Pedro Branco is the Managing Director of Portugal Residency Advisors, helping individuals and families make the move to Portugal with confidence. In this interview, he shares his insights on residency, property and what to consider when planning a new life in Portugal.
Please introduce yourself and tell us about Portugal Residency Advisors.
My name is Pedro Branco and I am the Managing Director at Portugal Residency Advisors. We are an independent relocation and immigration consultancy helping individuals, families, retirees and investors relocate to Portugal with confidence. We offer full end to end support including residency applications, property search, tax advice, healthcare registration, banking and settling in services. Our experienced team of in-house immigration lawyers, relocation specialists and real estate advisors collaborate with a trusted network of partners who provide other services our clients may require during their relocation.
Why do you think Portugal remains so popular with people looking to move abroad?
Portugal offers an extraordinary mix of lifestyle, security and stability. It enjoys one of the best climates in Europe, a high quality of life, excellent public and private healthcare and a relatively affordable cost of living compared to many other Western European countries. People also love the friendly culture, beautiful coastline, modern infrastructure and ease of access to the rest of Europe. Whether someone is retiring, working remotely or investing, Portugal continues to offer a balanced and attractive lifestyle.
Which areas of Portugal are currently most popular with international property buyers?
The answer depends on the buyer’s objectives. Lisbon and Cascais continue to be a big draw for professionals and families looking for city living, good infrastructure and international school access. The Algarve remains hugely popular with retirees and second-home buyers for its beaches, golf courses and year-round sunshine. We’re also seeing increasing interest in Porto, the Silver Coast and Madeira, particularly among buyers looking for better value while still enjoying an excellent quality of life.
What options are available for EU and non-EU citizens who want to obtain Portuguese residency?
EU citizens benefit from freedom of movement and can register their residence in Portugal through a relatively straightforward process with the local City Hall of their residential area. Within a few weeks, they can usually be registered as Portuguese residents. Family members of EU citizens can also apply for residency, which is a relatively simple process, but they will usually need to go in person to the Portuguese immigration authorities to make an appointment.
There are a number of residency routes for non-EU citizens depending on the circumstances. The main options for those wanting to move to Portugal are the D7 Visa for people with passive income, the D8 Digital Nomad Visa for remote employees, the D2 Entrepreneur Visa, the D3 Highly Qualified Professional Visa and regular work visas. The Golden Visa remains the most attractive option for residency for those who do not want to relocate full-time, requiring an average of seven days’ physical residency per year.
Under both routes, applicants may qualify for permanent residence after five years and Portuguese citizenship after ten for Non-EU Citizens or seven years for EU citizens and PALOPs, if they meet the legal requirements in force at the time.
The right way will depend on each person’s income, profession, long-term plans and family circumstances.
What are the most common mistakes people make when applying for residency in Portugal?
A big mistake is choosing the wrong visa because of wrong or outdated information found online or on social media. We also see applicants submitting incomplete documentation, underestimating the time it will take to prepare their application, or not understanding the legal and financial requirements before beginning the process. More recently we have seen an increase in delays in getting appointments at Portuguese consulates and longer visa processing times. This sometimes requires applicants to obtain updated criminal records or other time-sensitive documents, incurring additional costs and unnecessary delays.
Getting professional advice early in the process can often save months of frustration and costly mistakes.
What is Portugal’s Golden Visa, and who might it suit?
The Golden Visa Portugal is a residence-by-investment program aimed at non-EU citizens who seek to get Portuguese residence by making appropriate investments. Since the legislative changes introduced in recent years, residential real estate is no longer an eligible investment. Today, the programme primarily focuses on regulated investment funds and approved cultural projects, which are structured as donations.
Many investors have recently been more focused on obtaining permanent residence (after five years) than citizenship, as Portugal has changed its nationality law to require non-EU nationals to have legal residency in the country for at least ten years, and EU citizens and PALOPs for seven. Permanent residence provides an indefinite right to live in Portugal, with the residence card simply being renewed every five years.
The Golden Visa is particularly attractive to investors who want to keep their main residence abroad but still enjoy the benefits of Portuguese residency, as the minimum physical stay is only seven days per year.
What is your main piece of advice for anyone considering a move to Portugal?
Start planning early and don’t focus only on the visa. Living abroad is so much more than simply gaining residency. Knowledge of taxation, healthcare, housing, banking and long-term financial planning is equally important. Portugal is a fantastic opportunity, but each family’s situation is different. Taking the time to create a personalised relocation plan from the outset will make the move run more smoothly and help you avoid expensive mistakes later on.
Portugal Residency Advisors is a full-service consultancy helping individuals, families, and businesses navigate residency, citizenship, relocation, property, and investment opportunities in Portugal. With local expertise and a personalized, end-to-end approach, their team makes the process of moving to or investing in Portugal clearer and more manageable. Book a call today to start planning your move.