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If you’re trying to move to Europe in 2026, you’ve probably discovered that visa processing times are a nightmare. What used to take weeks now takes months. People are stuck in limbo, unable to book flights or hand in their notice at work. So what’s actually happening?
The digital system overload
Most European countries have switched to digital visa applications in the last two years, but the infrastructure hasn’t kept pace with demand. France, Spain, and Germany all report significant backlogs. The systems are not integrated with each other, so if you apply to multiple countries, you’re essentially sending multiple applications into separate, creaky databases. Italy’s new digital system launched in early 2026 and immediately became so overwhelmed that the government temporarily returned to paper applications for some visa categories.
The result: a visa application that should take 30 days now takes 90 to 120 days, even for straightforward cases. Premium processing (where available and paid for separately) helps, but it only bumps you to the front of a very long queue.
Staff shortages and post-pandemic backlog
Embassies and consulates are understaffed. Many never fully rehired after pandemic-era cutbacks, and those who did are handling both the backlog of deferred applications from 2020-2022 and current applications. A British expat I know applied for a Spanish residence visa in March and was told to expect a decision by August at the earliest. The consulate in London is processing applications from the UK and Ireland with a team roughly 30 percent smaller than pre-2020.
Eastern European countries are slightly ahead on processing times, partly because they have smaller application volumes. Poland and the Czech Republic are managing 60 to 90-day turnarounds for most visa types, compared to 120 to 180 days in Western Europe.
Demand surge
Post-pandemic, more people are working remotely and moving abroad. Applications to European countries are up 40 to 60 percent compared to 2021. Combine that with reduced staff capacity, and the maths is grim.
What you can actually do
Check if your country of choice offers expedited processing. Germany charges around €75 extra for priority handling; France varies by consulate. Some countries like Portugal process residence visas faster if you apply through a licensed representative or relocation agency, though this adds cost (typically £500 to £1,500). If you’re applying from outside Europe, your application may move faster than if you’re applying in-country.
Allow four to six months minimum for Western European countries, three to four for Central Europe. Don’t assume the published timeline is accurate. Email the consulate directly with your application reference number after the first 30 days; you’ll get a more realistic update than the website provides.
And don’t resign from your job until you have a decision in hand. The delays are real, they’re not your fault, and visa administrators at every consulate will tell you they’re understaffed.
