My family and I were recently fully approved into the Golden Visa program and have received our temporary residency cards. We are now planning our trips to fulfill our in-country stay requirements.
Question: Will SEF/AIMA accept an Airbnb stay as proof of staying in-country? Does it require the Airbnb rental to submit a form with our passport information before it counts?
Our lawyer said it was unclear, so she recommended hotels. Unfortunately, we have a family of five and we also sometimes travel with my parents, which makes hotel stays very cramped and expensive.
In my experience did not see many good deals on AirBnB website. But found many similar units rented by owner on places like booking.com
I think any such “local accomodation” (including AirBnB) still has to register with the tax authorities so it is probably fine. Give them your NIF number and ask the to put it on the “Fatura” (receipt registered with the authorities). And see the thread Tommigun linked for extra proofs.
I completed my 5-year GV requirement and renewed my card 3 times. I stayed in apartments rented through AirBnB and Booking.com and it was not a problem. However, SEF/AIMA will not just look at accommodation. It is important to prove that you fulfilled your 7 or 14-day requirement beyond any doubt, so you need to submit everything from boarding passes, accommodations, meals, etc. (AirBnB and Booking.com can issue you receipts). I used my local Portuguese debit card and provided my NIF number as much as possible to be safe, but these are not at all mandatory.
Congratulations on the cards!! Wahoo!!! When did you first apply, and when/where did you do Biometrics?
I am for my final approval, (had biometrics May 2023 Faro). If you need a larger place to stay we own a large VRBO in the Algarve 5+ bedrooms. Let me know if you want it and I can l tell my property manager to put it on hold. Just PM me for details.