What about the Portugal Global Talent Visa?
Published at: 21/03/2025 11:35 am
The Portugal Global Talent Visa, or the HQA (Highly Qualified Activities) Visa, is an immigration program to attract skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and innovators to the EU Member States.
This relatively new solution (since 2023) is an alternative to the popular Portugal Golden Visa program. The difference is that applicants for this visa do not have to invest directly. Still, the average investment amount for a Portugal Global Talent Visa is between 175,000 and 200,000 euros.
The HQA Visa aims to forge collaboration between talents from third countries (not EU members) to support research, entrepreneurship, and academic growth. Applicants must typically have a strong professional or academic background, such as a university degree and significant career experience.
The program applicants are from the technology, research, and business innovation sectors, including start-ups.
The HQA allows the successful applicants to bring their families, and they can become Portuguese citizens after spending five years as residents. Tax residency is not a requirement.
The applicants must prove their qualifications and sign a cooperation agreement with one of the local universities. After this stage, they can obtain a two-year Portuguese residency permit and extend it for another three years before becoming European citizens.
The Portuguese authorities have only 30 days to publish their decision after the application, and then they issue the residency permits, usually in less than two months.
Interestingly, the Portugal Golden Visa also changed to support cultural values and products. As real estate purchases and other affordable options disappeared from the "ARI" program, investors turned their attention to the Cultural Heritage Golden Visa, and the invested amounts grew by 165% during 2024.
Why does Portugal attract investors, entrepreneurs and scientists?
Portugal is not the wealthiest European country. However, the quality of life is higher than the living costs. The Portuguese continuously invested in renewing their country and brought home the Web Summit, among other significant events. All start-up owners from around the World are going to Lisbon to meet.
Our colleagues at Discus Holdings Ltd have been supporting investors and entrepreneurs in obtaining resident status in Portugal. Contact us here for a free consultation!