Move-Luck: reviews & investigation
Move-Luck sells a nine-month Portugal relocation package with a "100% success guarantee" and claims it serves just five clients per month. Their domain was registered in July 2024. Their legal entity doesn't appear in any Portuguese business registry. That combination is worth a close look before you wire a deposit.
Who is Move-Luck and what do they do
Services: Portugal D-series visa assistance (D1 through D8), NIF and NISS registration, business setup (LDA, Atividade), AIMA appointment booking, housing search, tax advisory.
Addresses: R. Dom Francisco Manuel de Melo 5B, 1070-051 Lisboa (LACS coworking) and Estrada Malveira da Serra 920, 2750-834 Cascais (LACS Cascais coworking).
Founded: Domain registered July 2, 2024. Company marketing references "many years of experience."
Phone: +351 913 464 471
Email: [email protected]
Website: move-luck.com
Pricing: €399 (Starter) to €11,955 (Extended). Installment plans over 12 months available.
Team: Ivan (founder; surname reportedly Krutenko in social media, not disclosed on the official site), Evgeniy Chekin (migration expert), plus four support staff.
Key fact: The domain registrar is RU-CENTER, a Russian registrar, and the nameservers point to timeweb.ru, a Russian hosting provider. For an agency presenting itself as a Lisbon-based operation, that's an unusual technical setup (which, honestly, raises questions).
Trust Score
Based on 1.8/5 from verified data points. Indicator at 36% reflects serious legal transparency gaps.
Who's behind Move-Luck: checking the paperwork
Both addresses Move-Luck lists belong to LACS, a coworking chain that sells virtual office packages. You can get a prestigious Lisbon address from them for around €50 a month, no physical presence required. That's not automatically a fraud sign, but it does mean their "office" is a mailbox, not a team sitting at desks in Lisbon.
A search of Portal da Justica (Portugal's commercial registry) and nif.pt for any entity named "Move-Luck" returns nothing. The website doesn't display a NIF or NIPC number anywhere. Portuguese law requires every company conducting commercial activity to publish these identifiers. Move-Luck skips that entirely.
Domain and hosting records
The domain move-luck.com was registered on July 2, 2024 through RU-CENTER. Nameservers are NS1 through NS4 at TIMEWEB.RU and TIMEWEB.ORG, pointing to Russian hosting infrastructure. The earliest snapshot on the Web Archive dates to September 3, 2024. The entire public-facing operation is under eight months old at the time of this review. That directly contradicts any claim about years of operating history.
Are their experts licensed?
Evgeniy Chekin is listed as lead migration expert. His name doesn't appear in the Ordem dos Advogados (Portugal's bar association) member directory, nor in the Ordem dos Solicitadores registry. The website claims its team has published in authoritative media. A Google search for those publications surfaces only Move-Luck's own site. No external articles, no interviews, no third-party mentions.
The founder goes by "Ivan" on the official site. Social media references suggest the surname Krutenko, but that's unconfirmed in any official document. No verifiable professional track record in Portuguese immigration appears under that name.
