AIMA Portugal: Complete 2026 Guide to SEF’s Replacement

What is AIMA Portugal and why was it created?

AIMA Portugal, the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum, is the government agency that replaced SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service) in late 2023.

AIMA manages all Portugal immigration and asylum-related matters. This includes visa processing, residence permit renewals, and integration services for refugees coming to Portugal. There are current challenges due to a significant backlog of cases that were inherited from SEF. As a result, there are delays and communication difficulties, although, to combat this, AIMA has recently extended the validity of certain expired residence cards.

What services does AIMA provide?

AIMA is designed to modernize and innovate Portugal’s immigration system, offering faster processing times, enhanced security, and improved services for foreigners residing in or moving to Portugal. AIMA services and overarching responsibilities include: 

• Immigration and residency: Processing applications for visas and residency permits, responsible for residence permit renewals, and managing any other Portugal residency-related services.
• Asylum and refugees: Manage asylum applications and refugee integration into Portuguese society.
• Issue documents: Responsible for security and processing foreign documents and permits
• Streamlining and efficiency: The agency aims to reduce long waiting times, delays, and administrative inefficiencies, including making improvements to the digital infrastructure to expedite the processing of cases. 

The AIMA public administration modernization is moving towards more digital processes to streamline the services it offers.

Alongside AIMA taking over the responsibilities of SEF, various responsibilities that were handled by SEF are now distributed across different specialized agencies.

GNR responsibilities

The Republican National Guard (GNR) now oversees land and sea border enforcement and rural security. Its role includes monitoring illegal immigration activities and ensuring compliance with legal entry and exit regulations at Portugal’s borders.

Public Security Police (PSP) responsibilities

The PSP monitors and controls airport borders and temporary airport facilities, overseeing people coming in and out of the country and maintaining airport security.

Judiciary Police (PJ) responsibilities

The Judiciary Police (PJ), or Polícia Judiciária, investigates serious immigration-related crimes, including human trafficking and document fraud. It works closely with AIMA to enforce immigration laws and ensure compliance.

Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit responsibilities

A specialized Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit has been established to coordinate the different police forces, the Institute of Registries and Notary (IRN), and AIMA to ensure better cooperation and coordination between organizations.

The Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit will also oversee the administration of police databases and information systems.

Future of SEF facilities

Many former SEF Portugal facilities have been repurposed to serve AIMA and its related units. These facilities are being upgraded to accommodate new technologies, streamline processes, and provide better customer service to applicants. Existing SEF staff have been redistributed to support AIMA or other local authorities, preserving institutional knowledge while enabling a fresh start for Portugal’s immigration system.

What is the backlog of AIMA Portugal?

AIMA inherited over 300,000 pending cases from SEF, which led to a significant backlog. However, AIMA has reportedly resolved over 93 percent of its backlog, with most applicants being transitioned into the new online system.

Communication with AIMA has been difficult as a result of the high number of applications, which has led to AIMA extending the validity of residence permits that have expired to 15 April 2026.

If your residency card expired before 30 June 2025, the permit is valid until 15 April 2026. If your residence permit expired after 30 June 2025, the deadline does not apply, and instead, they have a six-month grace period from the card’s specific expiry date to remain valid, as long as they have initiated the renewal on the portal.

Important note: The extension to the validity of residence cards only applies within Portugal. Therefore, we advise you to avoid traveling outside the country if your card has expired.

Legal action

Some people have resorted to legal action to secure appointments as a result of the delays. Lawyers can file a petition in the court, and AIMA is then notified and will have to provide an appointment date.

Implications of AIMA replacing SEF Portugal

The transition from Portugal SEF to AIMA has brought several changes to the immigration landscape, affecting processes like visa applications, residence permits, and citizenship pathways.

Where to apply for new residence permits

New residence permit applications can be filed at AIMA offices or through its new innovative AIMA online portal. Former SEF locations have been integrated into AIMA’s network, undergoing significant digital upgrades and welcoming almost 200 additional employees to ensure continuity in service delivery and to tackle the 347,000 pending cases as quickly as possible. The agency is also in the process of opening additional service centers.

In 2026, residence permit applications were centralized by AIMA, with former SEF locations having been integrated into the AIMA Store network. AIMA has also embraced digitalization to speed up processes.

At the beginning of 2026, AIMA reported having resolved over 93 percent of its backlog, with most applicants being transitioned into the new online ecosystem.

Important tip: AIMA now has a strict “complete-application” policy since late 2025. If your file is missing any documents, your application is rejected, and you will need to reschedule your appointment.

How to get an AIMA appointment in Portugal

If you enter on a D-Series Visa, such as the D7 Visa or D8 Visa, you will typically have a pre-scheduled appointment at an AIMA Store.

Otherwise, appointments with AIMA for expats can be scheduled online through the AIMA Portal. Applicants are advised to book early to avoid delays, as the transition period may result in a temporary AIMA backlog.

How to Apply for a Residence Permit or Visa via AIMA

Whether you are arriving for the first time in Portugal and need to get your initial residence permit or are renewing your current status, you’ll have to work with AIMA.

Below is the 2026 AIMA application process for getting a residence permit in 2026.

