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Residence in Portugal: start with the correct route.

There is no single “legalisation process”. The right procedure depends on your visa, work, studies, family, nationality and the history of your case.

Checked 20/08/2026AIMA / Portuguese lawGeneral guidance

Main routes Expression of Interest Appointments Documents Fees Renewals

Do not mix procedures

First permit, renewal and transitional regime are different.

Using the wrong channel can delay your case or result in a submission that does not match the procedure you need.

Residence permit with residence visa

The general route for people who entered Portugal with a residence visa appropriate to the purpose of stay.

Valid passport / travel document.
Valid residence visa.
Means of subsistence and accommodation.
Tax, Social Security and health evidence where applicable.

AIMA route ↗

Employment and self-employment

There are residence routes linked to employed and self-employed activity, usually connected to the correct visa and professional basis.

Employment contract / promise or self-employment documents, depending on the route.
NIF and NISS when required.
Do not confuse this with the former Expression of Interest mechanism.

AIMA — Work ↗

Students and researchers

Specific regimes exist for higher education, vocational study, research and certain transitions after study.

Admission / enrolment and fees, where relevant.
Means of subsistence and accommodation.
Some situations use specific AIMA forms or digital channels.

AIMA — Study ↗

Family reunification

Designed to reunite eligible family members when the legal relationship and conditions are met.

The process differs depending on where the family member is located.
Some situations have dedicated digital channels.
Family relationship documents are essential.

AIMA — Family reunification ↗

CPLP residence permit

CPLP residence has specific rules and channels. Do not assume another residence procedure works in the same way.

Check the current AIMA FAQs.
Granting and renewal have their own procedures.

AIMA FAQs ↗

Visa waiver in specific legal situations

Article 122 of the Foreigners Law contains several situations where residence may be allowed without the residence visa normally required.

Each paragraph has different conditions.
AIMA has opened specific channels/forms for some situations.

Search AIMA ↗

Expression of Interest

What still exists after the 2024 change?

Saying only “the Expression of Interest ended” is incomplete. Three situations must be distinguished.

New Expressions of Interest under the former Articles 88(2) and 89(2) can no longer be submitted. Those routes were revoked with effect from 4 June 2024.

No prior case and no transitional situation

You cannot start a new Expression of Interest today under the former Articles 88(2) / 89(2). You must identify another legal route currently in force.

Procedure started by 3 June 2024

The revocation does not apply in the same way to residence procedures already initiated by that date. These cases continue under their own framework.

AIMA transitional FAQ ↗

Social Security contributions started before 4 June 2024

A specific transitional service exists for certain people who registered and made Social Security contributions before the change while aiming to complete the required contribution period.

AIMA Services platform ↗

Appointments

Use the channel for your specific procedure.

Check for a dedicated digital portal first

If a digital channel exists for your case, you may not need to request a manual appointment.

For in-person appointments, use AIMA's Contact Form

AIMA currently indicates the Contact Form for many in-person appointment requests. If the form does not contain an appropriate option, AIMA's FAQ indicates the general e-mail channel with the subject “Pedido de Agendamento” and identifying details.

AIMA official FAQ ↗

Appointments are free. AIMA warns users about fraud and false appointment charges. Keep appointment messages and verify the sender/domain.

Documents

Prepare the general file, then check the documents specific to your legal basis.

Identity and legal entry

Passport / travel document.
Visa where required.
Evidence relevant to legal entry/stay.

Accommodation and means

Evidence of accommodation.
Means of subsistence.
Employment, study or family documents depending on the route.

Portuguese identifiers

NIF and Social Security registration when applicable.
Health coverage / SNS evidence when required.
Documents specific to the article or permit category.

For certain residence-permit applications initiated directly with AIMA, the Agency currently allows missing documents to be added online through the Contact Form. AIMA excludes Renewal Portal and services.aima.gov.pt procedures from this specific mechanism.

Fees

There is no single universal AIMA price.

The applicable amount depends on the procedure and method of submission.

Current fee table

AIMA's updated fee table has been in force since 1 March 2026. Check the exact procedure before paying.

AIMA fee update ↗

Digital reductions where eligible

AIMA indicates a 25% reduction for eligible digital/online submissions and 10% for eligible assisted-digital services compared with the corresponding in-person amount.

Renewals

The Renewal Portal currently covers a defined date window.

Checked on 20/08/2026

AIMA indicates the Renewal Portal for residence permits expired or expiring between 1 July 2025 and 31 October 2026. The portal also has current functionality for ARI and certain permanent residence certificates/cards for EU nationals and family members.

Open Renewal Portal ↗AIMA update ↗

Renewal is not a first residence permit. Do not use the renewal channel for a first grant unless the official instructions for your case explicitly say so.