Legal Counsel for Brazilians and Other Foreign Nationals in Portugal
Portuguese citizenship, visas and residence permits, family, succession, and companies — with offices in São Paulo and Albufeira.
Would you like to live in Portugal or elsewhere in Europe?
Portuguese Citizenship
and Visas
Citizenship, residence and the Golden Visa.
About this country →
Spanish Citizenship
and Visas
Residence, citizenship and consular procedures.
About this country →
Italian Citizenship
and Visas
Review of Italian descent after the 2025 reform.
About this country →
German Citizenship
and Visas
Dual citizenship, skilled work and study.
About this country →International succession and Golden Visa: Brazil, Portugal, and other countries
Inheritance and Planning for Assets in Both Countries
For families with assets in Brazil and Portugal.
- Which law governs the estate
- Coordinated wills and lifetime planning
- Inventory proceedings in Brazil and partition in Portugal
Residence in Portugal Through Investment
Residence permit for the investor and family.
- Investment options currently in force
- Reduced minimum stay
- AIMA application and renewals
Assets and Residence in Other Countries
The United States, Portuguese-speaking African countries (PALOP), Israel, and others.
- Estates with assets in more than one country
- International estate planning
- Effects in Brazil and Portugal
We handle citizenship, visa, and residence permit matters, as well as family, succession, and business matters between Brazil and Portugal, always based on the legislation in force.
Close support, from Brazil to Portugal
Since 2012, Sene & Araújo has assisted Brazilians at every stage: case review, gathering of documents, filing with the Portuguese authorities, and follow-up until the decision.
Paths to citizenship
Children of Portuguese citizens
Citizenship for children of a Portuguese father or mother.
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Grandchildren and great-grandchildren
Current requirements after Organic Law 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica).
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Marriage or de facto union
For spouses and partners of Portuguese citizens.
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Length of residence
For those legally residing in Portugal.
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Adoption
Citizenship for persons adopted by Portuguese citizens.
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Ascendants
Only for applications filed by May 18, 2026.
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Urgency and delays in the process
Priority processing and what to do when the application is delayed.
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Citizenship step by step
From documents to registration, one step at a time.
Learn more →Visas and residence permits
Employment
For those with an employment contract or a promise of employment contract.
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Entrepreneurs and self-employed
For setting up a company or working on your own account.
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Highly qualified activity
For qualified professionals and the EU Blue Card.
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Study
For students and vocational training.
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Higher education
Mobility of higher education students.
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Family reunification
To bring together the family of someone residing in Portugal.
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Own income
For retirees and people living on passive income.
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Residence permit
Grant, renewal, CPLP, and AIMA delays.
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Golden Visa
Residence permit for investment, under the options currently in force.
Learn more →Family, assets, and tax between Brazil and Portugal
Wills
Forms, forced share, and applicable law in both countries.
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Declaration of heirs
Notary's office or Inheritance Desk, documents, and Stamp Duty.
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Assets in Brazil
Selling, inheriting, and managing assets in Brazil while living in Portugal.
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Marriage and property regime
Applicable law, prenuptial agreement, and effects on inheritance.
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Child custody
Relocation to another country, travel authorization, and the Hague Convention.
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International child and spousal support
Setting, collecting, and modifying support between Brazil and Portugal.
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STJ recognition
Portuguese judgments given effect in Brazil.
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Tax residence
Definitive departure from Brazil, the 183-day rule, and double taxation.
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INSS retirees
Brazilian pension received in Portugal: the agreement and taxation.
Learn more →Family, registries, and assets
Divorce
Learn more →FamilyStable union
Learn more →SuccessionInventory proceedings and partition
Learn more →SuccessionSuccession planning
Learn more →RegistriesRecognition of foreign judgments
Learn more →RegistriesCorrection of registry records
Learn more →RegistriesTranscriptions
Learn more →RegistriesDocument search
Learn more →RegistriesPowers of attorney
Learn more →CompaniesCompany formation
Learn more →AssetsBuying and selling real estate
Learn more →CompaniesContracts
Learn more →TaxNIF
Learn more →ProfessionPracticing law in Portugal
Learn more →ProfessionRecognition of degrees
Learn more →ReviewsLegislation
Learn more →“Attentive, competent professionals, always available to answer questions; they explain the whole process very well.”
