Portugal 
Spain 
France 
United Kingdom 
Germany 
Italy 
United States 
Hungary Observed ranges, never promises
Visa and Residence Permit Processing Times
Statutory targets beside realistic observed timelines, each dated and sourced, using the same figures the Relovisa case team works from.
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 route also offers a 3-year in-country card and a 1-year consular visa. See route details | Relovisa summary of official Spain central residence-unit guidance |
How long does Spain's startup-business review take?10 working days statutory, 1 to 3 months in practiceArticle 70 of Ley 14/2013 gives ENISA 10 working days for its report. The residence case and the business plan are filed with UGE-CE and ENISA in parallel; plan 1 to 3 months after filing. See route details | Ley 14/2013 article 70 and Relovisa Spain case practice |
How long does Spain's Digital Nomad Visa take end to end?About 2 to 2.5 monthsFrom the first document review to the decision on an in-country filing: preparation and appointments plus the 20-working-day UGE-CE window. The TIE card follows after approval. See route details | Relovisa observed Spain Digital Nomad case range |
Portugal
Portugal
| Question and answer | Last verified |
|---|---|
How long does a Portuguese consulate take to issue a D visa?30 to 60 daysFrom the consulate appointment, for D2, D3, D7 and D8 visas. Appointment availability itself ranges from about a week to three months by consulate. See route details | Relovisa observed consular range |
What is Portugal's statutory processing target for AIMA residence applications?90 days, extendable by 30The legal target for a first residence application is 90 days, which AIMA can extend by 30 days in exceptional, justified cases after notifying the applicant. A renewal has a 60-day target, and since 11 September 2026 a renewal that is not decided in time is no longer treated as approved. The observed ranges below are considerably longer. See route details | Lei 23/2007 article 82, as amended by Lei 62/2026 of 10 September 2026 |
How long does Portugal's AIMA actually take to process residence permits in 2026?9 to 18 months, or 5 to 9 months regionallyThe 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 case range |
Has Portugal cleared its AIMA legacy immigration backlog?About 387,000 legacy files decided; ~93% of manifestações de interesse clearedAIMA's legacy mission structure closed on 31 December 2025. Its provisional closing report (18 December 2025) lists 327,597 approved and 59,194 refused; around 30,000 files were still open in 2026. See route details | https://portugal.gov.pt/gc25/comunicacao/noticias/apresentacao-de-resultados-da-estrutura-de-missao-para-recuperacao-de-processos-pendentes-na-aima |
How many court cases were pending around Portugal's AIMA?About 89,000 (September 2026), down from a peak above 133,000Court cases against AIMA peaked above 133,000 in October 2025 and stood at about 89,000 on 18 September 2026 after a judicial task force, which runs until 30 January 2027. See route details | https://www.publico.pt/2025/10/11/economia/noticia/133-mil-processos-aima-pendentes-tribunal-administrativo-lisboa-2150462 ; https://eco.sapo.pt/2026/03/04/processos-aima-com-mais-28-juizes-em-regime-de-acumulacao-no-total-sao-quase-130-mil-pendentes/ |
Does an incomplete Portugal residence application get processed?Complete-file rule since 28 April 2025AIMA requires a fully documented file before processing. See route details | Relovisa summary of the official Portugal complete-application rule |
Last verified
Each row shows the date we last checked that range and its source: the statute for legal targets, our own case files for observed ranges. 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 route also offers a 3-year in-country card and a 1-year consular visa.
How long does Spain's startup-business review take?
10 working days statutory, 1 to 3 months in practice. Article 70 of Ley 14/2013 gives ENISA 10 working days for its report. The residence case and the business plan are filed with UGE-CE and ENISA in parallel; plan 1 to 3 months after filing.
How long does Spain's Digital Nomad Visa take end to end?
About 2 to 2.5 months. From the first document review to the decision on an in-country filing: preparation and appointments plus the 20-working-day UGE-CE window. The TIE card follows after approval.
How long does a Portuguese consulate take to issue a D visa?
30 to 60 days. From the consulate appointment, for D2, D3, D7 and D8 visas. Appointment availability itself ranges from about a week to three months by consulate.
What is Portugal's statutory processing target for AIMA residence applications?
90 days, extendable by 30. The legal target for a first residence application is 90 days, which AIMA can extend by 30 days in exceptional, justified cases after notifying the applicant. A renewal has a 60-day target, and since 11 September 2026 a renewal that is not decided in time is no longer treated as approved. The 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 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 387,000 legacy files decided; ~93% of manifestações de interesse cleared. AIMA's legacy mission structure closed on 31 December 2025. Its provisional closing report (18 December 2025) lists 327,597 approved and 59,194 refused; around 30,000 files were still open in 2026.
How many court cases were pending around Portugal's AIMA?
About 89,000 (September 2026), down from a peak above 133,000. Court cases against AIMA peaked above 133,000 in October 2025 and stood at about 89,000 on 18 September 2026 after a judicial task force, which runs until 30 January 2027.
Does an incomplete Portugal residence application get processed?
Complete-file rule since 28 April 2025. AIMA requires a fully documented file before processing.
Route check
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