SJF - Latest news by Contact@SJF - Latest news by Contact@https://www.sjf.pt/news/author/contactsjfWed, 09 Sep 2026 00:08:32 +0200http://zoho.com/sites/<![CDATA[Sandra Jardim Fernandes featured in PM Services Magazine]]>https://www.sjf.pt/news/post/sandra-jardim-fernandes-35-years-of-legal-practice-building-bridgesThe new Issue 138 of PM Services Magazine features Sandra Jardim Fernandes - lawyer, entrepreneur and founder of SjF Immigration & Investments - o ]]>

The new Issue 138 of PM Services Magazine features Sandra Jardim Fernandes - lawyer, entrepreneur and founder of SjF Immigration & Investments - on its back cover, marking a career shaped by 35 years of legal practice, leadership and international vision.

In this issue Sandra talked about her experience in immigration, investment, Real Estate and Corporate Law, and the expansion of her work into new international markets.

A conversation about experience, entrepreneurship, internationalization, strategy, and the importance of building safer paths for individuals, families, and investors.

The original feature was published in the September 2026 issue of PM Services Magazine, available here (pages 6–8).
Below you can find the English translation.


Sandra Jardim Fernandes: 35 Years of Legal Practice Building Bridges Between People, Investment and New Beginnings

Some careers are built through professional choices. Others are built through a vision of life. Sandra Isabel Trindade Jardim Fernandes’s journey belongs to the latter category. At the age of 59, born in Lisbon and with 35 years of experience practising law, Sandra Jardim Fernandes has consolidated a career shaped by law, entrepreneurship, adaptability and, above all, a profound understanding of people and the projects they embark upon.

A lawyer, entrepreneur and founder of SjF Immigration & Investments, Sandra has built a career spanning more than three decades that goes far beyond the traditional practice of law. Her experience in different areas of law - particularly real estate law, corporate law, management, immigration and international investment - has enabled her to develop a broad perspective on the challenges faced by individuals, families, entrepreneurs and investors in an increasingly globalised world.


Behind the internationally recognised professional, known for her legal expertise and international presence, is a woman deeply connected to people, family and each individual’s freedom to forge their own path.

Determined, intuitive and resilient, Sandra believes that technical knowledge is essential, but not enough on its own. It is necessary to know how to listen, to understand what is truly at stake, and to find solutions that make sense for each person’s circumstances.

“Behind the lawyer is a woman deeply connected to people, family and each individual’s freedom to forge their own path,” she says.

This human dimension has accompanied Sandra since the beginning of her career. Throughout 35 years of legal practice, she has worked across different professional areas and gone through personal phases that have contributed to an increasingly comprehensive understanding of the role a lawyer can play in the lives of those seeking their services.

When law began to look at life as a whole


Her specialisation in immigration arose naturally, as a consequence of a career already deeply connected to real estate law, corporate law and investment.

From 2013 onwards, Sandra began devoting herself more intensively to immigration and quickly realised that international clients were seeking much more than a visa or residence permit.

Very often, behind an immigration process lies a move to another country, a family, an investment, a company, the acquisition of a property, tax and asset-related matters, and plans for the future.

It was precisely within this complexity that Sandra found an area capable of bringing together several of her professional passions.


Immigration came to represent not merely a legal matter, but an opportunity to accompany people at decisive moments in their lives.

“In this field, I found the combination of everything that has always interested me professionally - law, investment and strategy - with a very strong human dimension,” she explains.

For Sandra, immigration is not simply about handling procedures. It concerns people in transition and decisions that can change an entire life. For that reason, each client is assessed individually, taking into account their objectives, family, financial and professional circumstances, and what they intend to build in the medium and long term.

More than cases, life projects

Responsibility takes on an even greater dimension when working with immigration. Behind every case are expectations, fears, investments, families and, very often, years of preparation. Even when the objective is business-related or financial, there is always a human dimension.
Sandra believes that one of the main responsibilities of her profession is to provide clarity and security at a time that may be marked by uncertainty.

In her view, clients should not feel that they are simply handing documents over to a service provider. They should feel that there is a team that knows their project, understands their objectives, anticipates difficulties and responsibly accompanies every stage.

This philosophy has become one of the foundations of SjF Immigration & Investments.

