Portugal Accelerates Golden Visa Processing: Digitalizing the System to Clear 50,000 Pending Applications

Portugal is implementing a reform in its Golden Visa processing system to address a backlog of between 45,000 to 50,000 pending applications. The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) has announced a plan to digitize the application process, transitioning from paper-based procedures to an online system.

This change will allow applicants to submit their documents digitally and have their biometric appointment scheduled automatically within 30 to 90 days after completing their application. Previously, many applicants had to wait several years for a mandatory biometric appointment, leading some to file lawsuits against the government to expedite processing.

According to immigration lawyer Bettino Zanini from FiO Legal in Lisbon, these changes represent positive news for investors, as they reduce administrative burdens and bring greater efficiency and transparency to the system.

Since its launch in 2012, Portugal’s Golden Visa program has attracted nearly €7 billion in foreign investment and has granted over 12,000 residence permits to primary investors. Although the government announced the termination of the program in February 2023, pending applications continue to be processed as usual.

The modernization of the Golden Visa processing system is expected to streamline the backlog, enhance efficiency, and maintain Portugal’s competitiveness in attracting international investors.

Golden Visa Backlogs Across Europe

The delays in Golden Visa processing are not unique to Portugal but are also affecting other European countries. In Greece, for instance, the number of applications increased by 259% in Q1 2023 compared to the same period in the previous year. This surge in applications has caused the backlog to double within six months.

While the Greek government is working to optimize its review process, including delegating application processing to regional authorities, it still faces significant challenges due to the sheer volume of pending applications.

Portugal’s move to digitize its Golden Visa process sets a new standard for improving efficiency and could serve as a model for other European countries facing similar bottlenecks in their residency-by-investment programs.