Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

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.

UK residency routes:

• Skilled Worker visa - employer-sponsored
• Innovator Founder visa - for endorsed founders
• Global Talent visa - for endorsed experts
• Self-Sponsorship via own company (with substance)
• Family routes - spouse / partner / dependents
• Ancestry visa for eligible Commonwealth nationals

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.

Mauritius residency routes:

• Premium Visa - remote work
• Occupation Permit - investor / professional / self-employed
• Residence Permit by property purchase - within approved schemes

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.

UK Limited companies are widely used internationally. HMRC corporation tax, VAT thresholds, and PSC (people with significant control) reporting apply. Substance expectations have tightened.

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.

GBC (Global Business Company) and Domestic Companies are the standard structures. Substance requirements following OECD reforms must be considered; the GBC framework has evolved materially.

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.

Resident banking is mature but onboarding is slow for non-residents. Many international founders use UK EMIs (Revolut, Monzo Business, etc.) alongside high-street accounts. 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.

Local banks support resident and corporate accounts; KYC and source-of-funds requirements are real. Bordercase coordinates banking introductions.

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. Schools (state, private, international) are widely available; competition for top schools is real.

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 is supported. International schools are available in major regions.

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 the UK:

• Tax residency triggers (Statutory Residence Test)
• Sole-rep / Innovator endorsement standards have tightened
• Brexit-era operational variation between UK and EU services
• Sponsorship Compliance for licensed sponsors

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 Mauritius:

• Substance reform impacts on Global Business Companies
• FATCA / CRS reporting on related accounts
• Mauritian residency vs physical-presence-based tax residence elsewhere
• Banking introductions vary by activity

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 UK documents:

• Passport
• Certificate of Sponsorship (for sponsored routes)
• TB test (for certain nationalities)
• Maintenance funds evidence
• Apostilled / certified documents for family 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 Mauritius documents:

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

Apostille where required.