An integrated vision of law and investment

Sandra’s accumulated experience in real estate and corporate law has become particularly relevant to clients who seek Portugal not only as a place of residence, but also as a place in which to invest, conduct business and build a new life project. 

An immigration decision may involve establishing or acquiring a company, entering into contracts, purchasing or leasing property, making financial investments, dealing with asset-related matters and family planning.

This is why Sandra advocates an integrated approach

Obtaining a residence permit is not enough if the corporate structure is unsuitable. Making an investment is not enough without properly assessing its legal protection. Nor is it enough to choose an immigration solution without understanding its tax, family and asset-related implications.


It is precisely this comprehensive vision that SjF seeks to offer its clients, also drawing upon specialised professionals and trusted partners whenever a project requires expertise across different areas.


Entrepreneurship as a family legacy

Sandra’s entrepreneurial dimension also has deep roots in her family history.

Born into an entrepreneurial family, Sandra belongs to the third generation of female entrepreneurs in her family - a particularly significant fact considering the time in which the previous generations built their careers.

Her maternal grandmother, a Belgian woman born in Brussels in 1917, moved to Portugal after falling in love with a Portuguese university student. An independent and entrepreneurial woman, she forged her own path at a time when such a course was far from common for women.

Sandra’s mother was also an entrepreneur.

Today, Sandra and her sister represent the third generation of this female legacy.

This influence meant that an entrepreneurial mindset accompanied Sandra throughout her career. Even as a lawyer, she never regarded a law firm merely as a place in which to practise law. For her, an organisation requires strategy, management, innovation, processes, an understanding of the market and the ability to anticipate clients’ needs.

When she founded SjF, this vision gained a new dimension.

The challenge was to transform a personal vision, built over decades, into a structure capable of growing through a team without losing what she considers essential: quality, trust and human closeness.

Growing without losing closeness


Building a company also means learning to stop doing everything alone.

For Sandra, one of the most important aspects of SjF’s development was precisely learning how to delegate, train people, organise procedures and create a structure capable of operating beyond her direct involvement in every matter.

Today, she seeks to focus increasingly on strategy, international relationships and guiding the team.

However, there is something she has no intention of losing: closeness.

Sandra seeks to remain accessible to clients and partners and makes a point of maintaining a direct relationship, including through WhatsApp.

This choice reflects one of the qualities she values most in the way she works: the human dimension.

A brand that crossed borders

The internationalisation of Sandra’s career did not happen overnight.

Since 2014, she has participated as a speaker at international conferences related to immigration and foreign investment and, since 2015, has regularly participated as a speaker in initiatives organised by the International Bar Association.

Her presence in international networks, recognition among professionals from different countries, recommendations and invitations to participate in conferences were signs that her work had already gone beyond the boundaries of traditional legal practice.

It was within this environment of relationships and trust that SjF found fertile ground in which to grow.

For Sandra, a brand is not born merely from a name or a visual identity. It is built through the way one works, the relationships established and the values that are reflected in every interaction.

When clients and professionals from different countries recommend and recognise not only a lawyer but a particular way of working, a reputation is built. And from that reputation, a brand is born.

Brazil and Nigeria: an international strategy

SjF’s growth strategy currently involves an international expansion supported by local partnerships.

In Brazil, the firm established a partnership with Santo Global Advisory, creating a bridge between Portugal and Brazil in the fields of immigration, investment, tax planning, real estate and corporate structuring.

In Nigeria, SjF established a partnership with Zenith Travel Group, which acts as its representative exclusively in that market.

For Sandra, these partnerships do not merely represent geographical expansion.

They represent the ability to bring SjF closer to those clients through professionals who have an in-depth understanding of local realities, cultures, markets and people’s needs.

Internationalisation is therefore regarded not merely as a presence in new territories, but as the building of relationships founded on trust.

The United States and the new concept of mobility

Among the markets regarded as strategic for SjF’s next stage of development is the United States.

Sandra identifies growing interest among US citizens, families and entrepreneurs in establishing a connection with Europe, often as a means of diversifying their assets, increasing international mobility or creating what has become known as a “Plan B”.

Not everyone intends to move immediately to Portugal.

Some are simply seeking the possibility of establishing a European connection while maintaining their personal and professional lives in the United States.

Within this context, the ARI - Residence Permit for Investment Activity, internationally known as the Golden Visa - can play an important role for certain investor profiles, always depending upon individual eligibility and analysis of each particular case.

