SJF - Latest news by Contact@SJF - Latest news by Contact@https://www.sjf.pt/news/author/contactsjfFri, 03 Jul 2026 01:58:09 +0200http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Sandra Jardim Fernandes: Helping People Build New Beginnings]]>https://www.sjf.pt/news/post/helping-people-build-new-beginningsSandra was recently interviewed by IN Corporate Magazine for their "Mulheres Inspiradoras" (Inspiring Women) feature, where she opened up ab ]]>

Sandra was recently interviewed by IN Corporate Magazine for their "Mulheres Inspiradoras" (Inspiring Women) feature, where she opened up about her journey from corporate and real estate law to founding SJF Immigration & Investments and what drives her work with clients navigating Portugal's Golden Visa, D7, D8 and D2 programmes.


The original interview was published in Portuguese on June 26, 2026. You can read it here. 

Below is the English translation.

Sandra Jardim Fernandes: Helping People Build New Beginnings

Sandra Jardim Fernandes is a lawyer who has dedicated her professional life to Immigration Law and Foreign Investment. In 2022, she decided to create her own firm, SJF Immigration & Investments, to provide closer, more personalized and secure guidance to those who choose Portugal to live, invest, or start a new chapter in life.


The financial crisis had a profound impact on the real estate sector and many businesses, resulting in postponed projects and investments.


“I quickly realized that I wasn’t dealing only with corporate and real estate matters. People were genuinely distressed. Behind every case there were families, personal stories, hopes, and dreams. I came to understand that the true value of the law lies in preventing problems.”


This awareness of the human dimension behind every case led her, in 2013, to pursue a career focused on immigration law.

A Tailored Approach for Every Family

Through a friend, Sandra discovered the Golden Visa programme, which at the time was still relatively unknown in Portugal. The connection between investment, real estate and international mobility immediately sparked her interest and paved the way for her specialization in this field.


Over time, she felt the desire to build a project of her own. In 2022, she founded SJF Immigration & Investments, driven by the need to work more closely with her clients and become involved earlier in their decision-making process.

“I wanted to reach people before they had made their decision—to understand who they were, what they were looking for, and help them find the most suitable path.”


Today, she supports clients from many different nationalities who choose Portugal to live and invest through programmes such as the Golden Visa and D7, D8 and D2 residence visas. She believes that regardless of culture or origin, people’s motivations are remarkably similar.


“People think we are talking about visas. In reality, we are talking about life-changing decisions. Some are seeking security. Others want better opportunities for their children. Many simply want the freedom to choose. Ultimately, everyone is looking for the same things: security, opportunity and a better quality of life for the people they love.”


At first glance, law seemed an unlikely career path. During school, Sandra displayed a natural aptitude for the sciences, so her decision to study the humanities surprised some of her teachers.


The truth is that her passion never lay in mathematics or numbers. From an early age, she had a greater ambition: solving problems and finding answers to difficult situations - something that would later become one of her defining strengths.

“The law allowed me to combine those two dimensions. I wanted to work in areas where I could genuinely make a difference and help build solutions.”


After graduating from the Portuguese Catholic University in 1990, she returned to Madeira, where she was born, during a particularly challenging period for the economy, and began working in corporate and real estate law.

Leading Through Inspiration

Throughout her career, Sandra has been involved in leading teams and developing various projects. Even so, she has never identified with an authoritarian leadership style.


“I’ve never wanted to be the boss. I’ve always preferred to teach, mentor, explain a vision and build together, although I do enjoy inspiring people.”


Interestingly, most of her teams have been made up of women, and she says that helping them grow remains one of her greatest motivations.


“Identifying talent and watching it flourish is something that truly excites me. I admire how quickly women recognise challenges and find solutions. I enjoy thinking outside the box, looking ahead and discovering new ways of doing things together.”


As the mother of two daughters and a son, she highly values empathy, active listening and the ability to understand different perspectives.

An Inner Reconnection


If the first half of her life was marked by a relentless pursuit of results, the second half brought a new perspective.


“I realised I had spent far too much time focused on results, on my family, and too little time trusting myself. That was when everything began to change.”


A trip to Peru in 2018 became a defining moment. Meditation and self-awareness became part of her daily routine and essential tools for facing both professional and personal challenges.


“There isn’t a single day that I don’t begin with meditation. For me, it is mental hygiene. It helps me listen more carefully, make better decisions and stay fully present.”


