Residency Permits in Portugal Surge by 60% as AIMA Ramps Up Operations

Portugal has recorded a sharp rise in the number of residency permits granted this year, with AIMA – the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum – issuing 386,463 permits by the end of October 2025.

This represents an increase of around 60% compared with the same period in 2024, when 236,030 permits had been granted.

AIMA president Pedro Portugal Gaspar shared the data, stating: “As of October 22, we had 386,463 (residency) cards actually issued, new authorisations throughout 2025, already with the final card title, because that’s the final element.
“In the same period in 2024, we had 236,030, so we have an increase of 60-61%, around that.”

A large proportion of this year’s activity has continued to stem from applications submitted through the now-defunct “expression of interest” route, which previously allowed foreign nationals to apply for residency after arriving in Portugal as tourists. The phasing out of this system is expected to relieve pressure on AIMA’s operations.

Gaspar also noted that the number of residency applications has already fallen by roughly half in 2025, with further declines anticipated once Portugal’s new Foreigners Law comes into effect. Signed on 16 October, the new legislation limits work visas to those seeking “qualified work”.

Renewal processes have also been streamlined through AIMA’s online platform, enabling between 32,000 and 33,000 residents to renew their permits digitally instead of attending appointments in person.

Paul Stannard, Chairman and Founder of Portugal Pathways and the Portugal Investment Owners Club, commented: “Handling the demand for residency permits in Portugal has been an ongoing issue for AIMA, but we’re hopeful that this will improve as the agency bolsters its workforce.

“There are reportedly plans to further reduce the time it takes to secure Golden Visa residency cards in order to help make the process more efficient.”

Despite continued operational challenges, Gaspar reported that AIMA received around 300,000 phone calls during the first months of 2025, though roughly 20% of these remain unanswered. He also emphasised that, despite legal actions from some foreign applicants over appointment delays, “AIMA has never been condemned, because it has always responded positively to the legal action.”

Looking to the future, Gaspar highlighted the need to reinforce staffing levels. The agency currently employs over 770 people, following a 10% workforce increase last year.

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