Portugal Golden Visa Update 2025

The Portuguese Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) recently (January) held a meeting with legal representatives to discuss the main updates and changes in the processing of the Portuguese Golden Visa program in 2025.

The main changes can be summarized as follows:

• Residence period for nationality: The five-year residence period for obtaining nationality begins on the date of the initial payment of the application fee (which allows the time elapsed since the application not to be wasted, as it counts towards the five-year residence requirement for obtaining nationality).

• Digital Transition: AIMA is moving to a fully digital system to streamline processing. A transition period is planned for pending cases (applications awaiting their initial biometric appointments will be given priority).

• Validity of documents: All documents will need to be resubmitted online (this includes personal and investment-related documentation). Their validity will be assessed based on the resubmission date.

• Linguistic flexibility: Documents in English, Spanish or French no longer require translation.

• Final Fees: Final fees are payable at the biometrics appointment. Rejected applications will be refunded.

  
  

Other relevant updates include:

• AIMA aims to streamline application processing and improve efficiency by transitioning to greater reliance on digital platforms. To this end, they are prioritising applications awaiting their initial biometric appointment and focusing on addressing abandoned applications.

• Biometric appointments will be scheduled starting January 15, 2025, in chronological order of document upload. Appointments can be scheduled between 30 and 90 days in advance.

• Once biometric controls and a thorough review have been completed, AIMA will proceed with the issuance of the Golden Visa cards. Applicants will be notified if any problems are detected during the process and will be asked to correct them.

• Existing cards will remain valid until June 2025. Renewals will continue to be processed in person at AIMA offices. A dedicated platform for booking renewal appointments will be made available in the coming months. Dixcart is actively requesting in-person biometric appointments for renewal applications.

• Card validity varies depending on the type of investment: two years for fund-based clients and three years for property-based clients. Government rates are subject to possible change.