H HQA Visa Program Portugal Residency by Innovation Book a call
Only Government of Portugal endorsed HQA provider€175K contribution vs €500K Golden Visa

Portuguese residency through research, not retirement

The HQA Visa Program matches your professional expertise with an R&D project at one of 70+ Portuguese universities. Secure residency for you and your family at a fraction of the Golden Visa cost.

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Confidential conversation to assess fit and walk you through the program.

€175KRequired contribution (vs €500K Golden Visa)
70+Portuguese universities and research institutions
$37MForeign direct investment generated
650+Innovation projects completed

What it does

A fully managed residency pathway built around your expertise

From immigration legal work to R&D project matching, every step is handled for you.

I

Immigration legal work included

Portuguese immigration lawyers prepare and submit your residency application. No separate law firm to hire.

II

R&D project matching

You are matched with a Portuguese research institution on a project aligned with your professional background and interests.

III

You keep your IP

Intellectual property and commercialization rights from your research stay with you, not the university.

IV

Family residency included

Your residency permit gives you and your family the right to live and work in Portugal.

V

Government endorsed

Empowered Startups is the only Government of Portugal endorsed provider of the HQA program.

VI

No business performance requirements

The program focuses on advancing research and innovation. There are no revenue or hiring targets to meet.

The case for change

A faster, cheaper path to European residency

Traditional investment visas demand large capital outlays with no connection to your work. The HQA program rewards your expertise instead.

The traditional route

  • ×Golden Visa requires a €500,000 investment with no professional engagement
  • ×Citizenship timelines in Portugal are extending, adding years of uncertainty
  • ×Self-managed immigration risks denials, wasted fees, and damaged prospects
  • ×No clear pathway for innovation-focused professionals who do not fit employment-based categories

The HQA route

  • ✓€175,000 fund contribution - 65% less than the Golden Visa threshold
  • ✓Matched to an R&D project at one of 70+ Portuguese universities aligned with your field
  • ✓Portuguese immigration lawyers and business experts handle all legal work end-to-end
  • ✓You retain all intellectual property and commercialization rights from your research

How it works

From application to Portuguese residency in four steps

From first touch to real results, without the guesswork.

I

Initial assessment

Book a confidential call to determine whether the HQA program fits your profile, goals, and field of expertise.

II

R&D project matching

You are matched with one of 70+ Portuguese research institutions on a project aligned with your professional background.

III

Residency application

Portuguese immigration lawyers handle all legal work, documentation, and government liaison for your residency permit.

IV

Relocation and settlement

Arrive in Portugal with residency secured. Access the business incubator, innovation ecosystem, and pathway to permanent residency after 5 years or citizenship after 10.

FAQ

Questions about the HQA Visa Program

What is the Portugal HQA Visa Program?+

The HQA Visa Program offers Portuguese residency to highly skilled professionals and academics who develop high-value R&D projects in partnership with Portuguese research institutions. It is a faster and more cost-effective alternative to the traditional Golden Visa, with a required fund contribution of €175,000 compared to the Golden Visa's €500,000 threshold.

Is Empowered Startups officially recognized by the Portuguese government?+

Yes. Empowered Startups is the only Government of Portugal endorsed provider of the HQA program. The company has received an official endorsement video from the Government of Portugal, and Empowered Startups President Chris Lennon has met with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.

Do I keep the intellectual property from my research project?+

Yes. The intellectual property and commercialization rights developed through your R&D project remain with you, not the university. This is a core feature of the HQA program.

Can my family also get residency?+

Yes. Your Portuguese residency permit gives you and your family the right to live and work in Portugal. The permit also opens a pathway to permanent residency after 5 years and citizenship after 10 years.

Are there business performance requirements?+

No. The HQA program does not impose business performance requirements. Its core focus is advancing research and innovation activities in partnership with Portuguese institutions.

Are there tax advantages with the HQA program?+

The HQA program may offer significant tax advantages through Portugal's IFICI (NHR 2.0) tax regime, including exemptions on certain foreign-sourced income and capital gains, as well as preferential personal income tax treatment for up to ten years.

How does the cost compare to the Golden Visa?+

The HQA program requires a fund contribution of €175,000, which is 65% less than the Golden Visa's €500,000 threshold. The HQA program also connects you to a research project and lets you retain IP rights, which the Golden Visa does not.

Move forward

Find out if the HQA program fits your profile

Book a confidential call to discuss your background, research interests, and residency goals. We will walk you through the program, what participation involves, and the associated investment so you can decide with confidence.

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