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Residence Permit Portugal 2026: Types, How to Apply, Renewal

Updated 25 October 2026· Checked against official sources

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The residence permit in Portugal is the document immigrants search for most — and for good reason: it lets you live, work, open a bank account, rent a home and travel in the Schengen Area. This guide explains what it is, which types exist and how to apply or renew in 2026.

A note on words: in Portugal, autorização de residência (residence permit) is the right to live here, and título de residência (residence card) is the physical card. The authority in charge is AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo — Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), which replaced the old SEF.

What is a residence permit card in Portugal?

It is the card that AIMA issues to citizens of countries outside the European Union (called “third-country nationals”) who have been given permission to live in Portugal. It follows the standard EU model and shows your photo, personal details, type of permit and expiry date.

Citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland do not need a residence card — they have their own system (certificado de registo, registration certificate).

Types of residence permit in Portugal

Within the temporary permit there are several grounds (reasons): employed work (working for an employer), self-employed work, highly qualified activity, remote work (digital nomad), study, family reunification, retirees and people with their own income (D7), among others. See the full list in Portugal visa types.

How to apply for a residence permit in Portugal

In most cases the process has two stages: first the residence visa at the consulate, then the residence permit at AIMA.

1. Apply for the residence visa at the Portuguese consulate (or visa application centre) in the country where you legally live. The national visa fee is €110 (some people are exempt, for example children up to 6 years old).
2. Enter Portugal while the visa is still valid. The residence visa is valid for two entries and four months.
3. Go to AIMA on your appointment date — often it is already shown on the visa. Applications are made by appointment at a Loja AIMA (AIMA office); AIMA is setting up an online platform for residence visa holders.
4. Hand in the documents (list below) and the official form (Modelo 1).
5. Pay the fees set by Portaria n.º 307/2023. According to the AIMA fee table (updated on 26/02/2026), granting a temporary residence permit costs €99.80 for receiving and analysing the application plus €85.80 for the grant, a total of €185.60. These amounts already include the 25% reduction that AIMA also applies to in-person service while the service is not available online. CPLP nationals (except Timor-Leste) do not pay the grant fee.
6. Receive the card by post at the address you gave, or collect it at a Loja AIMA (each in-person card delivery costs €29.90, according to the AIMA table).

What documents do you need?

According to AIMA (general requirements, art. 77 of Lei n.º 23/2007, the Foreigners Law):

• Valid passport or other valid travel document
• Valid residence visa
• Proof of means of subsistence (enough money to live on)
• Signed statement on your honour of your address, saying on what basis you live there (owner, tenant, etc.), with a land registry certificate (certidão predial) or a statement from the landlord
• Proof of family relationship, when relevant
• Proof of registration with the Tax Authority (NIF) and Social Security (NISS), if applicable
• Health insurance or proof that you are covered by the SNS, the national health service (utente number)

You also cannot have a conviction for a crime punishable in Portugal with more than one year in prison, or be listed for refusal of entry in the Schengen system.

How to renew your residence permit

You must apply for renewal before the card expires. The detailed process is in our AIMA renewal guide.

In short:

1. Check the expiry date on the card.
2. Make sure your tax and social security situation (Finanças and Segurança Social) is in order.
3. Submit the application through the channel AIMA indicates (the renewals portal, when it is available for your case).
4. Keep the proof of submission.

Where are the AIMA offices? (Lisboa Anjos, Porto, …)

According to the official Lojas AIMA page (checked on 25/10/2026), AIMA has 35 offices (“Lojas AIMA”) across Portugal. Some of the most used:

Note: each office has its own slots for information, lawyers, certificates and card collection, often with limited tickets, and some only serve people with a prior appointment or notification (the Leiria office has in-person service temporarily unavailable). Always check the official page before you go and book through official channels such as the Contact Centre (+351 217 115 000).

What about permanent residence?

After five years with a temporary residence permit, you can apply for permanent residence, as long as you prove basic knowledge of Portuguese and have no convictions of more than one year in prison in the last five years. Everything is in the guide permanent residence in Portugal.

Common mistakes

• Letting the card expire. Being without a valid card can count as illegal stay (art. 192 of the Foreigners Law), with a fine.
• Travelling with the application receipt. AIMA is clear: the receipt is not a travel document.
• Old address on file. The card is sent by post; if you moved, report the change.
• NIF and NISS with details different from your passport. Swapped or incomplete names block applications. Check before you submit.
• Asking for a renewal when you should ask for a change. If your ground changed (for example, from student to worker), it is not a simple renewal.
• Trusting middlemen who “guarantee” appointments. AIMA appointments are made through the official channels.

Keep reading

• Portugal visa types
• Portugal work visa
• Family reunification in Portugal
• Chave Móvel Digital — useful for online applications