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	Germany Europe	Spain Europe	Poland Europe	Portugal Europe
Overview	Germany is the largest EU economy and a strong destination for skilled professionals, founders, and remote workers (under specific routes). Bordercase coordinates with licensed German 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.

Residency	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).	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.	Polish residency routes: Blue Card - high-skilled employees Temporary residence via employment Self-employment / entrepreneur routes Family reunification EU citizen-derivative routes Permanent residence typically after 5 years.	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.

Company setup	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.	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.	Sp. z o.o. (limited liability) is the standard private entity. Online formation via S24 is possible; otherwise notary registration. Tax registration, VAT, and ZUS (social contributions) follow. CIT and the new estonian-style lump-sum CIT regime may 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.

Banking	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 banking for residents is straightforward; corporate banking depends on activity and structure. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard cases.	Personal and corporate banking for residents is widely accessible. Non-resident structures take longer; documentation must be tight. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.	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.

Family	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 after a qualifying period. Schools (public, private, international) are widely available; the public system is generally accessible to legal residents.	Family reunification is supported on most residency routes. International schools (English, German, French) are concentrated in Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław.	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.

Risks	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 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 Poland: Long visa processing in some voivodeships CIT and ZUS planning often gets done late Centre-of-interests analysis for tax residency Estonian-style lump-sum CIT regime eligibility	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

Documents	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 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 Polish residency documents: Passport Criminal record certificate Proof of address Employment contract or business plan Health insurance Marriage / birth certificates for family Apostilled and translated to Polish.	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