In January 2021, Rostislav N. from Kazakhstan applied. He is a successful entrepreneur, owner of a chain of clothing stores under his personal brand in his home country and in Europe. He is married and has a two-year-old son.

The family left Kazakhstan a long time ago. Over the past few years they have managed to change more than one country in search of better conditions. Freedom of movement around the world and the opportunity to live in the EU countries provided residence permits in Italy and Spain, received by the spouses before the birth of their firstborn child. At the time of contacting us, the family was staying with the wife's parents in Moscow.

The main goal: EU citizenship for Rostislav, his wife and child.

Since dual citizenship is prohibited in Kazakhstan, the spouses were ready to give up their former passports in accordance with the law of the Republic.

Another peculiarity of this case is the Canadian citizenship of the son, which the couple informed about at the first interview.

We found out that despite long-standing residence permits in the European Union, the applicants did not qualify for naturalization in any country. As an alternative, we offered them participation in the Portuguese Golden visa program with subsequent citizenship in 5 years.

The Portuguese residence permit does not oblige you to reside in the country permanently. It is enough to stay on its territory for 7 days in the first year and 14 days in each two-year period. This was an additional plus for freedom-loving young people.

The clients agreed to such a plan and started to choose housing, indicating a budget of €400 thousand.

A real estate agent with whom we have a long-standing relationship, offered several properties in the eastern part of the southern province of Algarve, costing from € 280 thousand, under the terms of the program Golden visa.

In order to look at the possible options, the couple flew to the country in person. The resort province they immediately liked. They had no doubts about the choice of a house for a long time. Having decided on the purchase, Rostislav and his wife returned to their child in Russia.

The lawyer, on the basis of the received power of attorney, concluded a preliminary agreement of sale and purchase with a deposit.

Also on behalf of the client was issued TIN and an account in the bank Millenium, to which Rostislav transferred part of his savings to pay for the cost of housing and related expenses. All this took a month and a half.

At the same time, the lawyers prepared the necessary documents to apply for a residence permit. They made certificates, apostilles and licensed translation. At the end of February in the folder was included and the contract of sale of real estate. The complete set with a special application form for a residence permit was sent to the Portuguese Migration Service (SEF). 

In April, the office received a positive response to the request. Rostislav, as the main applicant, and his wife were given a date to submit biometrics.

In June, the couple flew to Portugal together with their child. In addition to the biometrics, the clients were waiting for an interview, which they passed without any problems.

Accompanied by a lawyer, Rostislav submitted the original documents to the SEF.

The family decided to stay in Portugal until the residence permit was granted, as the holiday season was in full swing.

After 2 months the client personally received residence permit id-cards at the Portuguese Migration Service for all declared family members.

Conclusion

The case is not yet finalized as the ultimate goal is EU citizenship. Before that we will renew our clients' residence permits twice more after 2 and 4 years, then we will help them to apply for a one-year residence permit and after 5 years we will apply for citizenship. In the meantime Rostislav and his wife will learn Portuguese to pass the exam.

Under the terms of the program, the minor child will receive the citizenship of the parents. Since the couple's son is a Canadian citizen, he will be able to have dual citizenship, because it is allowed by the laws of both countries. But according to the laws of Kazakhstan, Rostislav and his wife will have to give up their former passports.