Golden Visa U.S. Tax & Compliance Review

Avoid PFIC, QEF, FATCA, and SDIRA traps before you commit €500,000.

Download our U.S. Tax Guide for Golden Visa Investors

Already know you need legal guidance? Book a Consultation.

A Golden

Opportunity

Your Golden Visa investment can open the door to Portugal and a new chapter of life. Make sure U.S. tax and compliance are part of the plan from the start.

Why it matters

The IRS Risks No One in Portugal Will Tell You About

A €500,000 Golden Visa investment may look straightforward, but for U.S. citizens it can trigger some of the most complex and punitive rules in the tax code:

  • SDIRA Risk: Using retirement assets to qualify for residency can create a prohibited transaction, leaving the entire account exposed to immediate taxation and penalties.

  • Tax Exposure: Golden Visa funds are usually classified as PFICs. Depending on your elections and how gains are characterized, your effective U.S. tax rate on the investment can swing from 19% to nearly 49%.

  • Compliance Burden: Investments require annual IRS filings. Errors, omissions, or misclassifications can lead to audits, penalties, and long-term headaches.

These risks come from U.S. law, not Portuguese law, which is why local advisors rarely mention them. Our U.S. Tax & Compliance Review gives you a clear picture of your obligations, pre-filled forms for your CPA, and an investor certification now being requested by forward-thinking funds.

It’s the protection you need before committing €500,000. For you, for your fund, and for your peace of mind.

Who it is for

U.S. citizens and residents investing in a Portuguese Golden Visa fund.

A Portuguese Golden Visa fund investment can trigger complex U.S. tax rules which are unique to American investors. They come from U.S. law, not Portuguese law, and are often overlooked by local advisors.

Key issues include:

  • PFIC reporting on nearly every Golden Visa fund

  • QEF implications

  • FBAR & FATCA filing obligations

  • SDIRA prohibited transaction exposure that can disqualify entire retirement accounts

These are exactly the pitfalls outlined in our Free U.S. Tax Guide.

Download our Guide

Comprehensive tax & compliance review of 2 funds for a flat fee:

Review of SDIRA prohibited transaction exposure.

A Tax & Compliance Summary Report outlining your U.S. tax exposure, reporting obligations, and possible elections.

Pre-filled tax forms you can provide to your CPA for timely filing.

An investor certification you can share with your fund confirming you’ve received U.S. tax advice and understand the U.S. tax consequences of your investment.

What is included

The Process

From Understanding the Risks to Full Compliance Certification

  • Step 1: Learn - Download our free guide on U.S. Tax Guide for Golden Visa Investors.

  • Step 2: Consult - Begin with a $325 consultation to learn:

    • Where you are in the Golden Visa process

    • Which funds you are considering

    • Whether you plan to use retirement funds to make the investment

    We’ll also answer preliminary questions so you understand how the review works.

  • Step 3: Engage - After the consultation, we send our engagement agreement and invoice. The cost of the consultation is applied toward the full price of the review.

  • Step 4: We collect the relevant fund documents needed for our review.

  • We perform the tax and compliance review, assessing U.S. tax issues including PFIC classification, QEF election opportunities, reporting requirements, and prohibited transaction risks.

  • Within 30 days, you receive:

    • Your Tax & Compliance Summary Report

    • Pre-filled tax forms for your CPA

    • An attorney-issued investor certification for your fund’s records

Download the Guide

Why Areia Global

Independent U.S. Tax Lawyers in Lisbon & Miami

We are the only U.S. tax attorneys with offices in Portugal, and one of the foremost authorities on U.S. tax issues related to Portuguese Golden Visa funds.

What you get:

Direct access to a U.S. tax attorney with experience in cross-border planning with Portugal.

Clear, practical advice, not dense memos.

A deliverable ready for your fund’s onboarding process.

Our work has been adopted by forward-thinking funds as the standard for meeting investor certification requirements.

Limited Consultation Slots Available

We only open a limited number of consultations each month to ensure quality and personal attention. Book early if you know you’ll need compliance certification.

Download our U.S. Tax Guide for Golden Visa Investors