Last updated: September 2026
Your first residence permit in Portugal doesn't last forever, and the renewal is the next milestone after your AIMA appointment. The good news: most Portugal residence permit renewals can now be handled online, without visiting an AIMA office.
This guide covers when to renew, how AIMA's online renewal portal works, what you need to show, what it costs, and what to do if your card expires while you wait.
Quick answer
A first temporary residence permit is generally valid for 2 years and renewable for 3-year periods. Portuguese law asks you to apply for renewal at least 30 days before your card expires, and you can apply from 90 days before. Most renewals are now submitted online through AIMA's Portal de Renovações, where you apply, pay the fees and receive a receipt that shows your application is in progress.
Residence permit renewal at a glance
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| How long is a first permit valid? | Generally 2 years, then renewable for 3 years at a time |
| When should I apply? | From 90 days before expiry, and no later than 30 days before |
| Where do I apply? | Online, at portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt, once your expiry month is open |
| What do I need to show? | Income, accommodation, tax and Social Security in order, and a clean record |
| How much does it cost? | Set by Portaria 307/2023, updated every March 1 |
| Card expires while I wait? | Keep your old card and the renewal receipt together |
| Expired more than 6 months ago? | Usually a new application, not a renewal |
When to renew your Portugal residence permit
According to AIMA, a temporary residence permit is valid for two years from the date the card is issued and can be renewed for successive periods of three years, unless a specific rule in the Foreigners Law says otherwise.
Article 78 of the Foreigners Law (Lei n.º 23/2007) says renewal must be requested up to 30 days before the permit expires. The official gov.pt service page adds that you can apply from 90 days before the expiry date.
In practice, that gives you a window of roughly two months. Put a reminder in your calendar three months before the date printed on your card, so you have time to gather documents and fix anything that's out of date.
Four checks before you start your renewal
Most renewal delays come from details that are easy to fix in advance. Before you open the portal, check these four things.
1. Your address with Segurança Social. AIMA says that if Social Security still has a foreign address for you, you should update it to your Portuguese address as soon as possible, because this is essential for your renewal to move forward. Our guide to Social Security as a freelancer covers Segurança Social Direta.
2. Your address with AIMA. If you've moved, update your address through AIMA's contact form first. AIMA says the update takes up to two working days and recommends paying the renewal only after the new address shows in your personal area.
3. No tax or Social Security debts. Many applicants check this themselves beforehand through Portal das Finanças and Segurança Social Direta, where you can request a statement showing your situation is in order.
4. A valid passport. Make sure your passport won't expire soon. If you've changed passports since your last card, the process may need extra steps.
How to renew your residence permit online (Portal de Renovações)
Since July 2025, AIMA has run a dedicated online renewals portal at portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt. It opens in stages by expiry month: AIMA enables new months in blocks, usually a couple of months ahead. By August 2026, it covered permits expiring up to the end of December 2026, and the next opening was expected for January 2027 expiries.
Step 1: Check that your expiry month is open
Before anything else, confirm on the portal or in AIMA's news section that permits expiring in your month are already accepted. If your month isn't open yet, the portal won't let you continue.
Step 2: Register on the portal
According to AIMA, you register yourself on the portal and receive an access password by email. Use an email address you check often, because this is where AIMA will contact you.
Step 3: Submit your renewal request
The system runs its own checks on your data and then issues a payment document (DUC, or Documento Único de Cobrança) for the fees.
Step 4: Pay the fees promptly
AIMA's March 2026 FAQ says the DUC should be paid within 10 working days of being generated. Many applicants simply pay on the same day. If you only paid part of the amount, don't create a new request: AIMA's FAQ explains how to complete the payment with the same DUC.
Step 5: Keep your receipt and follow your request
Once you pay, AIMA issues a receipt for your renewal request and starts reviewing it. You can follow the request and upload any missing documents in your personal area on the portal.
Step 6: Receive your new card
AIMA sends residence cards by registered mail to the address in your request. If you're not home, the post office leaves a notice to collect it at a CTT store. If you don't collect it in time, the card goes back to AIMA. When it arrives, check every detail: AIMA says errors should be reported within 20 days.
Requirements to renew a residence permit in Portugal
Under Article 78 of the Foreigners Law, renewal is granted to non-EU nationals who, among other conditions:
- have means of subsistence (enough income to support themselves)
- have accommodation in Portugal
- have met their tax and Social Security obligations
- haven't been convicted of crimes with sentences that, alone or combined, exceed one year in prison
On top of that, you generally need to show you still meet the conditions of your original permit. For a D7-based permit, that means your passive income. For a D8-based permit, it means your remote work income. Our D8 vs D7 guide explains how the two differ.
