AIMA has issued 386,000 residence permits in 2025, marking a 60% increase compared to 2024 driven by strong migration inflows and attractiveness of Portugal as major investment destination among foreigners. The surge reflects Portugal’s continued success in attracting international residents, investors, and skilled professionals. For applicants and investors, this acceleration of administrative process restores confidence with government and system in Portugal.
As of October 22, we had 386,463 residency cards actually issued, compared to 236,030 in 2024.
-AIMA President Pedro Portugal Gaspar
Global Investment Destination
Portugal’s continued success as a leading destination for international residents and investors. The strong inflows of private equity and venture capital investments tied to golden visa program has boosted equities of Portuguese companies in energy, hospitality, agriculture and tech sectors.
Official EU Language
Portugal has passed a a new legislation benefiting students and language learners planning to live, work and study – courses obtained in Portugal will now be automatically recognised across the European Union — no equivalence applications required.
Backlogs
The Government has approved a new decree-law to modernise the Lojas do Cidadão (Citizen Service Centres) — expanding service hours, reducing bureaucracy, and introducing a virtual platform with more than 100 online services.
In recent weeks, several clients with applications submitted in 2025 have already been called to attend biometric data appointments.
AIMA has already committed to AIMA will clear the Golden Visa backlog by 2026
AIMA has already committed to AIMA will clear the Golden Visa backlog by 2026 pending residence permit files and renewals under Portugal’s investment-based residency (Golden Visa) that have not yet received a final decision. It includes applications at different stages (pre-approval, biometrics, issuance/renewal).
Nationality Reforms
The Portuguese Nationality law recently approved by parliament awaits further approval from President. If the President opts to refer it to the Court, it must issue its decision within 25 days. Even if the law comes into effect, access to citizenship will remain possible through the Permanent Residence by Investment with minimal living (7 days per year).
Modernizing Immigration
Accordign to AIMA report, by the end of 2024, 1,543,697 foreign nationals were officially living in Portugal – nearly four times the figure recorded in 2017. Portugal continues to modernise its immigration framework after the foreigners law promulgated by President.
- AIMA has introduced direct NISS (Social Security Number) integration into its systems, enabling real-time data sharing with the Social Security Service and Tax Authority. This reform significantly reduces administrative delays and improves efficiency for foreign residents and professionals.
- AIMA has also reinforced staffing at key service points to handle increasing demand.
- IMA’s online renewal platform has also helped streamline the process, enabling around 32,000 to 33,000 residents to update their permits digitally.
Speeding Up Processing
The Portuguese Government has confirmed plans to expand staffing at AIMA in order to address delays in processing applications under the Nationality Law. This measure aims to speed up decisions and improve service delivery for those seeking Portuguese citizenship.
- new residency applications have already fallen by about half this year, a trend expected to continue as Portugal’s new Foreigners Law comes into effect.
- handled around 300,000 calls in the early months of 2025,
- currently employs over 770 staff members, following a 10% workforce expansion last year.
- Phased out pending applications expression of interest system, which had allowed foreign nationals to apply for residency after entering Portugal as tourists. AIMA believe that phasing out this route will reduce AIMA’s administrative burden and speed up future processing.
Validity of Residence Permits
AIMA has further clarified that the right of residence of a foreign citizen remains valid for up to six months after the expiry date of their Residence Permit card, in accordance with Article 63(14) of Regulatory Decree No. 84/2007.
For cards expired on or before 30 June 2025, the six-month period begins on 15 October 2025, meaning the right of residence remains valid until 15 April 2026. For cards expiring after 30 June 2025, the six-month period begins on the card’s expiry date.
Those Who Have Already Submitted a Renewal Request, Foreign citizens who have already initiated the renewal process with AIMA must keep: their expired Residence Permit card, the proof of submission, both of which remain valid while the renewal process is under review.
