If you hold a Portugal Golden Visa, renewing your residence permit is key to keeping your path to EU citizenship on track. In 2025, the process has changed, new rules, a new immigration authority, and updated timelines now shape how and when you renew.
This guide breaks down exactly what you need to do to renew your Golden Visa smoothly, without stress or delays. Whether you're planning ahead or already near expiry, we’ll walk you through the full process: requirements, documents, costs, and legal updates, all in one place.
Let’s make sure your next renewal is seamless and fully compliant with Portugal’s latest regulations.
What You'll Find in This Article
The Portugal Golden Visa offers a valuable pathway to long-term residency and, eventually, citizenship. However, the permit is not indefinite. Upon initial approval, the residence permit is valid for one year, after which it must be renewed every two years to remain active.
This renewal process does not interrupt your residency, there is no requirement to leave Portugal or reapply from scratch. Instead, you simply extend your existing status by meeting a defined set of criteria.
To renew successfully, you must
- ✅ Maintain your original qualifying investment
- ✅ Spend at least 14 days in Portugal over each two-year period
- ✅ Hold a clean criminal record
- ✅ Ensure there are no outstanding tax or social security obligations
- ✅ Submit up-to-date documentation and attend a biometric appointment
As of 2025, the process is now overseen by AIMA (Agência para a Imigração e Mobilidade), following the restructuring of SEF.
Renewing your Portugal Golden Visa isn’t just a formality, it’s a legal requirement to maintain your residence status and remain on track for citizenship.
Here’s how it works in 2025:
- Your initial residence permit is valid for 1 year
- You then renew for 2-year periods, twice, covering 5 years of total legal residency
- After 5 years, you're eligible to apply for permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship
We’ve mapped out the full timeline here:
Golden Visa Renewal Timeline
Most Common Mistakes to Avoid When Renewing
Even experienced applicants make avoidable errors during renewal. These are the four most common mistakes that could derail or delay your process:
When Should You Start Your Renewal?
The recommended window to start your renewal is between 90 and 30 days before your residence permit expires.
Submitting too late (especially after your card expires) can lead to delays, or worse, cancellation of your legal residency unless you can prove force majeure.
💡 Tip: Set a reminder 4–5 months before your residence card expires. This gives you plenty of time to gather updated documents, schedule your biometric appointment, and fix any potential red flags before submission.
The Portugal Golden Visa renewal procedure typically takes 2–3 months from start to finish. Most of the delay isn’t with the government, it’s preparing the documents, scheduling the appointment, and getting everything in order.
Here’s a clear, step-by-step breakdown of how the process works:
Step 1: Schedule Your Appointment with AIMA
You or your legal representative must book a renewal appointment through AIMA.
This is done via the official AIMA portal, and appointment availability can vary depending on demand, so book well in advance.
Step 2: Prepare All Required Documents
This is often the most time-consuming part of the procedure. You’ll need to collect all supporting documentation to prove that you still meet the Golden Visa programme’s legal requirements, investment status, time spent in Portugal, tax compliance, and more.
While the exact paperwork depends on your investment type and personal situation (such as family members also renewing), it’s essential that everything is recent, valid, and properly prepared.
We break down the full document checklist in the next section so you can gather everything confidently and avoid last-minute issues.
👉 Want a full breakdown of required documents? Jump to Documents Required for Renewal
Step 3: Attend the Biometrics Appointment
On your appointment day, you’ll appear in person (or via power of attorney if allowed) for biometric data collection and to submit your documents. If you're applying as a family, each member must attend separately.
Step 4: Wait for Approval and Receive Your New Residence Card
After submission, AIMA will process your application and issue your renewed residence permit. Processing typically takes a few weeks, but can vary based on case complexity or volume.
Once approved, your new Golden Visa residence card will be sent to your registered Portuguese address.
What If You’re Abroad or Miss the Appointment?
If you miss your scheduled appointment, you'll need to reschedule immediately through AIMA's platform, delays can push your renewal past the expiration window.
If you're abroad, your lawyer in Portugal may act via power of attorney, depending on your case. It's strongly advised to plan renewals well in advance if you won’t be in Portugal during the window.
1. Government Fees: What You’ll Pay Per Person
When renewing your Golden Visa, the following government fees apply per person:
- Application Processing Fee: €605
- Residence Permit Renewal Fee: €3,022
These fees are payable to the Portuguese immigration authority, AIMA, at each renewal interval.
2. Legal and Professional Assistance Costs
While not mandatory, engaging legal and professional services can streamline the renewal process. Estimated costs include:
- Legal Fees for Renewal: €1,000 – €2,500 per applicant
- Additional Fees for Dependents (18 years and older): €500 – €2,000
- Children Under 18: Often included at no additional charge
These fees cover services such as document preparation, application submission, and liaison with authorities.
