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Updated: June 2026

Case study · Portugal · Residence permit

How a student daughter obtained the right to study and work in the EU through Portugal's Golden Visa

A student visa permits studying but almost always strictly limits work—and young people need both to earn income and to remain in the country after graduation. Parents came to us with a clear, straightforward goal: to give their student daughter not only a European education but also full work rights in the EU. Portugal's Golden Visa solved this elegantly—through resident status rather than student status. We explain how we included the daughter in the program.

Anna KovalevskayaAnna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGESReading time8 min readVerificationReviewed by an expert

This case is based on a real matter. The name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

BRIDGES client story - How a student daughter obtained the right to study and work in the EU through Portugal's Golden Visa
Contents

Case at a glance

Situation, solution and outcome in seven lines

Client
Family investing in their daughter's future, from Nairobi
Objective
Right to study and work in the EU for student daughter
Program
Portugal, Golden Visa (Residence permit through investment fund, pathway to EU citizenship)
Key considerations
Inclusion of adult dependent daughter
Key factor
Resident status instead of student visa
Solution
Golden Visa for parent + daughter as dependent
Outcome
Residence permit and EU work rights for daughter

Client story

Client's story

Where they started

Our clients' daughter enrolled to study in Europe, and initially the family considered a standard student visa. However, they quickly encountered its limitations: student status permits studying but restricts work—there are hour limits, ties to the educational institution, and unclear prospects for remaining and building a career after graduation.

Why the standard route did not work

The parents wanted to give their daughter more than a diploma: the ability to work in her field while studying, undertake full internships, and calmly remain in the EU to work after studies end. Essentially—not temporary student status but rights close to those of local residents.

What BRIDGES had to solve

The family was able to invest in their child's future, so we proposed looking not at a student visa but at resident status. Portugal's Golden Visa is issued to the investor-parent, but an adult student daughter who is financially dependent can be included in the application as a dependent—and she then receives a residence permit with all resident rights, including the right to work.

Why a standard answer would not do

At BRIDGES, the parents came to accomplish this carefully: to properly document the adult daughter's financial dependency and structure the status to open both education and the EU labor market to her.

My daughter wanted to study and work in Europe. Sofia included her in our Portuguese Golden Visa as a dependant, and she now has the right to work in the EU.

Amani · Student's parentsThe name and certain identifying details have been changed to protect confidentiality.

Key considerations

Key considerations

There was no drama here—just a difference between "permitted to study" and "permitted to study and work." A student visa provides the first; resident status provides both. The main point requiring attention was correctly including the adult daughter by demonstrating that she remains financially dependent on her parents: for dependents over 18, this is the key requirement.

Restrictions of student visa on work and prospects for remaining;

  1. 01Documentation of adult student daughter's financial dependency;
  2. 02Her inclusion in the investor-parent's application as a dependent;
  3. 03That resident status grants work rights equal to study rights;
  4. 04Maintenance of status with minimal physical presence of the entire family.

The logic of the solution

How the matter progressed: from checks to result

The chart is built from the facts of this matter and shows the logic of the work without decorative or unverified data.

  1. 01
    Stage 1

    We compared the student visa and resident status. First, we showed the family the difference in rights: a student visa allows studies with work restrictions, while a residence permit under the Golden Visa grants resident rights, including employment and the opportunity to remain. This immediately determined our strategy.

  2. 02
    Stage 2

    We confirmed the adult daughter's dependent status. To include a daughter over 18, it is necessary to prove that she remains financially dependent on her parents - for example, through studies and financial dependence on the family. We gathered supporting documents to ensure her dependent status would not raise questions.

  3. 03
    Stage 3

    We obtained the Golden Visa for the investor parent. The program is built around the parent's investment - a subscription of 500,000 euros or more in a CMVM-regulated fund. We completed the investment and prepared the basic application, to which family members were added.

  4. 04
    Stage 4

    We included the daughter in the application as a dependent. We added the daughter to the parent's application, designating her as an adult dependent student. In this way, she obtained her own Portuguese residence permit with resident rights, rather than a separate student visa.

