Golden Visa application backlog to be resolved by 2026
Minister of the Presidency António Leitão Amaro stated that AIMA (the Portuguese Immigration and Asylum Agency) will clear the backlog of Golden Visa applications in 2026, after completing processing for the most vulnerable migrant groups.
The minister indicated that these backlogs will be addressed during the dedicated debate on the 2026 State Budget. Resolving them is expected to generate total revenues of €85 million for AIMA in 2026.
Out of ethical considerations, the government has decided to prioritize migrants facing greater economic hardship and thus deemed more vulnerable. The minister revealed that applications from citizens of CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries) member states have also received priority. Additionally, individuals unable to visit family due to expired visas have been included in this priority group.
‘Only after we’ve dealt with all these cases will we turn to the wealthiest applicants last,’ he emphasized, adding that ‘most pending residence permits for investment (Golden Visas) will be resolved next year, and the corresponding fees will be paid,’ as quoted by 24 Notícias.
The minister noted that 93% of pending cases related to migrant regularization in the country have already been resolved, stating: ‘Portugal has never resolved such a massive backlog so quickly and in such a short period of time.’
The minister further stressed that 93% of pending migrant regularization cases have now been settled, calling it a ‘major regularization operation that also enhances security—because we now control 500,000 criminal records, have collected biometric data from these individuals, and know exactly who they are, where they are, and what they’re doing.’