Current Processing Times: 12-18 Months, Not 90 Days
According to the legal team at Global Citizen Solutions, the gap between application submission and biometric interview currently runs approximately 12 months, with applicants submitting in late 2025 being scheduled for interviews in the fourth quarter of 2026. This is positive news compared to previous years, but still significantly longer than what various consulting firms have advertised.
After completing your biometric interview, you can expect an additional 9 to 12 months before your residence card is issued. This means the entire process from application submission to receiving your physical card could extend 21-24 months.
Why Is AIMA Still Slow?
The delays stem from a backlog that AIMA inherited when it replaced SEF in 2023, with the backlog reaching as high as 400,000 immigration cases of all types, including approximately 55,000 Golden Visa applications. The government prioritizes humanitarian and vulnerable cases first, and according to the minister, Golden Visa applicants were left behind.
However, after increasing staffing and deploying technology-based solutions for procedures, we have seen overall improvements to the timeline since 2025.
Notable Improvement at the Post-Biometric Stage
Once applications reach the post-biometric stage, processing times have improved significantly, with residence cards typically being issued within 3 to 6 months following the biometric appointment. This is where AIMA has achieved the most tangible progress.
But Be Cautious of Overly Optimistic Promises
AIMA asked all Golden Visa applicants in early 2025 to resubmit documentation with expectations of approval within 30 to 90 days, but this never materialized, and the agency scheduled biometric interviews from January through March 2026. Investors should be wary of any advisor promising processing times faster than 12 months.
What Changed with the New Citizenship Law?
Portugal's new Citizenship Law, effective May 19, 2026, has increased the residence period before Golden Visa holders can apply for citizenship from five years to ten years, or seven years for EU and CPLP citizens, and the qualifying period now begins when the first residence card is issued, rather than when the Golden Visa application is submitted.
As a result, these changes really only affect investors whose primary goal is Portuguese citizenship rather than residency. If you only want permanent residency, you can still apply after 5 years.
The Program Remains Attractive, But Plan Accordingly
Investors can still qualify through a fund investment of 500,000 EUR or a cultural contribution of 250,000 EUR, reduced to 200,000 EUR for qualifying projects in low-density areas, while family members can also be included, and the minimum residency requirement remains relatively low compared to other programs, averaging seven days per year.
In summary: if you are considering the Portugal Golden Visa, budget 12-18 months for your first card, not 90 days. If citizenship is your goal, add another 10 years of residency (7 years if you are an EU or CPLP citizen).