Sandra emphasises, however, that there is no universal solution.

The strategy must begin with an understanding of the client’s profile, objectives, financial structure, family circumstances and future intentions.

Immigration, investment & taxation: decisions that cannot be separated

In a world where economic and professional borders are increasingly fluid, Sandra believes that immigration, investment and internationalisation must be considered together. A person may move to another country, establish a company, acquire a property or make an investment - and each of these decisions may have tax, legal and financial consequences.


For this reason, she considers it essential that advice be provided before any decision is made, rather than only after all the steps have already been taken.

Where does the person intend to live? Where will they retain their economic interests? How are their income and assets structured? What are the family’s objectives? Which country is intended to become part of their life project?


These questions may determine whether a particular strategy is appropriate.


“The true value of professional advice lies in bringing the different specialist areas together from the outset and building a legally secure, carefully considered tax strategy that is consistent with the client’s life project,” she argues.



The future of a woman who continues to build


At the age of 59, Sandra Jardim Fernandes looks to the future with the same willingness to learn, create and transform that has marked the most recent decades of her career.
Over the next five years, she intends to consolidate SjF Immigration & Investments as an internationally recognised Portuguese brand in the areas of immigration, investment and global mobility. However, she does not seek growth at any cost.

She wants a solid, technologically prepared organisation that remains human at the same time. A structure capable of offering personalised solutions and maintaining a relationship of trust with every client. She also intends to devote increasing time to strategy, international relations and passing on the experience accumulated over 35 years, thereby contributing to the growth of her team and of younger professionals.

Ultimately, her vision for the future is not limited to expanding a business. It is also a way of perpetuating a particular approach to practising the profession.

A form of legal practice that combines knowledge and strategy without losing the ability to listen. A company that grows internationally while preserving closeness. A professional who has built a solid career but remains aware that every client represents a different story.

Sandra Jardim Fernandes began her legal career 35 years ago. Today, her work crosses borders and connects different dimensions of contemporary life: immigration, investment, mobility, assets, entrepreneurship and family. And perhaps it is precisely this ability to understand that, behind every case, there is a person with dreams, fears and plans for the future that best defines her legacy. Because, for Sandra, crossing a border does not simply mean moving from one country to another.

It may mean beginning a new chapter in life. And it is at that moment of change that she has chosen to be present: helping people and families transform complex decisions into safer, more structured paths capable of opening up new opportunities.

]]>Tue, 08 Sep 2026 15:57:19 +0000<![CDATA[SjF partners with  Santo Global Advisory]]>https://www.sjf.pt/news/post/sjf-partners-with-santo-global-advisoryYou can find the Portuguese translation below. -  A tradução em português pode ser encontrada abaixo. SJF Immigration & Investments is pleased ]]>

You can find the Portuguese translation below. - A tradução em português pode ser encontrada abaixo.


SJF Immigration & Investments is pleased to announce a new partnership with Santo Global Advisory, strengthening our international network and expanding the support we can offer clients moving between Portugal and Brazil.


As more of our clients look to structure their personal, investment, or business interests across both countries, having a trusted partner on the ground in Brazil allows us to extend the same standard of coordinated, personalized guidance beyond Portugal's borders.


Through this partnership, our clients gain access to specialized support in Brazil across the following areas:


  • Immigration and residence in Brazil
  • Tax planning and advisory
  • International taxation
  • Legal and corporate structuring
  • Asset and succession planning
  • Investment and business structuring
  • Legal support for individuals, families, and entrepreneurs establishing themselves in Brazil


    • With Santo Global Advisory, SJF clients considering Brazil now have access to trusted local expertise for the legal, tax, and structural aspects of establishing a presence in the country - whether personal, investment, or business-related.

    This partnership reflects our continued commitment to building a reliable international network and offering coordinated, cross-border support to our clients, wherever their plans take them next.

    SJF Immigration & Investments × Santo Global Advisory
    Portugal 🇵🇹 ↔️ Brazil 🇧🇷

    SJF Anuncia parceria com a Santo Global Advisory

    A SJF Immigration & Investments tem o prazer de anunciar uma nova parceria com a Santo Global Advisory, fortalecendo nossa rede internacional e ampliando o suporte que podemos oferecer aos clientes que transitam entre Portugal e o Brasil.

