Watch: Everything You Need to Know About Portugal Residency Visas

Visa residency options in Portugal vary widely, and it can be hard to determine which is appropriate for your current situation. Joana Ferreira Reis, a Portuguese immigration lawyer and partner at Reis Pinto Law, explains the options in our new YouTube video. 

In this video, Joana breaks down the requirements of the Golden Visa, the HQA®, and the D7. 

Golden Visas

Golden Visas are a residency by investment program available in many European countries and worldwide. The applicant performs a qualifying investment activity, followed by a one-to-two-year wait for a biometrics appointment. After the appointment, the residency permit is issued, valid for two years, and renewable for an additional two years. The primary applicant and family members (if applicable), need to spend 14 days in the country within the two-year period. 

The HQA® 

In Portugal, the HQA® is a residency visa for highly qualified professionals. The application is submitted directly to the Portuguese immigration office and usually takes a maximum of 90 working days to process. This visa is valid for two years and renewable for three years. According to the Portuguese immigration law, it’s possible to request an exemption of stay if someone is outside Portugal due to professional or business reasons.

The D7 Visa

The D7 Visa is a program for retirees or people who live on passive income. Applicants have a 60-day waiting period once they submit their application; however, once the visa is issued, they can come to Portugal to apply for a residency permit. From there, the process is like the HQA®. The residency permit is valid for two years and renewable for three years. 

If you have more questions about the HQA Program, we’d be happy to answer your questions.