Applying for the first time (entry with a visa)

If you have a D-Series Visa, such as a D7 or D8 Visa, you will need to trade the visa into a physical residence card.

• Scheduling the appointment: When you apply for your visa, you will usually have a pre-scheduled appointment with AIMA. If not, you – or your lawyer working on your behalf – will have to schedule a spot in the appointment system. You can use the official AIMA Contact Form to request your initial appointment if you were not automatically assigned one.
• The appointment: You will need to visit the AIMA service point. During the appointment with AIMA, you will need to provide biometrics. Make sure you bring all the required documents.

Below are the documents needed for your AIMA residency application.

Required documents

• Valid passport with residence visa: Your passport needs to be valid for at least six months beyond the visa expiration date.
• NIF: Your Portuguese tax number, required for any financial or legal activity in Portugal
• NISS: Your Portuguese Social Security number, which is now required for all applications since April 2025.
• Proof of accommodation: Either a rental contract, a utility bill, or proof that you own a property in Portugal. You can also get an atestado de morada (proof of address) from your local parish (junta de freguesia).
• Health insurance: A health insurance policy that is valid in Portugal and that has at least €30,000 minimum coverage.
• Proof of income: Employment contract, payslips, or bank statements showing sufficient funds
• Criminal record certificate: An up-to-date, translated, and apostilled criminal record from your home country
• Authorization for criminal record check in Portugal: AIMA will request your Portugeuse criminal record internally
• Passport-sized photos: Two recent color photographs

Renewing your residence permit

Below is the process for getting your AIMA residence permit renewal.

Online renewals

Individuals whose residence permit expires in July can request the renewal online through AIMA’s Renewal Portal. To learn how to use the portal, follow their service page.

Important note: As of 30 January 2026, only renewal requests in Portugal are accepted for residence permits whose terms expire after 1 July 2025. Currently, the Portal is only available for titles that have expired or will expire between July 2025 and March 2026. If the date is later, please wait for the portal to open for subsequent months so that you can submit the respective request.

You can find out more here on the AIMA Portal Page.

15 April deadline

If your residence permit expired on or before 30 June 2025, it will remain valid only until 15 April 2026. You will need to wait for an email notification from AIMA to renew it. If you have not received an email, you should immediately request one through the AIMA Contact Form.

In-person renewals

From 1 August 2025, the IRN is no longer responsible for appointments related to residence permit renewals. Users with appointments scheduled at Registry Offices will be contacted and redirected to an AIMA Store.

Exploring Visa and Immigration Options for Portugal

If you’re seriously considering a move to Portugal, the best time to start the process is now. Portugal offers various visa and immigration pathways to make moving over as easy as possible. Some of these options include: 

• D7 Visa (passive income or Portugal retirement visa): Ideal for retirees or remote workers with stable incomes. 
• D8 Visa (Portugal Digital Nomad Visa): Targeted at remote workers and freelancers seeking temporary or long-term stays. 
• Portugal D6 Visa (Family Reunification Visa): Allows family members to join residents legally in Portugal. Note that in 2026, the resident in Portugal needs to have resided in portugal for two years before they can bring additional members.
• Portugal Golden Visa: A pathway for investors, with investment funds being the most popular investment pathway in 2026. 

Each option comes with specific requirements, which are now managed by AIMA. Fortunately, EU citizens can skip the visa process, as they will not need a visa to move to Portugal. If you’d like to learn more about which option may best suit you, we recommend you contact our residency and citizenship partners, Global Citizen Solutions, for professional and expert advice.  

How does AIMA affect the Portugal Golden Visa?

The popular Portugal Golden Visa program remains one of the most popular residency by investment programs in the world in 2026. The program allows Golden Visa holders to get Portuguese residency through business creation, investment, or capital transfers. AIMA now manages these applications, on a mission to improve processing times, eliminate the backlog of applications, and provide clearer guidelines for Golden Visa applicants.

New online renewal portal: As of 2 February 2026, it is possible for Golden Visa renewals to be done on the online renewal portal. Investors can submit documents and pay fees digitally, with in-person visits only required if fresh biometric data or photos need to be provided. You can find out more on the AIMA website here.

Current challenges

AIMA still faces many complaints and frustrated applicants from foreign nationals who are experiencing AIMA delays in processing and approving their paperwork, as well as in the AIMA waiting time to get an appointment.

Despite pressure from legal intervention, bottlenecks in the biometric appointment stages of data collection remain challenging, though new moves towards digitalization aim to address them. Getting a biometrics appointment still results in waiting times of 12 to 18 months for many new applicants.

AIMA Immigration, Portugal: Final Thoughts

The establishment of AIMA marks a significant step forward in modernizing Portugal’s immigration system, alongside their moves in late 2025 and 2026 to make the process more digitalized.

Whether you are an expat hoping to move to and buy property in Portugal, a foreign property investor, or a student, understanding AIMA’s role and processes is essential for navigating Portugal’s immigration landscape. With streamlined services and a focus on efficiency, AIMA promises to make Portugal an even more attractive destination for global citizens.

While there is still a backlog of applications and difficulties in scheduling appointments, AIMA has been improving processes to improve the current situation, hopefully leading to a more streamlined process in the future.