25 de November, 2025
Renewing a residence permit in Portugal remains one of the most common questions among foreign residents, especially because the procedures have undergone several recent changes. With the closure of SEF and the creation of AIMA, the country has accelerated the digitalization of applications, introducing new online portals and processes that tend to make life easier for residents — although, during this transition period, they still generate doubts, particularly regarding deadlines, forms, and the new proof of residence now required in certain cases.
Legal changes related to family reunification also affect, indirectly, those applying for a residence permit after the D6 Family Reunification Visa, which reinforces the importance of understanding which rule applies to your specific residence title.
In this article, we explain how to apply for a first residence permit in Portugal, how to renew your Portuguese residence card, what has changed for CPLP residence permits, Golden Visa residence titles and family reunification cases, as well as the timelines, documents and platforms involved at each stage.
Below, you will find our FAQ with the most common questions from clients.
*Updated in March 2026.
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The Residence Permit is the document that allows a foreign national to live and work legally in Portugal. Anyone who enters Portugal with a residence visa must apply for this permit after arriving in the country. The same rule used to apply to those who entered without a visa and decided to stay, submitting a “manifestação de interesse” (expression of interest) to obtain a residence permit. Since June 2024, however, the expression of interest is no longer available for people who enter the country as tourists.
This document also allows travel within the Schengen Area.
Below you will find the situations and the applicable renewal process:
AIMA periodically updates the Renewals Portal to allow the online renewal of residence permits.
Currently, the portal is available for submitting renewal applications for Residence Permits (AR) that expired or will expire between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Renewals are being opened month by month.
To begin the process, the applicant must create an account on the Renewals Portal, using the information from their Residence Permit and their NIF (Tax Identification Number). After registering, the applicant must pay the applicable fees and then upload the required documents on the platform.
It is necessary to demonstrate that the conditions for residence are still met, including:
In general, the entire renewal process is carried out online, and submitting the complete documentation through the portal is sufficient.
If AIMA considers it necessary, an in-person appointment may be scheduled only for the collection of biometric data (photograph, fingerprints, and signature). However, these cases are exceptional.
Residence permits that expired between February 22, 2020, and June 30, 2025—which had their validity extended until October 2025 by AIMA decree—must be renewed by April 15, 2026 (the final deadline for application). In other words, permits that were automatically extended are effectively expiring in 2026, with no promises of further automatic renewals!
The renewal must be completed through AIMA’s online residence renewal page. Simply click on “Renovação de Autorizações de Residência e CPLP” and then on “Renovação de Autorizações de Residência.” Finally, select the field “Não foi notificado” (Have not been notified). There is a form to fill out with your permit details, and after that, the applicant should typically receive an email.
Already requested the renewal but haven’t received the email yet? In this case, we recommend seeking help from a lawyer or specialist. See our FAQ below for instructions on how to contact AIMA.
The process is digital only in the first stage. The applicant must submit documents in electronic format and, later on, attend an in-person interview to present the originals and provide biometric data.
At this stage, it is also mandatory to prove the maintenance of living conditions, including means of subsistence, accommodation, and fiscal and social security compliance. AIMA has also begun to demand proof of residence with greater rigor, following updated rules that we will explain below.
The renewal of CPLP residence permits now follows the same rules applied to all other residence permits in Portugal. The request must be made through the official website according to the expiry date of your residence card — not the type of permit. Therefore, check your card’s validity date and follow the corresponding renewal procedure described above.
For anyone holding a visa for Portugal and needing to request their first residence permit, the procedure remains unchanged. You must attend an in-person interview at AIMA, scheduled in advance — usually by the Consulate that issued the visa — or through the phone numbers (+351) 217 115 000 or (+351) 965 903 700, available on business days from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. If the Consulate does not schedule the appointment, the applicant must request it through this website.
⚠️ Did you know?
If you apply for a long-stay visa through Atlantic Bridge, you don’t need to worry about this step — we handle the scheduling for you.
If you have questions, read our full article on the difference between a visa and a residence permit in Portugal.
The procedures for obtaining a residence permit for family members depend on the type of reunification, as explained in detail in our dedicated article on family reunification in Portugal.
In this case, the appointment is scheduled in advance, together with the issuance of the main applicant’s visa by the Portuguese Consulate. If the visa is issued without the appointment, it can still be requested through AIMA’s contact form.
The process works differently. First, the holder of the residence permit already living in Portugal must schedule an in-person appointment at AIMA to submit the family members’ documents — before they travel to Portugal.
If there are minor children among the family members, it is usually possible to request a joint appointment (minors and adults). When no children are involved, the appointment often needs to be arranged by phone or email, which can make the process slower.
After reviewing the documents, AIMA issues the authorization required for the relatives to apply for the visa at the Portuguese Consulate/Embassy or VFS. Only after this step is the visa issued and the family allowed to travel to Portugal.
Keep in mind that new family-reunification requirements entered into force under the updated Foreigners’ Law.
