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This spring, Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) resumed processing applications for the Golden Visa program—residency permits in exchange for investments in the country’s economy. The process had effectively come to a standstill at the end of last year.
As a result, a backlog of around 50,000 applicants has formed, many of whom have been waiting for over three years. AIMA President Pedro Portugal Gaspar confirmed that the agency is now working through the applications but noted a shortage of staff and, consequently, a “low processing capacity.”
As a reminder, in 2023 the Portuguese authorities removed real estate from the list of eligible investment options for the Golden Visa program, believing that it had significantly contributed to rising property prices. However, this move helped revive many abandoned buildings in Porto and Lisbon.
As a result, interest in the cultural investment option (starting from €250,000) surged last year. According to the government, investments in national cultural heritage increased by 165%—from €4.5 million in 2023 to €12 million in 2024.
The program is still struggling due to bureaucratic delays. However, the key point is that it continues to operate and remains the fastest route to European citizenship through investment. It seems the Portuguese authorities are genuinely trying to address the backlog. Perhaps they will succeed in 2025 — but for now, it’s wise to enlist the help of an experienced lawyer and be prepared for a lengthy process.
Source: Publico.pt
