About the LawyerDiogo Capela is a partner and co-managing partner at Lamares, Capela & Associados (LACA), a Lisbon-based law firm specializing in Immigration, Citizenship, Real Estate, Corporate, and Tax law. He provides legal assistance primarily in Immigration Law, helping foreign citizens live or invest in Portugal through mechanisms such as the Non-Habitual Resident Status (NHR), residence permits, and the Golden Visa program. Diogo Capela has handled thousands of cases in these areas and also supports foreign companies wishing to operate in Portugal. He has been an active speaker and panel moderator at international events related to immigration and residence by investment, highlighting his prominence in the field. Since founding the firm in 2018 with Ana Sofia Lamares, he has focused on providing legal services with integrity, excellence, agility, and a client-centered approach in immigration and nationality law matters.As co-managing partner and founding partner of LACA, he is the exclusive member for Immigration Law in Portugal at Global Law Experts and is frequently sought by international clients who wish to relocate, obtain residence rights, or structure investments in Portugal within the framework of Portuguese immigration legislation. He advises both individual and corporate clients, including expatriates, high-net-worth investors, and multinational companies transferring staff to Portugal. His practice is centered on providing strategic, tailored immigration solutions that align with clients’ personal, family, and business objectives.ExperienceDiogo Capela has over a decade of experience dedicated to supporting clients who intend to live or invest in Portugal, working mainly in the areas of Immigration Law and immigration-related foreign investment. Since co-founding Lamares, Capela & Associados in 2018, he has led the firm’s immigration practice and has handled thousands of immigration and residency cases for foreign nationals seeking to establish ties with Portugal.His experience covers the full spectrum of Portuguese immigration procedures, including advising on residence permits for work, study, entrepreneurship, and family reunification, as well as residence by investment schemes such as the Golden Visa. He is particularly active in advising on strategic relocation to Portugal using tax-efficient regimes such as the Non-Habitual Resident Status, often integrating immigration planning with clients’ broader personal and business structures.Throughout his career, he has advised private clients, companies, and their employees on immigration processes to Portugal, assisting with initial entry strategies, residence renewals, status regularization, and pathways to permanent residence and citizenship. He has also represented Golden Visa investors in legal actions aimed at resolving administrative delays and streamlining residency procedures, reflecting a strong litigation and advocacy component within his immigration practice.Beyond case work, he is regularly invited to participate in international conferences, seminars, and panels focused on immigration and residence by investment, where he speaks and moderates discussions on topics such as Portuguese residence permits, investment migration trends, and the evolving regulatory framework affecting foreign nationals in Portugal. His contributions help inform market participants, advisors, and prospective immigrants about best practices and upcoming legal changes in Portuguese immigration law.His role as co-managing partner involves coordinating multidisciplinary teams that work on complex immigration mandates, ensuring an integrated approach that connects immigration requirements with tax, corporate, and real estate considerations. This leadership position consolidates his reputation as a reference point for sophisticated immigration matters involving Portugal.SpecialtyDiogo Capela specializes in Immigration Law and Citizenship Law, with a primary focus on Portuguese immigration and nationality regimes. His work concentrates on guiding clients through the complexities of Portugal’s immigration framework, including temporary and long-term residence permits, visa applications, and regularization of stay for individuals and families relocating to Portugal.A central part of his specialization is advising on residence by investment mechanisms, notably the Portuguese Golden Visa program. He assists investors in selecting qualifying investment options, structuring their applications, navigating compliance and due diligence requirements, and maintaining and renewing residence status over time. His experience includes coordinating Golden Visa processes that intersect with real estate acquisitions and corporate investments, always framed within Portuguese immigration regulations.He also provides in-depth guidance on pathways from temporary residence to permanent residence and Portuguese citizenship, helping clients understand eligibility criteria, minimum stay requirements, language and integration conditions, and documentation standards. This includes advising descendants of Portuguese nationals and other eligible applicants on nationality acquisition, where immigration and citizenship rules overlap.Within general immigration practice, he frequently advises on:
His firm is recognized for providing comprehensive and innovative legal solutions for expatriates, investors, and families relocating to Portugal, reflecting his expertise in navigating the evolving legal landscape of Portuguese immigration and nationality legislation. He routinely works in Portuguese, English, and Spanish, which enables him to serve a diversified international client base with varied cultural and legal backgrounds.EducationDiogo Capela holds a Master’s degree from the University of Lisbon and has completed three post-graduate degrees. He attended the Faculty of Law of the University of Lisbon, where he completed postgraduate studies in Urban Planning and Construction Law, Tourism Law, and Administrative Law of the Sea. This academic background provides a robust legal foundation that complements his immigration practice, particularly in cases where residence and citizenship matters intersect with real estate development, tourism-related activities, or regulatory issues involving coastal and maritime areas.
posted 2 months ago
posted 2 months ago
posted 2 months ago
posted 2 months ago
posted 2 months ago
posted 2 months ago
posted 3 months ago
posted 3 months ago
posted 3 months ago
posted 3 months ago
posted 3 months ago
posted 4 months ago
Find the right Legal Expert for your business
Send welcome message