Move-Luck risk analysis: 5 things to know
| Area | Risk | What we found | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | high | Packages run €399 to €11,955. The AllSet installment plan: €785/month × 12 = €9,420, against the advertised €6,950. That's a 35% gap the website doesn't address anywhere near the pricing section. | Get the full 12-month total in writing before signing. Don't go by the headline number alone. |
| Contract | high | No contract template or refund policy is published on the website. Clients report a 30-50% deposit is required before the agreement is shared with them. | Demand the full contract text before any payment. If they won't send it, that tells you something. |
| Timelines | medium | Move-Luck promotes a nine-month roadmap. Actual Portugal D-visa timelines depend on consulate workload, which varies widely by country and season. One confirmed case (D7 from Bali) closed in under two months. | Build in extra buffer time. Consulate appointment waits in some countries stretch four to six months on their own. |
| Risks | high | No legal entity in Portuguese registries. No verifiable licenses for any staff member. Domain under eight months old. If the company folds before your visa appointment, legal recourse is unclear. | Ask yourself: if this goes wrong, who do you sue? Where? Under which jurisdiction? |
| Refunds | high | The site mentions a "guarantee" but no specific refund conditions appear in writing anywhere. The fine print on what counts as a qualifying refund claim is simply not published. | Get the exact refund clause spelled out in your contract. "We'll try again" is not a refund policy. |
Move-Luck: red flags and green lights
| ✅ | Real Portuguese mobile number. +351 913 464 471 is a verifiable Portuguese number. Someone answers it. |
| ✅ | Corporate email on own domain. [email protected], not a free Gmail or Hotmail address, which is a basic credibility signal. |
| ✅ | Active YouTube channel with 163 videos. The @move_luck_Ivan channel covers Portugal visa processes with real detail. That's a meaningful volume of content production, not a ghost company. |
| ✅ | Telegram community of 1,160+ subscribers plus a dedicated review channel (t.me/move_luck_rec) and a community chat group. An active audience is harder to fake than a polished website. |
| ⚠️ | Both office addresses are LACS coworking spaces. LACS sells virtual office packages to anyone for a monthly fee. There is no confirmed physical team office at either address. |
| ⚠️ | Founder's surname is withheld on the official site. Social media accounts reference him as Ivan Krutenko, but this hasn't been officially confirmed anywhere verifiable. |
| ⚠️ | Deposit before contract. Clients are asked for 30-50% upfront before receiving the full agreement to review. That sequence runs backward from standard practice. |
| ⚠️ | Possible Trustpilot listing with 8 reviews at 4.3. This couldn't be independently confirmed during research. Eight reviews for a company of this size and pricing is a very thin public record either way. |
| ❌ | Domain registered July 2024; company claims "many years" of experience. First web archive snapshot: September 3, 2024. Those two facts don't line up. |
| ❌ | No legal entity in Portuguese commercial registry. A search of Portal da Justica and nif.pt for "Move-Luck" returns nothing. |
| ❌ | No NIF or NIPC displayed on the website. Portuguese law requires every commercial entity to publish these identifiers. Move-Luck doesn't show them anywhere. |
| ❌ | Evgeniy Chekin not in Ordem dos Advogados or Ordem dos Solicitadores registries. He's not a licensed lawyer or solicitor under Portuguese professional rules, based on available public data. |
| ❌ | "100% guarantee" of visa approval. Portugal's consulates and AIMA make those decisions independently. No agency can promise that. Using this language is either ignorance or a sales tactic. |
| ❌ | AllSet installment math doesn't add up. Advertised price: €6,950. Monthly installment: €785. Over 12 months: €9,420. The €2,470 gap is unexplained anywhere on the site. |
What Move-Luck offers and where the gaps are
The visa lineup
Move-Luck covers six Portugal D-visa types. The D7 (passive income, minimum €870/month or €10,440 in savings) and D8 (digital nomad, minimum €3,480/month from sources outside Portugal) get the most attention. Their D2 option targets freelancers with Portuguese client contracts exceeding €870. The D3 is for highly qualified professionals with job offers above €2,100 and a university degree.
One client's case study appeared on vc.ru in late 2024. A developer filing from Bali submitted a D7 application on October 25, 2024 and received approval December 19, 2024. That's under two months, faster than many people experience. But one confirmed case with specific dates is a very small sample on which to base a decision worth €6,950.
The "5 clients per month" claim
Move-Luck states it accepts no more than five new clients each month. At their average package price of roughly €4,000, that's about €20,000 in monthly revenue. Running a team of six people in Lisbon on €20,000 a month is very tight math. This claim functions as a scarcity marketing device, creating urgency. It may have no operational basis whatsoever.
