Portugal Golden Visa comparison

Movingto vs Henley & Partners: Boutique vs Corporate

This page compares Movingto and Henley & Partners across what matters in real life: service model, pricing transparency, day-to-day support, and how smoothly your Golden Visa steps get coordinated. No hype — just a practical side-by-side to help you choose the right fit.

Golden Visa support Vetted partners Transparent scope Clear process steps

Note: No provider can guarantee approval — decisions are made by immigration authorities.

Quick Verdict: Which One Fits You Better?

Most popular choice for Portugal-only plans

Choose Movingto if…

  • You want boutique-style coordination focused specifically on Portugal
  • You prefer clearer scope, realistic timelines, and fewer handoffs
  • You value faster updates and a more responsive workflow
  • You want guidance that adapts when AIMA processes shift
  • You care about practical execution, not just a big-name advisory
Best when you’re comparing multiple countries

Choose Henley & Partners if…

  • You want a globally recognised firm with broad program coverage
  • You’re evaluating several residency or citizenship routes worldwide
  • You prefer a structured, corporate service model
  • Your priority is brand familiarity and a large advisory platform

Important: No provider can guarantee visa approval — decisions are made solely by immigration authorities.

Snapshot Comparison: Movingto vs Henley & Partners

A quick side-by-side view of the service model, communication style, and what you can realistically expect during a Portugal Golden Visa journey.

Category Movingto Henley & Partners
Service model Boutique-style coordination built around Portugal workflows Corporate advisory model with global infrastructure and standardised delivery
Who you deal with day-to-day More direct support and fewer layers between you and the people coordinating steps Typically an account-style setup with structured handoffs across teams
Portugal specificity vs global breadth Portugal-first focus (best when Portugal is your only target) Strong global reach (helpful when you’re comparing multiple countries)
Pricing transparency Clearer scoping and expectations around what’s included vs third-party costs Premium positioning; pricing can be more layered depending on scope and location
Typical client profile Investors who want practical execution, fast answers, and a Portugal-specific plan High-net-worth clients who prioritise a global brand and multi-program optionality
Speed / coordination style More agile coordination when documents, partners, or timelines shift More structured process management, often with formal steps and routing
Best fit (one-liner) If Portugal is the plan, and you want hands-on guidance without extra layers If you want a global firm, and you may explore alternatives beyond Portugal

This is a general comparison. Exact experience can vary depending on route, location, timing, and the professionals involved.

Boutique vs Corporate: What That Actually Means

These labels aren’t about size or prestige. They describe how a firm is structured, how decisions get made, and what your day-to-day experience feels like during a Golden Visa process.

What “Boutique” Means in Practice

A boutique model prioritises hands-on coordination and direct communication. Clients usually interact with a smaller, more consistent team that understands local process realities and can adapt quickly when requirements change.

  • Fewer layers between you and the people coordinating your case
  • More flexibility when documents, timelines, or partners shift
  • Closer alignment with Portugal-specific procedures
  • Decisions tend to be faster and more situational

What “Corporate” Means in Practice

A corporate model is built around scale, standardisation, and global coverage. Processes are usually structured and consistent across countries, with clearly defined roles and formal workflows.

  • Strong global infrastructure and brand recognition
  • Standardised procedures across multiple jurisdictions
  • Clear internal role separation and escalation paths
  • Often positioned at a premium price point

Services Compared: What Each Actually Helps With

Both can support a Golden Visa journey, but the experience often differs in how steps are coordinated, who drives the process forward, and how quickly you get clarity when something changes.

Stage
Movingto approach
Henley & Partners approach
Eligibility + route selection
Portugal-first planning with a practical checklist of what matters for your profile, timeline, and risk tolerance. Clear “next steps” after each decision.
Broader advisory framing, often useful if you’re weighing multiple jurisdictions or program alternatives alongside Portugal.
Document prep + legalization
Hands-on sequencing: what to collect first, how to legalise correctly, and how to avoid the classic “wrong format” delays. Emphasis on ready-to-submit packs.
Structured document workflows with defined requirements and review steps, typically following a standardised process.
Fund route coordination (if applicable)
Coordination across the moving parts (timing, paperwork, confirmations) so the investment step doesn’t stall the immigration step. Focus on keeping actions aligned and documented.
Advisory support can be positioned within a wider portfolio-style approach, often alongside broader residency/citizenship planning.
Biometrics + AIMA steps
Practical guidance for Portugal’s real bottlenecks: appointment readiness, correct document versions, and what typically causes rework. Less guesswork, more execution.
Formal case management with milestone tracking, usually handled through a structured team workflow.
Renewal / long-term plan (PR/citizenship path guidance)
“Stay on track” planning: renewal timing, ongoing requirements, and what to prepare early so you’re not scrambling later. Clear reminders and realistic expectations.
Longer-horizon planning can be framed as part of a broader global mobility strategy, especially for families with multi-country interests.

The right choice depends on whether you want a Portugal-specific execution partner or a broader global advisory platform.

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Legal disclaimer: Movingto is an immigration firm with licensed lawyers. Content on this site is provided for general informational purposes.