HQA Visa Portugal Requirements: Who Qualifies
HQA visa Portugal requirements come from two places: Portuguese law, and the provider selling you the investment package. The law sets the conditions for the visa and the residence permit. Providers add their own entry rules for their packages. This page separates the two, so you know which rules you cannot change and which ones you can negotiate.
Last verified: 19 October 2026
This page is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice.
Key facts
The legal basis is Lei 23/2007. Article 61 covers the D3 residence visa. Article 90 covers the residence permit for highly qualified activity.
There is no investment requirement in law. The investment is how a package creates the qualifying activity.
Qualifications matter. Highly qualified activity means work that needs specialised technical skills or a matching qualification.
Absence limits apply. A temporary permit may be cancelled after more than 6 consecutive months, or 8 non-consecutive months, outside Portugal during its validity, unless the absence is justified.
What the law requires
To get a residence permit for highly qualified activity under article 90, you need one of these:
- An employment or service contract for highly qualified work
- An invitation from a teaching or vocational-training institution
- A statement of responsibility from a company certified for the Tech Visa
- A cultural activity recognised as being of national interest
You also need to meet the general conditions for any Portuguese residence permit, including:
- A valid residence visa, or legal entry and stay in Portugal
- Enough money to support yourself
- Somewhere to live
- No serious criminal record
- No entry ban in Portugal or the Schengen area
Qualifications
Portuguese law describes highly qualified activity as work that needs specialised technical skills or a matching qualification. The Tech Visa programme (Portaria 328/2018) looks for an ISCED 2011 level 6 qualification, or level 5 with five years' experience in specialised technical functions. Education is one of several conditions. The official description is on the IAPMEI Tech Visa page.
Investment packages usually expect a university degree and experience that fits the research project. Check the provider's exact criteria before you pay.
What providers add on top
These are package rules, not legal rules. They differ by provider.
- Solo applicants only. Some packages accept one founder per package.
- Excluded nationalities. Some providers do not accept applicants from certain countries.
- Degree and experience. Most ask for a degree and relevant work history.
- Source of funds. All reputable providers will ask where your money comes from.
- Family members. Usually allowed for an extra fee per person.
Ask the provider to put every eligibility rule in writing, and to say which ones come from the law and which come from them.
Documents you will usually need
Scroll sideways to see the full table.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Valid well beyond your planned stay |
| Proof of qualifications | Degree certificates, often apostilled and translated |
| Contract or statement for the highly qualified role | Comes from the company or institution |
| Criminal record certificates | From your country of nationality and countries where you lived |
| Proof of means of subsistence | Bank statements |
| Proof of accommodation in Portugal | Lease, property deed or similar |
| Health insurance | Valid in Portugal |
| Portuguese tax number (NIF) | Usually arranged by the provider or your lawyer |
Consulates publish their own checklists, and they differ by country. Use the checklist for the consulate where you will apply.
Who this route suits
- Founders, researchers and senior specialists with a concrete project to build in Portugal
- People who can meet the absence limits on a temporary permit
- Investors who accept that the money is at risk in a business
It is likely the wrong route if you want residence with very little time in Portugal. The Golden Visa asks for 7 days in the first year and 14 days after that.
Check your eligibility questions before you sign
Our free HQA due diligence checklist includes the eligibility questions to ask any provider.
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Download the checklistFrequently asked questions
Do I need a degree for the HQA visa?
In practice, yes. Highly qualified activity means work that needs specialised skills or a matching qualification, and most packages ask for a degree.
Do I need a PhD?
Not under the general rules we have reviewed. A PhD can help, and some research projects may ask for one.
Is there a minimum investment requirement?
No. Portuguese law sets no investment amount for this route. The investment is a provider's price.
Can two co-founders use one package?
It depends on the provider. Some packages accept only one founder. Ask before you pay.
Do I need to speak Portuguese?
Not for the visa or the first permit. Basic Portuguese is required for permanent residence, and a language test is required for citizenship.
Disclaimer
This page gives general information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Requirements change and differ by consulate. Speak to a qualified Portuguese lawyer before you apply.