“Starting with the super friendly, fast, clear service! I felt very confident using their services; they were always very transparent about the steps…”
“Dr. Natalie and Dr. Maristela do a great job of guiding clients and are actively involved at every stage…”
“Thank you, Laís and Nathalie, for supporting me so competently.”
“An extremely professional and amazing team. They helped me at every stage…”
“Our contact was virtual, but the service was great!”
“No words for all the attention given to our family's matters!”
“Efficiency and kindness working together!”
“5-star service. Friendly and very informative.”
“Excellent service combined with speed and professionalism!”
From first contact to registration in Portugal
Meetings by video call or in person, documents submitted digitally, and follow-up of the process until the decision.
- 1Case reviewWe determine which route applies and which documents already exist.
- 2Proposal and documentsA written fee proposal and a list of certificates, with document searches when necessary.
- 3Filing and follow-upSubmission to the IRN, AIMA, the consulate, or the court, with progress updates.
Common questions
Didn't find your question? Talk to our team on WhatsApp.
Does the firm assist clients who are still in Brazil?
Yes. Meetings can be held by video call and documents can be sent digitally. The firm has offices in São Paulo and in Albufeira, Portugal.
Who can apply for Portuguese citizenship?
Among other routes: children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of Portuguese citizens; those married to, or living in a de facto union with, a Portuguese citizen for more than 3 years; and those who have legally resided in Portugal for 7 years (Brazilians) or 10 years (other foreign nationals), under Organic Law 1/2026 (Lei Orgânica). See the step-by-step guide.
Is it still possible to obtain a Golden Visa by buying real estate?
No. Since Law 56/2023, real estate investment no longer gives access to the residence permit for investment. Other options remain in force, such as non-real-estate investment funds and job creation. See the options.
I have assets in Brazil and in Portugal. Are two inventory proceedings needed?
As a rule, yes: real estate located in Brazil is partitioned in Brazil (Article 23 of the Code of Civil Procedure), and assets in Portugal follow Portuguese procedures, such as the declaration of heirs (habilitação de herdeiros) and partition. Planning during one's lifetime helps coordinate the two. Learn more about international succession.
Do I need a NIF to buy property or open a bank account in Portugal?
Yes, the NIF (Portuguese tax identification number) is required for virtually every transaction in Portugal. Non-residents can apply for it without appointing a tax representative at the time of the application. See how to obtain a NIF.
How much does the service cost?
Each case is reviewed before we send a written fee proposal, with the fees and applicable official charges. See the table of official fees.
Talk to our team
Tell us about your case: we will reply by email and, if you prefer, schedule a video call.
Lawyers in Brazil and Portugal
Maristela de Araújo
Partner · lawyer admitted to the OAB
Natalie Sene
Partner · OAB and Portuguese Bar Association, registration no. 59783L
Laís Vellozo Sene
Lawyer admitted to the OABWould you like to know which route applies to your case?
Talk to our team on WhatsApp or by email.
Latest articles
Selling property in Brazil while living in Portugal
Power of attorney or videoconference, capital gains tax of 15% to 22.5% without the exemptions available to residents, withholding by the buyer, remittance, and credit for the tax against Portuguese IRS: what changes for those living in Portugal.
I inherited property in Brazil and live in Portugal: step by step
Out-of-court inventory before a notary without traveling, a power of attorney with special powers, documents, ITCMD, and the choice of the property's value in the partition: a step-by-step guide for those who inherited in Brazil and live in Portugal.
INSS retirees in Portugal: income tax at progressive rates in 2026
Since Normative Instruction IN RFB 2,299/2025, pensions paid to people living in Portugal are taxed under the progressive table. See the calculation for 2026, the effect on Portuguese IRS, and how to claim back the 25% withheld in recent years.