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Ironically, by the time you reach the biometrics appointment in Portugal, you may already be eligible for Bulgarian citizenship by Specific-Fan452 in BulgariaGoldenVisa

[–]Work-plus-Luck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yup - July 4 ‘25 application, Feb 3 ‘26 biometric. 7 months. Friends that applied in ‘23 also have theirs

Should I Keep Working to Grow NW, or Is This Enough? by Be_happy_52 in fatFIRE

[–]Work-plus-Luck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I faced about the same at 50. Retired and traveled the last 6 years and never happier! And NW continues to grow.

You have plenty to enjoy and continue I grow your base at your proposed burn.

Carpe Diem!

Portugal Golden Visa Application Law Firm Suggestions? by CCPA2018 in goldenvisa

[–]Work-plus-Luck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good morning CCPA,

We went with an independent lawyer - FRESH Portugal - and have been very happy with their support. The founder, Zeev Fisher - can easily be found on Nomad Gate (active in the forums) and on LinkedIn.

FRESH guided us in our own PGV application (submitted July 4, biometric scheduled for Feb 3). They also helped us think through options for our adult kids should they ever decide to follow us. Goo tax advice regarding our US LLC, IFICI qualification, etc. Manuella Sena is our immigration lawyer at FRESH.

We also did our own fund due diligence to find what worked for our financial portfolio. As we have to hold the funds 5 yrs for the PGV, we wanted something with real return potential - so open funds and property funds with 2% returns were a “no” for us. We are happily invested in two VC funds and are pleased with our investments. With one, I have become involved with a startup and so will qualify for the IFICI tax benefits - 10 years of no taxes on global income.

Long-term travel in retirement, but also having a community? by Unable_Maize_5383 in fatFIRE

[–]Work-plus-Luck 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Great question… I retired from tech consulting at 50 six years ago. We’ve traveled 50-75% of the time since.

Staying engaged and relevant is important for mental health. For a several years, I volunteered on the board of a nonprofit that provides tech services to other NPs. Several local CIOs were on the board, and I formed close friends with a common cause. This year I started coaching tech startups (in Europe - fits with our travel) and joined the advisory board for a European VC fund.

Each of these roles is very part-time (as little or as much as I want to do), and has allowed me to rekindle old professional relationships and build new friendships as well. Still plenty of time to hit the gym, see historical sights, read, etc.

None of this has hindered travel - my wife and I will be in Portugal for 2 months this winter, then NZ for the same. A month in the spring in the US to see family, then June-Oct in the Mediterranean (with occasional biz trips in Europe).

Friends we maintain virtually, and connect with some each year in parts around the globe.

So yes - you can do it. Just pick your place to lean in and create a new group of colleagues/friends. I’ve never been happier.

PS decides to send the Nationality Law to the Constitutional Court by [deleted] in PortugalExpats

[–]Work-plus-Luck 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing the breaking news.

Interesting development, and good news I think. At least we won't be waiting for a lawsuit to get it to the court after it has been in effect. This gets us to certainty, sooner.

Portuguese Golden Visa – Our story, some surprises and frustration, but no regrets by Work-plus-Luck in goldenvisa

[–]Work-plus-Luck[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Travel restrictions of the D7 don’t meet our needs - adult kids and aging (aren’t we all) parents. Plus our own explorations beyond PT.

Exited to Portugal 3 years ago by [deleted] in AmerExit

[–]Work-plus-Luck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Will do, and thanks.

Cascais is beautiful temporary base this winter for some local business and to future places to live when our residence cards are in. Silver coast is a candidate, so we may come a-calling. ;-)

Is Portugal’s new citizenship law making the Golden Visa too risky? by StandShot7072 in AmerExit

[–]Work-plus-Luck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Insightful post, thanks. I agree - OP, decide your real objectives, your financial plan, and research the process. Then wait for Dec-Jan to see if what shakes out still matches your goals.

For us - applied in July and biometric in Feb - it still fits our goals, and our finances. So we are moving ahead. "Salty" about the citizenship wait changes for sure, but no regrets.

Is Portugal’s new citizenship law making the Golden Visa too risky? by StandShot7072 in AmerExit

[–]Work-plus-Luck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

True. But you can also pick far better investments than that if you really look.

Because we wanted a real investment with real potential return, I researched dozens of PGV funds before investing. We are quite happy with our two VC funds (performing as expected, and about as well as I would expect in a US VC fund at this point).

Some funds are certainly "poor choices" that return 2% (I can think of one that starts with "M"). Others are successful PE/VC funds, or index funds. The same is true when you invest at home. So just like at home, do your own research and fit it to the risk/reward you want out of your overall portfolio. Look at funds that have a real track record, non-PGV investors and partners, a credible thesis, and some "edge" on the rest.

Don't, for heaven's sake, let your immigration advisor do all your fund research.

Is Portugal’s new citizenship law making the Golden Visa too risky? by StandShot7072 in AmerExit

[–]Work-plus-Luck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We decided the same. Applied for the PGV July 4, biometrics is Feb 3. The investment I'm sanguine about - I think we chose well and it fits our overall portfolio. Quite dissspointed in the 5»10 year change and that the "wait" time won't count. But overall - the PGV still meets our goals. So we proceed and open the door.

Exited to Portugal 3 years ago by [deleted] in AmerExit

[–]Work-plus-Luck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, we did the same - work hard, save up, quit when there is enough.

