Of course 
By this logic when I travelled in and out of Portugal on a non-expired card they also ignored the card and stamped my passport every time.
That was what I meant by variability. Yes, it’s not predictable whether they do or don’t stamp, even when you have a card. Who knows why. But here the stakes are different. Do you feel confident enough of your theory to advise someone holding a non-visa-free passport to take your approach?
I always kept and got Schengen visas even with a residence card from Embassies outside Portugal - i just put in the application letter that I had to travel frequently on work and that residence permits were never renewed on time. Worked from 2014 till 2024 so far. Next visa expires in 2027 June. Let us see if that trick works.
The Germans never stamp unless asked; the French always stamp unless asked.
You mean Embassies from other EU countries located outside Portugal ? (Eg German embassy in Uk) Or the embassy of Portugal elsewhere ?
Yes. I have had German and Italian for the last decade plus.
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Hey Everyone,
I had an appointment to renew my PR at Porto last November which my lawyer attended.
Until now its still under analysis (like many of us here) and I am thinking of sending my lawyer to try to speed it up.
my question is has anybody had any success doing that? or is it just a waste of money?
Thanks
Waste of money
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My appointment was in Oct 2025. I asked my lawyer checking from AIMA. He said AIMA said it took almost 6 months to get the card and asked me to wait until the end of Apr 26.
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My husband’s appointment was mid Sept - still no card. Mine and my son, mid Dec - still no card. My daughter missed her appointment due to AIMA being closed for the national strike on 11 Dec. Rescheduled JULY. It’s just awful.
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My appointment was also mid-Sept and I am still waiting too. Family renewals were in January and I am not even starting to think about those cards at the moment 
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3 renewal appts (Lisbon) in mid-Sept also; just got one of the first cards – issued date was mid-March.
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My husband also renewed his card directly in October 2025, just like you, and he still hasn’t received it. We contacted AIMA directly and, after waiting in line for hours, were told that the process is still under review 
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Please notify me if you have any update and I will too. Thank you so much.
I was with my lawyer today. She said I was super lucky that my process (October in Tavira) was sent to the azores for processing. She said she has a lot of clients with Aima appointments before mine that are still waiting. So azores was just good luck / why mine came “quickly”.