Foreign residents who have lived legally in Portugal for at least five years now have a new way to request an appointment for permanent residency.
On November 5, 2026, Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) announced a new option on its online contact form for requesting appointments to apply for permanent residence permits under Article 80 of Portugal’s immigration law.
Previously, applicants seeking this type of appointment were directed to email AIMA, often with little indication of when they might receive a response. The new option provides a dedicated online channel, although it does not mean that permanent residency applications can be completed online or that appointments will be available immediately.
Here’s what changed, who qualifies, and how to submit a request.
What Changed on November 5?
AIMA has introduced a specific online appointment-request category for people applying for permanent residency under Article 80 of Law No. 23/2007.
The change is particularly relevant to non-EU nationals including Americans, British citizens, Brazilians, and others who have been living in Portugal on temporary residence permits.
Previously, AIMA’s guidance directed applicants to request an appointment by emailing [email protected]. Eligible applicants can now use the AIMA online contact form instead.
This is an administrative change to the appointment process, not a change to permanent residency eligibility requirements. Applicants must still attend an in-person appointment with AIMA to formally submit their application.
What Is Article 80 of Portugal’s Immigration Law?
Article 80 of Law No. 23/2007 governs permanent residence permits for qualifying non-EU citizens who have held temporary residence permits in Portugal for at least five years.
Unlike temporary residency, permanent residence authorization has no fixed expiration date. However, the physical residence card must still be renewed every five years or when identification details change.
To qualify, applicants must meet several conditions including:
- Holding a temporary residence permit for at least five years.
- Having sufficient financial resources and accommodation
- Demonstrating basic knowledge of Portuguese.
- Having their Portuguese tax and Social Security obligations in order.
- Meeting the criminal-record requirement including not having been sentenced during the previous five years of residence to prison terms exceeding one year, individually or combined.
Other legal requirements may also apply.
Is A2 Portuguese Still Enough for Permanent Residency?
Yes. AIMA’s current requirements confirm that an A2 level of Portuguese remains sufficient for permanent residency under Article 80.
Applicants do not need to demonstrate B1 or B2 proficiency, and the November 5 announcement does not introduce any new language requirements.
AIMA accepts recognized certificates demonstrating basic Portuguese knowledge, including the A2 Portuguese-language examination administered through CAPLE and certificates confirming completion of A2 or higher through recognized Portuguese as a Host Language (Português Língua de Acolhimento, or PLA) courses.
Certain qualifications from recognized educational institutions and other approved basic Portuguese courses may also satisfy the requirement.
Applicants who already possess a recognized A2 certificate do not need to obtain a higher-level certificate specifically for permanent residency.
You can find more information on AIMA’s official Portuguese-language guidance.
How to Request a Permanent Residency Appointment Online
AIMA has provided instructions for accessing the new option:
1. Visit the AIMA online contact form.
2. Under “Tipo de Assunto” (Subject Type), select “Autorização de Residência” (Residence Authorization).
3. Under “Subtipo de Assunto” (Subject Subtype), select “Pedido de Agendamento – Concessão de Autorização de Residência Permanente” (Appointment Request – Granting of Permanent Residence Authorization).
4. Complete the form with your personal information.
5. Attach the required supporting documents and submit your request.
AIMA instructs applicants to submit only one request for the same purpose and avoid repeated submissions while their initial request is awaiting processing.
Requesting an appointment is free. However, government fees apply when formally applying for permanent residency.
What Documents Must You Upload?
For the new online appointment request, AIMA lists two mandatory attachments:
1. A scanned copy of your valid Portuguese residence card. This confirms your current residence status.
2. Proof of at least five years of legal residence in Portugal. AIMA provides examples including copies of previous residence cards, Social Security contribution records, or Portuguese income tax returns (IRS declarations).
These documents are required for requesting an appointment. They are not the complete documentation needed for the actual permanent residency application.
At the in-person appointment, applicants must also provide documents including a valid passport or other travel document, proof of financial resources and accommodation, evidence of tax and Social Security compliance, and acceptable evidence of basic Portuguese proficiency.
Applicants should consult the complete Article 80 requirements before attending their appointment.
How Long Will It Take to Get an Appointment?
AIMA has not announced a waiting-time estimate for appointments requested through the new online form.
The November 5 announcement does not explain how quickly applications will be reviewed, when appointments will become available, or whether the new procedure will reduce existing delays.
Submitting the form is simply the first step toward obtaining an appointment. It does not constitute approval of permanent residency or confirmation of an appointment date.
Applicants should retain copies of their submissions and monitor their email for further communication from AIMA.
What if You Already Emailed AIMA?
Many foreign residents have already contacted AIMA at [email protected] to request permanent residency appointments.
The November 5 announcement does not clarify whether existing email requests will automatically transfer to the new system.
However, AIMA specifically warns against submitting duplicate requests for the same purpose. Anyone with an existing unanswered request may wish to seek clarification before submitting another application through the contact form.
Does This Apply to EU Citizens or Permanent Residency Renewals?
No. The new option is specifically for requesting appointments for the initial granting of permanent residency under Article 80.
Renewals of existing permanent residence permits, permanent residence certificates for EU nationals, and permanent residence cards for eligible family members of EU nationals continue through AIMA’s Renewals Portal.
For eligible non-EU residents, the main takeaway is straightforward: there is now a dedicated online way to request a permanent residency appointment instead of relying solely on email.
Whether the new system will make the process faster remains to be seen.
For further details, read AIMA’s official announcement published on November 5, 2026.
