Founder-Led · Boutique Quality · Lisbon-Based
Portugal's Independent
Golden Visa Consultants
USA Tax Compliance Focused · SDIRA, IRA, 401(k), PFIC
Zero-fee buy-side advisory
Advice based on fit, not commission
Access to all 65+ eligible funds
Most don’t make our shortlist
Why work with Advisors Portugal
How is Advisors Portugal different
As a local Golden Visa agency and consultancy, we operate under a clear mandate aligned with your long-term safety and not commissions. Our advisory team provides end-to-end support from fund selection to legal submission, with aid of experienced legal partners.
| Dimension | Advisors Portugal | Volume-Based Agencies | Direct-to-Fund Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| Investment Bias | Zero. We screen all 65+ funds. If safe, we recommend it. We vet, we do not sell. | High. Restricted to the 20± funds. | High. They only sell their own product. |
| U.S. Tax Focus | Built-In. PFIC, SDIRA, FATCA, IRA/401(k) addressed. | Rarely addressed. Left to the client. | Rarely addressed. Left to the client. |
| Data Accuracy | Verified. Direct fund manager contact. | Often outdated. Scraped from public sources. | Accurate for their fund only. |
| Client Fees |
Zero-Fee Buy Side Advisory. Only legal & gov. fees on top of investment amount. | Variable. Often charge fixed fee plus commission. | Management plus performance fees. |
| Process Scope | End-to-End. Coordination and partner network introductions ensured. | Fragmented and varies. | Focus on your capital deployment. |
| Time to File-Ready | Fast. Boutique operation optimizes for efficiency. | Variable. Corporate hierarchy may hinder speed. | Focus on your capital deployment. |
| Point of Contact | Single. Dedicated senior investment advisor and licensed lawyer. | Multiple handoffs possible across departments. | Investor relations and KYC. |
| Legal Independence | Guaranteed. We introduce independent legal counsel. | Variable. “In-house” bundle creates a conflict of interest. | Focus on your capital deployment. |
| Scope of Advisors | Full. All eligible funds, donation projects, and company formation route. | Variable. Most focus solely on the fund route. | Focus on your capital deployment. |
| SDIRA Custodian Support | Yes. Guidance provided on USA custodians. | Rarely addressed. Left to the client. | Rarely addressed. Left to the client. |
| Company Registration | Lisbon based. Portugal registered. | Often offshore: Dubai, Singapore, or other. | Mostly Portugal based. |
READY TO WORK WITH AN INDEPENDENT GOLDEN VISA AGENCY?
Book an appointment with a consultant and take your first step today
What defines
our service
How to choose the best
Golden Visa fund Portugal offers
Choosing a Golden Visa fund isn’t about chasing the highest projected IRR. It’s about aligning your investment with your timeline, risk tolerance, and portfolio goals. Despite that, many agencies recommend funds that pay for placement, rely on email referrals, or publish directories with outdated data. We go deeper: our Fund Vetting Scorecard covers all 65+ Golden Visa funds, 61 data points, and 9 categories. We guide clients through the process, ensuring each investment aligns with their timeline, risk tolerance, and portfolio goals.
General Market Approach
Surface-Level Data
10-20 funds that appear repeatedly across directories with active marketing budgets
General Market Approach
Surface-Level Data
- Fund name
- Minimum investment
- Target return
- Management fee
- Performance fee
- Sector
- Net IRR
- Fund lifetime
- Redemption terms
- CMVM registration
10–20 funds that appear repeatedly across directories with active marketing budgets.
Advisors Portugal Approach
Independent Analysis across 61 Data Points
- Source of revenue
- Total € managed
- Risk tolerance match
- SDIRA compatibility
- Retirement timeline fit
- Manager responsiveness
- ESG/Impact alignment
- Manager co-investment
- PFIC/QEF availability
- Manager track record pre-GV
- IRA/401k suitability
- Other
All 65+ eligible funds facilitate investment decisions based on metrics and client fit.
What to expect in the Fund Directory
The preview shows 8 of the 61 data points available in the Fund Directory. All 65+ CMVM-regulated funds are reviewed, with risks clearly identified. The Directory is not a public list. It is a working tool used by advisors once an engagement begins. This is not the market’s generic approach: a “preferred” shortlist of 10 to 20 funds, outdated metrics, and basic introductions to fund managers. Our clients are supported and guided throughout the entire process.
