Portugal’s Golden Visa with Your IRA? David’s Path to Investing & Retiring Abroad

What happens when a regular gay man says “enough” to U.S. chaos and starts building a fabulous Plan B abroad? Meet David Govacker, a medical professional who leveraged a self-directed IRA to invest in a diversified fund, qualify for Portugal’s Golden Visa, and set up a life with sunshine, safety, and equality—without Trump-era stress or American price tags. If you’re exploring investing for residency and retiring abroad, this episode is your blueprint.

Top Takeaways:

• Why Portugal? LGBTQ+-affirming culture, stable politics, urban lifestyle, big airports, and easy U.S. access.
• Golden Visa 101: The €500k investment route, residency timeline, and minimal stay rules (think: ~14 days every 2 years).
• Investing via IRA: How a self-directed IRA rollover (not a taxable distribution) can fund a qualifying investment.
• Fund choice matters: Why a diversified, open-ended mutual fund (vs. private equity lockups) matched David’s risk profile.
• Logistics made simple: Paperwork, biometrics, realistic timing, and avoiding tax pitfalls with clean rollovers.
• Plan B → Peace of mind: Build optionality now so you’re not scrambling later.
• Real talk for LGBTQ+ folks: Looking for places where equality is both law and lived.

Perfect for: LGBTQ+ professionals curious about Portugal, the Golden Visa, investing for residency, and retiring abroad—without giving up financial sanity or safety.

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