AIMA Form for EU Citizens' Family Members Not Working - Not Even for Portuguese Citizens (2025)
The AIMA contact form for registering European Union citizens' family members presents systematic failures. We tested 9 different cases, including Portuguese citizens - none worked. Complete analysis of identified problems.
Registering family members of European Union citizens in Portugal has always been a bureaucratic process, but in 2025 it has become a true Kafkaesque saga. Thousands of European families face the same nightmare: forms that don't work, disconnected systems, and an administration that seems to have forgotten that on the other side of the screen are real people with lives on hold.
AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) created an online form to facilitate the registration of European citizens' family members and the renewal of CRUE (Registration Certificate for European Union Citizens). In theory, a welcome modernization. In practice, a system that works as well as a car without wheels.
If you're here because you're also a victim of this digital circus, you're not alone. We systematically tested 9 different scenarios - from Portuguese citizens to Europeans with new and old documents. The result? Zero percent success. Yes, you read that right: not a single case worked.
📋 AIMA Form Available
The form is available at the AIMA contact portal, but as you'll see in this article, functionality is another matter.
AIMA Form Portugal (extracted on 30/08/2025)
The sad reality
However, just as luck doesn't assist anyone trying to use this contact form, it also doesn't assist European citizens, Portuguese citizens, and their family members.
Our Empirical Test: 9 Scenarios, 0% Success Rate
To avoid staying only with anecdotal complaints, we decided to conduct a systematic and rigorous test. For a week, we tried to submit requests through the AIMA form using 9 different profiles that cover practically all possible scenarios.
📋 Test Methodology
Period: August 25-31, 2025
Devices: Desktop + Mobile
Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari
Documents: All valid and updated
Objective: Identify systematic failure patterns
The results were devastating - we tested the form with nine different types of documents and cases:
📊 Cases Tested (100% Failed)
The Discovery: Why Old CRUE is Rejected
After countless frustrated attempts, we went directly to the source. At AIMA Lisbon II (Anjos), officials confirmed what we suspected: there is a fundamental technical incompatibility between the online system and older documents.
🏢 Official AIMA Lisbon II Confirmation
AIMA said that it's only possible to apply through the form with the new CRUE model. We tested the new model and it also didn't work.
Despite this, we recommend that you update your CRUE at the Municipality or Citizen Space.
🔧 The Technical Problem Explained
The difference is not just aesthetic. The old CRUE model uses a numbering format with fewer digits, while the new model has more digits. The AIMA system was programmed only for the new format, automatically rejecting attempts with old numbering.
Old CRUE Model
Certificate number with fewer digits. Rejected by AIMA form for permanent residence certificate due to number format difference.
New CRUE Model
Certificate number with more digits. Supposedly accepted by the form, but still presents validation errors in practice.
Comparison: Old CRUE model (left) vs New CRUE model (right)
We're Not Alone: Media Coverage Confirms
The problems we identified are not isolated cases. Several media outlets have systematically documented the failures in AIMA's contact forms and renewal portals, which present requirements not provided for by law and cause serious harm to thousands of citizens.
It is public knowledge - despite initially being denied by AIMA - that the systems are facing serious technical constraints, including the illegal requirement of NISS (Social Security Identification Number) for all processes.
Related article
We've already talked about this here: AIMA Portal Not Working - How to Renew Residence Permit Portugal 2025
Several media outlets have reported the problems:
- DN Brasil - Residence permit renewal portal still has errors, AIMA denies
- Público - AIMA tries to calm immigrants suffering from document renewal failures
Your Rights (Which Remain Valid)
While AIMA struggles with computer systems, your legal rights remain intact. It's important to know the protections that Portuguese and European law guarantee you, regardless of administrative problems.
⚖️ Current Legal Framework
The legal situation became more complex when the government chose not to extend the validity periods of residences and visas expired from 01/07/2025. This left many citizens in a legal gray area, subject to AIMA and PSP interpretations.
