Portugal 
Spain 
France 
United Kingdom 
Germany 
Italy 
United States Observed ranges, never promises
Visa and Residence Permit Processing Times
Statutory targets beside realistic observed timelines, each dated and sourced against the same verified registry used by the Relovisa case team.
Spain
Spain
| Question and answer | Last verified |
|---|---|
How long does Spain's central residence unit take to process an in-country application in 2026?20 working daysThe statutory target for in-country Digital Nomad and Startup residence filings. The live page also records a 3-year in-country card and a 1-year consular visa. See route details | Spain central residence-unit guidance in Relovisa's verified registry |
How long does Spain's startup-business review take?10 to 20 working daysFrom a complete submission, before the central residence filing can proceed. See route details | Spain startup-business review guidance in Relovisa's verified registry |
Portugal
Portugal
| Question and answer | Last verified |
|---|---|
What is Portugal's statutory processing target for AIMA residence applications?90 daysThe legal target. The live observed ranges below are considerably longer. See route details | Portugal AIMA statutory target in Relovisa's verified registry |
How long does Portugal's AIMA actually take to process residence permits in 2026?9 to 18 months, or 5 to 9 months regionallyThe live observed end-to-end range for Lisbon and Porto compared with regional offices. It is a planning range, never a promise. See route details | Relovisa observed AIMA range in the live verified registry |
Has Portugal cleared its AIMA legacy immigration backlog?About 525,000 files; roughly 93% clearedThe live page records the legacy structure as closed on 31 December 2025. See route details | AIMA legacy-backlog status in Relovisa's verified registry |
How many court cases were pending around Portugal's AIMA?More than 133,000The live pressure indicator recorded as of April 2026. See route details | Portugal AIMA caseload-pressure record used by the live utility page |
Does an incomplete Portugal residence application get processed?Complete-file rule since 28 April 2025The live page records that AIMA requires a fully documented file before processing. See route details | Portugal complete-application rule in Relovisa's verified registry |
Last verified
Every range is for planning. The immigration authority controls the actual decision and appointment timing.
Quick answers
Processing times, quick answers
How long does Spain's central residence unit take to process an in-country application in 2026?
20 working days. The statutory target for in-country Digital Nomad and Startup residence filings. The live page also records a 3-year in-country card and a 1-year consular visa.
How long does Spain's startup-business review take?
10 to 20 working days. From a complete submission, before the central residence filing can proceed.
What is Portugal's statutory processing target for AIMA residence applications?
90 days. The legal target. The live observed ranges below are considerably longer.
How long does Portugal's AIMA actually take to process residence permits in 2026?
9 to 18 months, or 5 to 9 months regionally. The live observed end-to-end range for Lisbon and Porto compared with regional offices. It is a planning range, never a promise.
Has Portugal cleared its AIMA legacy immigration backlog?
About 525,000 files; roughly 93% cleared. The live page records the legacy structure as closed on 31 December 2025.
How many court cases were pending around Portugal's AIMA?
More than 133,000. The live pressure indicator recorded as of April 2026.
Does an incomplete Portugal residence application get processed?
Complete-file rule since 28 April 2025. The live page records that AIMA requires a fully documented file before processing.
Route check
Need a realistic route timeline?
We will separate document preparation, consular review, residence-card steps and the current authority queue.