontinued. However, if a foreigner was granted the status earlier, they will still enjoy the perks. Let's discuss who still qualifies for the NHR status after its end and the main benefits.

Eymi Castro

Roughly 450,000 Americans have retired abroad, according to the USA Social Security Administration. 38% of them choose Europe as their destination. This is unsurprising, as most countries in the top 27 belong to the EU. Let’s explore why US citizens retire abroad and what the best destinations for retirement are.

Alevtina Kalmuk

Portugal has closed its popular Non-Habitual Resident, or NHR, special tax regime and introduced a new framework in 2025: the IFICI tax regime, unofficially known as NHR 2.0.  In this expert guide, we explain the eligibility criteria, benefits, application process, required documents, and key differences between the NHR and IFICI regimes.

Albert Ioffe

The Schengen Area is a zone that covers the majority of the European countries. Within this zone, there is no border control. Although most of the Schengen countries also belong to the European Union, these two areas are not the same. We explain how the Schengen area differs from the EU, how it functions and which countries it includes.

Vladlena Baranova

More than 150 banks operate in Portugal. They provide financial services to individuals and businesses. Unlike most EU countries, where third-country citizens are likely to be denied opening an account, Portuguese banks are more favourable to non-residents. The average rates on consumer loans in Portuguese banks are 3.9% per annum and on mortgages — 3.3%. A new car can be bought on credit at 5%, and a used car at 11.8%. Learn how the Portuguese banking system works, which banks are the best, and how a foreigner can open a current account or take a mortgage to buy a house.

Eymi Castro

Portugal is one of the most amazing destinations for expats in Western Europe. It has a warm climate, excellent ecology, rich culture, a stable economy, and high-quality medicine and education. Learn about all benefits of life in Portugal and costs of living in the country.

Eymi Castro

Citizenship by investment (CBI) programs, often dubbed golden passports, offer individuals the opportunity to obtain a second passport in exchange for financial investments.  Golden passports are not to be confused with Golden Visas, which are programs that allow foreigners to obtain a residency permit for investment in a country’s economy. Learn more about the best options to become a citizen or a resident of another country by investment.

Albert Ioffe

Greece has already granted nearly 50,000 Golden Visas, and Portugal over 30,000 — testament to their long-standing appeal among global investors. Hungary, with its recently relaunched program, is quickly gaining attention as a fresh, accessible alternative. As interest in diversified and professionally managed assets grows, the investment fund route is emerging as one of the leading options for obtaining European residency. This comparison breaks down the key differences between the programs in Greece, Portugal, and Hungary — from fund strategies and thresholds to taxes and residency terms — to help investors make an informed and strategic choice.

Albert Ioffe

Around 50 countries offer Digital Nomad Visas, but only a few provide a pathway to permanent residence, or PR, and citizenship. It takes at least 6 months to obtain PR and between 3 and 10 years to acquire a second passport as a digital nomad. This article lists five European and two South American countries with Digital Nomad Visas that lead to permanent residence and citizenship.

Albert Ioffe

Portugal is a very attractive country for relocation, with a lot of options to obtain a residence permit. Among them are the D7 Passive Income Visa and the Portugal Golden Visa. A key distinction between the two visas is the holders’ tax residency status. The D7 visa holders have to live in Portugal; thus, they become tax residents. Meanwhile, the Golden Visa does not require its holders to reside in the country. In this article, we explain the differences between the programs and how they can help you become a resident and potentially a citizen of Portugal.

Eymi Castro

Of the top 10 happiest countries in the world, five countries are from the European Union. The region is renowned for its high quality of life, stable economic growth, and vast business opportunities. It is no wonder that the number of EU citizens continues to grow yearly. Let’s revise the main benefits of the EU passport and all possible ways to obtain one.

Vladlena Baranova

Portugal’s government tends to attract foreign talents and investment to the country, and that’s why innovators are welcomed there. So, if you have a prospective startup idea, you may apply for residency in Portugal. Entrepreneurs must submit detailed business plans and find approved Portuguese incubators to accelerate their projects. After that, they apply for a Startup Visa and a 2-year residence permit. Read on to find out the requirements for applicants and businesses under the Portugal Startup Visa program.

Eymi Castro

In Portugal, there are both mandatory and optional types of insurance. Obligatory insurance includes public healthcare and social security systems. These are available to citizens and legal residents of the country and are supported through taxation. Aside from that, car owners are obliged to have at least basic coverage for each of their cars. And homeowners must protect their properties with housing insurance.

Eymi Castro

According to the Emerging Trends in Real Estate report, investors consider Berlin, London, Paris, Amsterdam and Hamburg to be the most promising for real estate investments. The top ten also includes cities in Spain, Italy and Austria. Each European country has its own rules for buying an EU house. To help future cosmopolitans navigate them, we have compiled a guide to real estate in Europe. Immigrant Invest explains the average cost per square meter of housing, additional costs in buying European real estate, the amount of utility bills and annual taxes. The guide will be useful for cosmopolitans who are considering buying real estate in Europe to participate in programs for obtaining a residence permit or second citizenship.

Elena Ruda

Portugal is one of the most picturesque places in Europe, with a developed economy, high safety level, and a warm climate. Tourists like Portugal for the people’s friendliness, the leisurely rhythm, respect for traditions and the beauty of cities. Foreigners can obtain a Portugal residence permit by investment and settle with their families in any region of the country. What are the top cities in Portugal and the benefits of a Portugal residence permit?

Eymi Castro

Portugal is known for its high living standards. However, food, medical services and education prices are lower than in neighbouring European countries. The monthly minimum wage in Portugal is €760. The sum is enough to cover basic needs, including food, housing, utilities, transportation and clothing. The average salary in Portugal is €1,200 per month. Compare the cost of living in different Portuguese cities, and learn about taxes, banking fees, quality of medicine and education, and various pros and cons of residing in Portugal.

Eymi Castro

Investors can include their siblings in citizenship applications in the Caribbean countries, like Grenada or St Kitts and Nevis. Some European residency programs also allow applicants to obtain residence permits for brothers and sisters. And it’s possible to get a US Green Card for a sibling, too. But there are some peculiarities to consider, like age thresholds, high costs or an enormously long procedure. Let’s discuss all the conditions for getting a passport or an RP for a sibling.

Vladlena Baranova

The Portugal healthcare system consists of 238 hospitals, 127 of which are private. Most hospitals provide services to patients in Portuguese and English. Free treatment in Portugal is available to all residents who contribute to the Social Security Fund and pregnant women, children and pensioners. Learn more about the features of Portuguese medicine and how to get quality treatment in the country.

Eymi Castro