Processing Time: The Law Says 90 Days, Reality Is 12–24 Months
Portuguese law sets a 90-day deadline for a decision, but reality runs much longer due to AIMA backlogs. This is the biggest gap investors need to understand when planning.
A realistic expectation from submitting a complete application to receiving the first residence card is 12–18 months, with a significant portion of cases extending beyond that. Analysis of over 2,000 applications filed from 2023 onward shows a median of around 415 days just to receive a decision.
Why the Delays? Backlogs Since 2023
When AIMA replaced SEF in November 2023, it inherited approximately 400,000 pending immigration cases, including around 55,000 Golden Visa applications. That backlog remains the primary driver of current wait times.
When AIMA took over from SEF in late October 2023, it inherited a massive immigration backlog that created successive delays at every stage, particularly at the biometric appointment step, which has become the single largest bottleneck.
Which Stage Is Slowest?
Applicants who submitted in late 2025 are being scheduled for biometric appointments in the final quarter of 2026, representing a wait of approximately 10–12 months just for that stage. After completing biometrics, residence card issuance still moves slowly.
The gap between application submission and the biometric appointment currently runs around 12 months, with applicants from late 2025 being scheduled for Q4 2026. Card issuance remains the slower phase and has not kept pace with the volume of appointments being processed.
Is There Improvement?
There is good news. Under the new government's measures, applicants have recently received biometric appointments within 6 months of submission, with first residence cards expected within 9 months—a sharp improvement over the two-year delays seen previously.
However, these timelines apply only to complete, clean applications with full documentation. Those applying for the Portugal Golden Visa may still face processing delays of 6–12 months or longer due to high volume and stricter screening. Primary factors include enhanced vetting of investment funds, heightened due diligence, and backlogs at Portuguese immigration authorities.
How to Avoid Delays
Portugal Golden Visa applicants should ensure documentation is fully compliant, funding sources are transparent, and faster investment routes are chosen when possible.
Don't rush your application. Your timeline depends on which AIMA office reviews your file, how complete your documentation is, and when you initially submit.
Citizenship Law Change: Longer to Get a Passport
One more thing to note: Portugal's new Citizenship Law, effective May 19, 2026, increases the residency period before Golden Visa holders can apply for citizenship from five years to ten years.
But this only affects those who want a Portuguese passport. The changes really only impact investors whose primary goal is Portuguese citizenship rather than residency.