Daniela Hammes Castro: about

Hammes castro

Immigration Lawyer

My name is Daniela Hammes Castro

I am an immigration lawyer, a member of the Portuguese Bar Association (OA No. 52 477P). For more than twelve years I have been helping people build their lives in Portugal.

Book a free 30-minute introductory consultation to tell me about your situation!

Book a call

than a thousand clients and handled dozens of complex and unique cases.

Over these years, I have supported more

Over these years, I have supported more than a thousand

clients and handled dozens of complex and unique cases.

I have spoken at seminars and advised families, professionals, and companies — people going through the challenge of changing countries, preparing documents, and often finding themselves in difficult personal situations.

I work with a team of assistants who ensure that your questions are resolved promptly and with precision.

I’m here to support you at every stage. Let’s talk and find the best solution for your circumstances.

request a consultation

For me, immigration law brings together two essential elements: professional fulfillment and a human-centered mission.

Immigration is always about vulnerability.

People come to Portugal with their hopes, anxieties, questions, and often a profound sense of uncertainty. In these moments, they need someone who understands the law — and, just as importantly, someone who knows how to listen, explain, and support.

Why I specialise in immigration law

Working in this field allows me to help:

families — reunite

individuals — start a new life

professionals — find opportunities

and those facing refusals or difficulties — regain confidence and stability.

Every successfully resolved case marks the beginning of a new chapter in a client’s life, and it is truly meaningful for me to be part of that process.

students — pursue their studies

request a consultation

I hold a law degree and two Master’s degrees: • Master in Public Law • Master in Risks and Violence in Modern Society (Universidade Lusófona, Lisbon)

I lived in London for eight years, where I worked as an immigration advisor registered with the OISC. This experience gave me a deep understanding of complex migration processes and taught me to see each case through the eyes of someone moving to a new country.

Since 2017, I have been practicing law in Portugal. I handle standard cases — visas, residence permits, and family reunification — as well as more complex matters such as refusals, appeals, administrative procedures, and cases requiring special attention.

I regularly speak at seminars and participate in discussions on current immigration law issues, including matters related to children under temporary protection.

Education and experience

Professionalism

I strictly follow the law and keep up to date on regulations, court practice, and current AIMA and consular requirements.

Support

I remain by your side not only before submission, but afterward as well — with NIF, NISS, and everyday matters — guiding you through all the steps that help make your transition to a life in your new country smoother and calmer.

Do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to support you and will do everything we can to help you resolve your situation in the best possible way.

My approach

I follow a simple rule: the immigration process must be clear and safe for the person going through it, and always handled with respect.

Therefore, the following principles are essential in my work:

Transparency

I explain every step in clear, accessible language.

Empathy

Immigration is not just a legal procedure — it is a major life transition.

Responsibility

I manage each case from start to finish, carefully overseeing every detail.

request a consultation

Testimonial

People talk

Real stories from people I have supported on their journey to Portugal. Transparent communication, attention to detail, and careful legal work are the foundation of every case.

My goal is to make you feel comfortable, safe, understood, and genuinely cared for from the very first moment, knowing that your immigration journey will be guided with expertise, empathy, and respectful attention.

I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for all your support and kindness. Your help has meant more to me than I can put into words, and I’m truly grateful.

I’ve been thinking about the possibility of registering as a foreign attorney. It’s something I’d love to explore, but I’m a bit hesitant — it seems like passing an exam in Portuguese might be required, and my language skills are still a long way from that level. Hopefully one day!

I would be so happy to meet you in person someday. I really admire the way you communicate and how generously you share your knowledge. I’d love to hear more about your career journey and explore how I can be helpful for you and your practice as well.

You are genuinely the first person I’d recommend to anyone looking for a lawyer in Portugal.

Iryna S.

Dear Daniela,

I have some wonderful news to share — my mom’s residency has been received today! I am incredibly grateful for all your help throughout this process.

Thanks to your guidance and support, what could have been a very challenging experience felt so much smoother and more manageable.

Thank you again for your dedication and professionalism. It truly made all the difference, and my family and I deeply appreciate it.

Warm regards.

Kirill P.

Dear Daniela,

Thank you for clarifying every question we had. You've given us great peace of mind, and we appreciate it very much.

Best regards, Ivan Seliverstov

Ivan Seliverstov

Dear Daniela,

My wife and I are very happy about the confirmed appointment, and we sincerely hope that this time we won’t have to go through the process of taking legal action against AIMA again due to card delays.

We are truly grateful for all the work you have done and for keeping us constantly updated throughout the process — it made a big difference for us.

Thank you once again for your professionalism and support.

Warm regards, Alex.

Oleksandr Kovpenko

Dear Daniela,

Thank you so much for the great news!

Appreciate your efforts in obtaining a desired result!

Best wishes, Tetiana

Tetiana Vdovina

Thank you so much.

You really helped us to calm down. ❤

Yevhen Anokhin

Daniela, good evening,

I hope you’re still awake and will receive our enthusiastic reply to such a wonderful message!
Thank you so much for your help and for being so incredibly fast. We are very, very, very happy!!!

And of course, we will recommend you as the best lawyer in Portugal ❤️

But, as always, we have a few questions :)))
Can AIMA cancel or reschedule the appointment at the last minute?
When it’s time to renew my residence permit and, once again, there are no available slots — can I come to you for help? Do you assist with such cases?

Thank you, and good night! ❤️❤️❤️
Best regards

Aleksandra Kozharskaia

I consulted with Daniela about my Digital nomad visa application that got rejected twice(!) before, and I needed help filing an appeal.

