Over the past 18 months, the HQA (Highly Qualified Activity) Visa has emerged as a serious alternative to the Portugal Golden Visa, and it is now formally endorsed by the Portuguese government.
In February 2023, Empowered Startups received official recognition to administer the HQA programme, developed in collaboration with leading Portuguese research and innovation institutions. The intention was clear: create a high-calibre migration route for accomplished entrepreneurs, senior executives and internationally active investors who want a European base without parking €500,000 into a passive fund structure.
The HQA Approaches Things Differently
Instead of a passive fund allocation, applicants participate in a structured innovation and incubation framework, typically involving around €170,000. This is not about launching a risky start-up from scratch or meeting aggressive commercial targets, there are no business-performance requirements placed on the applicant. The structure is professionally managed, government-aligned and designed specifically to satisfy immigration criteria.
For many clients the mindset shift matters. If you are comfortable allocating €170,000 as a strategic relocation cost, effectively securing EU residency, family inclusion and access to Portugal's residency-to-citizenship framework, then the HQA can represent significantly more capital efficiency than the traditional Golden Visa route.
It suits founders, consultants, tech operators and globally mobile families open to demonstrating genuine ties to Portugal. As a government-endorsed programme it benefits from priority AIMA processing and dedicated local support, with concierge-style assistance across immigration, incubation and legal coordination.
The Golden Visa is passive and flexible. The HQA is structured and strategic. The right choice depends entirely on profile, liquidity and long-term objectives, and, as with the Golden Visa, the route to Portuguese citizenship now sits at seven years for EU/CPLP nationals and ten years for others under the 2026 Nationality Law.
If you would like to explore which route is the smarter fit for you and your family, get in touch and we will map it out properly.