    À medida que mais clientes buscam estruturar seus interesses pessoais, de investimento ou empresariais em ambos os países, contar com um parceiro de confiança no Brasil nos permite estender o mesmo padrão de acompanhamento coordenado e personalizado além das fronteiras de Portugal.

    Por meio dessa parceria, nossos clientes passam a ter acesso a suporte especializado no Brasil nas seguintes áreas:


  • Imigração e residência no Brasil
  • Planejamento e consultoria tributária
  • Tributação internacional
  • Estruturação jurídica e societária
  • Planejamento patrimonial e sucessório
  • Estruturação de investimentos e negócios
  • Suporte jurídico para pessoas físicas, famílias e empreendedores que se estabelecem no Brasil


    • Com a Santo Global Advisory, os clientes da SJF que consideram o Brasil agora contam com expertise local de confiança para os aspectos jurídicos, tributários e estruturais do estabelecimento de presença no país - seja pessoal, de investimento ou empresarial.

    Essa parceria reflete nosso compromisso contínuo em construir uma rede internacional confiável e oferecer suporte transfronteiriço coordenado aos nossos clientes, onde quer que seus planos os levem.

    SJF Immigration & Investments × Santo Global Advisory
    Portugal 🇵🇹 ↔️ Brasil 🇧🇷

    ]]>    Fri, 28 Aug 2026 16:23:25 +0000    <![CDATA[SjF expands its Real Estate legal services through a new collaboration]]>https://www.sjf.pt/news/post/sjf-expands-its-real-estate-legal-services-through-a-new-collaborationWe are pleased to announce that, as of September 1, 2026 - SjF Immigration & Investments will be collaborating with Cláudia Cardoso, an independen ]]>

    We are pleased to announce that, as of September 1, 2026 - SjF Immigration & Investments will be collaborating with Cláudia Cardoso, an independent lawyer specialising in Real Estate Law.

    This collaboration strengthens our ability to provide clients with dedicated legal support in connection with real estate investments and transactions in Portugal, complementing SjF’s existing expertise in immigration and investment.

    With over ten years of experience in investment-related matters, Cláudia has advised a significant number of high-net-worth individuals and their families on investments in Portugal, including transactions connected with international mobility and residency-by-investment programmes.

    Through this collaboration, SjF clients will have access to specialised legal assistance throughout the real estate investment process, from the structuring and acquisition of property to the completion of the transaction and longer-term investment planning.

    Cláudia will continue to practise independently while collaborating with SJF on Real Estate Law matters, bringing her extensive experience and knowledge of the Portuguese property market to our clients.

    We are delighted to begin this collaboration and to further strengthen the range of services available to our clients in Portugal.

    Cláudia Cardoso: Lawyer | Real Estate Law

    Cláudia Cardoso is a lawyer with extensive experience in Real Estate Law, with a particular focus on real estate investment and acquisition transactions, as well as investments associated with international mobility processes.

    With over ten years of experience in the field of residency-by-investment, she has advised a significant number of high-net-worth individuals and their families on the structuring and implementation of investments in Portugal, including under the Portuguese Golden Visa Programme, providing legal support from the initial structuring stage through to long-term planning.

    Her experience enables her to provide integrated legal advice to both domestic and international investors, combining legal and regulatory expertise with a strategic understanding of each client’s transactions, investment objectives and wealth-planning goals.


    Throughout her career, she has closely followed the evolution of Portugal’s legal framework for real estate investment. She previously served as Director of the Real Estate Department at LEGALSQUARE and as Head of Strategic Partnerships, consolidating a comprehensive understanding of the Portuguese real estate market, its investors and investment opportunities.

    ]]>    Wed, 19 Aug 2026 15:27:54 +0000    <![CDATA[The Origin of SJF: From Law Pratice to Specialized Consulting]]>https://www.sjf.pt/news/post/the-origin-of-sjf-from-law-pratice-to-specialized-consultingSandra Jardim Fernandes, founder of SJF Immigration & Investments, was recently featured in Revista Business Portugal's "Brands Power" s ]]>

    Sandra Jardim Fernandes, founder of SJF Immigration & Investments, was recently featured in Revista Business Portugal's "Brands Power" section, published July 21, 2026. In the piece, she traces her path from a career in Real Estate Law to founding SJF, and the people-first approach that shapes how she guides clients through Portugal's immigration and investment programmes.



