When high-net-worth individuals look at residency-by-investment programs, the first thought is usually access and mobility.
But here’s the thing most overlook—wealth protection.
The Portugal Golden Visa isn’t just a residency pathway. It’s also an opportunity to rethink how your assets are structured for estate planning and long-term legacy protection.
Smart investors use it to open doors for future generations, not just for themselves. Companies like MovingTo help streamline the application, but the conversation shouldn’t stop at immigration. It should include succession planning too.
Let’s break down how to do it right.
Before structuring anything, you need to understand how inheritance works in Portugal.
Portugal applies forced heirship rules. That means a fixed portion of your estate automatically goes to close family members, regardless of your will. Usually, this includes spouses, children, and sometimes parents.
You can’t freely distribute 100% of your assets as you might in common law countries.
This can complicate things if your Golden Visa investment is tied to Portuguese assets. If you don’t plan properly, your heirs could face delays, tax surprises, or legal disputes after you’re gone.
That’s why setting up the right legal structure from day one is critical.
One way to bypass some inheritance headaches is by holding your investment through a company.
Many Golden Visa applicants use:
Using a corporate entity can simplify the transfer of shares upon death. Instead of dealing with local property succession laws, your heirs inherit shares in the company. This process is often smoother and more tax-efficient.
It also offers extra layers of privacy and asset protection.
Portugal doesn’t officially recognize trusts in its legal system. But that doesn’t mean you can’t use them.
Many investors set up trusts or private foundations in jurisdictions where these structures are recognized—like Jersey, Singapore, or the Cayman Islands. The trust then holds shares in the investment fund or holding company linked to the Golden Visa.
This setup allows:
Make sure you work with legal advisors who understand both local and international trust law. The structure needs to be watertight.
The Golden Visa allows you to include your spouse, dependent children, and even dependent parents in your residency application.
This isn’t just a perk—it’s a legacy move.
By getting your family residency status now, you avoid complications later. Your heirs can continue to live, work, and study in Portugal (and the EU) even after you’re gone. There’s no need for them to start the residency process from scratch.
It’s about setting them up for long-term freedom of movement and opportunity.
Estate planning isn’t just about who gets what. It’s about how much tax they’ll pay when they do.
Portugal has no wealth tax and no inheritance tax on close family members for Portuguese assets. But other countries might tax your global estate, depending on your domicile.
For example:
Work with tax advisors who specialize in cross-border estate planning. You need a plan that considers both Portugal’s system and your home country’s rules.
The type of Golden Visa investment you choose can affect your estate plan.
Direct real estate ownership (when it was allowed) often created succession issues because of local property laws. With fund investments, the transfer of units or shares is usually easier to manage.
Many of Portugal’s Golden Visa-eligible funds are structured to allow for:
Before you invest, check the fund’s terms carefully. Ask how they handle succession events. Some funds offer better flexibility than others.
Legacy planning isn’t just about legal structures. It’s also about preserving purchasing power.
Holding part of your family’s wealth in euros through a Portugal Golden Visa investment can help hedge against:
Think of it as geographic diversification—not just for your lifestyle, but for your balance sheet.
This protects your heirs from having all assets tied to one currency or one economy.
Estate planning is not a one-time event. Laws change. Family situations evolve. So do markets.
Schedule regular reviews of your Golden Visa investment and its structure. This ensures:
Staying proactive prevents surprises later.
When structured correctly, a Golden Visa investment is more than a residency tool. It becomes a part of your estate plan—one that protects your family’s future while giving you peace of mind today.
Wealth preservation isn’t just about accumulation. It’s about control, security, and making sure the people you care about are taken care of long after you’re gone.