| Name | Manager | PE or VC | Sector | Target Size | Net IRR | Mgmt. Fee | PFIC | FATCA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Frontiers Energy II | FundBox SCR, S.A | PE | Renewable Energy | €100M | 10% | 1.5% | ██████ | ██████ |
| Pela Terra II | STAG SCR S.A. | PE | Agriculture | €40M | 8% | 1.5% | ██████ | ██████ |
| Vida II | STAG SCR S.A. | PE | Hospitality | €40M | 15% | 2% | ██████ | ██████ |
| Portugal Investment I | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ |
| Lince Yield Fund | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ | ██████ |
Fund typology, pitfalls and
how to choose the right one
“Miss these criteria, and you’re taking unnecessary risk with €500,000.” — Sasha Vitez, CEO & Founder
- Venture Capital vs Private Equity
- Select criteria to select high-performing funds
- Exit after 5 years: reality check
- Pitfalls to avoid
How to simplify the
overwhelming process
The Golden Visa process, involving unknown risks, is often perceived as overwhelming.
We unify this fragmented process, serving as your single point of expertise.
Investment Fund Vetting
Over 65 funds analyzed. Objective filter based on our 61-point analysis, proactively flags risks other agencies overlook.
Investment Independence
Strict separation from fund managers ensures our advice is unbiased, ensuring capital deployment is driven solely by client fit, not commission.
U.S. Tax Compliance Respected
Integrated PFIC, IRA, & 401(k) in internal workflows to optimize cross border security.
Vetted Third-Party
Network & Coordination
We coordinate introductions with our vetted network of necessary unaffiliated third-party specialists from IRA custodians to international wire transfers.
Foundational Legal Setup
We recommend an independent law firm to execute all foundational administrative and due diligence steps rapidly and compliantly.
Boutique Efficiency & Accountability
Our founder-led model optimizes for speed and senior attention, ensuring rapid progress without corporate delays.
READY FOR A STRATEGIC, ZERO-CONFLICT PLAN?
Work with an independent specialist to mitigate the risks
How does your Golden Visa
give back to Portugal
For every client who invests through the fund route, we donate €500 to a charitable organization of your choice. You select from three vetted institutions. We invite you to match our contribution.
Centro de Apoio ao Sem Abrigo
Supports homeless and vulnerable families since 2002. Operates nationwide distributing hot meals, clothing, shelter, and psychological support.
Damas
Female-led cornerstone of Lisbon's LGBTQ+ community. Actively supports female-led collectives, immigrant-owned initiatives, and intersectional cultural programming.
SOS Children's Villages
Provides family-based care since 1960s. Places vulnerable children, young people and families, in stable, nurturing environments rather than institutions. Currently impacting over 1000 people.
What can you achieve in first 45 days
Every client is assigned a single dedicated senior investment advisor and licensed legal representative ensuring coordination of the full lifecycle.
No departmental handoffs. No missed details. Our clients get accountability from start to finish.
What are eligible investment options
for Portuguese Golden Visa
To be eligible for the Portugal Golden Visa, you must fulfill one of the following
capital contributions or business creation investment options.
Venture Capital &
Private Equity Funds
Invest €500,000 in a CMVM-regulated fund. Professionally managed, with maturity of at least five years, and at least 60% invested in Portugal. Most popular route as it's hands-off and a regulated path to residency.
Explore Funds →Donation to Arts &
Cultural Heritage
Contribute €250K or €200K to approved culture and heritage projects. Philanthropic route with no capital return.
Contribute via a Donation →Business &
Job Creation
Invest €500,000 and create five permanent jobs, or create ten full-time roles with no capital requirement.
Best for founders building value in Portugal's economy.
Scientific Research
Contribute €500K or €400K to accredited R&D that are part of the national scientific and technological system. Philanthropic route with no capital return.
Who handles
your application
You won’t work with our in-house legal team. That’s intentional.
The same principle that drives our investment advice – avoiding conflict of interest – applies to legal services.
“When the same company advises on your investment and handles your legal application, who's performing independent due diligence?” — Sasha Vitez, CEO & Founder
- Why we don't do in-house legal
- Separation of roles
- What your lawyer handles
Who founded Advisors Portugal
Advisors Portugal is a founder-led boutique supported by senior consultants and independent Portuguese legal counsel. Every client works with a single dedicated senior advisor and is assigned a senior immigration lawyer. No call centers. No departmental handoffs.
Born in Brazil to a Serbian diplomatic family, Sasha has called 14 countries home across four continents. After building a career at global multinationals spanning beverage, cosmetics and technology, he settled in Lisbon and became a Portuguese citizen.
That firsthand experience navigating international relocation, compliance and bureaucracy led Sasha and his co-founder to establish Advisors Portugal. Since 2019, the firm has guided over 2,600 applicants through the Golden Visa process.
Sasha holds an Executive MBA from Loyola Marymount University and speaks five languages.
