Moving to Portugal and securing your residence permit can feel like a maze. Many remote workers, freelancers, and founders face long waits, confusing systems, and unexpected rejections when dealing with AIMA. This guide explains how the process works, what documents you need, and how to navigate the challenges to secure your Portugal residence permit.
What is AIMA and Why is it Hard to Get an Appointment?
AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum, is the Portuguese government body responsible for immigration. It replaced the former SEF agency on October 29, 2023. AIMA handles residence permits, visa applications, and integration processes for non-EU citizens.
The agency currently manages a large backlog of cases, over 400,000. This volume, combined with system changes and a 15% no show rate for scheduled appointments, makes it difficult to book a slot. Many people report calling AIMA numbers repeatedly or checking online portals for months without success. The transition from SEF to AIMA also meant that all previous SEF appointments were canceled and must be rebooked through AIMA, adding to the confusion and delays.
How AIMA Appointments Work
Most D7 and D8 visa holders receive a pre scheduled appointment when their visa is approved. If your visa does not include an appointment, you must book (marcar) it yourself.
Primary booking methods include:
- SAPA Portal (services.aima.gov.pt): This is the main online booking system. However, available slots are rare and appear randomly, often for short periods (10 minutes to 2 hours). Users report system freezes, pages not loading, and account lockouts.
- Phone Booking: You can call AIMA at (+351) 217 115 000 or (+351) 965 903 700. Success rates are low, with many calls leading to automated responses or long waits.
- Email Requests: For specific visa types, you might be able to request appointments via email at contactenos.aima.gov.pt ou [email protected].
- In Person Visits: Going to an AIMA office in person is generally not effective for booking an appointment. Staff will usually direct you to the phone or online channels.
Essential Documents for Your AIMA Appointment
Preparing all documents correctly is essential. Missing or incorrect papers are a top reason for rejection. Since April 28, 2025, AIMA has a strict “complete application” rule. This means all required documents must be ready and correct at the time of your appointment. Incomplete applications are automatically rejected, and you will lose your slot. There is no longer a 10 day grace period to fix missing documents.
Universal requirements for most residence permit applications include:
- Valid Passport with Residence Visa: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your visa expiry date.
- NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal Português): This is a basic requirement for any legal activity in Portugal.
- NISS (Portuguese Social Security Number): This is mandatory for all applications since April 2025. Many users report difficulty obtaining this number, sometimes requiring 30 to 50 attempts or professional help.
- Comprovante de Acomodação: This can be a registered lease agreement or an atestado de morada (proof of address) from your local parish council (junta de freguesia).
- Plano de saúde: A health insurance policy valid in Portugal with at least €30,000 minimum coverage. Travel insurance is not accepted.
- Prova de renda: This includes employment contracts, payslips, or bank statements showing sufficient funds.
- Certificado de antecedentes criminais: An apostilled criminal record certificate from your home country.
- Authorization for Criminal Record Check in Portugal: AIMA will request your Portuguese criminal record internally.
- Passport Sized Photos: Two recent color photos.
Visa specific requirements:
- D7 Visa (Passive Income): You need documentary evidence of a net regular passive income of at least €12,000 per year. This can include dividends, rental income, pensions, or royalties.
- D8 Visa (Digital Nomad): You need proof of an average monthly income for the last three months equivalent to the Portuguese minimum wage multiplied by four (approximately €3,040). This also requires an employment contract with a foreign entity or proof of independent professional activity.
- D2 Visa (Entrepreneur): Requires self employment registration with Finanças and documentation like a society contract or proof of services provided.
- Family Reunification (D6 Visa): Requires proof of family relationship (e.g., marriage certificates), sworn statements of residence arrangements, and financial support documentation.
Why AIMA Rejects Applications
AIMA rejects thousands of applications each year. Many rejections are due to common document issues that remote workers often overlook.
Top reasons for rejection include:
- Incomplete Applications: The most common reason since the April 2025 policy change. Any missing document or error leads to automatic rejection.
- Invalid Lease Agreements:
- Arrendamentos não registrados: Leases not registered with Finanças are a major red flag. The landlord is legally obligated to register the lease and provide a Modelo 2 form.
- Short Term Rentals: Airbnb, Booking.com, or similar short term platforms are generally not accepted for residence permits. While some consulates might accept them for the initial visa, a long term, registered lease is always required for the AIMA residence permit appointment.
- Informal Agreements: Verbal agreements or contracts without recognized signatures are not accepted.
- Lease Duration: AIMA strongly prefers a 12 month minimum lease for D7 and D8 visas. Leases under 6 months are generally rejected.
- Missing NISS: If you do not have your NISS, your application will be rejected.
- Insufficient Income Proof: Not meeting the minimum income requirements for your visa type. AIMA checks for consistent income and may flag cases where employers declare lower salaries to reduce social security contributions.
- Fake Insurance: Submitting travel insurance instead of proper health insurance with the required coverage.
- Missing Lease Registration Proof: Not providing the Formulário Modelo 2, which is official proof that your lease is registered with Finanças. Tenants can self register (registar) leases with Finanças if the landlord fails to do so, as of August 2025.
