Joana Torres Fernandes is the winner of the 2022 IAE Awards

6 September 2022

Joana Torres Fernandes has been a partner of LVP Advogados since 2020. With more than ten years of experience, her practice areas are Foreigners and Nationality Law, Real Estate Law, Corporate Law and Civil Law.


She is committed to improving people’s lives with their relocation to her beautiful and beloved country, Portugal, helping ex-pats navigate through the bureaucracy for a smoother, life-changing experience. Being specialised and highly experienced in Immigration, she aims for a trustful, exclusive, and efficient relationship with the individual and family cases she embraces.


“I am honoured to receive this recognition from the IAE,” said Joana, “We pride ourselves in providing the most diligent and comprehensive level of service to our clients. Receiving such high appraisal as the Immigration Law Award of the year in Portugal is gratifying, as it validates our quality of service within this practice area on behalf of our clients.”


International Advisory Experts - IAE is one of the world’s leading advisory membership community. IAE member firms are territory experts and leaders in their jurisdictions from across the world. Each member has broad knowledge and understanding of their respective markets, and works together fluidly and efficiently across borders. Through close collaboration, IAE member firms deliver new perspectives, fresh thinking and rigorous questions that are key to innovation in today’s markets.


The IAE Award is a prestigious recognition for LVP Advogados and its team of expert lawyers whose aim is to assist international clients with their investment, residence and citizenship matters in Portugal.

Portugal's new job seeker visa targets highly qualified professionals from around the world.

Portugal’s New Job Seeker Visa: Opening Doors for Highly Qualified Professionals

by Javier Mateo • 29 October 2025
Discover Portugal's new Job Seeker Visa for qualified professionals. Find out eligibility requirements, application process, and career opportunities in 2025.
Portugal attracts investors with tax benefits, residency regimes and crypto relevance.

Taxation of ETFs, Shares, Bonds and Crypto Assets in Portugal

by António Pratas Nunes • 28 October 2025
Comprehensive overview of Portugal taxation on ETFs, shares, bonds and crypto, covering capital gains, tax rates and resident regimes such as IFICI+ and NHR.
Hiring Portuguese freelancers offers flexibility but requires legal care.

Working with Portuguese Freelancers: Tax and Legal Implications for Foreign Companies

by António Pratas Nunes and Margarida Tempera • 22 October 2025
"Hiring Portuguese freelancers offers flexibility for foreign firms, but misclassification risks in contracts can lead to heavy penalties and unexpected liabilities.
Foreign firms must distinguish contractors from employees under Portuguese Civil and Labour Codes.

Service Contracts with Portuguese Companies: Legal and Tax Implications for Foreign Businesses

by Margarida Tempera and António Pratas Nunes • 21 October 2025
Foreign companies must distinguish contractors from employees in Portugal, as each is governed by a distinct legal regimes with different obligations in Portugal.
Children born in Portugal: nationality rules for foreign parents explained.

Born in Portugal: When Children of Foreign Parents Qualify for Portuguese Nationality

by Luís Maria Branco • 16 October 2025
Birth in Portugal doesn’t guarantee nationality. Under Article 1(1)(f), it depends on parents’ status at birth, residence, and absence of diplomatic service.
Portugal’s reform tightens immigration, limiting residence paths and affecting key labour sectors.

Portugal’s Proposed Amendments to the Immigration Law: What You Need to Know

by Joana Loureiro Veríssimo • 15 October 2025
Portugal’s Parliament approved a bill to tighten immigration laws, signaling a shift from flexible policies to stricter, more regulated migration controls.
Portugal’s State Budget Proposal for 2026

Tax Updates: State Budget Proposal for 2026 and New Measures Also Planned for 2026

by António Pratas Nunes • 13 October 2025
Portugal’s State Budget Proposal for 2026 continues the Government’s gradual approach to fiscal reform, maintaining stability while introducing selective tax relief for households and businesses.
Life changes in Portugal—students graduate, careers shift, and families seek more independence.

Changing the Type of Residence Permit in Portugal: Is It Possible?

by Javier Mateo • 8 October 2025
Changing residence permit types in Portugal is possible under Law 23/2007 and its regulation, if the legal framework is carefully applied to evolving situations.
Directors must manage the business and ensure legal compliance and protection of company's rights.

Company Directors in Portugal: Key Duties and Liabilities

by Pedro Mofreita • 3 October 2025
Company directors in Portugal have duties beyond the company, extending to creditors, shareholders, and third parties, depending on company type and structure.
Until recently, a one-year lease or property deed was enough to prove accommodation in Portugal.

How to Prove Accommodation in Portugal: The 2025 AIMA Rules Explained

by Luís Maria Branco • 1 October 2025
Portugal updates its immigration rules, tightening accommodation requirements for visas and residence to ensure accurate documentation and greater security.
More posts