The Portugal Golden Visa offers a valuable route to EU residency and citizenship, but grasping the approval notification period is key to planning effectively. For high-net-worth individuals, knowing these timelines can help avoid delays and ensure a smoother process.
This guide breaks down the approval notification period, covering its stages, typical durations, and practical ways to streamline your journey to European residency.
Getting to Know the Portugal Golden Visa: Basics and Timelines
Understanding the Program
The Portugal Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment option that draws foreign capital while giving investors and their families a path to EU residency and, eventually, citizenship. Unlike other European programs, it requires only 14 days of physical presence every two years, making it a flexible “Plan B” for those seeking global mobility without moving permanently.
The program starts with a temporary residency permit valid for two years, which you renew for two more two-year terms. After five years of maintaining your investment and residency requirements, you can apply for permanent residency. Recent laws now set citizenship eligibility at 10 years of residency for most applicants, or 7 years for nationals of Portuguese-language countries and EU citizens.
What the Approval Notification Period Means
The approval notification period covers the time from submitting your application to AIMA (Agência para a Integração Migrações e Asilo) to getting official approval and scheduling your biometrics appointment. This phase, separate from the full processing timeline, involves reviewing documents, confirming investment compliance, and conducting background checks.
Knowing this period matters because it shapes your planning, investment timing, and residency goals. Its length can vary due to factors like application quality, AIMA’s workload, and policy updates.
AIMA’s Role in Approvals
Since late 2023, AIMA has handled Golden Visa applications, replacing SEF and introducing digital processes. They oversee the entire approval notification period, from document checks to biometrics scheduling. Their efficiency, standards, and capacity directly affect how long you wait for approval updates.
Overview of the Golden Visa Process Timeline
The Golden Visa process follows clear steps from investment to residency card issuance. It starts with pre-application tasks like getting a Portuguese tax number (NIF), opening a bank account, and completing your qualifying investment. Once done, your legal team submits your application to AIMA, kicking off the approval notification period.
After approval, you attend a biometrics appointment, followed by receiving your residency card. The whole process usually takes 12 to 18 months, with the approval notification period being a major part of that timeline. As the approval card issuance often takes a year, you will likely only need one renewal instead of two during the 5-year period.
Breaking Down the Approval Notification Period: Stages and Durations
Phase 1: Pre-Application Steps (1-3 Months)
Starting with the pre-application phase builds a strong base for the approval process. Getting a Portuguese tax number (NIF) usually takes 1-2 weeks, and opening a bank account takes about 2-4 weeks. These steps need careful coordination with legal experts to meet requirements and avoid early hiccups.
Choosing your investment is the most important decision at this stage. The minimum €500,000 investment must go through eligible funds, with options like the VIDA Fund offering both compliance and value through asset-backed opportunities. The VIDA Fund focuses on buying and transforming undervalued hospitality businesses in Portugal, giving these assets a second life while meeting program rules.
Having skilled legal support during this phase is vital. A lawyer’s guidance through the complex Portugal Golden Visa process is essential to ensure all documents align with AIMA’s expectations.
Phase 2: Submitting Your Application and Initial Review (2-4 Months)
Submitting your application online marks the formal start of the approval notification period. Documents now go through the ARI portal, with biometric appointments scheduled based on submission order. This shift to digital has sped up the process, but accuracy and completeness of documents are critical.
During the initial review, AIMA checks investment compliance, runs background checks, and verifies documentation. A complete application is key to avoiding extra requests that can delay this phase. Errors or missing items often lead to 1-2 rounds of follow-ups, adding time to the process.
The quality of your submission directly affects this stage’s duration. Thorough applications with clear investment proof and apostilled documents move faster than those needing corrections.
Phase 3: Biometrics and Final Approval (4-8 Months)
The approval notification period can last up to 6 months from submission to biometrics scheduling, sometimes longer in busy areas. Appointments are prioritized by submission date, with notice given 30-90 days ahead.
The biometrics appointment is the last step, where you and your family provide fingerprints and photos for residency cards. Cards are typically issued about 4 months after this appointment. You must attend in person in Portugal, so travel planning for all applicants is necessary.
