Current Processing Status
According to Prime Minister António Leitão Amaro's statement to a parliamentary committee on October 7, 2026, AIMA has processed approximately 6,000 of 46,000 pending Golden Visa applications, roughly 13%. While this figure may seem low, it reflects an important shift in the process workflow.
AIMA has also scheduled approximately 30,000 biometric appointments. This means most applications have cleared the initial administrative review stage and are awaiting completion of the biometric step.
The Bottleneck Has Shifted
According to Werner Gruner, Partner at Get Golden Visa, the latest numbers show that biometric appointment scheduling is becoming less of an obstacle. "With approximately 30,000 appointments scheduled compared to 6,000 decisions, the constraint has moved to the stage between biometric collection and case decisions."
This is a positive signal. It means:
- Those who have completed their biometrics may experience shorter waiting times
- AIMA has resolved the scheduling issue; the challenge now is the speed of case review
However, those with scheduled biometric appointments may see shorter waiting periods, provided AIMA allocates sufficient resources to review and decide their cases. That said, the volume of scheduled appointments alone does not indicate how quickly cases will ultimately be resolved.
Can the Year-End Commitment Be Met?
The Portuguese government previously committed to clearing the Golden Visa backlog by the end of 2026. With approximately 40,000 of 46,000 applications still pending as of October 7, achieving this target will depend on AIMA's processing speed in the final three months of the year.
To clear 40,000 applications in 12 weeks, AIMA would need to process approximately 3,300 applications weekly. With 30,000 biometric appointments already scheduled, this figure is not impossible — but it requires AIMA to maintain a high pace and avoid unexpected delays.
Points to Keep in Mind
AIMA has scheduled approximately 30,000 biometric appointments and processed 6,000 of 46,000 pending Golden Visa applications. While appointment scheduling has improved, the next challenge is converting those appointments into final decisions.
If you are pursuing a Portugal Golden Visa application:
- If you do not yet have a biometric appointment: Do not expect one soon. Tens of thousands of others are ahead of you.
- If you already have an appointment: Prepare thoroughly. Any errors could delay your case by several additional months.
- If you are considering applying: Understand that real waiting times are 12-24 months, not the 90 days commonly advertised.
Additionally, Portugal's new citizenship law, effective May 19, 2026, increased the residency requirement before Golden Visa holders can apply for citizenship from five years to ten years. For EU and CPLP citizens, the requirement is seven years. The qualification period also begins when your first residence card is issued, rather than when you submit your Golden Visa application.
