The Portuguese Golden Visa programme has undergone several updates in 2025, aimed at streamlining its processes and enhancing its appeal to international investors. The Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) recently announced critical changes that impact application timelines, document processing, and residency requirements. These updates are designed to create a more efficient and digitalised system for both new and existing applicants.
Key Changes to the Portuguese Golden Visa Programme
1. Residency Period for Citizenship
One of the most significant updates is related to the five-year residency requirement for citizenship. The new rule states that the residency period starts from the date the initial application fee is paid. This ensures that the time spent waiting for processing is no longer wasted, making the pathway to citizenship faster and more streamlined for applicants.
2. Transition to a Fully Digitalised System
AIMA has introduced a fully digitalised processing system to expedite application reviews and improve efficiency. Key features include:
- Prioritising applications awaiting initial biometric appointments.
- Requiring all documents, including personal and investment-related paperwork, to be resubmitted online.
This shift aims to reduce delays and create a more transparent process for applicants.
3. Flexibility in Document Languages
Applicants can now submit documents in English, Spanish, or French without requiring translation into Portuguese. This change reduces administrative burdens and speeds up the documentation process.
4. Payment of Final Fees at Biometric Appointments
Final government fees will be payable during biometric appointments. Additionally, rejected applications are eligible for reimbursement, ensuring fairness and clarity in the payment process.
5. Card Validity and Renewal Updates
Existing Golden Visa cards will remain valid until June 2025, after which renewals must be processed in person at AIMA offices. New cards have varying validity periods:
- Two years for investments through funds.
- Three years for property-based investments.
A dedicated platform for booking renewal appointments is expected to launch soon, simplifying the process for current visa holders.
Additional Updates on Biometric Appointments
Biometric appointments, which are essential for finalising applications, will be scheduled based on the chronological order of document uploads. These appointments can now be scheduled 30 to 90 days in advance. AIMA also confirmed that after successful biometrics and a thorough review, Golden Visa cards will be issued. Applicants will be notified if any corrections are required during the process.
How These Updates Impact Applicants
These changes are a game-changer for prospective and current Golden Visa applicants:
- Faster Path to Citizenship: By allowing the residency period to start with the application fee payment, the process is significantly accelerated.
- Efficiency through Digitalisation: The transition to a digital platform reduces delays, particularly for biometric appointments and document reviews.
- Clarity in Renewals: The fixed validity periods for different investment types provide clear timelines for renewals.
What to Expect Moving Forward
With AIMA focusing on abandoned applications and prioritising pending cases, 2025 marks a shift towards greater efficiency. The digital transformation promises faster processing times, and the multilingual documentation update makes it easier for international applicants to comply with requirements.
As the government continues refining the programme, prospective applicants should remain proactive in submitting their documents accurately and scheduling biometrics promptly. These updates make Portugal’s Golden Visa programme even more attractive to investors worldwide.
Join our upcoming webinar on 5th February to know more about Portuguese Golden Visa. Register here.