- Proof of Entry: AIMA may not accept airline tickets as proof of legal entry. They prefer documents like an in person NIF application or bank account opening with a date and signature.
- Fictitious Registration: AIMA is aware of cases where many people register at the same address without actually living there. This can lead to rejection.
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Strategies to Secure an AIMA Appointment
If you are struggling to book (marcar) an AIMA appointment, you are not alone. Many remote workers face this challenge. Success often requires persistence and using multiple approaches.
Here are some strategies and workarounds:
- Persistence with Phone and Online Channels: Keep calling the AIMA phone numbers and checking the SAPA portal daily. Many users report success by checking at specific times, like 9 AM GMT, or using different browsers. Early morning submissions on weekdays are often more successful.
- Assistência de advogado: Many immigration lawyers offer services to help book appointments. They may have more success due to their experience or by taking legal action against AIMA. This legal action, called an Ação de Intimação para Proteção de Direitos, Liberdades e Garantias, can compel AIMA to schedule your appointment. Lawyer fees for this can range from €500 to €1,500, with court action potentially costing €2,000 to €5,000. While initial legal cases were resolved quickly, the process now takes 8 to 10 weeks due to increased demand.
- Yellow Book Complaints (Livro Amarelo): This is a formal complaint system. Visit livroamarelo.gov.pt, search for “AMA” (not AIMA directly), select the appropriate office, and submit your complaint in Portuguese. Many users report getting an appointment within 2 to 4 weeks after filing a complaint. This method has a high success rate for genuine cases.
- CLAIM Support Centers: These are Local Support Centers for Migrant Integration (CLAIM). There are 99 centers nationwide that offer free support for appointment booking and personalized assistance. Search “CLAIM” plus your city name to find a local center. They can also provide email support for difficult cases.
- Region Switching Strategy: Some applicants have found success by booking appointments in less populated regions outside Lisbon or Porto, if possible. However, AIMA now often assigns appointments automatically without location choice.
- Document Preparation Hacks: Ensure all your documents are perfect before you even try to book (marcar). This avoids rejections and the need to restart the process.
- Get your NIF first. It is free at the tax office.
- Open a Portuguese bank account immediately.
- Register freelance activity with Finanças before obtaining your NISS.
- Register your lease with Finanças within 30 days of signing.
- Secure health insurance (not travel insurance) with at least €30,000 coverage. Bank insurance is often accepted and cheaper.
What Happens After Your AIMA Appointment
Once you attend your AIMA appointment, the process moves to the next stage.
- Verificação de documentos: AIMA staff will check (verificar) all your submitted documents for completeness and accuracy.
- Biometric Data Collection: Your fingerprints, photograph, and signature will be collected. This process typically lasts between 15 to 30 minutes.
- Fee Payment: You will pay the residence permit fee, which is currently around €170.08.
- Temporary Document: You will receive a temporary residence document, also known as a comprovativo de agendamento. This serves as legal proof of your residency while you wait for your physical card. It is typically valid for 90 days.
- AR Card Delivery: The physical residence card (AR card) typically arrives by mail within 6 to 11 weeks after your appointment. In the past, this could take 12 to 18 months.
During the waiting period for your card, your temporary document keeps you legal in Portugal. However, it is important to note that this provisional document does not guarantee free travel within the Schengen Area. It is always recommended to have your valid Residence Permit in hand before leaving Portugal to avoid re-entry issues.
Common Questions About AIMA Appointments
What is the SAPA portal?
The SAPA portal (services.aima.gov.pt) is AIMA’s main online system for booking appointments. Lawyers report that AIMA has blocked access to some information on this portal, making it harder to track process details.
Can I use a short term rental for my Portugal residence permit application?
Generally, no. AIMA requires proof of stable, long term accommodation, usually a registered lease for at least 12 months. Short term rentals like Airbnb or Booking.com are not accepted for the residence permit stage.
Is NISS mandatory for my AIMA appointment?
Yes, as of April 2025, a NISS (Portuguese social security number) is mandatory for all residence permit applications. Your residence card may be withheld until you provide proof of obtaining a NISS.
What happens if my visa expires while I wait for an AIMA appointment?
The Portuguese government has extended the validity of residence permits and visas until October 15, 2025, due to AIMA delays. This means you remain legal in Portugal, but you may not be able to travel freely within the Schengen Area during this period.
How long does it take to get my residence card after the AIMA appointment?
After your AIMA appointment, the physical residence card usually arrives by mail within 6 to 11 weeks.
Can I reschedule my AIMA appointment?
Yes, you can reschedule your AIMA appointment, but it is not advisable unless absolutely necessary. Rescheduling can cause further delays, and slots are hard to find. For Golden Visa applicants, rescheduling is only possible for justifiable reasons in the second half of the year.
Do I need to translate my documents for AIMA?
Generally, documents in English are accepted. However, for certain official documents, an apostille and certified translation into Portuguese may be required. Always check the specific requirements for your visa type.
Can I travel outside Portugal with an expired residence permit but a pending AIMA appointment?
No. The appointment confirmation is a provisional document and does not guarantee re-entry into Portugal or travel within the Schengen Area. It is strongly advised to have a valid residence permit before leaving the country.
