Renewal requests for primary applicants are processed and scheduled significantly faster than those for dependents. In my case, I received a confirmation email within two weeks of submitting my renewal request, whereas my dependent’s request took approximately seven weeks to be acknowledged and scheduled. Moreover, our appointments are scheduled three months apart, indicating that the renewal timeline does not follow a clear chronological order. Notably, our lawyer had to send multiple follow-up emails to AIMA to secure the dependent’s appointment, while my own renewal proceeded smoothly without any intervention.
I chased Lisbon SS office for months - and one day they sent it. Apparentky the way it worked for us is we were given a temporary number I think for a tetanus or flu shot. These are not given privately. I used that number to get a NISS.
My lawyer is suggesting that they will extend the expiry deadline another 4 months on the 15th. Has anyone else heard this?
Actually they have said most definitely not.
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Your lawyer is wrong. Ask your lawyer for proof. They will fold quickly.
That was my conclusion after research. That the 15th was the final extension. Any ideas on what they’ll do for the people who are expired but don’t have an appointment?
If the permit expired after 30 June 2025 then it is valid as long as the renewal appointment was requested by the holder. 15 October 2025 deadline is only applicable to the permits expired prior or on 30 June 2025.
What documents do I need to take with? How long are the renewals?
AIMA promises they will soon get faster on renewals…
Initially scheduled to conclude in the summer, the [Mission Structure] campaign was extended until December to renew more than 374,000 residences that the government had allowed to expire in recent years. According to the same official data from the Ministry of the Presidency, 72,041 foreign citizens have already been assisted in renewing their residence permits.
This operation began in July, and the Government promises that the first renewed documents are arriving. “Since this is a recent process within the Mission Structure, the first processes are still in the final decision phase, with the first cards being issued soon,” they explain. The pace is expected to accelerate in the coming weeks. " As with the Residence Permits previously processed within the Mission Structure, the number of [renewal] cards issued will increase exponentially in the coming weeks ," they add.
The arrival of Wednesday, October 15th, the date when a decree-law that has been renewed since 2020 will expire, is a cause for concern for those who have not yet been called for renewal. The Mission Structure assures that all registered applicants will be called. Regarding system errors, the Government states that “the Mission Structure has been working to overcome the difficulties identified on the portal.”
Upon paying the fee, the individual gains access to a document with a QR Code that guarantees validity for another 180 days, as announced by the government a few months ago. While previously the decree-law was in one’s pocket or on one’s cell phone, this declaration will now ensure legal standing with the authorities, even though some entities have already indicated that they do not recognize this document.
…Every citizen who registers and pays the required renewal fees has a document proving their application, which guarantees the legality of their stay in the country.
My residency card expired 3rd of August 2025 , today after multiple times contacting AIMA, have renewal appointment at February 2026 ( only for me as the main applicant) , I would like to ask about my wife and daughter whom their residency also expired at August 2025 ,but didn’t get appointment and can’t applied?? How can get appointment for them?? And are there residency cards are valid ??
Congratulations on securing your renewal appointment. For GV dependents, the only available method to request an appointment is by submitting the ‘Contactenos’ form online. Note that processing times can vary, and it may take up to 8–10 weeks for AIMA to schedule their appointment.
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Curious what source says that the permit is valid given with an appointment. Decree-Law No. 85-B/2025 seems to be clear that it expires on October 15th unless you have paid the renewal fee (see above in this thread).
Try and get appointment for your family before 15 October.
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Decreto-Lei n.º 10-A/2020
https://diariodarepublica.pt/dr/legislacao-consolidada/decreto-lei/2020-130241777
I would even argue that submitting a request for renewal (e.g. via Contactenos) must count as ‘already proceeded with the scheduling of a renewal appointment’
(‘já procedeu ao agendamento da respetiva renovação’ in the original wording).
There are currently two somewhat conflicting decrees in force, the newer 85-B/2025 and the older 10-A/2020 (as amended).
Constitutionally, the more beneficial legislation would apply to an individual in case of inner conflict between some legal clauses, as is the case here.
Under Portuguese law, conflicting laws are resolved by first determining which law takes precedence, with the general rule being that a more recent law overrides an older one, and a special law overrides a general law. If the conflict is between a national law and European Union law, the EU law has primacy. For conflicts involving different layers of government or international treaties, specific rules determine which law applies.
(source is an internet search so can’t vouch for accuracy of information)
I assume this is referring to Article 7 of the Constitution.
1. Quando se não destine a ter vigência temporária, a lei só deixa de vigorar se for revogada por outra lei.
2. A revogação pode resultar de declaração expressa, da incompatibilidade entre as novas disposições e as regras precedentes
ou da circunstância de a nova lei regular toda a matéria da lei anterior.
3. A lei geral não revoga a lei especial, excepto se outra for a intenção inequívoca do legislador.
However, in my humble opinion, nothing in the later Decree is technically incompatible with the old, hence I consider the older Decree as neither explicitly nor implicitly repealed.
I’m not saying you are wrong, but I would not want to have to make this argument to the agent at immigration control.
Also, I fear that the way you are interpreting the prior law, is effectively negating the new law, which would not make any sense. Even AIMA’s own press releases make clear that you must make the payment to get the benefit of the extension of time under the new law.