Portuguese Republic · Processing time
Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment): how long does it take?
By Sam Parks · Last checked:
Post-2023 reform: fund/investment subscription + AIMA review typically runs 6–18 months. Real-estate routes were removed.
How long does the Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment) take to process in Portugal?
The typical published decision window is 6 months – 18 months from a complete application. Post-2023 reform: fund/investment subscription + AIMA review typically runs 6–18 months. Real-estate routes were removed.
Verified against AIMA — Residence for investment activity on 1 June 2026.
Typical wait
6 months – 18 months
from complete application
Government fees
Investment plus government fees typically €5,000+ on issuance, additional for family.
Last checked
1 June 2026
What is the Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment)?
Residence-by-investment route; real-estate and capital-transfer pathways were closed in October 2023, but fund-investment and other options remain.
Portugal's Golden Visa programme underwent significant reform in October 2023. Direct property purchases and pure capital-transfer routes were removed. The remaining qualifying investments include subscription to qualifying investment funds, job-creation, scientific or cultural investment, and specific property investment in lower-density interior regions via fund structures.
- Sponsorship: No job offer or employer sponsor is required.
- Settlement: This route can lead to permanent residency in Portuguese Republic.
- Typical permit length: Initial 2-year residence renewable; very low physical-presence requirement (7 days in year 1, 14 in years 2 and 3).
- Indicative government fees: Investment plus government fees typically €5,000+ on issuance, additional for family.
How to read this estimate
The 6 months – 18 months window is the time AIMA — Residence for investment activity typically associates with the Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment) — measured from a complete, correctly-lodged application through to a decision, not from when you start gathering documents.
- Collecting documents, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the clock starts.
- If the authority requests more information, the clock pauses until you reply — so a fast, complete response keeps your place in the queue.
- Processing times shift with application volumes and policy changes. The AIMA — Residence for investment activity page linked below is the only figure that is current on the day you apply.
Official source
AIMA — Residence for investment activity
https://aima.gov.pt/en/residency-permit-for-investment-activity
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment) take to process?+
The typical wait is 6 months – 18 months from submitting a complete application. Post-2023 reform: fund/investment subscription + AIMA review typically runs 6–18 months. Real-estate routes were removed. These figures come from AIMA — Residence for investment activity and were last verified on 2026-06-01. Always confirm on the primary source before you apply.
When does the 6 months – 18 months clock start?+
The clock starts when AIMA — Residence for investment activity receives a complete, valid application — not when you begin collecting documents. Gathering evidence, getting qualifications recognised, and booking consular appointments all happen before the window starts.
Is there a way to speed up the decision?+
Some Portugal routes offer a priority or premium service for an additional fee. Check the linked primary source for current options — availability changes and varies by consular post.
What makes an application take longer than expected?+
The most common reasons for delays beyond the published window are: missing or incorrect documents, a request for more information (which pauses the clock until you reply), background or medical checks, and consular appointment backlogs in your country. Submitting a complete, well-organised application on day one is the single biggest thing you can do to stay inside the published window.
When should I treat my Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment) application as delayed?+
Wait until you have passed the upper end of the published window (6 months – 18 months) before treating it as delayed. At that point, a single polite status enquiry through the official channel is reasonable. Do not chase repeatedly, as this tends to slow a case rather than speed it up.
Next steps
Full visa guide
Eligibility, application steps, fees, and FAQs for the Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment).
All Portugal processing times
Compare decision windows across every Portugal visa route.
Government fees breakdown
Full itemised fee schedule for the Portugal Golden Visa (residence by investment).
Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.