AIMA Explained: Portugal's New Immigration Authority and What It Means for Expats in 2026

In October 2023, Portugal abolished the Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) — the immigration police force that had become notorious for its appointment backlogs, inconsistent decisions, and what a 2021 government report described as a "toxic organisational culture" following the death of Ihor Homeniuk in custody. In its place came AIMA: the Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo.

Two years into the AIMA era, expats' experiences remain mixed. Here's the honest picture of how the system works in 2026, what has improved, what hasn't, and how to navigate it.

What is AIMA?

AIMA is a civilian body — not a police force — under the Ministry of Internal Administration. Its mandate is explicitly framed around integration rather than enforcement. The shift in language matters: SEF was legally both a border enforcement agency and an immigration services body, creating inherent tension. AIMA handles the services side; border enforcement moved to the PSP (Public Security Police) and GNR.

AIMA's core functions for expats:

• Residence permit applications, renewals, and conversions
• Long-term residency (TLR) applications
• Family reunification
• Citizenship support documentation
• Integration support and information services

What Actually Changed From SEF?

The good: AIMA inherited SEF's backlog but also its digital infrastructure — and has been investing in improving it. The online scheduling portal (aima.gov.pt) is more functional than its SEF predecessor. Digital submission of supporting documents is more widely supported. The tone of interactions has improved — AIMA staff are, broadly, less adversarial than SEF in presentation.

The ongoing challenges: The backlog didn't disappear with the rebranding. Portugal processed a record number of immigration applications through 2023–2024, driven by continued arrivals from Brazil, Cape Verde, Angola, and India, plus the ongoing flow of EU and non-EU digital nomads and retirees.

Current appointment wait times (early 2026):

• Lisbon: 4–8 weeks for standard renewals via online booking
• Porto: 3–6 weeks
• Faro/Algarve: 3–5 weeks (lower demand base)
• New applications (D7, D8, etc.): 6–12 weeks in Lisbon; 4–8 weeks elsewhere

How the Appointment System Works in 2026

Step 1: Book online at aima.gov.pt. Create an account, select your service type (residency renewal, new application, etc.), and choose a location. Lisbon has multiple AIMA service points; Porto, Braga, Coimbra, Faro, Setúbal, and others each have offices.

Step 2: Prepare your document file. AIMA publishes checklists for each permit type on its website. The standard requirements for most applications include: valid passport with copies, NIF (Portuguese tax number), NISS (social security number), proof of address (utility bill or rental contract), proof of means of subsistence (bank statements, income documents), and health system registration (utente number). Specific permits require additional documents — D7 requires proof of passive income; D8 requires proof of remote employment.

Step 3: Attend your appointment. Arrive on time with all original documents AND copies. AIMA typically requires both. Bring a USB drive with digital copies if asked to submit digitally — increasingly common for supplementary documents.

Step 4: Wait for the decision. AIMA's legal decision timeframe is 60 days, though complex cases or document queries can extend this. You'll receive status updates via your AIMA online account and/or email.

The CRUE — Temporary Residence Authorisation

One significant improvement from the AIMA era: the expanded use of CRUEs (Certificados de Residência de Urgência Especial — effectively temporary authorisation certificates). If you are lawfully waiting for your residence permit to be processed and your visa has expired, AIMA can issue a CRUE that allows you to remain in Portugal legally and, crucially, continue to work.

CRUEs are not automatic — you need a pending application on file and must request one if your status becomes time-sensitive. They are increasingly used by employers to navigate situations where employees' permits are in processing limbo.

Nationality-Specific Notes

UK nationals: Post-Brexit, UK nationals need residence permits like any other third-country national. The D7, D8, and standard non-EU resident permit are the common paths. UK nationals who registered as residents before December 31, 2020 under the Withdrawal Agreement have protected status — their documents are handled differently and should not be confused with new applications.

US nationals: The 90/180 day Schengen rule applies. Americans wanting to stay beyond 90 days need a visa (D7, D8, etc.) obtained before arrival at a Portuguese consulate in the US. AIMA cannot regularise overstays from within Portugal in most circumstances.

Brazilian nationals: Brazil and Portugal have a Treaty of Porto that gives Brazilian nationals near-equivalent rights to Portuguese citizens in certain areas. In practice, this means simplified procedures for work authorisation and residency in some circumstances. Brazilian nationals should verify their specific situation at aima.gov.pt rather than assuming the general non-EU rules apply.

Common Problems and How to Handle Them

Appointment doesn't show up: AIMA's booking system has known technical issues. If you book and don't receive a confirmation email within 24 hours, log back in and verify the booking appears in your account. Screenshot everything.

Documents rejected at appointment: Document requirements occasionally shift or are interpreted differently by different officers. If documents are rejected, ask for written confirmation of what is missing and what specific document would satisfy the requirement. This creates a paper trail and clarifies the ask.

Application stuck in processing: AIMA has a query system within the online portal. If you're approaching the 60-day decision deadline without resolution, submit a formal status query. If you get no response in 10 working days, the next step is a complaint to the Provedor de Justiça (Ombudsman) or legal advice from an immigration lawyer.

Need urgent resolution: AIMA has provisions for urgent appointments in specific circumstances (medical, employment-related). These require supporting documentation and are not guaranteed — but they exist and can be requested formally.

AIMA vs. a Lawyer: When Do You Need One?

For straightforward renewals with complete documentation and no complications: the AIMA process is manageable without legal representation. The forms are available in English on the AIMA website, and a growing ecosystem of expat-focused forums provides peer experience.

Consider an immigration lawyer if:

• You've had a previous application refused
• Your situation involves complex family circumstances
• You're transitioning between permit types (e.g., D8 to standard resident permit)
• You're in a CRUE situation and your employment depends on resolution
• You are applying for long-term resident status (TLR) and want it done correctly the first time

Portuguese immigration lawyers typically charge €500–1,500 for permit applications. Verify any lawyer is registered with the Ordem dos Advogados at oa.pt.

Key AIMA Resources

• Main portal: aima.gov.pt
• Appointment booking: aima.gov.pt/pt/area-do-utente (requires account creation)
• Document checklists: aima.gov.pt/pt/migrar/residir (per permit type)
• Phone support: +351 217 115 000 (best before 10am)

What to Expect in 2026

AIMA has been working through the inherited SEF backlog and investing in digital infrastructure. Appointment availability has improved year-on-year since 2023. The government has committed to further reducing wait times, though anyone who has dealt with Portuguese bureaucracy knows the gap between political commitment and operational delivery can be considerable. (Background: see our piece on the MAI Safra Justa suspension order.)

For expats arriving or renewing in 2026: book your AIMA appointment the moment your documents are ready — do not wait until your current permit is about to expire. A six-week wait is manageable; discovering the next available appointment is eight weeks out when you have two weeks of legal status remaining is not. Plan ahead, document everything, and the system — if slow — is navigable.