Watch your time outside Portugal. Under Article 85 of the same law, a temporary residence permit can be cancelled after an absence of more than 6 consecutive months, or 8 months in total, during its validity period, unless the absence is for one of the reasons the law accepts. If you travel a lot, keep track of your days.
What documents do you need for renewal?
The exact list depends on your type of permit, so always check AIMA's requirements for your case. Documents commonly requested include:
- your valid passport and current residence card;
- proof of accommodation: AIMA asks for a signed address declaration plus a supporting document, such as your lease and last month's rent receipt. Our guide to proof of accommodation covers every scenario, including when your name isn't on the lease;
- proof of means of subsistence: recent bank statements, contracts, invoices or pension statements, depending on your permit;
- proof that your tax and Social Security situation is in order;
- authorization for AIMA to check your Portuguese criminal record, which is usually given within the request itself.
AIMA doesn't accept certificates from the Junta de Freguesia as proof of address, so don't rely on one.
How much does residence permit renewal cost?
AIMA's fees are set by Portaria 307/2023 and updated every year on March 1. The most recent update took effect on March 1, 2026.
A renewal is usually made up of two parts: one fee for receiving and analyzing your request, and one for the renewal and new card. The total depends on your type of permit and on any reductions or exemptions that apply. The portal calculates the amount for your case when it issues the payment document, so that's the figure to trust. Check AIMA's current fee table if you want to budget ahead.
What if your card expires while you wait?
If you applied on time and your card expires before the new one arrives, the usual advice from AIMA and applicants is to keep your old card and your renewal receipt together. Together, they show that your situation in Portugal is regular while the request is processed.
⚠️ Planning to travel?
An expired card plus a renewal receipt is not the same as a valid residence card for international travel. The receipt is meant for use in Portugal, and AIMA states that it doesn't issue declarations for travel purposes and advises traveling with your residence card. Applicants commonly report problems at border checks with an expired card, even alongside a receipt. If you need to travel before your new card arrives, check your specific case with an immigration lawyer before booking.
What if your residence permit has already expired?
According to gov.pt, you can still renew if your permit is valid or expired less than six months ago. If it expired more than six months ago, you generally need to make a new residence permit application instead, which is a longer process.
For people who never left Portugal but whose right of residence lapsed, AIMA points to a specific route under Article 122(1)(j) of the Foreigners Law, requested through its contact form. Because the right option depends on your dates and history, this is a good moment to get legal advice rather than guess.
The 5 most common renewal mistakes
- Waiting until the last month. The portal opens by expiry month, and a missing document can take weeks to sort out. Start 90 days ahead.
- An old foreign address at Segurança Social. AIMA flags this specifically as something that holds up renewals.
- Paying before your new address is updated. Update it with AIMA first, then pay.
- Letting the payment document lapse. Pay the DUC as soon as it's issued.
- Booking international travel on an expired card. The renewal receipt isn't a travel document.
What comes after your residence permit renewal?
After five years of legal residence, you may be able to apply for permanent residency, which has its own requirements, including proof of basic Portuguese for most non-EU nationals. Our guide to the path to permanent residency and citizenship explains what comes next. If you're still at the very beginning, our AIMA appointment guide covers your first permit.
FAQ
How long before expiry can I renew my residence permit in Portugal?
You can apply from 90 days before your card expires, and Portuguese law asks you to apply at least 30 days before. The online portal only accepts your request once your expiry month has been opened.
Can I renew my Portuguese residence permit online?
Yes, for most temporary residence permits. Renewals are submitted through AIMA's Portal de Renovações (portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt), where you register, submit your request, pay the fees and follow its progress.
How long is a renewed residence permit valid?
According to AIMA, a temporary residence permit is valid for two years from the date of issue and renewable for successive three-year periods, unless a specific rule applies to your type of permit.
What happens if my residence permit expires before I renew?
If it expired less than six months ago, you can generally still renew. If it expired more than six months ago, you usually need a new residence permit application, so it's worth getting legal advice quickly.
Can I travel with an expired residence card and a renewal receipt?
AIMA says it doesn't issue declarations for travel and advises traveling with your residence card. The renewal receipt is meant for use in Portugal, so check your case with an immigration lawyer before traveling abroad.
Do I need to update my address before renewing?
Yes. AIMA recommends updating your address with AIMA before paying the renewal, and confirming that Segurança Social has your Portuguese address, since an old foreign address can hold up the process.
How much does it cost to renew a residence permit in Portugal?
Fees are set by Portaria 307/2023 and updated every March 1. The total depends on your type of permit, and the portal shows the exact amount for your case when it issues the payment document.
Last checked: September 2026. AIMA's renewal procedures, portal openings and fees can change. The 30-day deadline, the six-month limit after expiry and travel on an expired card all have real consequences, so for any of these, or if your situation is unusual, confirm your case with AIMA or a licensed immigration lawyer. EU citizens and permanent residence cards follow different procedures.
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