“After the 2024 election, we knew we had to leave the US. nextStep didn't just handle our D7 visa. They gave us hope and a clear path during an uncertain time. Six months later, we're home.”
- First call
- D7 visa
- The move
- HomeSix months
LGBTQIA+ relocation law · Portugal
Your next step
is home.
Legal guidance and personal support for LGBTQIA+ people and families moving to Portugal. We handle the visas, the property and the paperwork, and we help you settle in.
nextStepBoarding pass
FromYYZToronto
ToFAOFaro
- Passenger
- You
- Gate
- Faro
- Seat
- Home
- Boarding
- When ready
SeatHome37.0151° N7.9351° WAdmits you and your loved ones
- Office
- Faro · Algarve
- Languages
- EN · PT
- Reply time
- Within 24 hours
- Consultations
- Legally privileged
Step 1 of 7Routes
Wherever you're leaving from.We handle the arrival.
Clients come to us from the US, Canada, Brazil and beyond. Each route has its own documents, visa and timing. We plan it from the first call to your residence card.
- San Francisco to CascaisD7ARRIVED
- Toronto to FaroResidencyARRIVED
- São Paulo to TaviraFamilyARRIVED
- New York to LisboaNomadBOARDING
- Rio de Janeiro to PortoGoldenBOARDING
- Vancouver to LagosD7BOARDING
Arrived: routes from the client stories belowBoarding: other routes we handle often
City positions are real coordinates. Portugal is enlarged so each destination is visible. On phones, departure cities are listed north to south.
Step 2 of 7Who we are
Lawyers whoget it.
nextStep is a boutique legal practice for LGBTQIA+ individuals and families choosing Portugal. We cover immigration, investment and relocation, and we translate the culture as well as the law.
Our attorneys combine deep Portuguese legal expertise with lived international experience. We act as your concierge for big decisions, your cultural interpreter and your advocate. You get legal security, personal attention and a safe harbour. You are never just a case number.
Talk to the team →- LegalVisas, contracts, rights
- CulturalLanguage, customs, community
- PersonalSchools, healthcare, home
300+Families supported
Each filled house is one family we have helped settle in Portugal. The outlined ones are for the families still to come. Yours could be next.
20+Years of experience
99%Success rate
24/7Availability by appointment
Step 3 of 7Why Portugal
Rights writteninto law.
Portugal is ranked among the most LGBTQIA+-friendly countries in Europe by ILGA-Europe. These protections are law, and they apply to you once you live here.
2004
ConstitutionArticle 13 bans discrimination based on sexual orientation.
2010
MarriageSame-sex marriage becomes legal nationwide.
2016
AdoptionSame-sex couples gain full adoption rights.
2018
Self-determinationLegal gender recognition without medical requirements.
- Same-sex marriage legal since 2010, with adoption rights fully recognised
- Ranked among the world's most LGBTQIA+-friendly nations by ILGA-Europe
- Strong anti-discrimination laws with constitutional protection
- Welcoming expat communities in Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve
- Golden Visa, D7 and Digital Nomad routes to residency and citizenship
- High quality of life, affordable living and excellent healthcare
Step 4 of 7Services
Six practice areas.One point of contact.
Most moves touch several areas of law at once. One team covers all of them, so nothing falls between two offices.
How a typical move fits togetherIllustrative. Every case has its own timeline. Select a service to see what it covers.
Month 0Month 1Month 2Month 3Month 4Month 5Month 6
Immigration & visas
Your pathway, secured.
Golden Visa, D7 passive income, Digital Nomad, family reunification, residence permits and citizenship. Every detail handled with precision and care.
Typical timing: Months 0–4.5
Talk to usWhat's included
- Golden Visa
- D7 passive income
- Digital Nomad visa
- Family reunification
- Residence permits
- Citizenship
Step 5 of 7Destinations
Where willyou land?
Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve. We know the welcoming communities in each, and we check every property before you sign.
- 1Lagos37.10° N · 8.67° W
- 2Portimão37.14° N · 8.54° W
- 3Quinta do Lago37.04° N · 8.02° W
- 4FAO · Airport37.01° N · 7.97° W
- 5Faro · nextStep office37.02° N · 7.93° W
- 6Tavira37.13° N · 7.65° W
- 7Vila Real de Santo António37.19° N · 7.42° W
Step 6 of 7Client stories
Trusted by familiesworldwide.
Individuals and couples who trusted us with their move to Portugal.
From first call to homeMilestones come from each client’s own story. Timing is shown only where the client gave it.
“As a trans woman, I was terrified of the legal complexity and of discrimination. nextStep treated me with dignity and professionalism. They knew exactly what I was going through and made everything feel safe.”
- First call
- Residency
- Moving to Faro
- Home
“We needed lawyers who understood Brazilian documents, Portuguese requirements and our situation as a same-sex couple with kids. nextStep's team handled it all flawlessly. They even helped us find schools!”
- First call
- Documents
- Schools
- Home
Step 7 of 7Contact
Let’s startyour journey.
Book a confidential consultation, protected by attorney-client privilege. We work across time zones, so we can meet when it suits you.
Schematic map, not to scale
- Office
- Largo de São Luís, nº11 C, 4ºD, 8000-143 Faro
- hello@nextstep.com.pt
- Phone
- +351 965 638 897
- Hours
- 24/7 by appointment