After biometrics, final approval is nearly certain. Cards are issued within the expected timeframe, and your residency status activates upon receipt, influencing your citizenship timeline.
|
Stage |
Estimated Duration |
Key Activities |
|
Pre-Application (NIF, Bank, Investment) |
1-3 Months |
NIF setup, bank account, VIDA Fund investment |
|
Application Submission & Initial Review |
2-4 Months |
Document upload, AIMA checks, possible follow-ups |
|
Biometrics & Final Approval |
4-8 Months |
In-person appointment, card issuance |
|
Total (Investment to Card Issuance) |
8-15 Months |
Full process |
Factors That Affect Your Approval Notification Period
Quality of Your Application
The completeness of your application is the biggest factor you can control. Missing documents or mistakes often lead to extra requests, extending the wait by weeks or months.
Common issues include expired background checks, unclear investment proof, or missing apostille stamps on family documents. Each follow-up request slows down your timeline, so getting it right the first time saves significant effort.
Partnering with advisors like VIDA Capital helps ensure your application meets AIMA’s standards before submission. Their experience with current rules reduces the chance of delays during this period.
AIMA’s Workload and Backlogs
Delays can stretch the approval period to 18 months in some cases due to high application numbers and detailed document checks. Increased volume and scrutiny by AIMA are major reasons for extended waits.
AIMA’s processing speed depends on staff availability, system updates, and the volume of applications across their programs. Busy periods, often after global events or program changes, can create backlogs that lengthen wait times.
While you can’t influence AIMA’s workload, being aware of these factors helps set realistic expectations and highlights the value of submitting early when possible.
Policy and Legislative Updates
A new Citizenship Law passed on October 28, 2025, shows how policy shifts can alter processing and planning needs. Such updates often change timelines and rules, requiring close attention from applicants.
Recent changes include digital application processes, updated investment criteria, and longer citizenship timelines. These shifts can briefly affect approval periods as AIMA adjusts to new guidelines.
Staying updated through trusted advisory services keeps your application aligned with current rules and helps you benefit from positive changes when they happen.
Speed of Response to AIMA Requests
AIMA often asks for updated background checks or investment proof, and slow or incomplete responses can delay processing. How quickly and accurately you reply affects your application’s progress.
Typical requests cover expired documents, investment details, family ties, or extra background data. Responding within AIMA’s deadlines with clear information avoids unnecessary holdups.
Keeping organized records and working with responsive legal support ensures quick handling of AIMA requests, minimizing delays in your timeline.
Benefits of Expert Legal and Advisory Support
Experienced legal or immigration advisors help avoid delays by preparing a compliant application from the start. They know AIMA’s changing rules and common issues to watch for.
VIDA Capital provides full support during the approval notification period, from document prep to handling AIMA requests. This active involvement eases your workload and boosts the odds of a timely approval.
Investing in professional guidance often pays off by cutting delays, preventing issues, and offering confidence throughout the process, especially with policy updates or unexpected requests.
Planning Strategically: Tips to Ease Your Golden Visa Journey
Start Preparing Early
Getting ahead of the approval notification period begins with early action and smart timing. Processing from investment to approval currently takes 8-15 months in 2025, better than the earlier 18-24 months but longer than the original 6 months. Knowing these timelines helps coordinate business, family, and residency plans.
Collecting documents like background checks, birth certificates, and marriage records early keeps you ready to act once your investment is set. Apostille certifications can take weeks or months, so starting soon is critical.
Timing also involves considering AIMA workloads, policy shifts, and personal needs. Applying during quieter periods can shorten waits, while tracking legislative updates helps predict potential changes.
Pick the Right Investment Option
Your investment choice affects both approval timing and overall outcomes. Asset-backed options like the VIDA Fund stand out, as their clear structure eases AIMA’s verification compared to more complex setups.
The VIDA Fund targets Portugal’s hospitality sector, aligning with national goals while offering investors value through tangible assets. Its strategy of buying and transforming undervalued hospitality businesses supports both program compliance and potential returns. Historical returns are not a guarantee of future returns.