The guarantee problem
The site repeatedly uses "100% result" and "guaranteed residence permit." Any immigration consultant who's been through actual consulate denials will tell you the same thing: consulates decide. An agency prepares your documents. It can't override a consular officer's decision. Move-Luck's fallback if you're denied is to resubmit under a different program or refund your money. Sounds good on paper. But the specific refund terms aren't published anywhere. And "we'll try a different program" isn't the same as returning €6,950.
One prospective client account describes filling out a contact form for a D8 visa and receiving a call within five minutes. The representative pushed for a paid "in-depth consultation" at €150, despite the site advertising free consultations. When the client mentioned that, they learned that "free" covers fifteen minutes of general questions. Anything document-specific costs extra. Good to know before you answer the phone.
Move-Luck vs alternatives: where the money actually goes
The highlighted column is the company under review. best worst mixed
| Parameter | Move-Luck ★ | Licensed Portuguese Lawyer | DIY Self-Filing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price range | €399–€11,955 most expensive | €1,000–€2,000 mid-range | €440–€790 cheapest |
| Claimed timeline | 9 months (claimed) | 6–12 months (realistic) | 4–8 months fastest |
| Legal license | None found unverified | Ordem dos Advogados licensed | N/A |
| Office type | Virtual coworking unconfirmed | Physical office verified | N/A |
| Public contract | Not published opaque | Standard legal agreement transparent | None needed |
| Visa "guarantee" | "100%" (marketing) | None (honest) | None (honest) |
DIY cost breakdown: consulate fee ~€90, certified translations ~€200–€400, apostilles ~€100–€200, bank statements and miscellaneous documents ~€50–€100.
What to check before paying Move-Luck
- Contract: Ask for the full contract text before any payment transfers. If they won't share it upfront, stop there. Every legitimate service provider shares their terms before taking money.
- Legal entity: Search Portal da Justica for "Move-Luck" and ask them directly for their NIPC number. If they can't provide it, you're dealing with an unregistered entity in Portugal.
- Installment math: If you're using the payment plan, multiply the monthly figure by 12. For AllSet: €785 × 12 = €9,420. That's €2,470 more than the headline price. Confirm the total in writing before signing anything.
- Licenses: Ask Evgeniy Chekin for his registration number in the Ordem dos Advogados. If he's not a licensed lawyer, ask which professional body regulates his immigration consulting work in Portugal.
- Refund policy: Get the exact refund conditions spelled out in the contract, word for word. Find out what happens if both the first and second application attempts fail. "We'll try again" is not a refund clause.
- References: Ask for contact details of three past clients willing to take a short call. Any company with a real track record can provide this. Hesitation or refusal is informative on its own.
- Alternatives: Get quotes from two licensed Portuguese immigration lawyers before deciding. The price gap between Move-Luck's upper packages and a licensed lawyer runs between €5,000 and €10,000.
- Payment method: Use a credit card or a payment method with dispute protection. Avoid direct wire transfers to an unregistered entity. If something goes wrong, you'll want a chargeback option available.
Frequently asked questions about Move-Luck
Does Move-Luck guarantee a Portugal D visa approval?
No. Portugal's consulates and AIMA make all visa and residence permit decisions independently. No agency can legally guarantee approval. Move-Luck's version of a "guarantee" means they'll resubmit under a different program or offer a refund if you're denied. But the specific conditions for that refund aren't published anywhere on their site. Ask for them in writing before signing anything, and ask what happens if the alternative program is also denied.
How long has Move-Luck actually been in business?
Their domain move-luck.com was registered on July 2, 2024. The first Web Archive snapshot is from September 3, 2024. The company's marketing materials reference "many years" of experience. By any verifiable measure, the public-facing operation is under a year old. That doesn't mean the founders have no prior experience, but it does mean "many years" can't refer to Move-Luck as a company.
Is Move-Luck a licensed immigration law firm in Portugal?
Based on available data, no. No legal entity named Move-Luck appears in Portal da Justica. Evgeniy Chekin, their stated migration expert, is not in the Ordem dos Advogados or Ordem dos Solicitadores member registries. The company doesn't display a NIF or NIPC number on its website, which Portuguese law requires for any commercial operation. They may function as informal consultants, but there's no verified licensed professional accountability.
