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Bordercase

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Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Pick up to 4 countries and see residency, company, banking, family, and risk notes line up. No prices, no marketing packages - just the working notes.

 BR flagBrazil

Latin America

ES flagSpain

Europe

ME flagMontenegro

Europe

OverviewBrazil is the largest Latin American economy with structured residency routes and growing remote-worker visa pathways. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Brazilian partners for filings.Spain offers structured EU residency routes for individuals, families, and entrepreneurs, including the digital nomad visa introduced under the Startups Law. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Spanish partners for filings.Montenegro is a non-EU European country with structured residency routes, EU candidate status, and a growing role as a base for founders and remote workers in the region. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Montenegrin partners.
Best for
  • Latin America hub
  • Founders
  • Families
  • Digital nomads
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • EU access
  • Cost of living
  • Cost of living
  • Coastal living
  • Regional residency
CurrencyBRLEUREUR
LanguagePortugueseSpanishMontenegrin / Serbian
Time zoneUTC-3UTC+1UTC+1
EU memberNoYesNo
SchengenNoYesNo
Residency

Brazilian residency routes:

  • Investor visa (VIPER / VITEM) - qualifying investment in a Brazilian business
  • Digital nomad visa - remote workers
  • Retirement visa - qualifying pension income
  • Family reunification
  • Employer-sponsored work permits

Spanish residency routes:

  • Non-Lucrative Visa - passive income, no employment in Spain
  • Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers and self-employed (Startups Law)
  • Self-Employed Visa
  • Entrepreneur Visa
  • EU citizen-derivative routes

The Golden Visa has been phased out for real estate purchases.

Montenegrin residency routes:

  • Temporary residence via employment
  • Business / self-employment
  • Real-estate ownership
  • Family reunification

Permanent residence typically after 5 years.

Company setup

Ltda and SA are the standard structures. CNPJ registration, state registrations, and Receita Federal tax registration follow. The MEI regime suits micro-entrepreneurs.

SL (Sociedad Limitada) is the standard private company. Registration involves NIE / NIF, notary, mercantile registry, and tax registration. Spanish tax residency triggers worldwide income reporting; the Beckham Law (special tax regime) may apply to eligible relocated workers.

DOO (limited liability) is the standard structure. Formation is well-documented and reasonably fast. Tax and VAT registration follow.

Banking

Residency unlocks personal and corporate banking. Pix has changed everyday payments; SWIFT for international flows still requires careful KYC.

Personal banking for residents is straightforward; corporate banking depends on activity and structure. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard cases.

Personal banking for residents is accessible. Corporate banking depends on activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.

Family

Family reunification is supported on most routes. International schools (English, German, French, Japanese) are concentrated in São Paulo, Rio, and Brasília.

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes after a qualifying period. Schools (public, private, international) are widely available; the public system is generally accessible to legal residents.

Family inclusion on residency applications is supported. International schools are available in Podgorica and on the coast.

Risks

Risks Bordercase watches for in Brazil:

  • Tax residency rules and worldwide-income reporting
  • Real-estate restrictions in certain border regions
  • Document apostille + Portuguese translation

Risks Bordercase watches for in Spain:

  • Tax residency triggers - 183 days + centre of interests
  • Beckham Law (special regime) eligibility
  • Autonomous-community tax variation
  • Hacienda audits when planning is unclear
  • Past Schengen overstays must be disclosed

Risks Bordercase watches for in Montenegro:

  • Tax residency triggers
  • EU accession dynamics may change rules over time
  • Processing variations between municipalities
  • Schengen entry / exit considerations for travel planning
Documents

Typical Brazilian documents:

  • Passport
  • Apostilled foreign documents
  • Proof of income or investment
  • Photographs to specification
  • Brazilian consular application abroad for most routes

Typical Spanish residency documents:

  • Passport
  • NIE (foreigner identification number)
  • Criminal record certificate with apostille
  • Proof of income / assets
  • Health insurance with full cover in Spain
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Typical Montenegrin residency documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Basis for residence
  • Health insurance
  • Family certificates

Apostilled and translated.

Country pages stay the authoritative source. This view is a side-by-side; nothing here promises a particular outcome.