We live in USA and are currently debating between NSM Lawyers and Legal Square for processing our Portugal Golden Visa through investment. We’d love to hear from anyone who has used either firm for this process.
Could you share your experiences and any pros or cons you encountered? Any insights would be greatly appreciated to help us make an informed decision.
I’ve been using LegalSquare for 3+ years. They’re ok but I wish I had gone with another firm. They are among the most expensive and conservative options. They made it known early on in webinars and such they didn’t want to upset the applecart by filing lawsuits to force a response from AIMA. When everyone else was filing lawsuits, they told me it wasn’t possible with a long list of reasons why. Then, shortly after, told me it would be a good idea to file a lawsuit for 2,000 Euro where others were paying far less.
They have also seemed to forget where I am in the process. The same lawyer who travelled to accompany my family to our biometrics appointment in Faro one year ago recently told me to start collecting our children’s documents and get ready for a biometrics appointment should we decide to file a lawsuit. They didn’t appear to know our status. Not the kind of confusion I’d expect out of high-cost attorneys.
They haven’t offered much for opinions or interpretations through the legislative changes whereas other firms have been quick to provide clear information and recommendations.
To their credit, they usually respond within 1-2 days. Overall, they’re getting the job done, but I haven’t been overly impressed. Can’t speak to NSM, but if I were starting over, I’d look to use another firm.
My lawfirm is not Legalsquare but i receive the same treatment like you. I think changing lawyers in Portugal do not solve the problem unless you know exactly the new lawyer has a different approach from the old one. If you just change randomly, it is the same $hit in my opinion. That’s how all of them are. Talking like honey and butter so that we sign contract with them. But once they receive the money, they deliver poor services. For your lawyer and my lawyer, I consider them as “acceptable” because at least they get something done.
Thank you for your reply.
Thank you for your response.
Legal Square is acceptable as other commenter said. I switched to them after working with another firm, which was horrible beyond belief. So considering the standard, Legalsquare is not the worst choice
We have had NSM for nearly 5 years now.
We did everything through them from opening of bank account to property investment. Now, final approvals have been received Alhamdulillah. We are at the stage where I have paid for my GV-card and waiting for family DUCs.
Overall, I have to say NSM was a good choice. Name partner, Goncalo Mendes Leal, is copied on all email correspondence and our contact person, Ana Filipa Barreiros, is quite responsive to our emails and requests.
You may tell them about my good experience with them if you decide to hire them. If you have any questions or wish to discuss this further, please feel to contact me.
All the best.
Salman Mahmood
I can recommend NSM. We used NSM from day 1 including opening bank accounts, etc. My entire family now has their GVs and I have had mine extended. They have always been efficient, responsive and helpful. They were exceptionally helpful when we had to go for biometrics (including once when the SEF office was turning people away because of a computer problem. NSM managed to get us in anyway). However I have seen no evidence they have any special ability to get things moving. When our process first got stuck, we used another lawyer to get a judgement against SEF (which we won). At that time NSM wasn’t doing the legal suits, but I believe they have subsequently started to do them too. So they are not magic fixers, in my experience, but very good in dealing with the process, etc.
We have used and continue to use NSM. The team has been responsive and helpful. Some friends used them, as well, and ultimately used them to file a lawsuit for their visas. Our situation was successful and our friends’ lawsuit was also successful.
Hi - thank you for the feedback regarding NSM. They seem great and am considering them for my GV. How did you find there expertise & support in regard to the investment options, providing recommendations, due diligence etc? Thanks, Greg
When I was starting the process, Legal Square were cheaper and seemed more focussed and efficient than the lawyers I was first talking to. A little over 3 years later, my overall experience is that they have been reasonably efficient, but maybe not that proactive. I seem to have a different contact from Legal Square at every stage of the process. I gather that other law firms are cheaper for lawsuit costs and citizenship applications. I will probably stick with Legal Square for now, but I might look at alternatives when it is time to look at citizenship applications.
My family has used Legal Square since the process started in Jan 2022 (submission June 2022). I agree with the idea that they are acceptable. My main contact person changed during the process and the handover wasn’t all that smooth. It didn’t matter as nothing was happening. This Jan 2025, I initiated an email to them about updating documents on the portal with the “new and improved” process. Not sure if they were about to send it out? The response email was detailed and the process of submitting updated documents went very well. I pay them a good amount for tax representation. I don’t know how their fees actually compare at this time. When I picked them they were the least expensive since they change the same fee for big and small families. We have 1 investor and 7 dependents. They also were willing to argue that there is no age limit on dependents as long as they are students. My oldest is going for a PhD and was 21 when we first submitted and will be 26 at the earliest possible citizenship claim.
(we have yet to have a biometrics appointment)
Hi Greg,
I’ve been with NSM since they submitted my application at the end of 2021. They used to be quite good and responsive, but over the past year or so, they’ve become difficult to reach.
I suppose this is due to their growing customer base, which, unfortunately, has led to a decline in customer service and responsiveness.
appreciate the feedback - thank you!