Why does the Move-Luck AllSet installment plan cost more than advertised?
The AllSet package headline price is €6,950. The 12-month installment option is €785 per month. Multiply that out: €785 × 12 = €9,420. That's €2,470 more than the advertised price, a 35% premium. The website doesn't address this discrepancy anywhere near the pricing information. Always calculate the full installment cost before agreeing to any payment plan, for any service.
Are there real independent reviews of Move-Luck?
They're sparse. One detailed case study from a client appeared on vc.ru in late 2024, showing a successful D7 outcome from Bali with specific dates and consulate details. There may be a Trustpilot listing with 8 reviews at 4.3, but this couldn't be independently confirmed during research. No significant presence was found on Google Reviews, Otzovik, or other major consumer platforms. Eight reviews under a year of operation is a thin public record for a company charging up to €11,955 per client.
How does Move-Luck compare to hiring a licensed Portuguese immigration lawyer?
Licensed Portuguese immigration lawyers typically charge €1,000 to €2,000 for full D-visa assistance. They hold Ordem dos Advogados registration, sign standard legal contracts, carry professional liability, and operate under regulatory oversight. If they make a mistake, there's a professional conduct process. Move-Luck's equivalent service costs €1,950 to €11,955. The price is higher and the regulatory accountability is lower.
Where can I leave a review about Move-Luck?
You can post a detailed review on migration.us.com or on the independent review platform proverj.com. Both platforms accept accounts from real clients, including critical feedback, without filtering. Your experience could help someone else make a more informed decision before committing thousands of euros.
Expert verdict on Move-Luck
I've been in immigration consulting since 2011. I've watched a lot of agencies come and go, and certain patterns repeat. Move-Luck hits several of them at once.
Let's start with what they're doing that shows real effort. The YouTube channel has 163 videos on Portugal immigration topics. That's not something you put together over a weekend. The Telegram community has over 1,100 followers with a dedicated review channel. These are signs of genuine content work, not a pure shell operation.
But here's what concerns me. The domain is eight months old and the company claims many years of experience. In my business, that gap between verifiable fact and marketing language isn't a minor oversight. It's either a new operation running on exaggerated credentials, or an older project rebranding without disclosing that history. Neither version builds trust.
The legal entity question is the most serious issue for anyone actually considering paying them. Portugal requires registered businesses to display their NIF. Move-Luck doesn't. Their migration expert isn't in any professional registry I can find. That means if your application is mishandled, there's no licensing board to file a complaint with, no professional liability insurance to claim against. You'd be taking them to court as an individual against an unregistered entity, and good luck with that in a foreign jurisdiction.
The "100% guarantee" phrasing should be a hard stop for any informed buyer. I've never, in 13 years, seen a legitimate immigration professional make that claim without very specific language about what it actually covers. When you read Move-Luck's version carefully, the guarantee is that they'll try again under a different program. That's a retry clause, not a money-back guarantee. There's a meaningful difference.
On the pricing: at €6,950 for the AllSet package, you could hire a licensed Portuguese immigration lawyer for €1,500, cover your own flights to Lisbon for AIMA appointments, pay every document fee, and still have roughly €4,000 left over. At €11,955, you could do all of that twice. The premium Move-Luck charges isn't backed by verifiable credentials or regulatory accountability.
If you've already contacted them or you're determined to proceed: get the full contract before any payment, confirm the legal entity exists in Portuguese registries, and ask for specific written refund terms tied to the exact scenarios you're worried about. Don't let the "only five slots available" framing pressure you into skipping those steps. Those slots will still be there tomorrow.
Published: February 14, 2026. Updated: February 18, 2026.
Don't get burned
Marketing promises don't always match reality. Read what real clients have to say about Move-Luck before committing thousands of euros to a Portugal relocation package.
Read real reviews about Move-Luck