What are eligible
investment options
remains most popular option
qualified investment or
venture capital fund
scientific and
technological research
creating 5 new jobs or capital increase of
an existing company while creating 5
jobs or while maintaining 10 jobs
or maintenance of national
cultural heritage
private limited company creating
at least 10 sustainable jobs
not government mandated
How successful is the
Portuguese program
Since 2021 until
September 2024
Why commit
to the Portuguese
Golden Visa program
Foreign investors are opting for the global winner
of five-year residence-by-investment programs
due to its low requirements,
strong anti-fraud compliance measures,
and the country's highly attractive advantages.
every 2 years
every 2 years
Why is Portugal Europe's
"Best kept secret"
leading city destination at
World Travel Awards
leading tourist attraction at
World Travel Awards
leading city destination at
World Travel Awards
leading tourist attraction at
World Travel Awards
Frequently Asked Questions
Residency-by-investment program (ARI) launched Oct 2012. Non-EU citizens invest €250K-€500K for 5-year residence permit with path to citizenship. 12+ permits issued, €9B+ raised since inception. Officially called Residence Permit for Investment Activity.
No. Program restructured Oct 2023 via Mais Habitação Law removing real estate routes. Fund, cultural, research, job creation routes remain active. Government committed to enhancing program. Record applications in 2025.
RBI (Residency by Investment): Temporary residence leading to citizenship over time. CBI (Citizenship by Investment): Direct citizenship purchase. Portugal is RBI only – no direct citizenship purchase available. Must complete residence path.
Lowest minimum stay (7 days/year), citizenship path possible, no relocation required, Schengen access, 190+ countries visa-free passport, stable democracy, high quality of life, English widely spoken, only EU program allowing citizenship without relocating.
Portugal: €500K funds, 7 days/year, citizenship 10 years without relocation. Greece: €250K-€800K real estate, 0 days required, 7-year citizenship with relocation. Portugal offers citizenship without relocation, but Greece still allows real estate investment.
Start-Up Visa: For innovative founders with incubator support, no investment minimum, requires approved business plan. GV: Investment-based (€500K funds), no business requirement. Different paths – Start-Up for entrepreneurs, GV for passive investors.
D7 (passive income €9K+/year, must relocate), D2 (entrepreneur), Digital Nomad D8 (€3.5K/month remote workers), HQA (€175K research/highly qualified), Start-Up Visa (incubator support), D5 (student). Each has different requirements.
D7: Free (no investment), requires €9K+ passive income, must live in Portugal 183+ days, creates tax residency. GV: €500K investment, only 7 days/year, no relocation, no automatic tax residency. GV for investors who can’t relocate; D7 for retirees willing to relocate.
Highly Qualified Activity visa: €175K research/entrepreneur visa, 3-year permit, requires business plan and incubator partnership. For highly skilled professionals. Faster processing (1-3 months) but more requirements.
45.5% lower rent, 28% lower overall expenses. Public university €1K-3.5K/year vs US $10K-50K+. Healthcare €5-€15 per visit. Groceries, dining, entertainment significantly cheaper than major US cities.
Lisbon (capital, vibrant, tech hub), Porto (historic, affordable, wine), Cascais (coastal, family-friendly, international schools), Algarve (beaches, retirement, golf), Madeira (subtropical, digital nomads, tax benefits). Each offers distinct lifestyle advantages.
Global Peace Index #7 (one of world’s safest). Low crime, excellent healthcare (WHO top 15), strong education system, welcoming culture. Popular retirement destination with affordable living, mild climate year-round.
WHO ranks Portugal top 15 globally for quality and accessibility. SNS (public) system offers €5-€15 per visit. Many hospitals have English-speaking doctors. Both public and private options are excellent.
Top 5 globally. 190+ countries visa-free access including US, UK, all EU/Schengen. Full EU citizenship rights after naturalization. One of world’s most powerful passports.
China (historically #1), Brazil, US (fastest-growing 30% CAGR, now 21% of applications), Turkey, South Africa. Americans have surpassed others as largest new applicant group since 2021.
Complex regulations, 20-24 month processing, document authentication (apostille), fund due diligence, citizenship language requirements.
PWC 2022 study: GV holders contribute 6x initial investment within 5 years. Foreign companies = 18% workforce, 28% value, 46% exports. Total €9.2B+ invested since 2012. Significant job creation and tax revenue.
No. Portugal is EU/Schengen member, OECD country, politically stable democracy. Program fully compliant with EU regulations. Not on any blacklist (unlike Malta, Cyprus historically).
No. Portugal is residency-by-investment only. Must complete 5-year residence path, meet language and integration requirements to be able to naturalize.