We are sharing the update on latest developments in Portugal with immigration and nationality and current outlook..
Government Actions on Immigration Control and Backlogs
The current Portuguese government has successfully tackled illegal immigration control and made significant progress in reviewing 440,000 applications under the “Manifestation of Interest” program by reallocating AIMA staff. Additionally, a new police unit (UNEF) is operational to prevent overstays, emphasizing the importance of regulated immigration for security and integration. Backlogs related to residence renewals, some delayed since the Covid-19 pandemic, are close to resolution, with all applicants expected to receive appointments by October 15, facilitated by new online portals and forms.
Immigration Law – Recent Amendments and Court Rulings on
Proposed immigration law amendments aimed at restricting family reunification (except for Golden Visa and high-skilled applicants) and limiting court actions to accelerate decisions have limited impact on Golden Visa holders. The Constitutional Court struck down five of seven proposals as unconstitutional, which led to a pending revision of the law. Significantly, the Court recognized the Golden Visa program’s importance to Portugal, affirming its constitutional legitimacy and favourable legal treatment for investors. A waterer down version will be presented by early October.
Nationality Law – Proposal and Political Landscape
A controversial July proposal sought to extend the nationality residency requirement from 5 to 10 years, change the residence counting start point, and remove grandfathering for ongoing applications, directly affecting Golden Visa applicants. This proposal failed to garner consensus and is currently suspended, with parliamentary groups now gathering stakeholder opinions. The political calendar is tight, with no vote scheduled for September, and legislative activity expected to slow due to local elections and the upcoming 2026 State Budget proposal. A moderated proposal is anticipated to safeguard ongoing processes.
Golden Visa Political Support and Processing Improvements
Broad political support for the Golden Visa program remains evident, recognizing its economic and social benefits. The program’s longstanding operational challenges, including outdated IT systems and operational upheavals from SEF to AIMA transition, are being addressed. A fully digital case management portal is under development to improve transparency and efficiency and to resolve payment acknowledgment issues. Additional staff have been hired, and recovery plans aim for pending cases to be scheduled for appointments between November 2025 and February 2026.
Guidance for Investors and Current Process Outlook
Investors holding expired visas must have renewal requests submitted by lawyers by October 15; in most cases, investors do not need to appear in person. Applicants with pending first-card concessions should expect appointments between November and February and should avoid rescheduling except in exceptional cases. Prospective investors are urged to act promptly to avoid complications from forthcoming, more demanding legislation. While procedural frustrations are acknowledged, the outlook is positive with anticipated improvements in timing, transparency, and procedural stability over the coming months.
Source/Credit: Horizon Newsletter
