AIMA Now Allows EU Citizens and Their Family Members to Apply for Permanent Residence Through the Renewal Portal

AIMA has announced an important change to the permanent residence procedure in Portugal for European Union citizens and their family members.

As of 15 September 2026, the Renewal Portal allows eligible applicants to submit applications for Permanent Residence Certificates and Permanent Residence Cards under the residence regime applicable to EU citizens and their family members.

This update represents an important simplification of the procedure, allowing applicants who already meet the requirements for permanent residence to initiate their application online.

There is also another relevant change: according to AIMA, applicants do not need to provide their Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF) or Social Security Identification Number (NISS) when submitting the application.

What has changed on AIMA’s Renewal Portal?

Although the platform is called the “Renewal Portal”, the new functionality is not limited to renewing documents that have already been issued.

AIMA’s announcement expressly refers to the possibility of submitting applications for the granting of Permanent Residence Certificates and Permanent Residence Cards for EU citizens and their family members through the Portal.

This distinction is important.

The new procedure concerns the transition to permanent residence status for applicants who meet the relevant legal requirements. It is not simply the renewal of an existing residence document or card.

Who can benefit from the new functionality?

The update announced by AIMA specifically applies to two groups:

European Union citizens seeking to obtain a Permanent Residence Certificate; and

Family members of European Union citizens covered by the applicable residence regime who wish to obtain a Permanent Residence Card.

Therefore, the availability of this new functionality on the Portal does not mean that every foreign national residing in Portugal can use this procedure to obtain permanent residence.

It is first necessary to determine which legal regime applies to the applicant and whether the requirements for acquiring permanent residence have already been met.

How does the new procedure work?

The application is initiated through AIMA’s Renewal Portal.

When accessing the platform, applicants may initially see a message stating that their information is being validated.

According to AIMA, this verification is carried out automatically with the relevant authorities and may take approximately 30 minutes.

During this period, the message does not necessarily indicate that there is a problem with the application.

AIMA advises applicants to wait for the indicated period and then access the Portal again.

Once the information has been validated, the applicant can proceed with the application, submit the request for the relevant Permanent Residence Certificate or Permanent Residence Card, and pay the applicable fees.

Is it necessary to provide a NIF and NISS?

One of the changes specifically highlighted by AIMA concerns these identification numbers.

According to the Agency, applicants using this procedure do not need to provide their NIF or NISS at the time of submission.

This is particularly relevant because the absence of, or difficulties involving, these identification numbers will not, in itself, prevent the applicant from initiating the application through the Portal.

However, this should not be interpreted as a general exemption from the other legal requirements applicable to the acquisition of permanent residence.

The change announced by AIMA specifically concerns the submission process through the Portal.

What should you do if your information remains under validation?

AIMA acknowledges that applicants accessing the Portal may initially encounter a message indicating that their information is still being validated.

The first recommendation is to wait approximately 30 minutes and access the platform again.

If the message remains after this period, or if another error prevents the applicant from completing the procedure, AIMA advises reporting the issue through its Contact Form.

The following options should be selected:

Subject Type: Renewal Portal
Subject Subtype: Renewal Portal – report a problem

It is also advisable to retain evidence of the attempts made and any errors displayed by the platform, particularly when the inability to submit the application persists.

Permanent residence is not the same as a renewal

This is probably one of the most important aspects of the update.

The fact that the procedure is available through a platform called the Renewal Portal may create the impression that this is simply another form of residence document renewal.

That is not exactly the case.

AIMA’s announcement refers to the granting of Permanent Residence Certificates and Permanent Residence Cards.

For applicants who have already completed the required period of residence and meet the remaining applicable requirements, this represents an important change in their residence status.

Therefore, before using the new functionality, applicants should determine whether they have already acquired or meet the conditions required to apply for permanent residence under the legal regime applicable to their circumstances.

I have been living in Portugal for five years. Can I apply for permanent residence?

Five years of residence is a central factor when assessing the right to permanent residence under the regime applicable to European Union citizens and their family members.

However, the passage of time should not be considered in isolation.

It is necessary to assess the applicant’s specific residence history, the nature of their relationship with the EU citizen in the case of a family member, the continuity of residence, and the other conditions established under the applicable legal framework.

For this reason, having held a CRUE (EU Citizen Registration Certificate) or a Residence Card for several years does not necessarily mean that an application should be submitted automatically without first assessing the individual circumstances.

Does the new online procedure eliminate the need to attend AIMA in person?

The main change announced is the possibility of submitting the application through the Portal, significantly simplifying the initial stage of the procedure.

However, the availability of online submission should not be interpreted as a guarantee that no additional steps or formalities may be required during the application process.

The authorities may assess the documentation and the applicant’s individual circumstances and, where legally necessary, request additional documents, information or procedural steps.

Why is this change important?

The digitalisation of this procedure is particularly relevant for EU citizens and their family members who have already been living in Portugal for several years and wish to consolidate their residence status.

Until now, difficulties in accessing administrative procedures and AIMA’s service channels could make the transition to permanent residence particularly challenging.

The possibility of initiating the application directly through the Portal reduces some of these operational difficulties and makes the procedure more accessible.

However, easier submission does not replace the need to assess legal eligibility.

Before submitting an application, it is advisable to review the applicant’s residence history, any periods spent outside Portugal, the type of residence document currently held and, in the case of family members, the relationship on which their right of residence is based.

Do you already meet the requirements for Permanent Residence in Portugal?

The update to the Portal represents an important development for European Union citizens and their family members who have already established several years of residence in Portugal.

However, the technical possibility of submitting an application through the Portal does not, by itself, mean that every applicant is legally eligible for permanent residence.

Our team provides legal assistance with eligibility assessments and the preparation of permanent residence applications in Portugal, including cases involving European Union citizens and their family members.

Before submission, we review the applicant’s residence history and supporting documentation to determine the appropriate legal framework and identify any issues that may affect the granting of permanent residence.

Source: Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA), information published on 15 September 2026. Read AIMA’s official announcement

Rafaela Barbosa Advocacia Internacional
Specialists in immigration, Italian and Portuguese citizenship, and international mobility.
📍 Portugal | Brazil | Italy
📞 +351 913 158 360
📩 advocacia.rafaelabarbosa@gmail.com
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