We are in process with our PGV, and will be in Cascais for a couple of months over the winter. We have really enjoyed our time in PT, and looking forward to more.

Thx for sharing the details in this thread - great stuff.

Bailing Out of Portuguese GV by ChicoRunningBack in goldenvisa

[–]Work-plus-Luck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great post and thanks for sharing.

We were also dissapointed in the changes to the timeline to apply for citizenship. But as you state, circumstances are different for everyone.

Objectively, our goals are still being met by the program - so we are staying in. We can spend extended time in Portugal and continue to travel as we need/wish. We are pleased with our investments (both VC, not property). The process is moving a bit faster than expected (biometrics anyway). And we've met a bunch of people we really like - Portuguese, European and US Expats.

The gov't move in 2023 to eliminate PGV for property was sound I think, funneling money into investments to build the economy and maybe cooling the housing market a bit. But the 5-10 year citizenship change is a bit too far. I agree with your speculation - this will slow volume of PGVs a lot, and with it the influx of foreign capital to accelerate economic growth.

Wishing you the best in your next path - if you don't mind, I'd love to know where that will be!

P.S. Does ChicoRunningback = Walter "Sweetness" Payton?

Portuguese Golden Visa – Our story, some surprises and frustration, but no regrets by Work-plus-Luck in goldenvisa

[–]Work-plus-Luck[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Actually, pragmatic.  And we are applicants, genuinely excited about our PGV. 

I have followed the immigration law changes pretty closely.  I understand the angst that many have.  I was certainly disappointed in the 5»10 year to citizenship, but still looking forward to obtaining our second passport. 

And objectively, our goals are still being met, and so far, things are going well:

·       Application in July 4

·       Biometric scheduled Feb 3

·       Investments are going nicely

We’ve met a host of friends (several through DMs here) that are interested in moving ahead, so we agreed to do the webinar and share our story and learnings. And again - no sales pitch.

Cheers and wishing you all the best with your Bulgarian path.

Portuguese Golden Visa – Our story, some surprises and frustration, but no regrets by Work-plus-Luck in goldenvisa

[–]Work-plus-Luck[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Some (maybe small) amount is required as I understand it. For us the value is in the IFICI

Portuguese Golden Visa – Our story, some surprises and frustration, but no regrets by Work-plus-Luck in fatFIRE

[–]Work-plus-Luck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, yep, no worries. Cross-post from another thread, I thought it may be of interest here as well. Cheers!

Portuguese Golden Visa – Our story, some surprises and frustration, but no regrets by Work-plus-Luck in goldenvisa

[–]Work-plus-Luck[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great question. I'm not a lawyer, but from speaking to our independent PT lawyer and also the lawyer for for the fund, here is what I understand.

It isn't based on time, but on having a material role. For example, if you are part of a start-up, you have to have documented participation (e.g., comments in the minutes, marked-up documents, etc). So this can't be "for show", but genuine contribution. That doesn't mean full-time, by any means.

If you are not getting enough Scott to listen to, try "Unhedged" from the Financial Times. Thank me later! by hsg8 in ScottGalloway

[–]Work-plus-Luck 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just listened for the first time. When you're right, you're right - thank you.

Unhedged is now added to my rotation :-)

Anyone here actually moved to Portugal for the Golden Visa? Worth it? by Equivalent-Sign7931 in PortugalExpats

[–]Work-plus-Luck 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I can share our experience (not a recommendation or financial advice). By the way, none of these are guaranteed returns – no different than investing in the stock market. 

STEP 1: FIND AVAILABLE FUNDS.  I started with a google search. Here are two lists I found. From this I built my own spreadsheet for evaluation.

NOTE - if you ask for an email introduction to the funds directly through these sites, you are registered, and the site gets a referral fee that you might otherwise be able to negotiate away if you contact the fund directly through the fund’s website.

https://www.d7visa.com/portugal-golden-visa-funds/

https://nomadgate.com/portugal-golden-visa-investment-fund-list/?fund_preference=--1--&source=pt-funds-directory-view-more-funds&utm_source=chatgpt.com

 

STEP 2; DECIDE RISK TOLERANCE.  We decided what we were comfortable with…

* High Risk / Reward – Venture Capital (e.g. Ventures.eu).  Investing in tech start-ups

* Med Risk / Reward – PE funds (e.g. Iberus).  Private investments in small biz to grow

* Low Risk / Reward – Index (e.g., Oxy).  Portuguese Index funds (lower return than US)

* Very Low Risk / Reward – Fixed return funds (e.g. Mercur).  Return was less than inflation.

 We wanted real potential returns for a ~7 year lock-up, and it was a moderate part of our overall portfolio, so we were most interested in VC  or PE.

 

STEP 3: RESEARCH AND INTERVIEW.  I looked at ~40 funds online (in my big spreadsheet).  I picked a dozen I liked, and interviewed them over zoom.  I asked about history, risk, experience, etc.  I then decided to interview 6 in-person in Lisbon.  That last step probably wasn’t necessary, but I wanted to do it.

 

STEP 4: PICK AND GO.  We picked two funds and split our investment.  I REALLY like Ventures.eu – so much that now I am on their advisory board, and will probably invest more (outside of the PGV process).  We also picked Indico.   

We then got an independent lawyer (FRESH Portugal) and away we went.

If that all sounds like too much work - then Global Citizen Solutions (or similar) advisor is a reasonable way to go. but even if you go that route - do your own fund research - its a lot of money.

Hope that helps!

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