New Contact Form for Residence Permits for Foreign Minors Born in Portugal

Current rules

The application for the issuance of permanent residence certificates and cards for EU Nationals (Article 16) and permanent residence cards for family members of an EU national who are Third-Country Nationals (Article 17), including payment of fees and submission of necessary documents, is now available on the Renewal Portal (portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt). The Renewal Portal becomes the primary channel for these submissions, replacing previous options via the Contact Form. Applications submitted via the Contact Form until 30 June 2026, remain valid, but applicants can submit new requests via the new functionality. In-person biometric data collection will be scheduled by AIMA if needed, with the rest of the application process remaining digital.

Overview

AIMA has provided new instructions for renewing paper Residence Cards for EU nationals and their third-country family members. When entering card numbers into the online renewal portal, the first leading zero must be omitted. If issues persist, applicants are advised to contact AIMA via email with specific subject line details.

What changed in the latest version

This change significantly streamlines the application process for permanent residence for EU nationals and their third-country national family members in Portugal by shifting it to a digital platform. Applicants must now use the Renewal Portal for submission, payment, and documentation, which centralises the procedure and reduces the reliance on physical forms or previous Contact Form submissions. While applications submitted via the Contact Form until 30 June 2026, will still be processed, individuals should familiarise themselves with the new digital system. The requirement for in-person attendance is now limited to biometric data collection, which means most of the interaction with AIMA for these applications can be completed remotely, potentially saving time and travel for applicants.

Explained simply

Imagine you used to have to send an email to ask for your special long-term ID card in Portugal, and sometimes it got lost in a big pile of emails. Now, Portugal's immigration office, AIMA, has built a special website just for getting these long-term ID cards for people from EU countries and their families. It's like having a dedicated online form where you click buttons, upload your documents, and pay directly, making it much easier and clearer to track your request. Sometimes you might still need to go in person, but only to get your fingerprints and photo taken, not for all the paperwork.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v3Effective 1 Jul 2026EffectiveHigh impact
   Renewal Portal Now Accepts Permanent Residence Applications for EU Nationals and Family Members

   Effective 1 July 2026, Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA) has expanded its Renewal Portal to include applications for the issuance of permanent residence certificates for EU Nationals (Article 16) and permanent residence cards for family members of EU nationals who are Third-Country Nationals (Article 17). This new digital functionality allows for online submission of applications, payment of fees, and upload of necessary documents, centralising and simplifying the process. Previously, these applications were submitted via a Contact Form, which will remain valid for submissions made until 30 June 2026. The in-person component is now primarily reserved for biometric data collection if required, with the rest of the process remaining digital.

2. v2Effective 13 Aug 2026AnnouncementMedium impact
   Renewal of Paper Residence Cards: Specific Instructions for EU/Third-Country Family Members

   Portugal's Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA) has again shared rules for renewing paper residence cards. These cards are for people from European Union (EU) countries and their family members who are not EU citizens — legally called third-country nationals. The main rule is still to remove the first zero when you type the card number into the online system. For example, if your card number is 011641, you should type 11641. If you cannot send your application online, you must send an email to geral@aima.gov.pt. The email subject line must be specific. You must attach your personal details and a copy of your card. AIMA also published a new article on 14 August 2026. This article talks about the documents needed for third-country national family members of EU citizens. It specifically covers marriage certificates and applications for children.

3. v1Effective 18 May 2026EffectiveMedium impact
   New Contact Form for Residence Permits for Foreign Minors Born in Portugal

   The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) now has a new online contact form. You use this form to book an appointment. The appointment is to apply for a residence permit. This permit is under Article 124 of the Aliens Act. AIMA published this new process on 18 May 2026. It is for foreign babies or children born in Portugal. Their parents must have a valid Portuguese residence permit. You must use a special section in the contact form. You must provide the child's Portuguese birth certificate. You must also provide scanned copies of one parent's passport and residence permit. If the other parent has a residence permit, you must provide a scanned copy of theirs too. A parent must submit the application. They must do this within six months after the child's birth registration.

Timeline

1. Announced

   13 Aug 2026

   AIMA has provided new instructions for renewing paper Residence Cards for EU nationals and their third-country family members. When entering card numbers into the online renewal portal, the first leading zero must be omitted. If issues persist, applicants are advised to contact AIMA via email with specific subject line details.

2. Announced

   1 Jul 2026

   The Agency for Integration, Migrations and Asylum (AIMA) in Portugal has expanded its Renewal Portal to allow European Union (EU) Nationals and their family members to apply online for permanent residence certificates and cards. This update, effective 1 July, formalises the digital submission process for these specific residence types, aiming to centralise and simplify applications within Portugal

3. Takes effect

   1 Jul 2026

   The application for the issuance of permanent residence certificates and cards for EU Nationals (Article 16) and permanent residence cards for family members of an EU national who are Third-Country Nationals (Article 17), including payment of fees and submission of necessary documents, is now available on the Renewal Portal (portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt). The Renewal Portal becomes the primary ch

4. Announced

   18 May 2026

   AIMA has introduced a dedicated online contact form to streamline the process for foreign minors born in Portugal to apply for a residence permit. This new procedure, under Article 124 of the Foreigners Law, requires the submission of specific documents including the minor's birth certificate and the residence permits/passports of the parents. The application must be made by a parent within six mo

5. Takes effect

   18 May 2026

   AIMA has made available a contact form for requesting an appointment to obtain a Residence Permit under Article 124 of the Aliens Act for foreign babies or minors born in Portugal whose parents hold a residence permit. The request must be submitted via the Contact Form at contactenos.aima.gov.pt by selecting 'Tipo de Assunto > Autorização de Residência' and 'Subtipo de Assunto > Pedido agendamento