Portugal faces a significant challenge in citizenship and residency processing. The demand for Portuguese citizenship and residency has grown exponentially, leading to delays impacting international investors and individuals seeking to establish themselves in the country.
In response, the Portuguese government has implemented a series of measures aimed at improving efficiency and reducing wait times. The goal is to meet applicants’ expectations and maintain Portugal’s position as an attractive destination for foreign investment.
Implementation of a New National Citizenship Platform
One of the most notable initiatives is the creation of a digital platform to streamline the review and decision-making process for citizenship applications.
Developed by the Institute of Registries and Notaries (IRN), this system is expected to increase processing capacity by 50%. It employs advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to automate tasks that were previously performed manually, reducing redundancies and minimizing the risk of human error.
Additionally, the platform enables applicants to submit documents and track their applications online, minimizing the need for in-person procedures.
The platform has already been implemented in the central offices of Lisbon and Porto, with plans for further deployment across other civil registry offices throughout the country. This expansion is crucial to alleviating the workload in central offices.
Automation and Reduction of Bureaucracy
The Portuguese government acknowledges that excessive bureaucracy and reliance on paper documents are key factors slowing down citizenship processing times.
The IRN’s initiative includes the digitization and automated validation of documents, significantly reducing the time staff must dedicate to reviewing each application. According to IRN estimates, this change could lower the average processing time from two hours to just thirty minutes.
This reduction in processing time will allow for a higher volume of cases to be handled. With the IRN reporting over 63,000 citizenship applications in the first few months of 2024 alone, such efficiency is essential.
Challenges and Criticisms of the Current System
Despite these improvements, significant challenges remain, particularly concerning the Golden Visa program, which has faced criticism and legal actions due to prolonged delays.
Under Portuguese law, Golden Visa applications should be resolved within 90 days. However, the backlog, which exceeds 400,000 pending applications, has prompted a wave of lawsuits from investors seeking to enforce the legally established timelines.
Many applicants have opted to file a Protective Action for Rights, Freedoms, and Guarantees, known in Portugal as “Intimação.”
The Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA), responsible for processing Golden Visa applications, has made efforts to reduce the backlog. However, the high volume of cases and limited resources remain significant obstacles.
How Can We Help Expedite Your Citizenship Processing?
The combination of an advanced digital platform, artificial intelligence, and reduced bureaucracy aims to create a faster and more effective processing system.
However, the success of these initiatives will depend on the Portuguese government’s ability to consistently implement these improvements nationwide.
From our offices in Lisbon, AIM Global’s team is fully prepared to guide you, whether through legal channels or the most appropriate route to resolve your case without jeopardizing your progress.
Whether you are starting a Golden Visa process or looking to expedite an existing application, schedule a consultation with us today. We are experts in international mobility.
