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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.

 PT flagPortugal

Europe

DE flagGermany

Europe

AR flagArgentina

Latin America

OverviewPortugal is a popular EU destination for individuals, families, and remote professionals. Bordercase coordinates assessment across the main residency routes and family relocation logistics, working with licensed Portuguese partners for filings.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.Argentina is a major South American economy with structured residency routes and a competitive cost of living for international founders and families. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Argentine partners for filings.
Best for
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • Founders
  • EU access
  • Founders
  • Skilled workers
  • EU access
  • Families
  • Latin America hub
  • Cost of living
  • Founders
  • Families
CurrencyEUREURARS
LanguagePortugueseGermanSpanish
Time zoneUTC+1UTC+1UTC-3
EU memberYesYesNo
SchengenYesYesNo
Residency

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.

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).

Argentine residency routes:

  • Rentista visa - passive income / pension
  • Investor visa - qualifying investment in an Argentine business
  • Worker visa - employer-sponsored
  • Family routes - spouse, children, parents
  • MERCOSUR fast-track for nationals of member states
Company setup

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.

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.

SA (Sociedad Anónima) and SRL (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) are the standard structures. CUIT, IGJ registration, and AFIP tax registration follow.

Banking

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

Residency unlocks personal banking. Forex controls and currency volatility are part of the landscape; multi-jurisdiction structuring is common.

Family

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 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 routes. Schools (public, private, English, German, French) are widely available in Buenos Aires.

Risks

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 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 Argentina:

  • Currency / forex controls
  • Tax residency triggers
  • Document apostille + Spanish translation requirements
Documents

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 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 Argentine documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family
  • Proof of income or investment
  • Health insurance

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