Immigration Lawyers in Portugal
Ponte Global Mobility: From Your First Visa to Life as a Resident
Ponte is an immigration law firm in Lisbon, Portugal, helping expats, investors and families move, work and settle with clarity: from your first visa application through everyday life as a resident.
Who we help
Immigration Lawyers in Portugal for Expats, Investors & Families
Moving to Portugal rarely starts with a single decision. It usually starts with a question: which visa, which city, what happens to your business, your family, your taxes. As your immigration lawyer in Portugal, we look at the full picture before recommending a route, not the other way around.
We Help Expats, Digital Nomads, Investors & Returning Residents
- Expats and remote professionals relocating to Portugal
- Investors and entrepreneurs setting up a business or structuring an investment
- Families reuniting or relocating together
- Residents already living in Portugal who need renewals, citizenship or ongoing support
English-Speaking Legal Team in Portugal
Our English-speaking legal team in Portugal handles every consultation in English and walks you through every contract and AIMA step in English, from the first call to the final approval. If you’re more comfortable in Portuguese or Spanish, we work in those languages too.
PORTUGAL
Explore Our Portugal Immigration Attorney Services
Here’s how we can help, from your first visa to citizenship:
Portugal Visas
Whether you’re applying for the D7 Passive Income Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa (D8) or the D2 Entrepreneur Visa, we help you choose the right route and prepare a complete, accurate application from the start. For the Golden Visa (ARI), we coordinate your application through our trusted partners.
Permanent Residency in Portugal
Once your temporary visa is approved, we guide you through renewals and the transition to permanent residence in Portugal, so no deadline gets missed along the way.
Portuguese Citizenship
By descent, marriage, residence or birthright, we assess your eligibility for Portuguese citizenship and manage the application from start to finish.
Relocation to Portugal
Beyond your visa, relocating to Portugal means practical steps: your NIF, opening a bank account, reviewing a lease. We handle the paperwork so you can focus on the move itself.
Company Formation in Portugal
For entrepreneurs and investors, we handle company formation in Portugal, so your business is set up correctly from day one.
Non-Habitual Resident Portugal (NHR)
Tax residency in Portugal changed in 2024, we check whether IFICI, the regime that replaced NHR, applies to your situation, and manage the application if it does.
Spain
Legal & Visa Services in Spain
Portugal is our main focus, but we also support clients relocating to Spain.
Spain Visa
From the Digital Nomad Visa to the Non-Lucrative Visa and family reunification, we help you apply for the right visa in Spain.
Spanish Citizenship
By marriage, origin or residency, we assess your path to Spanish citizenship and manage the process on your behalf.
WHY PONTE
Why Choose Ponte as Your Immigration Lawyers in Portugal
We built Ponte for people who value transparency as much as expertise. As your immigration lawyer in Portugal, we tell you what our fees will be before you commit.
Transparent, Published Pricing: No Hidden Fees
We publish prices for our main visa and citizenship routes upfront, so you know what our fees will be before you commit. Official government and registry fees are separate.
Lower Prices for Every Additional Family Member
Applying with your partner, children or parents? Additional adults and minors on the same case pay reduced, published rates. On the D7, D8, Spain Non-Lucrative and Spain Digital Nomad visas, that's 50% off for adults and 65% off for minors.
Quote Within 24 Business Hours
Send us your case and we’ll come back with a clear quote within 24 business hours.
Free Strategy Session
Not sure where to start? Book a free Strategy Session to talk through your situation before committing to anything.
HOW WE WORK
How Our Immigration Team in Lisbon Works With You
Based in Lisbon, here’s how we work with you as your immigration lawyer in Lisbon and across Portugal, step by step.
01
Free Strategy Session
We start by understanding your full situation: your goals, your timeline, your family, your income, before recommending anything.
02
Personalised Legal Strategy
We design the visa, residency or citizenship strategy that actually fits your case, not just the most obvious option.
03
Application, AIMA Support & Renewals
We prepare and submit your application, support you with AIMA appointments, and stay with you for renewals, tax registration and whatever comes next.
OUR TEAM
Meet Your English-Speaking Immigration Team in Portugal
Meet the team behind Ponte in Lisbon: a dual-qualified immigration lawyer and a global mobility advisor.
Sérgio Bonifácio de Araújo, Dual-Qualified Lawyer (Portugal & Brazil)
Registered with the Portuguese Bar Association (67385L) and the Brazilian Bar Association (53141 OAB/PE), Sérgio has over 10 years’ experience across Portugal, Brazil, the US, the UK and Chile. He designs the legal structure that fits each client, combining technical rigour with close, personal support.
Caterina Utili, Strategic Immigration & Global Mobility Advisor
With a background in business administration and over a decade of international experience, Caterina helps individuals and companies plan their move to Portugal and Spain with a clear, realistic strategy tailored to their situation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Immigration Law in Portugal
How much does an immigration lawyer in Portugal cost?
Our main visa and citizenship routes have fixed, published prices, so you can see what our fees will be before you get in touch. If you’re applying with family, additional adults and minors on the same case pay reduced, published rates (50% off for adults and 65% off for minors on the D7, D8, Spain Non-Lucrative and Spain Digital Nomad visas). Official government and registry fees are separate. Send us your situation and we’ll come back with a clear, written quote within 24 business hours, no obligation.
How long does the Portugal visa or residency process take?
It strongly depends on the route and on AIMA’s own processing times, which we don’t control and won’t promise you a fixed date for. What we can control is our side: preparing a complete, accurate application from day one so nothing gets delayed by missing documents. During your free Strategy Session in Lisbon or online, we’ll walk you through the realistic timeline for your specific case.
Which Portugal visa is right for me: D7, D8, D2 or Golden Visa?
This is exactly why we start with a conversation, not a form. The D7 suits people with passive income, the D8 fits remote workers and digital nomads, the D2 is for entrepreneurs starting a business here, and the Golden Visa suits investors, coordinated through our trusted partners. In our Lisbon office or online, we look at your income, goals and timeline before recommending anything.
Can you help if I haven’t moved to Portugal yet?
Yes. We work with clients who are still planning their move as well as those already living here. We handle the visa application, prepare your documentation, and coordinate practical steps like your NIF and bank account remotely, so a lot is already in place by the time you land in Portugal. Everything can be done in English, by phone, email or video call, with our team based in Lisbon.
Do you help with AIMA appointments and renewals after I get my visa?
Yes. Once your visa is approved, we support you through AIMA appointments, tax registration, renewals and the situations that come up along the way, in Lisbon and across Portugal. That’s what starting with your case means in practice: staying with you as your situation in Portugal changes over time.