How to Renew Your Portugal Residence Permit in 2026

Renewing your Portugal residence permit is straightforward if you prepare early and understand the process for your specific visa type. Whether you hold a D7 passive income visa, D8 digital nomad visa, Golden Visa, or another residence permit, this guide covers everything you need: documents, fees, timelines, and how to use AIMA's new online renewal portal.

Last updated: February 2026. Source: AIMA, Portuguese Immigration Law (Lei 23/2007). Fees subject to change — verify at aima.gov.pt.

Which Residence Permits Can Be Renewed?

All temporary residence permits issued by Portugal can be renewed before or shortly after expiry, provided you continue to meet the original visa requirements. The table below shows the standard renewal terms for each visa type.

After holding a temporary residence permit for 5 years, you become eligible for permanent residency. This is a separate application from renewal and grants unlimited validity (though the card itself must be renewed every 5 years for administrative purposes).

How Do I Use the New AIMA Online Renewal Portal?

From February 2026, AIMA's Portal de Renovacoes allows most residence permit holders to complete their renewal entirely online without visiting an AIMA office in person. This eliminates the months-long wait for in-person appointments that previously delayed renewals.

Who Can Use Online Renewal?

• Eligible: Holders of valid residence permits or permits expired less than 6 months, including D7, D8, Golden Visa, D2, Tech Visa, and family reunion permits
• Not eligible: First-time residence permit applicants (you still need an initial biometrics appointment), permits expired more than 6 months, or cases requiring document verification in person

Step-by-Step Portal Access

1. Go to aima.gov.pt and navigate to "Portal de Renovacoes" (Renewals Portal)
2. Log in using your Portuguese digital credentials (Chave Movel Digital or Cartao de Cidadao authentication) or create an account with your residence permit number
3. Select "Renovar Autorizacao de Residencia" (Renew Residence Permit)
4. Upload required documents as PDFs or high-quality images
5. Pay the renewal fee via Multibanco reference, credit card, or MB Way
6. Track your application status through the portal

What Is the Step-by-Step Renewal Process?

Whether you renew online or in person, the core process follows six steps. Start 4-6 months before your permit expires to account for processing delays and document preparation time.

1. Check Your Eligibility

Before applying, confirm you still meet your visa's requirements:

• D7: Continued passive income meeting the minimum threshold (currently approximately EUR 9,870/year for the main applicant)
• D8: Continued remote employment or freelance income of at least 4x Portuguese minimum wage
• Golden Visa: Investment maintained throughout the permit period
• All visas: Valid health insurance, clean criminal record, proof of accommodation in Portugal

2. Gather Your Documents

See the detailed checklist in the next section. Collect all documents before starting your application — incomplete submissions are rejected outright by AIMA since April 2025.

3. Submit Online or Book an Appointment

For online renewal, submit through the Portal de Renovacoes. For in-person renewal, book an appointment through AIMA's scheduling system or visit a Registo office (IRN - Instituto dos Registos e do Notariado).

4. Pay the Renewal Fee

Fees must be paid before your application is processed. Payment options include Multibanco (ATM transfer), credit/debit card, or MB Way through the online portal.

5. Attend Biometrics (If Required)

For online renewals where your biometric data (fingerprints, photo) is still valid from your previous application, you may not need to attend in person. AIMA will notify you if a biometrics appointment is required.

6. Receive Your New Card

Once approved, your new residence card will be sent by registered mail to your Portuguese address, or you can collect it from the designated AIMA office. Processing times vary from 2-8 weeks depending on application volume.

What Documents Do I Need for Renewal?

The exact documents depend on your visa type, but all renewals require a core set of documents plus visa-specific evidence. Missing documents result in automatic rejection — prepare everything before submitting.

Required for All Visa Types

• Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity beyond your intended permit period)
• Current residence permit (or proof of previous permit if expired)
• NIF (Portuguese tax identification number)
• Proof of address in Portugal (rental contract, property deed, or utility bill dated within 3 months)
• Criminal record certificate from Portugal (obtained from the Ministry of Justice online portal)
• Criminal record certificate from your country of nationality (apostilled, issued within 3 months)
• Proof of health insurance (Portuguese SNS enrollment or private insurance valid in Portugal)
• Two passport-size photographs (for in-person applications; not required for online submissions)

Additional Documents by Visa Type

How Much Does Renewal Cost?

