AIMA launches online “Portal das Renovações” for Portugal Golden Visa renewals: how to apply and when biometrics are needed

Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has unveiled a new online service for renewing “Golden Visa” residence permits under the Autorização de Residência para Atividade de Investimento (ARI). Renewal submissions open on 16 February.

The initiative, branded Portal das Renovações, is intended to become the main—and effectively the only—channel for submitting ARI renewal requests. According to AIMA, the update aims to limit or eliminate the need to bring documents in person to its offices.

Under the revised workflow, ARI holders and their eligible family members will complete the renewal steps and pay the required fees inside the portal.

Direct interaction with immigration authorities is expected only in a specific situation: when the authority’s records indicate that an update to biometric information is required.

How the renewal portal process works

AIMA says the entire procedure will be digital end-to-end, from the initial submission through the final decision. If the system detects that biometrics must be refreshed, AIMA will set up an appointment and notify applicants with the scheduled date, time, and location.

Once biometrics have been provided, the rest of the application will continue online. The critical takeaway is straightforward: the renewal will be issued only after biometric data has been updated, so the application process cannot be finalized until that requirement is met.

If you already received a scheduled in-person biometrics appointment, you should attend as planned. AIMA also clarifies that appointments referenced in earlier notifications remain valid.

Possible technical hiccups at launch

Madalena Monteiro, a lawyer and founder of Liberty Legal, warns that the portal may experience difficulties during the initial rollout. She notes that IT disruptions could stop some applicants from successfully submitting their renewal requests when the platform goes live.

At the same time, she expects performance to improve after any early issues are fixed. In her view, applicants will handle online submissions and document uploads through the portal, while an in-person visit will be necessary only if biometrics need to be updated.

A familiar pattern in the “Golden Visa” administrative process

This portal rollout fits AIMA’s broader approach to managing the “Golden Visa” scheme: prioritize digital services first, then adjust procedures and resolve operational challenges once the service is running.

Earlier in 2025, AIMA revised its procedures due to a backlog of roughly 55,000 “Golden Visa” files, spanning both new applications and renewals. At the time, processing was described as taking 30–90 days after documents were submitted, but those estimates were largely not met.

In October 2025, António Leitão Amaro, Minister in the office of the President, stated that all outstanding “Golden Visa” matters would be completed in 2026 and also mentioned a potential €85 million revenue forecast.

Those comments came just one day after parliament approved an extension of naturalisation deadlines up to 10 years for most applicants. Immigration lawyers criticised the decision, calling it “shameless”.

Current indications suggest that more than 20,000 investors may still be waiting for biometric appointments and/or later procedural steps, with appointments potentially continuing into 2026. Some applicants report awaiting outcomes since 2021, even though Portuguese rules require authorities to issue decisions within 90 days.

Given this track record, even if a functional portal makes renewals easier, specialists advise applicants to plan with caution when depending on AIMA timelines.

If you are renewing Portugal’s Golden Visa, keep an eye on how the submission process and biometrics requirements develop. AIMA is moving renewals to the Portal das Renovações, and in most cases the only reason for an in-person visit is to update biometrics—without that update, the renewal cannot be completed. To lower the risk of paperwork mistakes or missed deadlines, consider getting support from Digital Nomad, and we’ll help you manage the renewal process with greater confidence.

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