Portugal HQA vs Golden Visa: Cost, Stay and Citizenship
Portugal HQA vs Golden Visa comes down to one trade-off: money against time in Portugal. An HQA investment package costs about €175,000, reported by providers, October 2026. No government body sets or checks that price. A temporary permit may be cancelled after more than 6 consecutive months, or 8 non-consecutive months, outside Portugal during the permit's total validity. The Golden Visa fund route costs €500,000, but you only need to spend 7 days in Portugal in the first year and 14 days after that. Both routes now lead to citizenship after 10 years of legal residence for most applicants. CPLP on this page means countries where Portuguese is an official language.
Last verified: 19 October 2026
This page is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice.
Key facts
Different legal basis. HQA uses articles 61 and 90 of Lei 23/2007. The Golden Visa uses article 90-A.
Only the Golden Visa has a legal minimum. €500,000 for the fund route. The HQA price is set by private providers.
Very different stay rules. The Golden Visa needs 7 days in year 1, then 14 days. An HQA permit may be cancelled after more than 6 consecutive months, or 8 non-consecutive months, outside Portugal during the permit's total validity.
Same citizenship wait. 10 years of legal residence, or 7 for EU nationals and nationals of countries where Portuguese is an official language.
Side by side
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| HQA investment package | Golden Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Legal basis | Articles 61 and 90, Lei 23/2007 | Article 90-A, Lei 23/2007 |
| Minimum set by law | None | €250,000 to €500,000, depending on the option |
| Typical cost | About €175,000 (reported by providers, October 2026) | €500,000 for the fund route |
| What the money buys | A company and a research project | Fund units, research funding, culture support or a business |
| Is the money at risk? | Yes, it funds a young business | Yes, fund values can fall |
| Time in Portugal | A temporary permit may be cancelled after more than 6 consecutive months, or 8 non-consecutive months, outside Portugal during the permit's total validity | 7 days in year 1, then 14 days |
| Family | Art. 90 families exempt from the 2-year wait | Exempt from the 2-year wait |
| First permit | 2 years | 2 years |
| Renewal | First permit 2 years, then 3-year renewals (article 75) | Renewed for 2-year periods (article 90-A(2)) |
| Permanent residence | After 5 years | After 5 years |
| Citizenship | 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU nationals and nationals of countries where Portuguese is an official language) | 10 years of legal residence (7 for EU nationals and nationals of countries where Portuguese is an official language) |
| Tax (IFICI) | Possible if your role qualifies | Not linked to the visa |
The package price is explained on the cost page. Absence limits are explained on the presence page. The 2-year family rule is explained on the family page. The 10-year citizenship rule is explained in the citizenship guide. IFICI is explained in the IFICI guide.
Golden Visa options in 2026
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| Option | Minimum |
|---|---|
| Qualifying investment funds | €500,000 |
| Scientific research | €500,000 |
| Arts and cultural heritage | €250,000 |
| Company investment with 5 jobs | €500,000 |
| Creating 10 jobs | No amount, 10 jobs |
Real estate routes closed to new applicants on 7 October 2023.
The job-creation, research and arts and culture amounts can be 20% lower in low-density territories, defined by Portaria 208/2017 as under 100 inhabitants per km2 or GDP per head below 75% of the national average (article 3(2) and (3)). The fund and company routes are not reduced.
Which route fits you
The HQA package can fit if you:
- Can meet the absence limits and want to work on a project in Portugal
- Prefer a lower upfront amount
- Accept that the money funds a business that may fail
- May qualify for IFICI tax treatment through your role
The Golden Visa can fit if you:
- Want to keep living mainly in another country
- Can invest €500,000 or more
- Want a route set out with a minimum in law
- Want a residence permit as a backup plan, not a move
What both routes have in common
- Neither guarantees citizenship. Both need 10 years of legal residence for most people, plus language and other requirements.
- Both carry investment risk. A young company can fail. Fund values can fall.
- Both depend on AIMA. AIMA's legal deadline to decide is 90 days, extendable by 30.
Compare providers properly
Our free HQA due diligence checklist lists the questions to ask any HQA provider before you compare it with a Golden Visa fund.
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Download the checklistFrequently asked questions
Is the HQA visa cheaper than the Golden Visa?
The main amount is lower: about €175,000 for an HQA package against €500,000 for the Golden Visa fund route. Fees, risk and time in Portugal also differ.
Which is faster to citizenship?
Neither. Both need 10 years of legal residence for most applicants, or 7 for EU nationals and nationals of countries where Portuguese is an official language.
Can I keep living in the US with the HQA visa?
A temporary permit may be cancelled after more than 6 consecutive months, or 8 non-consecutive months, outside Portugal during the permit's total validity, unless the absence is justified.
Can I still buy property for a Golden Visa?
No. Real estate routes closed to new applicants on 7 October 2023.
Can I switch from one route to the other later?
Possibly, but each route has its own conditions. Ask a Portuguese lawyer before you plan on it.
Disclaimer
This page gives general information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Speak to a qualified Portuguese lawyer before you commit money.