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How do I renew my residency permit?

The latest on how to renew your residency permit in Portugal. 

I need to renew my residency permit, now what?

There are different requirements for renewal based on your expiration date, the first thing to do is identify your expiration date and anyone in your family, the dates could be different depending on when the permits were issued. 

Verified as of September 16, 2025. Requirements may change—please check the official government site for the latest updates. Portugal The Place is not liable for any process changes.

Permits that expire on July 1 or later can utilize the “normal” online renewal portal provided by AIMA.

Holders of residence permits that expired between February 2020 and June 30, 2025, must follow the procedure established by the Special Mission Structure (AIMA) to regularize their status, even though their permits were extended until October 15, 2025. This involves waiting for an email notification from the Mission Structure, revalidating credentials on the AIMA services platform services.aima.gov.pt, generating a Single Collection Document (DUC) for payment, and paying the fees within 10 working days. If your biometric data or passport has expired, you will also receive a proposal for an in-person appointment at an AIMA office. 

Renewal Eligibility Requirements The residence permit shall only be renewed for nationals of third States who:

  • Have means of subsistence as per Article 52(1)(d)

  • Have accommodation

  • Fulfilled tax and social security obligations

  • Not sentenced to prison for over one year cumulatively

  • Includes intentional crimes related to this law

  • Covers terrorism, violent crime, or highly organized crime

Means of subsistence

The system requires clear financial proof for living in Portugal. Previously, showing three months of bank statements was enough, but now a minimum balance must reflect at least the minimum wage, plus 50% for a partner and 30% for each child. You need 12 months' worth of this amount in your Portuguese bank account, with bank statements showing appropriate deposits. Using a US bank account for expenses is insufficient, even if funds exceed the minimum requirement.

(see screenshot below) for “atividade profissional”. Here, you have 3 main options: 1.1 Individuals need to identify their status as either retired, working, or domestic, which affects the proof required alongside bank statements.

  • Retired: Provide pension statements or social security letters.

  • Working: Supply contract or self-employment receipts from the past year.

  • Domestic: Show savings/investment accounts, rental contracts, or a marriage certificate.

Ensure both partners' names appear on bank statements; if only one is listed, obtain a document from the bank confirming the other account holder's name. This should include the account's NIB, IBAN, and BIC/SWIFT numbers. For more details, refer to the AIMA website.

Accommodations. A recent policy change on August 12 requires renters to provide a signed and notarized document from both themselves and their landlord to confirm their residence. This measure aims to address overcrowding in rentals. Homeowners can use the Certidão Permanente as proof of ownership, which is valid for six months and costs €15 to reorder. Renters should prioritize obtaining the “declaration under commitment of honor” and their lease, as the old atestado may no longer be beneficial. According to Autorização de Residência (Regime e Requisitos Gerais) – Art.º 77.º, n.º 1 3.

Have met their tax and social security responsibilities

The process for obtaining proof of no debt to Finanças and social security in Portugal involves two steps.

Finanças: Everyone with a NIF can download a PDF from the Finanças portal to confirm tax obligations.

Social Security NISS is now required

    • If you have a NISS, download proof

    • Without a NISS, You will need to visit the specific webpage on Gov.pt to find your nearest office, print the instructions, and explicitly request assistance as an immigrant. You can also obtain your Chave Móvel Digital during this visit. Prepare a written request in Portuguese to facilitate the process. Once you reach the right staff, expect to receive your NISS via email within a few days, enabling you to create an account at seg-social.pt.

Background Check

You do not need a new FBI background check. The previous form included a checkbox for consenting to a Portuguese criminal background check, which you'll find when entering your personal details. Revision date: September 15, 2025.5

Preparing materials for our online portal can be challenging due to its peculiarities.

The portal requires a single PDF file per section, with a 5MB limit. The English version may have incomplete information, so use the Portuguese version and a translation app. Error messages are unreliable, and some fields lack labels, making data entry difficult.

Technical Requirements

  • Use a laptop or desktop, not a mobile device, and have multiple web browsers (Chrome and Firefox recommended).

  • Prefer downloadable PDFs over scanned/photographed documents to avoid large file sizes.

  • Use software to combine PDFs; Mac users can use Preview, while Windows users can utilize Adobe tools or free apps like "PDF Merger & Splitter."

  • Employ two translation apps, such as DeepL and Reverso, for better accuracy.

  • Organize documents using File Manager or Finder, and learn to check file sizes.

Uploading documents 

  1.  Validate personal and passport information.

  2. Address: Update your address carefully; it's also the delivery address. Note the missing label for your district after your postcode.

  3. Work Status: Provide your NIF, NISS, and SNS. Specify your work status: employed, retired, or "domestic." If employed, choose between self-employed (isolated or employer).

  4. Additional Documents: Include passport details and a scanned copy, proof of means of subsistence, accommodation, and tax obligations (no debt to Finanças and social security).

  5. Removal of Conditions for Residence: This requirement has been eliminated.

  6. For Parents of Dependent Children: Further details to be clarified.

Submitting and Paying

  • Expect an email from AIMA for renewal.

  • After payment, you’ll receive an appointment confirmation email with details.

Appointment Attendance

  • Bring all documents and your appointment notice.

  • Entry is 30 minutes before the appointment. Avoid arriving earlier.

  • The center is staffed by contractors, not regular employees, who may not answer all questions but can assist with common mistakes.

  • Be prepared for additional documentation requests.

  • Expect to provide fingerprints and a new photo.

  • Delivery timelines for the new card vary and are uncertain, with estimates ranging from 60 days to several months.

Tracking

You will typically receive an email within 2 to 3 days from AIMA (noreply@aima.gov.pt) confirming your attendance at your in-person appointment, with the subject “Atendimento para recolha de dados biométricos e validação documental.

About three weeks post-appointment, some individuals received email “draft rejection notices” requesting more information and allowing access to upload missing documents. References include AIMA extending permits to October 15 and details on two renewal processes as outlined in Article 78 of the law.