Processing timelines

How long does each residency route take?

These are indicative timeframes from Movingto's own case data and published guides, not guarantees. Government and consular backlogs are the biggest variable (Portugal's AIMA most of all), so build in buffer and confirm current waits for your case. Each route links to its full timeline.

At a glance

Typical timeframes by route

RouteCountryTypical timeframeFull timeline
Portugal Golden VisaPortugal12–18 monthsPortugal Golden Visa timeline
Portugal D7 (passive income)Portugal6–10 monthsPortugal D7 guide
Portugal D8 (digital nomad)Portugal4–9 monthsPortugal D8 guide
Greece Golden VisaGreece6–12 monthsGreece Golden Visa guide
Spain Digital Nomad VisaSpainDecision in 10–20 daysSpain Digital Nomad guide
Spain Non-Lucrative VisaSpainConsulate decision 2–3 monthsSpain Non-Lucrative guide
Italy Elective Residency VisaItalyVisa decision up to 90 daysItaly Elective Residency
Italy Digital Nomad VisaItalyVisa decision ~30–90 daysItaly Digital Nomad

“Typical timeframe” is end-to-end where Movingto publishes it (Portugal, Greece). For Spain and Italy, only the visa-decision window is published — the full start-to-finish time also depends on document preparation, so see each guide.

Portugal Golden Visa

Portugal

12–18 months end to end
  1. 1Eligibility & strategy1–3 days
  2. 2Document gathering (US: +6–8 weeks for FBI check)3–6 weeks
  3. 3Investment execution (fund route)2–3 weeks
  4. 4Submission to biometrics5–9 months
  5. 5Biometrics to permit issuance2–4 months

Fastest cases ~8 months; AIMA backlogs can push others to 24+ months.

Portugal Golden Visa timeline

Portugal D7 (passive income)

Portugal

6–10 months end to end
  1. 1Get NIF (tax number)1–2 weeks
  2. 2Open Portuguese bank account1–2 weeks
  3. 3Gather & apostille documents4–6 weeks
  4. 4Consulate processing4–8 weeks
  5. 5AIMA appointment wait3–6 months
  6. 6Receive residence card2–4 weeks

Best case ~3 months; the AIMA appointment wait is the main variable.

Portugal D7 guide

Portugal D8 (digital nomad)

Portugal

4–9 months end to end
  1. 1Document preparation2–4 weeks
  2. 2NIF & bank account1–2 weeks
  3. 3Visa processing (consular review)4–8 weeks
  4. 4AIMA appointment wait2–12 weeks
  5. 5Residence card issued2–6 weeks

9–12 months with severe AIMA backlogs.

Portugal D8 guide

Greece Golden Visa

Greece

6–12 months end to end
  1. 1Initial consultation1–2 weeks
  2. 2Tax ID (AFM) & bank account2–4 weeks
  3. 3Execute the investment2–6 weeks
  4. 4Compile your dossier2–4 weeks
  5. 5Biometrics appointment1–6 months
  6. 6Residence cards issued2–4 months

Fastest ~4–6 months; the Athens office is the slowest (12+ months).

Greece Golden Visa guide

Spain Digital Nomad Visa

Spain

Decision in 10–20 days
  1. 1Consular visa route — decision10 days (legal term)
  2. 2In-Spain UGE residence authorisation — decision20 days

These are the statutory decision windows; the full start-to-finish time also depends on document preparation and TIE issuance, which Movingto does not publish a fixed figure for. See the guide.

Spain Digital Nomad guide

Spain Non-Lucrative Visa

Spain

Consulate decision 2–3 months
  1. 1Consulate decision (varies by consulate)2–3 months
  2. 2Apply for TIE after entering Spainwithin 1 month

Decision periods vary by consulate (London ~2 months; Washington, Toronto, Canberra up to 3 months). No full end-to-end figure is published. See the guide.

Spain Non-Lucrative guide

Italy Elective Residency Visa

Italy

Visa decision up to 90 days
  1. 1Consular visa decisionup to 90 days

This is the visa-decision window only; the in-Italy permit (permesso di soggiorno) is issued after arrival and Movingto does not publish a separate figure. See the guide.

Italy Elective Residency

Italy Digital Nomad Visa

Italy

Visa decision ~30–90 days
  1. 1Consular visa decision (no statutory deadline)~30–90 days

This is the visa-decision window only; the in-Italy permit is issued after arrival. See the guide.

Italy Digital Nomad

Common questions

Processing-time FAQs

How long does the Portugal Golden Visa take?

Typically 12–18 months from first steps to residence permit, with the fastest cases around 8 months. AIMA (immigration authority) backlogs are the main variable and can push some cases to 24+ months.

How long does the Portugal D7 visa take?

Usually 6–10 months end to end, with best cases around 3 months. The AIMA appointment wait (often 3–6 months) is the biggest factor.

How long does the Portugal D8 digital nomad visa take?

Typically 4–9 months from application to residence card, stretching to 9–12 months during severe AIMA backlogs.

How long does the Greece Golden Visa take?

About 6–12 months for most investors, as fast as 4–6 months with documents ready and a low-backlog office. The Athens office is the slowest, at 12+ months.

How long does a Spanish visa decision take?

Spain publishes statutory decision windows rather than a full end-to-end time: the Digital Nomad Visa is a 10-day consular term (or 20 days for the in-Spain route), and Non-Lucrative consulate decisions run about 2–3 months. Document preparation adds to that — see the route guide.

Want a realistic timeline for your case?

Timeframes are typical ranges, not promises. Authority and consular processing times shift with backlogs and policy changes; your case may move faster or slower. Last updated June 2026.

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