Fast-track residency to Portugal
Fast-track residency to Portugal
Portugal HQA Visa Program
The HQA® Visa Program is for global academics, professionals, entrepreneurs and investors seeking a pathway to Portuguese citizenship and EU residency in as little as 3 months.
Qualified applicants are invited to bring their expertise to Portugal, launching and growing innovative ventures, in partnership with local universities.
“If you’re looking for an exciting startup ecosystem then I think Portugal is the place and Empowered Startups is the team to help you with that.”
“What really put Empowered Startups over the top for me was the excellent network that the in country team has and the potential connections that they could help me with in terms of the EU government and EU businesses.”
The HQA® Visa Program is a Portuguese Visa pathway for entrepreneurs and investors seeking Portuguese citizenship and EU residency. Qualified applicants are invited to bring their expertise to Portugal, launching and growing innovative ventures, in partnership with local universities.
As a government-endorsed program, the HQA® Program offers numerous advantages for qualified applicants and their families. From expedited processing to significant tax benefits under Portugal’s Scientific Research and Innovation Tax Incentive (IFICI), also known as NHR 2.0, this program provides a comprehensive, low-maintenance route to establishing residency in Portugal.
At Empowered Startups, we provide a concierge white glove service that includes full-service immigration, business incubation, and corporate legal services.
VP of Programs
100+
Innovation projects with post-secondary institutions in Portugal
3-6 Months
For residency permit
50+
Research university partnerships
Under authority of the Government of Portugal, Empowered Startups administrates and controls application selection for the HQA® Visa. The program was co-created with top R&D institutions in Portugal as a superior mobility and residency opportunity to the Golden Visa program. Today, the HQA® Program has over 50 university partnerships, and partners with the Municipality of Santarem and the Municipality of Coimbra.
The Portugal HQA® Visa offers the flexibility of a Golden Visa, but with faster processing time, around 70% less cost, and is custom built for global academics, professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors.
Talk to an expertTo qualify for the HQA® Visa program, the applicant must fit the following criteria:
Through your application and interview, Empowered Startups will evaluate your professional expertise that’s possible to leverage in Portugal
Have a proven record of professional accomplishment
Demonstrate the ability to provide strategic direction to an innovative venture with the potential for significant growth
Substantiate the funds necessary for admission into the program
Located in Southwest Europe, Portugal is known for its ocean coastline, rich history, mild climate, welcoming culture, and relaxing lifestyle. Today, it is a modern European country that combines tradition with innovation, making it attractive for travel, study, business, and long-term living.
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