Thanks! Seeing a timeline like that is very helpful. I'm looking at the Facebook group you recommended and there's so much there, it's easy to get bogged down.

In my circumstance I believe the D8 (digital nomad) visa might be more appropriate, as I'd probably have to sell some Berkshire stock and put it into a dividend-payer to meet the passive income requirement :-) But D7 is possible. Hopefully the timeline would be about the same.

It's unfortunate to have to take out a lease many months in advance of actually being able to move in. Some concern for being responsible for an unoccupied property on another continent. Perhaps there are services that could look in occasionally?

I have been under the impression the golden visa also allows 500K in certain types of investment funds in addition to the donation options - though finding one that is low risk feels quite challenging.