  5. 05
    Stage 5

    We opened the right to study and work in the EU for her. With resident status, the daughter gained the right not only to study but also to work legally - to earn income in her field of study and remain working after graduation, on equal terms with locals.

Takeaway. Conclusion: resident status under the Golden Visa gives a student far more than a student visa - the right to work on equal terms with locals and to remain after graduation.

How we handled the case

How we handled the case

The work was split into verifiable stages so that every conclusion rested on documents.

  1. 01

    We compared the student visa and resident status

    First, we showed the family the difference in rights: a student visa allows studies with work restrictions, while a residence permit under the Golden Visa grants resident rights, including employment and the opportunity to remain. This immediately determined our strategy.

  2. 02

    We confirmed the adult daughter's dependent status

    To include a daughter over 18, it is necessary to prove that she remains financially dependent on her parents - for example, through studies and financial dependence on the family. We gathered supporting documents to ensure her dependent status would not raise questions.

  3. 03

    We obtained the Golden Visa for the investor parent

    The program is built around the parent's investment - a subscription of 500,000 euros or more in a CMVM-regulated fund. We completed the investment and prepared the basic application, to which family members were added.

  4. 04

    We included the daughter in the application as a dependent

    We added the daughter to the parent's application, designating her as an adult dependent student. In this way, she obtained her own Portuguese residence permit with resident rights, rather than a separate student visa.

  5. 05

    We opened the right to study and work in the EU for her

    With resident status, the daughter gained the right not only to study but also to work legally - to earn income in her field of study and remain working after graduation, on equal terms with locals.

  6. 06

    We secured the status for the entire family

    We obtained a residence permit for the family with minimal physical presence requirements, ensuring status preservation for both the daughter and parents. The child's future in the EU no longer hinges on the constraints of a student visa.

How the work went

From first contact to the result

  1. 01We compared the student visa and resident status
  2. 02We confirmed the adult daughter's dependent status
  3. 03We obtained the Golden Visa for the investor parent
  4. 04We included the daughter in the application as a dependent
  5. 05We opened the right to study and work in the EU for her
  6. 06We secured the status for the entire family

The sequence and timing reflect this specific case and depend on how complete the documents are and on the decisions of the competent authorities.

Expert comment

Parents often believe that a student visa is the ceiling for a studying child. And that is precisely what it is: you can study, but you cannot work meaningfully, and what happens after graduation is an open question. I always recommend looking broader. If the family is prepared to invest, Portugal's Golden Visa changes the level: the daughter is included in the program as a dependent and obtains not a student visa but a residence permit - with all resident rights, including work throughout the EU. The subtle point is adulthood: for a daughter over 18, dependent status must be properly confirmed. We did this, and she obtained full status. Now she both studies and earns in her field, and can comfortably remain working after graduation. This is no longer "student years" but the start of a European career.

Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGESAnna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES

Outcome

What the client received

What was required
How we did it · Result
Right to work, not only study
Resident status instead of student visa · Employment on equal terms with locals
Include daughter aged 18+
Confirmation of dependent status · Designated as dependent
Basic status
Golden Visa for parent · Investment in fund
Future after graduation
Residence permit is preserved · Able to remain and work
Future after graduation
Residence permit is preserved · Able to remain and work

What was needed: parents wanted to provide their student daughter not only with education but also with the legal right to work in the EU, but the student visa restricted this. What we did: compared statuses; confirmed the adult daughter's dependent status; obtained the Golden Visa for the parent; included the daughter as a dependent; opened the right to study and work. What the family obtained: a Portuguese residence permit and the right to work in the EU for the daughter.

Practical takeaway

What matters in a similar situation

  • Conclusion: resident status under the Golden Visa gives a student far more than a student visa - the right to work on equal terms with locals and to remain after graduation.
  • The daughter obtained not a temporary student regime but a European start with the right to work - because we included her in the program as a dependent and confirmed her status.
  • A Golden Visa for a parent with the daughter included as a dependant gives not only study but also the right to work in the EU. We will look at your situation.

FAQ

Questions people ask in a similar situation

01Can a student work under Portugal's Golden Visa?

Yes. Unlike a student visa, a residence permit under the program grants resident rights, including employment on equal terms with locals - both during studies and after graduation.

