Portugal HQA Visa: detailed guide on residency visa for skilled professionals

The Highly Qualified Activity (HQA) Visa is a residency visa intended for highly skilled professionals willing to work in Portugal. Applicants’ work must require exceptional skills; that’s why the visa is most suitable for qualified managers, scientists, doctors, engineers, programmers and others.

The visa is issued for four months; while it’s valid, one must enter Portugal and apply for residency. An applicant initially gets a 2-year residence permit and then may extend it for another three years. This document allows one to immigrate to Portugal and work in the country.

To retain residency, one must stay in Portugal for at least six months in a row or eight months in total every year.

Visa holders’ close relatives may apply for residency in Portugal for family reunification.

Qualified specialists whose jobs are connected with intellectual labour can choose the HQA Visa to immigrate to Portugal. They must provide a higher education diploma and a work agreement or its written guarantee with a Portuguese employer to apply.

If an applicant has a profession that is highly demanded in Portugal, the minimum salary can be 1.2 times higher than the average. This implies, for example, some employees who can manage public or commercial organisations.

The full list of requirements for the Portugal HQA Visa applicants includes the following:

• age of 18+;

• no criminal record in Portugal or abroad;

• higher education confirmed with a diploma;

• a work contract with a Portuguese employer for at least a year, with a salary 1.5 times higher than the average gross salary;

• health insurance.

Family members can obtain a Portugal residence permit after the main applicant. A spouse and children under 18 may be included in the application.

Children over 18 and parents may also apply for a Portugal residency visa if they are financially dependent on the main applicant. Full-age children must study in Portugal and be single.

An applicant for a Portugal HQA Visa must submit the following documents:

• the filled-in visa application form;

• two colour photos 3×4 cm;

• a passport and its copy;

• a higher education diploma;

• a certificate of no criminal record with an apostille;

• permission for the Foreigner and Borders Service (SEF) to check the applicant’s criminal status in Portugal;

• an employment contract or its written guarantee.

Also, when one applies for a residence permit with the HQA Visa, they must provide proof of having accommodation in Portugal, for example, a rental agreement.

The applicant must provide a work agreement with a Portuguese employee with a specific salary and rent or buy housing to live in Portugal. Also, they pay government fees:

• €75 or €90 — for the residency application processing;

• €197 — for the residency card issuance.

Additional costs include health insurance, about €400+ per person, and professional services.

Immigration to Portugal. The country is known as a safe and beautiful place. Expats enjoy its mild climate and the opportunity to live by the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, the cost of living is relatively low there, and the relaxed pace of life may be pleasing after living in a big city.

Pros and cons of living in Portugal

Travelling to other Schengen countries. Residents of Portugal may enter other Schengen states visa-free and stay in this area for 90 days out of 180. The time spent in Portugal doesn’t count.

Tax optimisation. Portugal’s usual income tax rates range from 14,5% to 48%. However, new residents may pay this tax at the fixed 20% rate if they obtain a 10-year Non-habitual Resident (NHR) status.

Citizenship application after 5 years. One may apply for citizenship if one retains residency in Portugal for five years. Another essential requirement is to speak Portuguese at the A2 level.

One can travel to 180+ countries visa-free and move to other EU countries with a Portugal passport. Also, there’s no need to renounce the previous citizenship because Portugal allows its citizens to have multiple passports.

Besides all the benefits, some reasons can make one consider other paths to residency in Portugal instead of the HQA Visa. Here they are.

High qualification is a must. Only those who are engaged in intellectual work and have high qualifications can get a visa. And it’s obligatory to have a specialised higher education diploma.

Some Portugal residency visas have no requirements for applicants’ degrees or work experience; that’s why they’re worth considering.

Obligation to find a job first. One can get an HQA Visa if they have already found a job in Portugal. It may be the most challenging part of the process.

The requirement to live in Portugal permanently. To retain residency, one must live in Portugal for 6+ months a year. It may be inconvenient in some cases.

The first Portugal residence permit issued based on the HQA Visa is valid for two years, and each consequent one is valid for three years. One must apply for renewal at least 30 days before the residence permit expiry date.

Residence permits for highly qualified activity can be renewed automatically.

To renew your permit, you must register or log in to the SEF website and choose Automatic Renewal in the Applications section. Then follow all the necessary steps offered on the site to apply.

After the application is submitted, you must pay the fee for the renewal within 48 hours. The amount of the fee is calculated automatically.

When the new residence card is ready, it is sent to your registered address in Portugal.

There are some other paths to a Portugal residence permit, such as the D7, Startup, and D2 visas and investment immigration.

The D7 Visa may be the best choice if you work remotely. To get it, one must confirm to have money and housing to live in Portugal.

The Startup Visa may suit you if you have an idea for an innovative project. It has the lowest financial requirements for applicants. However, this visa may be relatively hard to get because the project must be approved by a Portuguese business incubator and the IAPMEI, the agency responsible for the programme.

The D2 Visa is intended for entrepreneurs who wish to run a business in Portugal. It may be suitable if you have a business plan and money to make it happen.

Portugal Golden Visa is a residency by investment. Applicants choose one of seven options; the list includes the real estate purchase. So, if one has funds to buy a house in Portugal, they may be eligible to participate.

The HQA, D7, D2 and Startup visas allow one to sponsor their relatives to get residency for family reunification. In the case of the Portugal Golden Visa, family members are included in the initial application.

In conclusion, acquiring the Portugal HQA Visa is quite a fast and inexpensive way to immigrate to Portugal. However, other options exist, especially if you wish to work remotely or run your own business in Europe.