Golden Visa Updates for 2025: Key Changes for Existing Applicants

The Portuguese Golden Visa program has undergone significant changes following the establishment of the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA, I.P.). These modifications aim to streamline the administrative process, expedite applications, and ensure a more efficient handling of residence permits through investment (ARI). Below, we outline the essential updates that investors who have already begun the process need to be aware of.

Prioritisation of Older Applications

At the end of 2024, AIMA, I.P. announced a new policy prioritising older residence permit applications. Investors and their legal representatives have been required to resubmit updated documentation online, correct any irregularities, and ensure compliance with all formalities.

Once all necessary documents are submitted in a valid and legalised form, AIMA will automatically schedule biometric data collection appointments for investors and their family members.

Biometric Appointments and Document Submission

• Biometric consultations commenced on January 15, 2025, and will be scheduled based on the chronological order of document uploads.

• Appointments will be set 30 to 90 days in advance and will take place at locations assigned by AIMA across Portugal, including the islands.

• Investors cannot choose the location, date, or time of their appointment. If they are unable to attend, they must provide a valid justification (e.g., a medical certificate), and a new appointment will be scheduled for the second half of 2025 with updated documentation required.

Changes to Payment Procedures

One of the most notable changes is that payment for the issuance of Golden Visa cards must now be made in person, rather than online. Investors should be prepared for this procedural shift when finalising their application.

Golden Visa Still Available—But No Longer Through Real Estate Investment

While the Golden Visa program remains available, it is important to stress that real estate investment is no longer an eligible route for obtaining a Golden Visa. Investors who have already initiated their applications under previous regulations will continue through the process, but new applicants must explore other qualifying investment routes, such as fund-based investments.

Renewal of Existing Golden Visa Cards

• Existing Golden Visa cards remain valid until June 2025.

• Renewals will continue to be processed in person at AIMA branches.

• A new online scheduling platform for renewal appointments is expected to launch in the coming months.

• The validity of renewed cards will vary based on the type of investment:

  • Two years for fund-based investments.

  • Three years for real estate investments already in process.

• Government fees for renewal processing are:

  • €6,045.20 for processes with already legalised documents.

  • €8,060.20 for processes requiring document legalisation.

Documentation Requirements and Language Options

• All submitted documents must be up-to-date.

• Birth and marriage certificates may be resubmitted from the initial application, but this may cause delays in validation.

• Investors reusing these documents must provide a sworn declaration confirming their marital status remains unchanged.

• Documents can be submitted in Portuguese, English, French, or Spanish.

Path to Portuguese Citizenship

A key update concerns the calculation of residency duration for nationality applications. The five-year residency period required for Portuguese citizenship now counts from the date of payment of the initial analysis fee.

This means that individuals who formally submitted their application in 2020 are eligible to apply for Portuguese nationality in 2025.

What This Means for Investors

These updates reflect the Portuguese government’s efforts to modernise the Golden Visa process while ensuring compliance with legal requirements. While the changes may introduce additional steps, they also promise a more structured and transparent approach to application processing.

Investors who have already begun the Golden Visa process are strongly advised to consult their legal representatives to ensure full compliance with the new regulations and avoid any unnecessary delays. Private Luxury Collection remains committed to keeping our clients informed of all relevant updates regarding the Golden Visa and other residency options in Portugal.

For personalised guidance on your Golden Visa application or property investment in Portugal, feel free to reach out to our team of experts.

Stay tuned for further updates as new regulations and policies emerge.