Portugal
Spain
Italy
Greece
Grenada Citizenship by Investment
Movingto has coordinated immigration cases across Portugal, Spain, Greece, Italy, and the UAE since 2021. These anonymized case studies show real client journeys — timelines, challenges, and outcomes — so you can understand what to expect.
Last updated: 24 February 2026
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 in 5 years with minimal physical presence requirement
- 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 fixed-fee quote covering Movingto coordination + lawyer fees
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 coordination: €3,500
- Lawyer fees: €6,000
- Government fees: €1,232
- Translations & apostilles: ~€800
- Travel for biometrics: ~€4,000
- Total: ~€15,682
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. 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 €3,510/month threshold
- 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 coordination: €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?
Minimum €3,510/month (4x Portuguese minimum wage). 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
- Fund investment transferred to Italy-qualifying fund
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
Single-country firms would have advised waiting for Portugal. Movingto's multi-country capability allowed a strategic pivot, saving 12+ additional months.
FAQ: Country Redirect
Can I switch countries mid-application?
Yes, but it requires withdrawing the original application and restarting. Movingto's multi-country capability makes this manageable.
Did they lose money?
Partial legal fees (~€2,000) were non-recoverable. Fund investment was transferred. 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 €2,400/month threshold
- 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 coordination: €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 ended the Golden Visa real estate route in 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 coordination: $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, aligned with citizenship timeline.
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: ~€25,815 (family of 5)
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: ~€11,000
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: Restore EU freedom of movement lost to 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: ~€20,182
FAQ: Post-Brexit & Age Cutoffs
Can British citizens still get Golden Visa?
Yes. Brexit made Golden Visa more relevant — it's now the primary route to regain EU residency rights.
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: Chinese documents require 4-step authentication: notary → local Foreign Affairs → Ministry of Foreign Affairs → Portuguese Embassy. Budget 6-8 weeks.
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: ~€28,349
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 really that complicated?
Yes. 4 levels of authentication, 6-8 weeks minimum. Often the longest part of the process.
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: ~€17,616
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)
Learn More
- About Movingto — Our story, team, and how we work
- Why Choose Movingto — What makes us different
- Frequently Asked Questions — Process, pricing, and policies
- Fund Comparison Platform — Compare Golden Visa funds