The law also foresees future integration requirements for new applications and renewals — such as Portuguese-language training and courses on constitutional principles. However, these obligations are not yet in force, as they depend on further regulation with no official implementation date.
In these cases, the residence permit application follows a different legal framework, under Article 17 of Law 37/2006. The appointment for the in-person application must be requested through this AIMA page.
The procedures and fees in this category are different for both primary Golden Visa Portugal investors and their dependents. Applicants must complete the form available on the AIMA website, under the section dedicated to the renewal of the residence permit for investment activities.
One of the main obstacles in residence permit renewals today is the proof of address requirement. AIMA has become much more strict. Previously, the certificate issued by the local parish council (junta de freguesia) was generally enough. Now, the agency often requires the actual property ownership document.
For rental situations, AIMA typically demands a handwritten declaration from the landlord (the property owner), confirming that the applicant indeed resides at that address. This proof must be submitted along with the rest of the documentation when applying for the issuance or renewal of a residence permit.
The cost varies depending on the type of residence permit and the applicant’s nationality.
| Type of Residence Permit / Nationality | Residence Permit Fee |
|---|---|
| CPLP citizen | €58.10 |
| Citizens of non-CPLP countries | €185.30 (€127.20 analysis + €58.10 printing) |
| Family member of an EU citizen — over 25 years old | €18 |
| Family member of an EU citizen — under 25 years old | €15 |
| Family member of an EU citizen — under 6 years old | €7.50 |
| Family member of an EU citizen — under 1 year old | free |
A temporary residence permit, as the name suggests, has a limited validity period — usually two years — and must be renewed every time it expires.
A permanent residence permit, on the other hand, is available to those who have lived legally in Portugal for at least five years. It works as an alternative to Portuguese citizenship, although it does not grant access to a Portuguese passport.
It is important to highlight that, although the right to permanent residence does not expire, the physical residence card does. Therefore, it must be renewed periodically to keep the permit valid.
See also our full article explaining the difference between permanent residence and Portuguese citizenship.
Those who maintain their residence permits correctly for five years may become eligible for Portuguese citizenship by length of residence. However, the applicant must meet certain requirements, such as having a clean criminal record and demonstrating knowledge of the Portuguese language (A2 level).
These rules may soon change if the government approves the proposed amendments to the Nationality Law.
One of the biggest challenges in applying for or renewing residence permits in Portugal is the lack of standardization. While some applicants manage to renew their permit with only a basic set of documents, others — in nearly identical circumstances — are asked to submit numerous additional proofs. This happens because the criteria change frequently.
After submitting the application, it is essential to monitor AIMA’s emails and comply with deadlines for any additional documents requested. Knowing exactly what to provide makes a significant difference, and this is where professional assistance becomes a real advantage. Although not mandatory, working with an experienced immigration consultancy and qualified lawyers helps avoid mistakes, anticipate requirements, and ensure a much smoother process.
Need help renewing your residence permit in Portugal? Atlantic Bridge offers a full range of services to help you regularize your situation in Europe. Get in touch with us through the contact form so we can assess your case and provide all the support you need!
This practice has been discontinued. According to AIMA, from 15 October 2025 onwards, expired residence permits are no longer considered valid if the holder has not yet initiated the renewal process. To renew, you must submit the application online through AIMA’s digital portals, meet all requirements, and pay the applicable fees — with no need for an in-person appointment. Once the application is submitted and the fee is paid, the system issues a confirmation document valid for 180 days, serving as temporary proof of lawful status.
You can request the renewal up to 90 days before the expiration date, according to AIMA’s official guidance.
Yes. SEF, created in 1974, has been officially dissolved since 29 October 2023, giving way to AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo. SEF’s former responsibilities are now divided as follows:
– PSP (Public Security Police), GNR (National Republican Guard) and PJ (Judiciary Police): Police duties such as border control and immigration-related criminal investigations.
– AIMA: Administrative functions related to foreign citizens, including issuing new residence permits, handling visa opinions (including family reunification), former manifestação de interesse cases, as well as asylum procedures and refugee integration.
No — not even if you already have an appointment scheduled. The renewal appointment slip is only a provisional document and does not guarantee that you will avoid issues at border controls, even when travelling within the Schengen Area.
Generally, you must hold a visa beforehand, except for students and highly qualified professionals, who may apply directly in Portugal. The residence permit must be requested through AIMA.
By law, the residence card should be issued within 60 days. In practice, however, it has been taking 3 to 4 months after all documents are submitted on the online platform.
As a rule, residency rights lapse six months after the permit has expired. Due to delays in issuing residence cards, this rule has not always been applied strictly.
You can track the progress through AIMA’s online portal. Once the renewal is approved, the status will be updated there. The applicant also receives an email notification.
A residence permit is intended for residing in Portugal. Renewing a residence title without actually living in the country does not align with its purpose. Although it used to happen frequently, enforcement has become much stricter.
Currently, this is only possible for highly qualified professionals or for those who plan to study in Portugal.
Author:
Silvia Resende
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