The Portuguese Golden Visa is one of the fastest and most flexible pathways to EU citizenship, but how long does it actually take to get a Portuguese passport? Many investors believe approval is instant, but the reality is that citizenship requires a combination of residency, renewals, investment maintenance, and integration requirements.
In 2025, a Golden Visa holder can become eligible for citizenship in just five years, one of the shortest timeframes in the European Union. This article breaks down the exact timeline and process from your initial investment to finally obtaining your Portuguese passport.
Step 1: Golden Visa Application & Approval Timeline
- Application Submission: After your qualifying investment (fund, donation, or job creation) is made, you submit documents through AIMA (Agência para a Imigração e Mobilidade).
- Approval & Biometrics:
- Processing usually takes 8–12 months due to verification and immigration backlogs.
- Applicants then attend a biometric appointment in Portugal.
- Residence Card Issuance: Your initial residence permit is valid for 2 years.
Timeframe: 8–12 months from investment to first residence card.
Step 2: Residency Period (5 Years Minimum)
To qualify for citizenship, you must hold legal residency for 5 years.
- Residency Requirement: Stay a minimum of 7 days per year (or 14 days every 2 years).
- Renewals:
- After 2 years → renew for 2 more years.
- After 4 years → renew again until reaching the 5-year mark.
- Investment Maintenance: Must keep your qualifying investment active during the full 5 years.
Timeframe: 5 years of residency = minimum threshold for citizenship eligibility.
Step 3: Citizenship Application
Once you reach 5 years, you can apply for citizenship with the Ministry of Justice.
Requirements at this stage:
- Proof of 5 years of continuous residency.
- A2 Portuguese language certificate (CIPLE exam).
- Clean criminal record in Portugal and country of origin.
- Proof of maintained residence status.
Processing Time: Citizenship applications typically take 12–18 months to finalize, though timelines may vary depending on volume and documentation accuracy.
Step 4: Citizenship Approval & Passport Issuance
- After approval, you receive Portuguese nationality documents (birth registration as a new citizen).
- You then apply for a Portuguese Citizen Card (Cartão de Cidadão).
- With this card, you can request a Portuguese passport.
Processing Time: 1–2 months for passport after citizenship approval.
Full Timeline Overview
| Step | Time Required | Cumulative Timeline |
| Golden Visa Application & Residence Card | 8–12 months | ~Year 1 |
| Maintain Residency (Residency Obligations + Renewals) | 5 years | ~Year 5 |
| Citizenship Application Processing | 12–18 months | ~Year 6–6.5 |
| Passport Issuance | 1–2 months | ~Year 6.5–7 |
Total: ~6 to 7 years from investment to holding a Portuguese passport.
Why It’s Still the Fastest in the EU
Compared to other EU Golden Visa or residency schemes:
- Spain: 10 years minimum for citizenship (full-time residency).
- Greece: 7 years, with stricter residency ties.
- Italy: 10 years of full residency.
- Malta: Citizenship possible in 1–3 years but at over €1 million cost and with heavy EU scrutiny.
Portugal balances cost, flexibility, and timeframe better than any EU alternative.
Key Tips to Stay on Track
- Document Your Presence: Keep travel records proving you met the 7-day/year stay requirement.
- Learn Portuguese Early: Preparing for the A2 language exam avoids delays.
- Stay Compliant: Ensure your investment remains Golden Visa-eligible throughout 5 years.
- Plan for Delays: Processing backlogs may extend the timeline slightly beyond 5 years; aim to apply as soon as you qualify.
Conclusion
The Portuguese Golden Visa offers investors citizenship eligibility in 5 years of residency, with the total process to passport usually taking 6–7 years. While not instant, it is still one of the fastest, most affordable, and family-friendly EU citizenship routes available in 2025.
For investors focused on long-term mobility, EU integration, and generational security, the Portuguese Golden Visa remains unmatched worldwide.
Next Step
Want to fast-track your path to a Portuguese passport? Our experts guide you through investments, renewals, language preparation, and citizenship applications. Contact us today to begin your roadmap to EU citizenship.