Current Situation: 40,000 Applications Still Waiting
As of October 7, 2026, AIMA has processed approximately 6,000 out of 46,000 pending Golden Visa applications, roughly 13%. If calculated from when the program tightened processing (around early 2026), this rate means approximately 40,000 applications remain in the queue.
This figure is not good news. Investors pursuing Portugal's Golden Visa typically expect processing within 3-6 months, but the current average is 9 months or longer.
Biometric Appointments Increase, But Decisions Remain Slow
AIMA has scheduled approximately 30,000 biometric appointments and processed 6,000 out of 46,000 pending applications. This is a positive signal: AIMA is attempting to accelerate processing speed.
However, the number of completed decisions remains significantly lower than the number of scheduled appointments. This means that even after you're called for your biometric appointment, you'll still need to wait several additional months to receive an official decision.
Important Consideration: Changes to Residency Timeline Calculation
Beyond the processing situation, there is a critical policy change that applicants must understand. Portugal's new Citizenship Law, effective May 19, 2026, has increased the residency requirement before Golden Visa holders can apply for citizenship from five years to ten years.
What's worse: residency time is now calculated from when the first residence card is issued, not from when the Golden Visa application is submitted. This matters because applicants have experienced long delays between submitting their Golden Visa application and receiving their residence card.
Example: if you submit your application today but wait 12 months to receive your residence card, the citizenship clock will begin 12 months from now, not today. This effectively extends the timeline for citizenship eligibility by one additional year.
Investment Pathways Remain Valid
Investors can still qualify through an investment fund of EUR 500,000 or a cultural contribution of EUR 250,000, reduced to EUR 200,000 for qualifying projects in low-density areas. Family members may also be included, while the minimum residency requirement remains relatively low at an average of seven days per year.
However, real estate investment and capital transfer pathways no longer qualify for new applications.
Conclusion: Waiting Is a Large Part of the Process
If you're considering Portugal's Golden Visa, prepare yourself for 12-18 months of waiting from application submission to receiving your residence card. And if you're planning to apply for citizenship, remember that it will be 10 years from when your residence card is issued, not from when you submit your application.