Concerning PSP statements
The situation is even more critical given PSP's latest statements to Público that: "The legal security of border crossing decisions is subject to strict compliance with the principle of legality, obligations arising from commitments made by Portugal within the Schengen Area, information existing in border systems and strict compliance with their legal competencies, and therefore cannot decide on matters reserved to other entities."
Source: Público - Police defends deportation of Brazilian mother
PSP's statement, if confirmed, demonstrates the organs' disconnection from the Portuguese legal order.
What Portuguese law says
Article 60 of the Administrative Procedure Code imposes the duty of cooperation and procedural good faith. Under the general principles of administrative activity (articles 10 and 11 of CPA), the Administration — whether AIMA, PSP or other competent entity — must act and relate to individuals in accordance with good faith, rejecting decisions that are manifestly unreasonable or incompatible with the Rule of Law (article 8 of CPA).
The Portuguese Constitution provides, in its art. 22, for the responsibility of public entities, stating that: "The State and other public entities are civilly liable, jointly and severally with the holders of their organs, officials or agents, for actions or omissions carried out in the exercise of their functions and because of that exercise, resulting in violation of rights, freedoms and guarantees or harm to others."
🛡️ Active Legal Protections
🇪🇺 European Rights
Directive 2004/38/EC ensures free movement in the EU for family members of European citizens, regardless of Portuguese administrative problems.
📜 Solid Legal Basis: Law No. 37/2006
Law No. 37/2006 (which transposed Directive 2004/38/EC) ensures fundamental rights:
Article 5 - Right of entry: "Member States must admit to their territory Union citizens (...) and members of their families (...) provided with a valid passport."
Practical translation: If you can prove to be a family member of an EU citizen (birth/marriage certificate) and have visa exemption, you have the right to entry, stay and movement in the EU.
What Now? Realistic Options
Here's the part everyone wants to know: "What can I actually do?" Unfortunately, we don't have a magic solution for AIMA's technical problems. But we do have practical strategies based on our experience.
🎯 Multiple Front Strategy
Our recommendation is to adopt a systematic approach:
- Try using the contact form (you might hit the jackpot, it's almost like winning the lottery)
- Send emails regularly to AIMA at [email protected]
- Send a registered letter to AIMA headquarters
- Inform PSP of regular entry and stay in Portugal
- Update CRUE at Municipality or Citizen Space
Important: Document everything
It's essential to document all attempts to create proof that you are making efforts to comply with legal obligations, even if the system doesn't allow it.
Frequently Asked Questions - EU Citizens Family Members Portugal 2025
How to register EU citizen family member in Portugal 2025?
To register EU citizen family member in Portugal in 2025, you should use the AIMA contact form available at contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form. However, the form presents multiple technical problems and doesn't work in most tested cases.
Why doesn't AIMA form work for EU family members?
The AIMA form for EU family members doesn't work due to identified technical problems:
- Old CRUE model rejected due to digit number difference
- Permanent residence certificate only accepts new model (theoretically)
- Multiple validation errors even with correct documents
- System doesn't recognize legally valid cases
Difference between old and new CRUE model Portugal?
The difference between old and new CRUE model in Portugal is in the number of digits of the certificate number. The new model has more digits, and only this one is supposedly accepted in the AIMA form for permanent residence certificate. However, even the new model presents validation problems.
What to do if CRUE expired Portugal 2025?
If CRUE expired in Portugal 2025, you can try:
- Update CRUE at Municipality or Citizen Space
- Try AIMA form (despite technical problems)
- Document attempts with emails to [email protected]
- Send registered mail to AIMA
- Seek specialized legal advice
Can Portuguese citizen register foreign family members?
Yes, Portuguese citizen can register foreign family members through AIMA form. However, even Portuguese citizens face the same technical problems with AIMA contact form. We tested cases of Portuguese married to foreigners and Portuguese with foreign children - none worked.