Just as important as the increase from 5-10 years for me is the date that starts the clock. If it isn’t returned to the date of application for those already in the system, I am done. If the government finds a way to violate our trust so badly, Portugal is not a nation I wish to have power over my life and future.
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The 5 v 10 timeline and capricious change in start date is exactly the legitimate expectations problem and is what lawyers expect the court to have issue with.
What I worry about is the President vetoing the legislation based on the Constitutional Court assessment of unconstitutionality, and the Parliament over-riding the veto. What happens then?
they can override a political veto from the president but to override the constitutional court like that would require a constitutional amendment. that’s never happened in post-Salazar Portugal but who knows. Again, as of now, the judicial and executive branches seem to be operating in good faith so it looks like this legislation is going to be hung up for a while and will likely require revision. There are red lines but I don’t think we’re there just yet and now is the time for advocacy not panic.
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Never until the last month or so did I imagine I would be disappointed to announce that I received final approval today, just shy of four years since applying via investment. Actually, although this was not apparent to me from the email I received from AIMA, my lawyer told me that today’s final approval is only for my wife. They contacted AIMA to inform them they never received my final approval. I’m inferring it was issued (without notification) in early November since my lawyer says payment must be made by December 9. I’m disappointed since I didn’t want to have to decide whether to pay the large fee while the time to citizenship is still up in the air. Anyway, here is our time line:
Dec. 12, 2021 - main application filed
Dec. 13, 2021 - payment made
Dec. 16, 2021 - wife’s application filed
Dec. 17, 2021 - wife’s payment made
Dec. 15, 2022 - pre-approval
Mar. 28, 2023 - biometrics invitations received for both applicants
May 23, 2023 - biometrics appointments in Lisbon for both applicants
Apr. 4, 2025 - AIMA requested new declarations from our bank and investment fund
Apr. 16, 2025 (approximate) - declarations submitted
Dec. 2, 2025 - final approval received (apparently just for my wife)
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I agree with you 100%. I also received notice of approval for my GV which I first applied for in May of 2021 on the day I arrived in France with a French long stay visa in hand.. I am also unwilling to pay the DUC while the date for starting the clock and the time until nationality in Portugal are still very much up in the air. France is my Plan B.
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2,092 days after my GV application was approved on March 2020, and 100 days after my first card was printed, I finally received my first residence card.
But here’s the new lesson I learned:
For months, I kept pushing my lawyer to follow up, telling her that the long delay after paying the DUC on July 4th was not normal. She kept insisting everything was normal. Eventually, I came to Lisbon myself — and once my lawyer finally checked, what happened?
The card had already been issued, sent to her office by post, returned because the office had moved, and was sitting at AIMA the entire time. It only needed a simple follow-up.
Apparently, many cards are being returned to AIMA. So if your card still hasn’t arrived long time after paying DUC, ask your lawyer to go to AIMA. And if they don’t do it, go yourself in person.
For me it took almost 6 years to receive the first residence card, while we should have the citizenship now! No news from my family DUC yet.
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Despite the prolonged delays and numerous obstacles, you’ve successfully reached the finish line. Congratulations.
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That is some lazy lawyering! Anyway, congrats on getting your card. Hopefully you have your A2 language certification and can push your lazy lawyer to file your citizenship application ASAP while the old rules are still in effect. Good luck!
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Agreed. Can highly recommend Madalena Monteiro having worked with her the last week, you’ll need someone that can move fast and isn’t going to drag their feet.
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