Portugal Moves to Clear Golden Visa Backlog After Years of Delays

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Key Takeaways

• As of February 2025, Portugal’s AIMA aims to clear a 45,000-50,000 Golden Visa application backlog by digitizing processes.
• New biometrics scheduling ensures appointments within 30-90 days; documents in English, Spanish, or French no longer require translation.
• AIMA targets resolving most backlogs by June 30, 2025, while introducing inactive application removal after six months of inactivity.

Portugal 🇵🇹 is making major efforts to speed up the processing of Golden Visa applications, addressing ongoing delays that have troubled applicants for years. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), which manages the program, has announced substantial reforms aimed at modernizing the visa application process. Aimed at clearing a backlog of nearly 50,000 pending cases, these changes mark a significant shift in how Portugal handles its immigration and residency programs.

Tackling a Major Backlog with Modern Technology

Portugal Moves to Clear Golden Visa Backlog After Years of Delays

With between 45,000 and 50,000 applications still waiting to be reviewed as of February 2025, the delays have become a hurdle for many international investors hoping to benefit from Portugal’s Golden Visa program. To address this issue, AIMA is replacing the traditional paper-based system with a fully digital platform. By allowing applicants to submit documents and complete the required steps online, this new system is expected to increase efficiency and drastically shorten processing times.

Applicants who have submitted their forms using the old system will have the option to transfer their pending applications onto the online platform, ensuring no one is left behind. The revamped process takes advantage of automatic scheduling for biometric appointments, which are an essential step where applicants submit fingerprints and other personal details. These appointments, once a source of significant delays, will now be scheduled within 30 to 90 days of completing an online application—a marked improvement compared to earlier waiting times.

Streamlined Procedures for Applicants

In addition to becoming digital, AIMA has introduced other changes to make the application process smoother. Previously, applicants had to translate all their documents into Portuguese, which added both time and cost to the process. Under the updated rules, documents written in English, Spanish, or French no longer require translation. This policy alone could save applicants several weeks in waiting time.

The agency is also increasing its operating capacity to meet its ambitious deadline of clearing the majority of pending cases by June 30, 2025. This effort includes collaborating more closely with local municipalities and managing approximately 6,000 individual services per day.

A Broader Effort to Improve Immigration in Portugal

The Golden Visa program is not the only immigration issue AIMA is working to address. The delays AIMA currently faces stem in part from the large pending caseload it inherited from its predecessor, the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF). When AIMA took over immigration processes, SEF had accumulated a backlog of more than 400,000 applications across various immigration services.

To handle this, the Portuguese government unveiled a broad action plan with 41 initiatives in June 2024. These initiatives aim to tackle everything from visa processing delays to administrative inefficiencies. Within the Golden Visa framework, this comprehensive plan represents a push to protect Portugal’s reputation as an attractive and reliable destination for foreign investors.

Understanding the Golden Visa Program’s Importance

Launched in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Visa program has become one of the most globally recognized residency-by-investment programs. It allows non-European Union nationals to gain residency, and eventually citizenship, in Portugal by making financial investments, including in real estate, business, or scientific contributions. This scheme has brought over €7 billion ($7.2 billion) into Portugal’s economy since its inception, underlining its importance as a driver of foreign investment.

However, the program’s benefits have been overshadowed in recent years by the long waits applicants have encountered. In some cases, individuals have waited years before their applications were even reviewed. This frustration has led some applicants to take legal action against AIMA, urging the agency to accelerate its procedures.

Upcoming Changes for Investors

The recent overhaul offers a promising path forward for current and prospective applicants. Those submitting new Golden Visa applications within the new system may receive final approvals and residency cards by the end of 2025. This marks a significant improvement compared to past timelines, making the process far more manageable for investors.

However, applicants should note that some challenges remain. The in-person biometrics appointment, for example, is still a necessary part of initial applications. These appointments can lead to bottlenecks if not meticulously scheduled. Additionally, AIMA has a no-show rate of 15% for these appointments. To avoid resource wastage, stricter policies for missed appointments may soon be introduced.

Another measure designed to improve efficiency is a policy that considers applications inactive if no activity is recorded for six months. These inactive applications will be removed from the system, requiring the applicant to submit a brand-new application. This rule is expected to help reduce unnecessary delays.

For applicants renewing their Golden Visas, AIMA has introduced a simpler process. The agency will now cross-check government records to confirm that applicants have no criminal records and are up to date with taxes and social security obligations. This streamlined renewal process aims to ensure smoother processing times, further contributing to reducing the backlog.

Fee Changes and Extensions of Residency Rights

Applicants should also be aware of changes in the fee structure for the Golden Visa program. While precise details were not provided by AIMA, potential applicants may face higher costs associated with updated administrative services. It is advisable to stay informed about the latest fees when planning an investment in Portugal’s Golden Visa.

An additional change that may benefit current visa holders is a one-year extension of residency permits and documents. Announced by the Council of Ministers in 2024, this policy extends the validity of residency documents until June 30, 2025. Designed to relieve operational pressure on AIMA, the extension also ensures permit holders face fewer risks of issues such as overstaying unintentionally.

The Golden Visa’s Future and Broader Implications

While adjustments have been made to the program to improve processing speeds and applicant convenience, the Golden Visa has not been without controversy. In 2023, Portugal abolished the real estate investment option, a once-popular route that allowed investors to purchase property as part of their qualifying investment. The government made this change largely to address the escalating housing crisis. However, other investment options, particularly those related to job creation and innovation in Portugal, remain open and actively attract applicants globally.

Interest in the Golden Visa remains steady, especially from North American, British 🇬🇧, and Asian markets, which continue to view Portugal as a prime destination in Europe 🇪🇺 for residence and eventual citizenship. With the improved processing framework, the demand for the Golden Visa may see a further boost in 2025.

For anyone interested in applying for the Portugal Golden Visa and staying updated on the latest procedural changes, the government’s official immigration site offers comprehensive guidance click here. This resource provides details on application requirements, acceptable investment categories, and timelines.

Moving Forward

The Portuguese government’s endeavors to speed up Golden Visa processing illustrate a serious commitment to restoring confidence in the country’s immigration systems. By embracing digital tools, simplifying procedures, and adopting innovative measures to reduce backlogs, Portugal has laid the groundwork for real improvement. Although some hurdles lie ahead, such as missed biometric appointments and possible applicant fee concerns, the advances being made are significant.

For potential Golden Visa applicants in 2025, these changes suggest shorter waits, better services, and a much smoother journey toward securing residency in Portugal. As VisaVerge.com reports, “Portugal’s Golden Visa program is poised to become even more accessible to foreign investors, reshaping global interest in the country’s residency opportunities.”

Learn Today

Golden Visa → A residency-by-investment program allowing non-EU nationals to gain residency in Portugal through financial investments.
Backlog → A large number of pending applications or tasks, causing delays in processing or decision-making.
Biometric Appointments → In-person meetings where applicants provide personal data like fingerprints for identification and security purposes.
Residency-by-Investment → A program granting legal residence in exchange for economic contributions, such as real estate purchases or business investments.
AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) → Portuguese governmental body managing immigration, Golden Visa applications, and residency services, replacing the SEF agency.

This Article in a Nutshell

Portugal’s Golden Visa Revamp: A Streamlined Future
Portugal’s Golden Visa program is undergoing a digital transformation to tackle a massive 50,000-application backlog. AIMA’s new online platform accelerates processing, eliminates translation requirements, and introduces automatic biometric scheduling. With residency approvals expected faster than ever, Portugal is reclaiming its status as a top destination for global investors seeking European opportunities.
— By VisaVerge.com