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Has anyone had experience with "Atlantic Bridge" services for the D7 process?
Don't know the company. One web result says the offices in Parque das Nações are closed permanently, and they have a rating (google) of 4/5. Also, it's a brazilian website, not a portuguese one.
@antonio_f. Thanks Antonio. yeah we met them in Porto in Sept to ensure they're not a scam and they had small but quite impressive office there and we met the principals that appeared to be very professional. Just wanted to get some personal feedback before we made the commitment.
Hi there Andy,
I just joined the Expats Portugal Forum, and was looking for the same info about Atlantic Bridge.
I just had my initial call with them this morning, with a second longer call for this Friday.
Would you open to telling me about your experiences with them? And, if it was worth it? And of course, what their fees are like.
Regards, Caroline
@dara We met with Thiago and the team in Porto in September to ensure we were dealing with a real company and not a scammer. They and their offices were very professional and the team was very knowledgeable. For my wife and I they quoted 3,000 euros which included one appeal if our application was refused. We have decided to delay our application until the banking crisis eases.
@andypink Interested to know if you have considered Ei! Assessoria Migratória.
Aside from the testamonials from our members, their fees will be much lower given your discount entitlement as our Premium Club Member.
@gerry Hi Gerry,
Thanks for that! I am going to book a initial call with Ei! Assessoria Migratória.
What is the "discount" I will get from being a Member? And how do I go about getting it?
Regards, Caroline
@andypink The 3,000 euros include the D7 application approval for two and representation at the SEF appointment as well?
I fear the banking situation will not be easing anytime soon and may perhaps worsen.
@jonesdn2020 Yes, all of those things, plus NIF numbers for my wife and myself and some "settling" advice from an accountant. I think you're right about the banking situation but too risky selling my house here and as a cash buyer- allowing a bank to hold the funds until I find the right place in Portugal!
@andypink The days of foreigners being able to purchase property in Portugal may be nearing an end in the future. I wouldn't say in the near future, but we all didn't see the recent changes coming either. Hoping that at least residents would be included in the scheme to purchase property.
Things are changing and it seems to be happening faster than anticipated.
@jonesdn2020 yeah totally! We just purchased a small 1 bed in The Algarve to use as a landing spot and then rent for a few summer months to tourists and are immediately greeted with the AL licensing issues!
@jonesdn2020 Have I missed out on some news relating to foreigners purchasing property? Or do you mean changes to the AL rules?
There are various EU news articles mentioning various EU member states or their autonomous zones contemplating changing laws to only allow residents to purchase property. I believe the EU is against it but this is how the whole GV issue started with grumblings.
It may not materialize but people should be aware and not get caught with surprises like what just happened here in Portugal. We saw a mad rush for the PT GV in the last days and I am still wondering how applicants after Feb 16 will be treated.
I am also wondering how existing GV holders will shake out with the changes.
Here is the article I read https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2023-04-01/banning-foreigners-from-buying-houses/76230
Thanks for sharing the article. If such a ban is to be put in place, I think it will start with non-EU persons. It will be interesting to see whether Mallorca succeeds in putting any restrictions in place.
Lack of affordable housing is an issue in many countries. Here in the US, rents and property prices are also unmanageable for many - particularly young - people.
@dara You can contact them via the business directory or let me know and I’ll make an introduction.
However, the discount is only available to premium club members. If you upgrade your membership the discount will far outweigh the membership fee and you will receive a range of other benefits as well.
Sorry but I'm just seeing this question now. I had started with Ei!, who had and still do have an excellent reputation. But I got caught in the whole bank opening delay debacle and was somewhat frustrated when the first bank was requiring a notarised copy of my Social Security card. I had taken it in with the rest of the documents to be notarized and was told it was illegal for a notary to notarize a photo copy of a Social Security card. Was turned down by 4 other notaries but finally got in touch with the NN, the National Notary Association. They confirmed it was illegal and sent me the statue which I forwarded to both the bank and Ei!. Didn't matter and Ei! did nothing to help. So went another bank and took everything to be notarized - not a problem - and set up my apostille appointment at the Secretary of State's office. The bank told me to make sure to explain I needed one apostille for all 142 pages/13 signatures or it wouldn't be accepted. I arrived at the appointment, filled out cover sheet and two hours later was presented with a refusal letter by the department head who explained that each state determined whether or not the SIGNATURES were apostilled or the DOCUMENTS WITH SIGNATURES were apostilled. In my state it was by signature so they explained I'd need 13 apostilles which would have to be done over 3 appointments 10 business days apart as each appointment was limited to 6 apostilles. I immediately emailed the bank and Ei! and the bank said now I COULD have more than one apostille. I emailed them back saying I'd start the process and it would take another month as the first if the three apostille appointments was a week away. The bank informed me the entire process needed to be completed within 30 days of my receiving the documents. Once again, Ei! didn't help. Finally got it done through an attorney another Expats Portugal member had used but had to pay more on top of what I'd paid Ei! They told me to contact them again mid-June for the NEW target move date of early November. About a month ago, largely as a favor to another person who was using Atlantic Bridge, I ageeed to have a free Zoom consultation. When I mentioned I was already planning to use Ei! and would be contacting them mid-June as instructed, they informed me the VFS office in San Francisco was already booked through mid-September so I agreed on the spot to engage them. Even though I hadn't had my first "client" meeting they told me to book immediately, which I did for September 14, but to then keep checking the site for a cancelation. I did get one for August 15 but it's still not early enough to meet the November timeframe as I'm coordinating my two pup's travel and the relocation service requires me to be in Portugal 5 days before they fly out. So my faith in Ei! has been seriously shaken. So far, I'm happy with AB.