In just a 30 minutes' long call Daniela gave me a specific reason I was being rejected, list of things to be fixed and sent to her so that she can compose the text for the appeal.

One call is what separated me from being mad about the vague reason of rejection in the rejection letter, being lost because of not knowing what to do AND being calm and knowing exactly what to do in order to secure the visa after all.

100% recommend if you're looking for concrete solution to your problem.

Vadim Panov

Daniela, hi!

How have you been?
We heard that you have been successfully helping many people who struggle with their applications (not just us)) and they are all super happy with communication with you and highly recommend you).

Thank you for being so empathetic, professional and overall so great)

Olga Zaboikina

Daniela Castro gave amazing service in helping me navigate my permanent relocation to Portugal!

She gave me very specific steps and instructions in order for me to complete my visa.

Whenever I had questions, she was always there to answer them.

I never had any worries! Had a pleasure working with her!

Pavel S.

Daniela, bom dia!

Thank you very-very much!

I'm incredibly happy! You are a magician. If I owe you anything for your help, please write and I will make a transfer.

Kind regards, Denis

Denis Rogachkov

I want to grant you one more time for your support and results.

To be honest, it is great luck to find such a professional as you in a new country who knows what to do and stays in touch.

I appreciate our experience and recommended you to my ex-colleague.

Best regards

Anastasiia M.

Testimonial

People talk

Real stories from people I have supported on their journey to Portugal. Transparent communication, attention to detail, and careful legal work are the foundation of every case.

I just wanted to say a heartfelt thank you for all your support and kindness. Your help has meant more to me than I can put into words, and I’m truly grateful.

I’ve been thinking about the possibility of registering as a foreign attorney. It’s something I’d love to explore, but I’m a bit hesitant — it seems like passing an exam in Portuguese might be required, and my language skills are still a long way from that level. Hopefully one day!

I would be so happy to meet you in person someday. I really admire the way you communicate and how generously you share your knowledge. I’d love to hear more about your career journey and explore how I can be helpful for you and your practice as well.

You are genuinely the first person I’d recommend to anyone looking for a lawyer in Portugal.

Iryna S.

Dear Daniela,

I have some wonderful news to share — my mom’s residency has been received today! I am incredibly grateful for all your help throughout this process.

Thanks to your guidance and support, what could have been a very challenging experience felt so much smoother and more manageable.

Thank you again for your dedication and professionalism. It truly made all the difference, and my family and I deeply appreciate it.

Warm regards.

Kirill P.

Dear Daniela,

Thank you for clarifying every question we had. You've given us great peace of mind, and we appreciate it very much.

Best regards, Ivan Seliverstov

Ivan Seliverstov

Dear Daniela,

My wife and I are very happy about the confirmed appointment, and we sincerely hope that this time we won’t have to go through the process of taking legal action against AIMA again due to card delays.

We are truly grateful for all the work you have done and for keeping us constantly updated throughout the process — it made a big difference for us.

Thank you once again for your professionalism and support.

Warm regards, Alex.

Oleksandr Kovpenko

Dear Daniela,

Thank you so much for the great news!

Appreciate your efforts in obtaining a desired result!

Best wishes, Tetiana

Tetiana Vdovina

Thank you so much.

You really helped us to calm down. ❤

Yevhen Anokhin

Daniela, good evening,

I hope you’re still awake and will receive our enthusiastic reply to such a wonderful message!
Thank you so much for your help and for being so incredibly fast. We are very, very, very happy!!!

And of course, we will recommend you as the best lawyer in Portugal ❤️

But, as always, we have a few questions :)))
Can AIMA cancel or reschedule the appointment at the last minute?
When it’s time to renew my residence permit and, once again, there are no available slots — can I come to you for help? Do you assist with such cases?

Thank you, and good night! ❤️❤️❤️
Best regards

Aleksandra Kozharskaia

I consulted with Daniela about my Digital nomad visa application that got rejected twice(!) before, and I needed help filing an appeal.

In just a 30 minutes' long call Daniela gave me a specific reason I was being rejected, list of things to be fixed and sent to her so that she can compose the text for the appeal.

One call is what separated me from being mad about the vague reason of rejection in the rejection letter, being lost because of not knowing what to do AND being calm and knowing exactly what to do in order to secure the visa after all.

100% recommend if you're looking for concrete solution to your problem.

Vadim Panov

Daniela, hi!

How have you been?
We heard that you have been successfully helping many people who struggle with their applications (not just us)) and they are all super happy with communication with you and highly recommend you).

Thank you for being so empathetic, professional and overall so great)

Olga Zaboikina

Daniela Castro gave amazing service in helping me navigate my permanent relocation to Portugal!

She gave me very specific steps and instructions in order for me to complete my visa.

Whenever I had questions, she was always there to answer them.

I never had any worries! Had a pleasure working with her!

Pavel S.

Daniela, bom dia!

Thank you very-very much!

I'm incredibly happy! You are a magician. If I owe you anything for your help, please write and I will make a transfer.

Kind regards, Denis

Denis Rogachkov

My goal is to make you feel comfortable, safe, understood, and genuinely cared for from the very first moment, knowing that your immigration journey will be guided with expertise, empathy, and respectful attention.

I want to grant you one more time for your support and results.

To be honest, it is great luck to find such a professional as you in a new country who knows what to do and stays in touch.

I appreciate our experience and recommended you to my ex-colleague.

Best regards

Anastasiia M.

Your questions, answered

FAQ