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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

MT flagMalta

Europe

CL flagChile

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.Malta is an EU member state with established residency, company, and family relocation routes. English is widely spoken and regulatory processes are well documented. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Maltese partners for filings.Chile is a stable Latin American economy with structured residency routes, strong civil infrastructure, and growing relevance for international founders. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Chilean partners for filings.
Best for
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • Founders
  • EU access
  • Founders
  • Holding structures
  • EU access
  • English admin
  • Latin America hub
  • Stable economy
  • Founders
  • Families
CurrencyEUREURCLP
LanguagePortugueseEnglish / MalteseSpanish
Time zoneUTC+1UTC+1UTC-4
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.

Maltese residency routes:

  • Nomad Residence Permit - eligible remote workers
  • Malta Permanent Residency Programme (MPRP) - investor route
  • Employment routes
  • Family reunification

The citizenship-by-naturalisation-for-exceptional-services programme is closed to new applicants.

Chilean residency routes:

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

Maltese companies are commonly used for trading, IP holding, and gaming / fintech structures. Substance, accounting, and tax-refund mechanisms are well established but require careful structuring.

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

Local banking has tightened; EMIs are common supplements. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions through partners with current relationships.

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

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 supported on most routes. Schooling and healthcare are accessible to legal residents.

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

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 Malta:

  • Substance requirements (real operations, real director time)
  • Tax classification disputes
  • Banking timelines - EU-wide AML pressure
  • EU anti-abuse rules tighten ongoing

Risks Bordercase watches for in Chile:

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

Standard EU residency document pack for Malta:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Proof of income
  • Health insurance
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Apostille or legalisation where required.

Typical Chilean documents:

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

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