Meta Description
The Portugal Highly Qualified Activities (HQA) Visa offers third-country nationals a fast-track to residency and citizenship with a €175,000 investment. Learn requirements, benefits, and how it compares to the Golden Visa and D7.
Introduction
The Portugal Highly Qualified Activities (HQA) Visa is one of the newest and most innovative residency options in Europe. Often referred to as a hybrid between the popular Golden Visa and the D7 Visa, the HQA program is designed for entrepreneurs who want to establish a business in Portugal with minimal bureaucracy and a lower investment threshold.
With an investment of just €175,000, applicants can secure residency rights in Portugal and gain a pathway to permanent residency and citizenship in as little as 5–6 years. Unlike many other visa categories, the HQA program offers short processing times, minimal physical presence requirements, and no job-creation obligations.
Program at a Glance
- Program Type: Active Investor Visa
- Minimum Investment: €175,000 (includes company formation and application fees)
- Visa Validity: Initial 4-month visa → 2-year residence permit → renewable for 3 years
- Time to Permanent Residency: 5 years
- Time to Citizenship: 5–6 years (with basic Portuguese proficiency)
- Physical Presence Requirement: Minimal (a few weeks per year recommended for naturalization)
- Application Processing Time: 1–2 months
- Visa-Free Travel (Citizenship): ~187 destinations, including EU/Schengen, UK, and the US
- Contribution Type: Business investment in a new Portuguese company, supported by an incubator
General Requirements
To qualify, applicants must:
- Establish a new corporation in Portugal with an investment of at least €175,000.
- Enroll in a government-approved incubator program for at least 3 years.
- Cover all application fees and company formation costs (included in the €175,000).
- Demonstrate ability to financially sustain themselves and any dependents.
- Include eligible family members: spouse and up to two dependents.