02Is it possible to include an adult daughter in the Golden Visa?

Yes, if she is financially dependent on her parents—for example, if she is studying and depends on the family financially. Dependency for children over 18 must be documented.

03What advantages does a Residence Permit offer compared to a student visa for a student?

A Residence Permit grants resident rights: employment without strict limitations, mobility, and the opportunity to remain after graduation. A student visa is temporary and restricts work opportunities.

04Who is the Golden Visa issued to in this case?

To the parent-investor who makes a subscription from EUR 500,000 into a regulated fund. Dependent children, including adult students, are added to his application.

05Does the daughter need to reside permanently in Portugal?

No, the program requires only minimal physical presence. The daughter can study and work in different EU countries while maintaining her status with a minimal number of days spent in Portugal.

06Which documents were key in this case?

We compared the student visa and resident status. First, we showed the family the difference in rights: a student visa allows studies with work restrictions, while a residence permit under the Golden Visa grants resident rights, including employment and the opportunity to remain. This immediately determined our strategy. We confirmed the adult daughter's dependent status. To include a daughter over 18, it is necessary to prove that she remains financially dependent on her parents - for example, through studies and financial dependence on the family. We gathered supporting documents to ensure her dependent status would not raise questions.

07Why did the standard route not suit the client?

The parents wanted to give their daughter more than a diploma: the ability to work in her field while studying, undertake full internships, and calmly remain in the EU to work after studies end. Essentially—not temporary student status but rights close to those of local residents.

08What risk had to be closed before filing?

There was no drama here—just a difference between "permitted to study" and "permitted to study and work." A student visa provides the first; resident status provides both. The main point requiring attention was correctly including the adult daughter by demonstrating that she remains financially dependent on her parents: for dependents over 18, this is the key requirement. Restrictions of student visa on work and prospects for remaining;

09How did BRIDGES check that the chosen solution would hold?

We opened the right to study and work in the EU for her. With resident status, the daughter gained the right not only to study but also to work legally - to earn income in her field of study and remain working after graduation, on equal terms with locals. We secured the status for the entire family. We obtained a residence permit for the family with minimal physical presence requirements, ensuring status preservation for both the daughter and parents. The child's future in the EU no longer hinges on the constraints of a student visa.

10What confirmed the result in the end?

What was needed: parents wanted to provide their student daughter not only with education but also with the legal right to work in the EU, but the student visa restricted this. What we did: compared statuses; confirmed the adult daughter's dependent status; obtained the Golden Visa for the parent; included the daughter as a dependent; opened the right to study and work. What the family obtained: a Portuguese residence permit and the right to work in the EU for the daughter. What was required: How we did it · Result. Right to work, not only study: Resident status instead of student visa · Employment on equal terms with locals. Include daughter aged 18+: Confirmation of dependent status · Designated as dependent. Basic status: Golden Visa for parent · Investment in fund. Future after graduation: Residence permit is preserved · Able to remain and work. Future after graduation: Residence permit is preserved · Able to remain and work

About the author

Anna Kovalevskaya

Author: Anna Kovalevskaya

Head of Legal, BRIDGES

I have worked with citizenship and residency matters in European countries for 12 years. Programme requirements and application practices change, so I assess each matter against the current rules, the applicant's immigration history, family composition and the documents supporting the legal basis for the application.

I lead matters from the preliminary assessment through to the grant of status. In complex situations, I identify the circumstances that may affect the review, establish the legal logic of the application and oversee the consistency of the supporting documents at every stage.

During the consultation, you will receive an assessment of the available legal grounds, a clear understanding of the chosen route and a list of issues that should be resolved before filing. Once the engagement begins, I oversee the application and the key decisions of the BRIDGES team.

Prepared on the basis of BRIDGES practice and reviewed by a subject-matter expert.

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Anna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Anna Kovalevskaya, Head of Legal, BRIDGES

Names and certain details have been changed to protect client confidentiality. The result described reflects one specific situation and is neither a public offer nor a guarantee of a similar outcome. Programme terms are stated as of 2026 and may change - please confirm current parameters with a BRIDGES consultant.