Portugal Golden Visas and a wedding in Europe for a lesbian couple
We’ve been together for 20 years, travelled a lot and especially liked it in Europe.
In 2021, we finally decided to get residence permits in a European country to move from Angola and not depend on visa approvals if we want to explore new places. We both have our own businesses but aren’t tied to the workplace, so it all seemed possible.
But we didn’t think that being officially married would be such a big deal money-wise. We thank Immigrant Invest for helping us organise a wedding in Europe and preparing everything for our residency application. We’ve had our happy ending in Portugal, where we’ve been living for half a year already!
Orva and Jaela,
Family from Angola
Clients’ names and photos have been changed
This case was provided by our expert
Editor-in-chief, content creator
Portugal Golden Visas and a wedding in Europe for a lesbian couple
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Orva and Jaela’s background story and LGBT rights in Portugal
Orva and Jaela are a couple from Angola. Orva is a writer and well-known blogger, and Jaela owns an architectural bureau. They have lived together for 20 years but could not legalise their relationship since Angolan law doesn’t recognise or allow same-sex marriages.
The couple travels a lot and likes to visit European countries, where their relationship neither surprises anyone nor causes uncomfortable or dangerous situations.
Being young, Orva and Jaela couldn’t afford relocation to another country, especially on a different continent. But as time passed, both became well-accomplished entrepreneurs and a family. They decided to start a new chapter of their lives in a more LGBT-friendly environment where they both would feel free and enjoy themselves.
During their European journeys, the women visited countries with investment programs. Portugal became their top destination for various reasons, from its vivid nature to the freedoms available to Portuguese citizens and residents.
Portugal is known for its tolerant attitude towards the LGBTQA+ community. They legalised same-sex marriages in 2010, and as of 2016, gay couples can adopt children. Therefore, Portuguese same-sex couples have the same rights regarding marriage laws, adoption, IVF, inheritance, and visa policies.
Considering their own experiences and legal and social environments, Orva and Jaela decided to get residence permits and relocate to Portugal.
According to the latest Spartacus Gay Travel Index, Portugal ranked 2nd among 202 states, being one of the world’s safest and queer-friendly countries to visit or live in
Registration of marriage in Europe
Orva and Jaela contacted Immigrant Invest in May 2021. During a consultation with a lawyer, they learnt that there were two options for them to participate in the Portugal Golden Visa Program:
apply as independent investors;
submit one application as a family.
Immigrant Invest lawyers suggested that the couple legalise their relationship in a country whose legislation allowed same-sex marriages. Thus, they could participate in the Portugal Golden Visa Program as a married couple, and the costs would be half as much.
At the moment, women planned a trip to Germany and decided to register their marriage there.
We helped organise the ceremony. To apply for marriage registration in Germany, Orva and Jaela got certificates of no impediment to marriage from an Angolan Registry Office. Immigrant Invest lawyers translated the certificates and attached them to copies of passports and birth certificates.
Foreigners must personally submit documents and apply for marriage registration; they can choose any registry office in Germany. Orva and Jaela went to Frankfurt as tourists and applied to the local Central Registry Office.
In the end, the couple received a marriage licence and could proceed with the Portugal Golden Visa Program.
Which investment option did the couple choose, and why?
Jaela was the main applicant for the Portugal Golden Visa. Before she signed a Services Agreement with Immigrant Invest, a certified Anti Money Laundering Officer conducted a preliminary Due Diligence check against international legal and business information bases.
The check took one day and showed that Jaela’s financial history was clean. She received income only from the architectural bureau; she had no debts or criminal records.
Jaela and Orva decided to buy shares in an investment fund to obtain Portugal residence permits. Firstly, they did not want to buy real estate in the country yet: under the program conditions, it would cost them at least €500,000. Purchasing fund shares saved them €150,000.
Investment conditions changed in 2022
In 2021, investors bought fund shares for €350,000. Since January 1st, 2022, the minimum amount has increased almost 1.5 times to €500,000.
Alina Mishurenko,
Editor-in-chief, content creator
The procedure for buying fund shares is entirely remote. The program participant comes to Portugal once the fingerprints are needed for their residence permit card.
Unlike buying real estate, investing in funds allows you to save on taxes and maintenance. In fact, an investor can transfer money to the fund and receive passive income from interest on the deposit for the next 5—10 years.
Orva and Jaela’s life after obtaining Portugal Golden Visas
The couple solved their main tasks: they became EU residents together and moved to an LGBT-friendly country.
Becoming a family officially and registering their relationship became the cherry on top for them.
Couple’s opportunities before and after becoming Portuguese residents
Orva and Jaela continued to work remotely from Portugal. Their travel plans started with the beaches of the Algarve and would continue with weekend trips to other EU countries.
Orva and Jaela,
Family from Angola
Immigrant Invest’s lawyers not only helped us to obtain Portugal residence permits but also to level up our lives. We’re an official family now, living in a beautiful vibrant city, spending our weekends surfing and exploring vineyards. We couldn’t be happier. Thank you, Immigrant Invest!
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for government programs in the European Union and the Caribbean.
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