Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

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

Cyprus residency routes:

• Permanent residency by investment (Cat F / Cat 6.2)
• Digital Nomad Visa
• Employment routes (including the international headquartering route)
• Family reunification

The investor citizenship programme is closed.

Romanian residency routes:

• Employment-based residence (including the Blue Card)
• Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers
• Business / investor routes
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

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

Cyprus Limited companies are widely used by international groups for IP, holding, and trading structures. Substance, local director, and accounting requirements have tightened in recent years and must be planned at setup.

SRL (limited liability) is the standard structure. Formation involves notary and trade registry. Microcompany tax regime may apply for small businesses with eligible activities.

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.

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.

Cypriot banks have strict KYC and source-of-funds processes following past compliance episodes. EMIs are widely used as supplements. Personal and corporate banking introductions go through vetted partners.

Personal and corporate banking for residents is broadly accessible. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard cross-border structures.

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

Family reunification is available on most routes. English-language schools (public and private) and healthcare options are widely accessible to legal residents.

Family reunification is supported. International schools (English, French, German) are concentrated in Bucharest, Cluj, and Timișoara.

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 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

Common pitfalls in Cyprus cases:

• Post-reform substance requirements underestimated
• Banking timelines longer than expected
• Permanent residency confused with citizenship (different programmes)
• Some sectors face additional KYC scrutiny

Risks Bordercase watches for in Romania:

• Tax residency triggers
• Microcompany regime eligibility
• Processing variations between counties
• Schengen entry / exit rules now apply

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

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 document pack for Cyprus residency:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
• Proof of income / investment
• Health insurance valid in Cyprus
• Accommodation evidence
• Education certificates (for relevant routes)
• Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

For company formation: business plan, ownership-chain documents, and KYC for all ultimate beneficial owners.

Typical Romanian residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address
• Basis for residence
• Health insurance
• Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to Romanian.

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