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Startup Visa for Highly Qualified Activity in Portugal (HQA)

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The Portuguese HQA (Highly Qualified Activity) Visa is considered a beneficial alternative to the Golden Visa, offering similar advantages at a significantly lower investment threshold.

The HQA Visa is designed for entrepreneurs and investors who want to establish their own startup in Portugal in partnership with a Portuguese university.

Visa recipients receive extensive support from Portugal’s leading startup incubator for three years while developing their research project and/or creating intellectual property.

The HQA program combines two key components:

  1. Starting a business in Portugal and
  2. Investing in research and development at a Portuguese university.

📌 Investment

A one-time fee of €175,000 to fund the company, with the possibility of returning your funds through the creation of a successful startup.

In comparison, the minimum investment option for Portugal’s Golden Visa starts at €280,000.

Benefits of the Highly Qualified Activity (HQA) Visa

Minimal Stay Requirement: Only 7 days per year in Portugal are necessary.

No Job Creation or Asset Requirements: Unlike most other EU startup visa programs, the HQA has no requirements for job creation, asset value, or income.

Family Inclusion: Your family members can be included in the HQA visa application. This includes your spouse, children, and parents (if they are financially dependent and/or over 65 years old). Additionally, your spouse is entitled to work in Portugal.

Short Approval Times: All HQA visa applications must be processed within 30 days.

Investment Guarantee: The HQA program offers a guaranteed full refund of your investment if your visa application is denied.

Tax Residency Flexibility: You can choose whether or not to become a tax resident of Portugal.

Access to Permanent Residency and Citizenship: After just 5 years, investors can apply for Portuguese citizenship and a passport.

Who is the Portuguese HQA Visa for?

The HQA visa in Portugal is an excellent option for entrepreneurs looking to launch a research startup in one of Europe’s most favorable markets. This type of residence permit is also referred to as a “Plan B” due to its low stay requirements and a clear path to Portuguese citizenship and passport.

Available Ways to Obtain Residency in Portugal in 2023

You can obtain residency in Portugal through the following programs:

 

READ ALSO:

🔹 Immigration and Moving to Portugal in 2023: Ways to Obtain Residency.

🔹 Conditions and Benefits of Registering a Company in Portugal and Madeira.

🔹 Taxes in Portugal for Businesses and Individuals: Non-Habitual Residents (NHR) Tax Status.

 

Article author

Luhina Iryna Head of department
Visas and Immigration
Ukraine
In 2006 graduated from the National Aviation University (NAU), Kiev with a degree in Philology, Translation. Irina Lugina has many years of successful work experience in large companies with a voluminous workflow. Within Feod Group specializes in: visa support by category for financially ...
In 2006 graduated from the National Aviation University (NAU), Kiev with a degree in Philology, Translation. Irina Lugina has many years of successful work experience in large companies with a voluminous workflow. Within Feod Group specializes in:
  • visa support by category for financially independent foreigners, visas for entrepreneurs and investors in the EU, Great Britain and the USA.
  • preparation and compliance of packages of documents for registration of companies in low-tax jurisdictions, opening bank accounts.
  • obtaining a residence permit and permanent residence in Ukraine on the basis of marriage and through company registration.
Speaks Ukrainian, Russian, English
read more
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