3. Health Insurance and Document Preparation Costs
Maintaining valid health insurance and ensuring proper documentation are essential for renewal:
- Health Insurance: Approximately €400 per person annually
- Document Legalization and Translation: €500 – €1,500, depending on the number and complexity of documents
Ensure all documents are up-to-date and comply with Portuguese requirements to avoid delays.
How and Where to Pay
Payments for government fees are typically made through the AIMA online portal during the renewal application process. Accepted payment methods include:
- Credit/Debit Cards
- Bank Transfers
Ensure you receive and retain all payment confirmations for your records. For legal and professional services, payment methods and schedules should be discussed directly with your chosen service providers.
Renewing your Golden Visa isn’t automatic. Portugal’s immigration authority (AIMA) will assess whether you’ve continuously met all legal requirements since your last approval. If anything is missing—investment, time in-country, clean record, your renewal can be delayed or even rejected.
Here are the key conditions you must meet in 2025:
Required Investment: Keep It or Lose It
You must still hold the qualifying investment that originally made you eligible. Whether you invested through a fund, cultural donation, or business creation, that asset must remain intact for a minimum of five years from the date of approval.
Selling your investment too early, changing its structure, or switching to a non-compliant vehicle (especially with funds or donations) could result in automatic disqualification at renewal.
Residency Requirement: The “14 Days in 2 Years” Rule
The Golden Visa remains one of the most flexible residency programmes in Europe—but it still has a physical presence requirement. To renew your permit, you must have spent at least 14 days in Portugal over the last two-year period.
These days do not need to be consecutive. Travel records, flight bookings, or accommodation receipts may be used as supporting proof if requested.
Criminal Record, Tax, and Health Insurance Rules
- Criminal record: You must provide a valid police clearance certificate from your country of residence and/or nationality, issued within 90 days before submission. Any serious offences (under Portuguese law) may lead to rejection.
- Tax compliance: You must not have outstanding debts with the Portuguese tax authority or social security system. You'll usually need official declarations proving this.
- Health insurance: You must continue to hold valid health insurance that covers you while living in Portugal. Public or private policies are acceptable.
Special Case: Property Investors Under the 2023 Law
That said, some investors have faced scrutiny or delays, especially if:
- The property was sold prematurely
- Ownership was transferred or restructured in a way that invalidates the original qualifying condition
If you’re unsure whether your investment still qualifies, it’s highly recommended to consult a legal expert who specialises in Golden Visa renewals.
Renewing your Portugal Golden Visa involves submitting a set of updated documents to demonstrate continued compliance with the program's requirements.
Below is a checklist to guide you through the necessary documentation:
Your Renewal Checklist
Current Processing Times
As of 2025, the processing time for Portugal Golden Visa applications has been significantly impacted by a substantial backlog.
Applicants can expect processing times ranging from 20 to 30 months, depending on the location of the biometrics appointment and other factors.
Automatic Extensions
To address the delays, the Portuguese government has implemented automatic extensions for residence permits:
- Validity Extension: All residence permits and visas that expired from February 22, 2020, are considered valid until June 30, 2025.
- Travel Limitations: While this extension allows holders to remain legally in Portugal, it does not guarantee the ability to travel freely within the Schengen Area.
Measures to Address Backlogs
The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) has undertaken several initiatives to reduce the backlog:
- Staff Expansion: Recruitment of 300 new staff members to enhance processing capabilities.
- Digitalization: Transition from paper-based applications to a digital system to streamline processes.
- Appointment Scheduling: Implementation of automatic scheduling for biometric appointments, with lead times of 30 to 90 days post-document submission.
Legal Recourse for Applicants
Applicants facing prolonged delays have the option to pursue legal action:
- Judicial Complaints: Filing lawsuits to expedite the processing of applications has been a route taken by some investors, although this has led to an increase in the number of pending legal cases.
Once you've held your Portugal Golden Visa for five years, you’ll become eligible to apply for either permanent residency or Portuguese citizenship. Both options allow you to remain in Portugal without renewing your visa again, but only citizenship grants you full rights like holding a Portuguese passport and voting.
To apply for citizenship, you’ll need to pass a basic Portuguese language test (A2 level) and show that you’ve integrated into the community. For permanent residency, no language exam is required, but you must continue to meet Portugal’s standard residency criteria.
A major change introduced in 2024 means your five-year clock now starts from the date you submitted your Golden Visa application, not when it was approved. That means many applicants may already be eligible sooner than they realise.
Renewing your Golden Visa can be complex, but when you work with Movingto, it becomes a clear, structured process with expert guidance at every step.
We handle the details: from reviewing your documentation, liaising with AIMA, and securing your biometric appointment, to advising on compliance and avoiding common renewal mistakes. Our legal and immigration teams stay ahead of the latest changes so you don’t have to.
Whether you’re renewing solo or for your entire family, Movingto simplifies the process, minimises delays, and gives you peace of mind, so you can stay focused on what matters.
.svg)
