Premium Legal Services for Your Portugal Immigration Journey

Defesa Legal: Premium Immigration Services. Serving clients from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and worldwide.

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Trusted by International Legal Associations: Defesa Legal is internationally recognised for its ethical standards, cross-border legal expertise, and membership in respected legal associations supporting global mobility.

Our Services

Expert Legal Solutions for Portugal

Comprehensive immigration, tax, and investment legal services for international clients relocating to or investing in Portugal.

Golden Visa

Residency through investment in approved Portuguese funds or cultural projects. Ideal for investors seeking EU mobility and a future path to citizenship.

D7 Passive Income Visa

For retirees and individuals with stable passive income—pensions, rentals, dividends—offering full residency rights in Portugal without large investments.

Portuguese Citizenship

Expert legal guidance on naturalisation, residency-based citizenship, and all steps required to obtain a Portuguese passport.

D8 Digital Nomad Visa

A fast-growing visa category for remote workers with high monthly income, offering residence in Portugal while working for foreign employers or clients.

Real Estate Legal Advisory

Comprehensive legal support for purchasing property in Portugal, including due diligence, contract review, title checks, and tax planning.

Portuguese Tax Law

Specialised tax guidance for foreigners relocating or investing in Portugal, including NHR 2.0, double taxation treaties, and compliance.

Why Choose Us

Why Choose Defesa Legal

Your Trusted Legal Partner

With over two decades of international legal experience, Defesa Legal provides a premium, client-focused service for individuals and families relocating to Portugal.

Two Decades of Experience

Over 20 years of international legal experience guiding clients through immigration, taxation, and investment processes.

Premium Client-Focused Service

Personalised attention and strategic planning tailored to your unique goals and circumstances.

End-to-End Support

From your first consultation to final approval, we accompany you through every step of your Portugal journey.

Our process is transparent, predictable, and tailored to your needs.

Transparent Process

Our process is predictable and tailored to your needs. We assess your goals and recommend the most suitable visa or legal strategy.

Expert Documentation

We prepare all required documentation with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Full Representation

Act on your behalf through a legally valid power of attorney, handling matters even when you're outside Portugal.

Ongoing Support

We accompany you through every step until approval and beyond, including renewals and citizenship applications.

Designed to foster growth and success in Portugal.

Immigration Law Expertise

Deep knowledge of Portuguese immigration regulations, visa categories, and residency requirements for international clients.

Tax Planning Excellence

Strategic tax advice including NHR 2.0, double taxation treaties, and compliance with Portuguese and international rules.

Real Estate Transactions

Comprehensive legal support for property purchases, from due diligence to deed signing and registration.

Corporate & Investment Services

Company incorporation, business structuring, and investment guidance for entrepreneurs establishing in Portugal.

How We Work – Your Path to Portugal

Step 1: Initial Consultation

Understand your goals and assess your eligibility for visas, investments or legal processes. We recommend the most suitable legal route based on your profile.

Step 2: Strategic Planning

Identify the most suitable legal route and prepare a comprehensive strategy tailored to your unique circumstances and objectives.

Step 3: Document Preparation

Collect and prepare all required documents with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and compliance with Portuguese requirements.

Step 4: Submission & Follow-Up

Submit your application to the correct Portuguese authority and act on your behalf, responding to requests from AIMA, Tax Authority or Registries.

Approval!

Receive your residence permit, property deed or citizenship confirmation.

How We Work Process

More Services

Additional Legal Services

Comprehensive legal support for all your Portugal needs

D2 Entrepreneur Visa

Start or relocate your business to Portugal with the D2 Entrepreneur Visa for founders seeking EU market access.

Company Incorporation

Set up your Portuguese company with expert guidance on structures (Lda, SA), tax registration, and compliance.

NIF & Tax Representation

Fast NIF issuance and fiscal representation for non-residents—essential for banking, property, and visa applications.

D6 Family Reunification

Bring your spouse, children, and dependent parents to Portugal through the family reunification visa process.

Start-Up Visa

Launch your innovative business in Portugal with incubator support and access to the EU innovation ecosystem.

Legal Representation

Remote legal representation for property transactions, tax matters, corporate actions, and administrative procedures.

NHR 2.0 Tax Regime

Optimise your tax position with the updated Non-Habitual Resident regime for qualifying professionals.

Double Taxation Treaties

Expert guidance on treaties between Portugal and the US, Canada, and UK to avoid being taxed twice.

Estate Planning

Cross-border wealth, inheritance, and gift tax planning for international families relocating to Portugal.

Latest Insights on Portuguese Immigration

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Stay informed with our latest articles on Portuguese visas, tax planning, real estate, and citizenship. Our legal experts share valuable insights to help you navigate your Portugal journey.

AstroWind template in depth

AstroWind template in depth

While easy to get started, Astrowind is quite complex internally. This page provides documentation on some of the more intricate parts.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about Portuguese visas, residency, investment, tax, real estate and citizenship.

Is the Golden Visa still available?

Yes. The program continues for investment funds (€500,000+) and cultural donations (€250,000+). Real estate investment is currently not eligible on mainland Portugal.

What qualifies as passive income for the D7 Visa?

Pensions, dividends, rental income, royalties and certain long-term investment returns. You need around €1,200/month for the main applicant, plus increments for dependents.

How much income do I need for the D8 Digital Nomad Visa?

Around €3,000/month for the main applicant. Your primary income must remain from foreign clients or employers to comply with the D8 regime.

Do I need a NIF to apply for a visa?

Yes, for most visa routes including D7, D8, and D2 applications. We provide fast NIF issuance and fiscal representation for non-residents.

How long until I can apply for Portuguese citizenship?

Currently 5 years of legal residency is required (a possible change to 10 years is pending political decision). You must also pass an A2 Portuguese language test.

Can foreigners buy property in Portugal?

Yes. There are no restrictions on foreign property ownership. You can even complete the transaction remotely through a power of attorney.

20+
Years of Experience
3,500+
Clients Assisted
2,500+
Successful Applications
50+
Countries Served

Start Your
Portugal Journey Today

Serving clients from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and worldwide.Contact our expert legal team for personalised guidance.