Opting for regulated funds with solid histories, like the VIDA Fund overseen by the Portuguese Securities Market Authority (CMVM) and audited biannually by Deloitte, reduces compliance risks and builds confidence in long-term results.
Meet Ongoing Investment and Residency Rules
Understanding continuous requirements ensures smooth renewals and citizenship progress. You must maintain your qualifying investment for the full five-year residency period, with proof needed at each renewal. Portugal’s low 14-day presence rule every two years stands out compared to other European programs with stricter demands.
Maintaining your investment means more than just holding it; it requires ongoing compliance with changing rules. Partnering with managers like the VIDA Fund team, who know program needs, keeps your investment aligned.
Planning renewals, including biometric updates and fresh documents, supports a steady five-year journey. Since approval often takes a year, you will likely only need one renewal instead of two during this period.
Track Your Residency Timeline for Citizenship
As of 2025, the residency timeline for citizenship starts when your first permit is issued, not when you apply, affecting long-term plans. This makes the approval notification period even more important for your citizenship goals.
With the new 10-year residency requirement for most applicants, or 7 years for Portuguese-language nationals and EU citizens, early application and efficient processing matter. Each month saved now brings you closer to citizenship eligibility.
Planning for citizenship also recognizes Portugal’s unique advantage in Europe, where full EU rights come without needing to relocate. Shortening the approval period through careful steps directly impacts your family’s future mobility.
Common Questions About Golden Visa Approval Timelines
How Long Does the Portugal Golden Visa Process Take?
In 2025, the full process from investment to residency card issuance typically spans 8-15 months. This varies based on application quality, AIMA’s workload, investment type, and how quickly you respond to requests. The approval notification period often accounts for 6-10 months of this, from submission to biometrics scheduling.
When Does the Citizenship Eligibility Timeline Start?
For 2025 applicants, the residency timeline for citizenship begins when your first permit is issued, not at application submission. This means delays in approval or card issuance push back your citizenship date. The new law requires 10 years of residency for most, or 7 years for Portuguese-language nationals and EU citizens.
How Can I Minimize Delays in My Approval Period?
Cutting delays involves focusing on application quality, getting professional help, and responding quickly to AIMA. A complete, well-prepared application with apostilled documents avoids common setbacks. Support from advisors like VIDA Capital helps navigate rules and errors. Prompt, accurate replies to AIMA requests prevent extra waits. Choosing clear, compliant investments also eases the review process.
What Role Does AIMA Play in Approval Timelines?
AIMA oversees all Golden Visa applications since taking over from SEF in late 2023. Their capacity, standards, and workload shape approval notification periods. They handle document checks, investment verification, background screening, and biometrics scheduling. Their efficiency and application volume directly determine wait times for approvals and appointments.
Do Recent Changes to Portugal’s Nationality Law Affect My Timeline?
Yes, the October 2025 framework update impacts processing and citizenship timelines. It sets a 10-year residency requirement for most applicants, or 7 years for Portuguese-language nationals and EU citizens. The residency clock now starts at permit issuance, not application submission. These shifts highlight the need to track approval timelines for citizenship planning and may affect application timing for some.
Conclusion: Move Toward EU Residency with Confidence
Navigating the Portugal Golden Visa approval notification period is a key step in securing residency efficiently. While timelines depend on several factors, thorough preparation, strong documentation, and expert support greatly increase your chances of a timely outcome.
Optimizing this period relies on careful planning, smart investment choices, and trusted advisory help. Options like the VIDA Fund balance compliance with value, while seasoned advisors ensure your application fits AIMA’s current standards.
Portugal’s Golden Visa stands out as a flexible path to EU citizenship without needing to relocate, paired with minimal presence rules and a high quality of life. With recent policy updates like longer citizenship timelines and digital improvements, staying informed and working with experienced professionals is more important than ever.
Since approval timelines affect citizenship eligibility, every month gained through planning and guidance moves you closer to your long-term goals for mobility and security.
