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	Spain Europe	Mexico North America	Portugal Europe
Overview	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.	Mexico is a large North American economy with established routes for residency, growing remote-worker visa programs, and a strong fit for founders building toward Latin American customers. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Mexican partners for filings.	Portugal 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.
Best for	Families Remote workers EU access Cost of living	Founders Families Latin America hub Cost of living	Families Remote workers Founders EU access
Currency	EUR	MXN	EUR
Language	Spanish	Spanish	Portuguese
Time zone	UTC+1	UTC-6	UTC+1
EU member	Yes	No	Yes
Schengen	Yes	No	Yes
Residency	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.	Mexican residency routes: Temporary resident visa - via investment, employment, or qualifying income Permanent resident visa - via qualifying assets, retirement income, or after 4 years of temporary residency Family unity routes - for spouse and dependents of permanent residents / citizens Student visa Permanent residency unlocks indefinite stay with work authorisation.	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	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.	SA de CV (Sociedad Anónima) and S de RL de CV are the standard private entity types. Formation involves a notary, RFC (tax registration), and IMSS where staff are involved. Mexican tax residency is triggered by primary home and centre of economic interests.	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 straightforward; corporate banking depends on activity and structure. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard cases.	Resident personal banking is broadly accessible; corporate banking depends on activity and structure. Source of funds and ownership clarity are central. 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.
Family	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, Japanese) are widely available in major cities; bilingual public and private schools are common.	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 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 Mexico: Centre-of-economic-interests test for tax residency Real-estate restrictions in the "restricted zone" (50 km from coast, 100 km from borders) - fideicomiso or Mexican company structure needed Income thresholds for temporary / permanent routes change with minimum wage indexation Late-stage RFC and CURP registrations	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 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 Mexican documents: Passport Apostilled foreign documents (birth, marriage, criminal record) Proof of income or qualifying assets Photographs to specification Mexican consular application abroad for most routes	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

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