That sense of calm is also reflected in the way she works with her clients.


“I work with life-changing decisions. Although my work is often associated with visas, residence permits and legal procedures, what I value most is the honesty, authenticity and genuine care that I bring to every client relationship.”

Portugal seen from the World

Sandra is a regular speaker at international conferences and has been a member of the Investment Migration Council for over a decade.


“It is essential to understand what is happening in other countries, what the international trends are, and how Portugal positions itself within that context.”


This month, she will once again be among the leading figures in her profession at the Investment Migration Forum 2026 in Paris, where professionals, specialists and institutional representatives from around the world will gather to discuss the future of international mobility and residence and citizenship programmes.


“It is important to listen to different perspectives and understand where the world is heading. The better we understand this landscape, the trends and the challenges that will shape the future of immigration, the better we can advise those who seek our guidance.”

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]]>Mon, 29 Jun 2026 10:51:49 +0000<![CDATA[Portugal - Digital Nomad Visa]]>https://www.sjf.pt/news/post/portugal-digital-nomad-visaSandra is interviewed by Leslie and speaks about the newly launched Digital Nomad Visa by the Portuguese Government.]]>


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]]>Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:43:43 +0000<![CDATA[Supreme Administrative Court Upholds Taxpayers’ Right to NHR Benefits Despite Missed Deadlines]]>https://www.sjf.pt/news/post/supreme-administrative-court-upholds-taxpayers-right-to-nhr-benefits-despite-missed-deadlinesIn a significant ruling, the Supreme Administrative Court has affirmed the right of taxpayers to benefit from Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) R ]]>

What does it mean for you?

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Administrative Court has affirmed the right of taxpayers to benefit from Portugal's Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) Regime, even if they miss the application deadline. This decision brings clarity and relief to many who seek to take advantage of the NHR Regime's favorable tax conditions.

According to the IRS Code, individuals who want to benefit from the NHR Regime must become tax residents in Portugal and request registration by March 31 of the year following their establishment of tax residency. The NHR Regime offers substantial tax benefits, including a 10-year period of reduced tax rates on certain types of income, which has made it a popular choice among expatriates and investors.

Previously, the Administrative and Tax Arbitration Court (CAAD) ruled that the NHR registration process is primarily declaratory, suggesting that the right to NHR benefits is not strictly contingent on meeting the registration deadline. However, this interpretation had not been confirmed by higher courts until now.

The Supreme Administrative Court's recent ruling aligns with CAAD's position, reinforcing that the substantive criteria for the NHR Regime take precedence over procedural deadlines. In essence, if taxpayers meet the eligibility requirements of the NHR Regime, they are entitled to its benefits for the full 10-year period, regardless of when they officially register.

This landmark decision means that even taxpayers who missed the March 31 deadline now have a reinforced opportunity to enjoy the NHR Regime's tax advantages. It underscores Portugal's commitment to maintaining an attractive and flexible tax environment for foreign residents and investors.

At SJF Immigration & Investments, we stay abreast of such critical legal developments to provide our clients with the most current and comprehensive immigration and investment advice. If you're considering relocating to Portugal or need assistance with the NHR Regime, our expert team is here to guide you through every step of the process.
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]]>Thu, 11 Jul 2024 15:39:14 +0000<![CDATA[New Tax Regime for Attracting Talent: What You Need to Know]]>https://www.sjf.pt/news/post/new-tax-regime-for-attracting-talent-what-you-need-to-knowPortuguese Government announces plan to reintroduce the a new Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) tax regime but with major changes.  In a recent intervi ]]>

The new Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) tax regime 

Portuguese Government announces plan to reintroduce the a new Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) tax regime but with major changes. 

In a recent interview with the Financial Times, Portugal's Minister of State and Finance, Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, announced the government's plan to reintroduce the Non-Habitual Residency (NHR) tax regime with significant modifications. The new regime, aimed at attracting skilled professionals, will now focus exclusively on salaries and professional income.


The revamped NHR regime will maintain the same fixed income tax rate of 20% but will apply only to salaries and professional income. Dividends, capital gains, and pensions will no longer be included under this scheme.

This strategic move underscores Portugal's commitment to fostering an environment that attracts skilled talent and supports economic expansion. The new NHR regime reflects a focused effort to bring in professionals who can contribute to the country's growth, ensuring Portugal remains a competitive destination for global talent.


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