Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

German residency routes:

• Blue Card - high-skilled employees
• Freiberufler / Selbständig - freelancer / self-employed
• Employer-sponsored work permits
• Entrepreneur visa
• Family reunification

Permanent residence typically after 5 years (faster on Blue Card).

Common Portuguese residency routes:

• D7 - passive income / pension
• D8 - digital nomad / remote work
• D2 - entrepreneur / self-employed
• D3 - highly qualified workers
• Tech Visa - eligible tech roles via accredited companies
• Golden Visa - restricted in scope after recent reforms
• Family reunification on most permits

Each has different income, residency-day, and renewal requirements.

Paraguay residency routes:

• Permanent residency via proof of solvency / qualifying income - the standard route
• Family inclusion on the main application

Physical-presence requirements are relatively low compared to other jurisdictions.

Chilean residency routes:

• Temporary residence - employment, retirement, or qualifying activity
• Investor / entrepreneur routes
• Family reunification
• Permanent residence typically after a qualifying temporary period

GmbH and UG (haftungsbeschränkt) are common structures. Notary involvement is required for formation. Tax registration, trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung), and German GAAP / tax accounting standards apply.

Portugal supports Lda (private limited) and SA (public limited) structures. Tax registration, social security registration, and a Portuguese tax representative are typically required. Substance, accounting, and reporting obligations are real.

SRL (Limited Liability) and SA (Joint Stock) structures are available; entity setup is well-supported by local partners. Substance and reporting requirements should be confirmed at setup.

SpA (Sociedad por Acciones), Ltda, and SA are standard structures. SII tax registration, RUT, and patent municipal registration follow.

Personal banking for residents is well established; certain non-resident structures take longer. SCHUFA history is relevant for residents. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Personal accounts are accessible to residents and many non-residents; documentation is structured and predictable. Corporate banking depends on company structure and intended activity; Bordercase coordinates with banking partners for introductions.

Personal banking for residents is accessible. Bordercase coordinates introductions and documentation prep.

Residency unlocks personal banking. Corporate banking depends on activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Family reunification is well supported. Schools (public, private, bilingual, and international) are widely available; international schools are concentrated in major cities.

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

Family inclusion on residency applications is supported. Schools (Spanish-language and limited international) are concentrated in Asunción.

Family reunification is supported. Schools (public, private, English, German, French) are concentrated in Santiago.

Risks Bordercase watches for in Germany:

• Tax residency triggers (183 days + centre of interests)
• Late VAT registration on cross-border services
• Language and bureaucratic friction in some Länder
• Freiberufler vs Gewerbe classification disputes

Risks Bordercase watches for in Portuguese cases:

• AIMA processing delays (formerly SEF)
• Misalignment between visa type and actual activity
• Tax residence triggered by accident - NHR window timing matters
• Past EU Schengen overstays must be disclosed
• Real estate vs investment routes have changed materially

Risks Bordercase watches for in Paraguay:

• Residency vs tax residency confusion
• Document apostille and translation requirements must be tracked carefully
• Some originating countries are subject to additional scrutiny
• Real-world banking outside Paraguay may not change because of Paraguayan residency

Risks Bordercase watches for in Chile:

• Tax residency triggers and worldwide-income reporting
• Processing variations between regions
• RUT timing for non-residents

Typical German residency documents:

• Passport
• Recognised qualifications (where required)
• Contract or business plan
• Accommodation evidence (Anmeldung)
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to German.

Typical document pack for Portuguese residency:

• Passport
• NIF (Portuguese tax number)
• Proof of accommodation (lease, deed, or invitation)
• Proof of income or assets (varies by route)
• Criminal record certificate with apostille
• Health insurance valid in Portugal
• Marriage / birth certificates for family routes
• Certified translations where required

Typical Paraguay documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate (origin country + any country of residence in last 5 years)
• Marriage / birth certificates for family
• Proof of income or solvency (savings / pension / business)

All documents apostilled and translated to Spanish.

Typical Chilean documents:

• Passport
• Apostilled foreign documents (birth, marriage, criminal record)
• Proof of income or investment
• Health insurance
• Spanish translations where required