AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) replaced SEF, the old immigration agency, in October 2023 — if you find older content mentioning “SEF,” it’s outdated.
The process
Arrive on your D8 visa → attend your AIMA appointment within its 4-month validity window (often pre-booked at the consulate stage, or bookable via AIMA’s online tools once you’re in Portugal) → biometrics (fingerprints, photo, signature) and document validation → receive a receipt that serves as interim proof of legal status → your physical residence card is mailed once approved.
⚠ The 2026 backlog — set expectations conservatively
AIMA processed 386,000 residence permits in 2025 (a 60% jump over 2024) after inheriting a severe SEF-era backlog. Official statements claim roughly 93% of pending files cleared, but independent immigration lawyers estimate 40,000–60,000 cases were still actively pending in early 2026. For D8-type permits specifically, one 2026 source cites biometric scheduling taking 1–3 months (up to 6 at peak), and 3–6+ months post-biometrics for approval. The honest summary: meaningfully better than the 2023–2024 crisis, but still commonly a multi-month wait after biometrics, with real variance by office.
Documents needed at your appointment
Passport, D8 visa, your employment/self-employment proof, NIF, NISS, proof of Portuguese address, and your original supporting documents (insurance, criminal record, etc.).
Offices (verify hours before you go — AIMA changed Lisbon store hours at least once in 2026)
- Lisboa I: Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar, 20, 1069-119 Lisboa
- Lisboa II: Rua Álvaro Coutinho, 14, 1150-025 Lisboa
- Porto: Avenida de França, 316, Edifício Capitólio, Loja 57, 4050-276 Porto
- Contact center: +351 217 115 000 (Mon–Fri, 8am–8pm) · geral@aima.gov.pt
- Official store locator: aima.gov.pt/pt/lojas-aima
Next step: while you wait on AIMA, get moving on your bank account, Segurança Social registration if self-employed, and your SNS healthcare registration — none of these need to wait for your AIMA appointment to be resolved.