Portugal Opens Residence Permit Renewals for Cards Expiring Through January 2027

Foreign residents in Portugal whose residence permits expire by 31 January 2027 can now start their renewal applications online. AIMA expanded its digital renewal system on 23 October 2026, giving eligible residents more time to deal with their paperwork before their cards expire. But choosing the correct portal matters, particularly for people whose permits expired several months or years ago.

Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has extended the eligibility window on its online Renewals Portal to cover residence permits expiring in January 2027.

The change was reported by DN Brasil on 23 October. Previously, the portal accepted ordinary residence permits expiring up to December 2026.

The expansion means eligible residents can begin their renewal applications before their cards reach their expiry dates, rather than waiting for a later announcement from the immigration agency.

The key date is 31 January 2027. This is the latest permit expiry date currently covered by the announcement, not a deadline by which every resident must submit an application.

Who Can Renew Their Portuguese Residence Permit Now?

The main AIMA Renewals Portal currently covers ordinary residence permits whose expiry dates fall after 30 June 2025 and up to 31 January 2027.

This includes eligible residents with cards expiring in November or December 2026, as well as January 2027.

Applications are submitted through the official AIMA Renewals Portal ¹.

Residents whose permits expire after January 2027 must wait for AIMA to open the portal to later dates. The agency has been expanding eligibility in stages, so the available period may change again.

The new window does not automatically resolve every expired-permit case. AIMA operates a separate route for older documents, and individual renewal requirements still apply.

Which AIMA Portal Should You Use?

This is one of the most important distinctions for anyone preparing an application.

The distinction between older and newer permits is particularly important. Someone whose ordinary residence card expired in 2024 should not simply follow the same procedure as a resident whose card expires in January 2027.

AIMA’s Golden Visa guidance ³ also sets out additional rules for investment residence permits. Holders should check their specific eligibility rather than assume that the general January 2027 extension applies to every ARI application.

How to Apply for an AIMA Residence Permit Renewal Online

The process starts with confirming that your permit is eligible and that your personal information is correct.

Applicants should prepare a valid passport or travel document, their existing residence card and any supporting documents required for their residence category. Depending on the case, this may include proof of accommodation, income or other means of financial support.

It is also important to ensure that any applicable Portuguese tax and Social Security obligations are in order.

The process generally involves:

1. Accessing the official portal and entering the information required to identify your residence permit.
2. Checking your details, including the card’s expiry date, contact information and residence address.
3. Submitting the required documents, making sure each file is complete, clear and readable.
4. Paying the applicable renewal fees, which vary according to the type of permit.
5. Keeping the payment confirmation and application receipt while monitoring the case for further instructions.

AIMA may request additional information during processing. Some applicants may also be called for an appointment if updated biometric information is required.

The availability of online renewal does not therefore guarantee that every application will be completed without an in-person visit.

Check Your Address Before Paying the Renewal Fee

AIMA has specifically warned applicants to keep their registered addresses up to date.

An incorrect address can result in a newly issued residence card being sent to the wrong location, creating further delays even after the application has been processed.

If you have moved, use AIMA’s official contact form ⁴ and select the options corresponding to: Portal de Renovações → Comunicar/retificar Morada

This is the procedure for notifying AIMA of a change or correction to your address. Supporting evidence may be required.

According to AIMA’s address-update instructions, the correction should be processed within two working days.

The agency recommends confirming that the updated address appears correctly in your personal area before proceeding with payment.

Applicants should also check their registered email address and regularly monitor their inbox, including spam folders, for official notifications.

What If Your Residence Permit Has Already Expired?

An expired residence card requires particular attention.

Portugal introduced exceptional automatic extensions during and after the pandemic, but those general arrangements came to an end.

From 15 October 2025, AIMA stopped applying the general automatic extensions to expired permits where the holder had not started the renewal process.

Under AIMA’s official guidance ⁵, a receipt valid for 180 days is issued once an eligible renewal application has been registered and the relevant fees have been paid.

That receipt provides evidence that the renewal procedure is underway. Applicants should keep it alongside their existing residence card.

However, the receipt is not a replacement residence card, and it should not be treated as a guarantee of permission to travel internationally or re-enter Portugal.

There is also an important legal distinction between the expiry of the physical card and the holder’s underlying residence rights. AIMA has published separate clarification on the continued residence rights of certain permit holders for a period after their card expires.

Residents dealing with an expired card should therefore check their individual situation rather than assume that every expired permit has the same consequences.

What About Golden Visa Holders and Permanent Residence Applications?

Investment residence permits, commonly known as Golden Visas, are now renewed through AIMA’s digital system, but the process has its own eligibility requirements.

Applicants may need to demonstrate that they continue to meet the conditions of the investment residence programme, including requirements relating to the qualifying investment, documentation and minimum stays.

For Golden Visa holders, AIMA’s published guidance should be checked carefully because the date ranges shown for this category may differ between official notices and the general renewal portal.

Separately, the Renewals Portal also handles certain permanent residence applications for EU citizens and qualifying family members.

These include permanent residence certificates and permanent residence cards for eligible relatives. They are distinct from initial residence registration or first-time family residence applications, which follow different procedures.

AIMA may arrange an appointment where biometric data are required.

What Happens Next?

AIMA’s extension to January 2027 gives another group of residents access to online renewal before their documents expire.

For anyone whose residence permit falls within the announced dates, the immediate priority is to check eligibility, use the correct portal, make sure personal details are accurate and retain proof of the application and payment.

Residents whose cards expire from February 2027 onwards should monitor the official AIMA website for further extensions.

Because renewal windows and administrative requirements can change, the information displayed on the official portal at the time of application should take precedence over earlier announcements.