Portuguese immigration lawyers prepare and submit your residency application, manage documentation, and liaise with government authorities on your behalf.
Government of Portugal Endorsed70+ University Partners€175K Contribution
Portuguese residency through research, not real estate
The HQA Visa Program matches your expertise with a high-value R&D project at a top Portuguese university. You get residency for your family at 35% of the Golden Visa cost, and you keep the intellectual property.
A 30-minute conversation to assess fit and walk you through what participation involves.
€175KRequired contribution (vs €500K Golden Visa)
70+Portuguese research institutions and universities
$37MForeign direct investment generated
650+Innovation projects completed
What you get
A managed pathway from application to arrival
Every step is handled by Portuguese immigration lawyers and business experts so you can focus on your research and relocation.
Full legal concierge
Portuguese immigration lawyers prepare and submit your residency application, manage documentation, and liaise with government authorities on your behalf.
R&D project matching
You are matched with one of 70+ Portuguese research institutions on a project aligned with your professional background and interests. You choose the project.
You keep the IP
Intellectual property and commercialization rights from your research stay with you, not the university. Build a business from your findings.
Family residency included
Your residency permit gives you and your family the right to live and work in Portugal from day one.
Business incubator access
On arrival you join Empowered Startups' Portuguese business incubator, connected to business leaders, researchers, and commercialization opportunities.
Potential tax advantages
Participants may qualify for Portugal's IFICI (NHR 2.0) tax regime, including exemptions on certain foreign-sourced income and preferential income tax rates for up to ten years.
Side by side
HQA Visa vs. Portuguese Golden Visa
HQA VisaGolden Visa
Minimum contribution✓×
University R&D project matching✓×
You retain intellectual property rights✓×
Business incubator access✓×
Government-endorsed provider✓×
Family residency and work rights✓✓
Path to permanent residency (5 years)✓✓
Path to citizenship (10 years)✓✓
Potential IFICI (NHR 2.0) tax advantages✓×
Process
From initial call to Portuguese residency in four steps
A simple route from setup to steady output.
Assess fit
Book a call to discuss your professional background, research interests, and goals. The team determines whether the HQA program is the right pathway for you.
Match with a university
You are matched with one of 70+ Portuguese research institutions on an R&D project aligned with your expertise. You choose the project and institution.
Submit your application
Portuguese immigration lawyers prepare and file your residency application, managing all documentation and government liaison on your behalf.
Relocate and build
Receive your residency permit, move to Portugal with your family, and begin your R&D project with full incubator and ecosystem access.
Packages
A fraction of the Golden Visa cost
The required fund contribution is €175,000, compared to €500,000 for the Portuguese Golden Visa. Program fees are discussed during your initial call based on your specific situation.
HQA Visa Program
€175,000fund contribution
Full concierge immigration service, university R&D matching, family residency, and incubator access.
- ✓ €175,000 fund contribution (vs €500K Golden Visa)
- ✓ Portuguese residency for you and your family
- ✓ R&D project matching with 70+ universities
- ✓ You retain all IP and commercialization rights
- ✓ Business incubator and ecosystem access
- ✓ Immigration legal work fully managed
- ✓ Potential IFICI (NHR 2.0) tax advantages
Questions
Questions about the HQA Visa Program
What is the HQA Visa Program?+
The HQA Visa Program is a residency-by-innovation pathway for highly skilled professionals, entrepreneurs, and academics. It offers Portuguese residency through a required fund contribution of €175,000 and an R&D project matched with one of 70+ Portuguese research institutions.
How is the HQA program different from the Golden Visa?+
The HQA program requires a €175,000 contribution compared to the Golden Visa's €500,000 threshold. It also connects you to a Portuguese university for an R&D project, gives you access to a business incubator, and lets you retain all intellectual property rights from your research.
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 President Chris Lennon has met with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.
Can my family live and work in Portugal too?+
Yes. Your residency permit gives you and your family the right to live and work in Portugal. The program also provides a pathway to permanent residency after five years and citizenship after ten years.
Who owns the intellectual property from my research project?+
You do. 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.
Are there tax advantages to this program?+
Participants may qualify for Portugal's IFICI (NHR 2.0) tax regime, which can include exemptions on certain foreign-sourced income and capital gains, as well as preferential personal income tax treatment for up to ten years.
What does the concierge service include?+
Portuguese immigration lawyers and business experts handle your application from initial submission through to relocation and settlement. This includes document preparation, government liaison, university project matching, and access to the Portuguese business incubator on arrival.
Take the next step
Find out if the HQA program fits your goals
Book a 30-minute call to discuss your background, research interests, and whether Portuguese residency through innovation is the right pathway for you and your family.
Book a call→