    The original feature was published in the June/July 2026 issue of Revista Business Portugal, available here (pages 117–119).
    Below you can find the English translation.


    The Origin of SJF: From Law Pratice to Specialized Consulting

    With a solid career in law, particularly in the fields of Real Estate Law and investment immigration, SJF founder Sandra Jardim Fernandes turned more than three decades of experience into a personalized consulting project. Driven by the desire to support clients before, during, and after their move to Portugal, she built a company grounded in closeness, trust, and tailored solutions for each family's needs.


    From law practice to the creation of SJF


    The creation of SJF was a natural evolution in the professional path of its founder, a lawyer with more than thirty years of experience in Real Estate Law. As Sandra Jardim Fernandes explains, "the idea came about very naturally," the result of experience gained over the course of her career and a desire to provide clients with more personal guidance.


    Her interest in immigration began in 2013, with the creation of Portugal's Golden Visa program. Sandra Jardim Fernandes explains that she "was approached because of my experience in Real Estate Law, and I decided to deepen my knowledge of this mechanism." From that point on, she began developing expertise in this area, driven not only by legal interest but also by direct contact with clients, she says.

    Throughout her professional experience, she noticed that many clients sought legal support only after they had already made important decisions. This realization sparked her interest in a different approach - one focused on the stage before the legal process begins. As she explains: "I liked being able to reach people at an earlier stage, not only as the lawyer for the process itself, but to be able to advise them at a stage when they are still deciding."

    She also found that "the program chosen wasn't necessarily the best or the right one for that family," arguing that each solution should be tailor-made - that is, adapted to each client's needs and goals.

    A people-centered approach

    This vision gave rise to SJF, created with the goal of offering a personalized consulting service. Lawyer Sandra Jardim Fernandes says she "wanted to focus on the family's concerns" and guide each client "regardless of any financial interest," seeking to understand their situation before recommending any immigration or investment program.


    Sandra Jardim Fernandes also notes that the challenges clients face vary widely, as many are unfamiliar with Portugal and how its different investment programs work.

    As she states: "People don't know our country, and so they need guidance to make informed decisions." With this in mind, SJF analyzes each situation individually, presenting solutions suited to each family's profile and goals, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

    The challenges of immigration and international investment

    Another point she highlights is the importance of the trust built with clients. For the founder, an immigration process represents a profound change in people's lives, involving expectations, concerns, and countless decisions to make.


    For this reason, she considers it essential to be available to support clients throughout the entire process. As she explains, "any immigration process takes a great deal of time," calling it "an adventure" for anyone deciding to move to another country - one that requires close, ongoing support.

    Although the company was founded in 2022, by the end of 2025 it had become fully dedicated to the project, building its own team and establishing partnerships with lawyers across several regions of the country. This structure allows for closer, more comprehensive support while maintaining the quality of service as a top priority.

    Throughout the interview, the founder also emphasizes that an immigration process goes far beyond its legal component. Beyond legal counsel, she considers it essential to support clients through every stage of adapting to the country - helping them with matters such as choosing a location, family integration, tax guidance, or even finding schools for their children. As she puts it, the goal is to "offer the full package," ensuring families feel supported at every stage of the move.


    Growth with quality and closeness

    SJF's CEO emphasizes that she intends to maintain sustainable growth for the company, prioritizing quality of service over volume of cases. Her goal is to continue working at a scale that allows her to maintain a close relationship with each client, stating that she does not intend to return to a model where her time is devoted solely to managing a team. As she explains, she wants "people to feel they can reach out to me, in confidence, at any time," reinforcing that closeness, availability, and personalized support remain SJF's core values.


    Sandra Jardim Fernandes believes her experience as a lawyer was decisive in the creation of SJF, allowing her to turn legal knowledge into a consulting approach centered on people. The project is built on closeness, trust, and the conviction that every case must be carefully adapted to each family's specific needs.

    ]]>    Thu, 06 Aug 2026 10:38:26 +0000    <![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.”

    Get Started Now
    ]]>    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.]]>


    Get Started Now
    ]]>    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.
    Contact Us
    ]]>    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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    ]]>    Fri, 05 Jul 2024 13:19:59 +0000