AIMA charges different fees depending on your visa category. Standard temporary residence permits cost EUR 82 to renew, while Golden Visa renewals carry a significantly higher fee due to investment verification. All fees are payable at application and non-refundable.

Additional costs may include document translation and apostille fees (EUR 50-150 per document), lawyer fees if using legal representation (EUR 500-2,000), and travel costs if you need to attend in person.

What Are the Stay Requirements for Renewal?

Meeting residence requirements is essential for renewal approval. AIMA verifies your presence in Portugal through entry/exit stamps, flight records, and tax residency status. Requirements differ significantly between visa types.

D7, D8, D2, Tech Visa, and D6 Family Reunion

Under Article 85 of the Portuguese Immigration Law (Lei 23/2007), holders of these visas must maintain Portugal as their primary residence. The law limits absences to:

• Maximum 6 consecutive months away from Portugal, OR
• Maximum 8 months total within the permit validity period

This means you must be present in Portugal for approximately 16-18 months over each 2-year permit period. Additionally, spending 183+ days per calendar year in Portugal triggers Portuguese tax residency.

Golden Visa

Golden Visa holders have the lowest stay requirement of any Portuguese residence permit — an average of just 7 days per year, or 14 days total per 2-year permit period. This makes Golden Visa ideal for investors who want EU residency without relocating full-time.

How Long Does Renewal Take?

Current AIMA processing times for renewals range from 4 to 12 weeks, depending on application volume and visa type. Online renewals through the new portal typically process faster (4-8 weeks) than in-person submissions. Golden Visa renewals often take longer due to investment verification.

Current Backlog Protections

AIMA has faced significant backlogs since taking over from the former SEF in 2023. Several legislative measures protect applicants during this period:

• Decree-Law 41-A/2024: Extended validity of expired permits through June 2025
• Decree-Law 85-B/2025: Further extended validity to October 2025
• Article 63(14) of Regulatory Decree 84/2007: Residence rights continue for 6 months after card expiry while renewal is pending

For permits that expired before June 30, 2025, residence rights extend to approximately April 15, 2026 under these protections.

How to Track Your Application

Log into the Portal de Renovacoes to check your application status. You can also call AIMA's contact center at +351 808 202 653 (available in Portuguese and English) or email through the portal's messaging system.

What Are Common Renewal Problems (and How to Avoid Them)?

Missing or Incomplete Documents

Since April 2025, AIMA rejects incomplete applications outright rather than requesting missing documents. Double-check all requirements before submitting. Common mistakes include outdated criminal record certificates (must be issued within 3 months) and missing apostilles on foreign documents.

Permit Expires While Waiting

If your permit expires during processing, the renewal receipt maintains your legal status in Portugal. Keep the receipt with your passport at all times. Your status is protected for 6 months after card expiry under Article 63(14).

Traveling with Pending Renewal

The renewal receipt is not a valid travel document. You can exit Portugal, but re-entry to the Schengen Area may be complicated. If you must travel:

• Carry your expired permit, renewal receipt, and all supporting documentation
• Contact your airline before traveling to confirm boarding requirements
• Consider obtaining a return visa from a Portuguese consulate if traveling outside Schengen

Income Changes (D7 and D8)

If your income situation has changed since your initial application, gather evidence that you still meet the minimum threshold. Temporary income fluctuations are generally acceptable if your overall financial position remains stable. Consider providing savings statements or investment portfolios to demonstrate financial security.

When Should I Start My Renewal?

Begin your renewal process 4-6 months before your permit expires. This timeline accounts for document gathering (2-4 weeks), apostille and translation if needed (2-4 weeks), online submission (1-2 weeks), AIMA processing (4-12 weeks), and buffer for issues.

You can legally submit a renewal application up to 6 months after your permit expires, but early submission is strongly recommended. Late renewals may face additional scrutiny and longer processing times.

Frequently Asked Questions

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