Long-Term Resident Status AIMA: Acquisition and Permit Renewal 2026
AIMA has published communications on the scheduling form for acquiring long-term resident status and on renewing the permit. This article summarises required documents, legal requirements and the Renewals Portal.
Two official AIMA communications
This article is based on two official AIMA news items: (1) Scheduling form for acquisition of long-term resident status (December 2025) and (2) Renewal of the long-term residence permit (December 2025). Below we summarise requirements, documents and links to the portals and forms indicated by AIMA.
Long-term resident status (EU long-term resident) in Portugal grants reinforced residence and free movement rights. Acquiring the status (first time) and renewing the permit follow different procedures: the first via the contact form on AIMA’s website; the second via the Renewals Portal. Knowing the requirements and documentation helps avoid delays and applications that fall outside scope.
1. Acquiring Long-Term Resident Status
AIMA has made available a scheduling form for acquisition of long-term resident status. The form is at:
contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form
Required documents (scanned copies)
- Scanned copy of Residence Permit
- Scanned copy of Full passport
- Scanned copy of Tax declaration (IRS) for the last 5 years
- Social Security contribution history (extract)
Note: Although the law and regulations do not provide for social security contributions as a requirement, AIMA has included it in the form. There is no official guidance on how AIMA will interpret this in relation to persons who do not contribute to Social Security in Portugal. We have been adopting alternative measures in these cases.
Legal requirements for acquiring the status
According to AIMA’s communication, the legal requirements include:
Legal and continuous residence
Third-country nationals must have legal and continuous residence in Portugal for the five years immediately before submitting the application. For international protection beneficiaries, the period is counted from the date of the application that led to protection being granted.
Stable and regular resources
The applicant must have stable and regular resources sufficient for their own and their family’s subsistence without recourse to the Member State’s social assistance. Assessment may take into account minimum wage and pensions.
Health insurance and documentation
Health insurance is required covering risks normally covered in the Member State for its nationals. The application must be accompanied by supporting documentation showing that the conditions are met.
Public order and security
The applicant must not represent a threat to public order or public security under the applicable directive (Article 6).
Applications outside scope
AIMA note: All forms submitted that do not fall within the scope of this matter or that are not duly validated by the authorities consulted will be automatically disregarded for not meeting the legal requirements for Long-Term Residence Permit.
2. Renewing the Long-Term Residence Permit
AIMA clarifies that the renewal of the long-term residence permit is available on the Renewals Portal, under Article 130(2) of Law No. 23/2007 of 4 July (as amended) and Article 75 of Regulatory Decree No. 84/2007 of 5 November (as amended).
Renewals Portal link:
portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt/ords/r/aima/aima-pr/pr-home
Requirements to complete renewal successfully
- NISS: To complete the renewal process successfully you need your Social Security Identification Number (NISS), which can be requested from the Social Security Institute or at some citizen shops. If you already have a NISS but it is not in AIMA’s records, you must update it.
- Address: To receive the Residence Permit at your current address, your address must be up to date.
- Updating information: All information should be updated via the Contact Form: contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form.
Official AIMA links
- Scheduling form (contacts): contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form — for scheduling acquisition of long-term resident status.
- Renewals Portal: portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt/ords/r/aima/aima-pr/pr-home — for renewal of the long-term residence permit.
- AIMA news – Acquisition of long-term resident status: aima.gov.pt/pt/noticias/formulario-agendamento-para-aquisicao-do-estatuto-de-residente-de-longa-duracao
- AIMA news – Renewal of long-term residence permit: aima.gov.pt/pt/noticias/renovacao-do-titulo-de-residente-de-longa-duracao
Recommendation
If you have doubts about requirements, documentation or deadlines, we recommend consulting an immigration lawyer in Portugal. ZR Advogados can help you prepare your application for acquisition or renewal of long-term resident status with AIMA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I apply for long-term resident status for the first time?
Scheduling for acquisition of long-term resident status is done via AIMA’s contact form at contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form. Required documents: copy of residence permit, full passport, tax declaration for the last 5 years and Social Security contribution history. You must also meet the legal requirements (5 years’ legal residence, stable resources, health insurance, etc.).
Where do I renew the long-term residence permit?
Renewal is done on AIMA’s Renewals Portal: portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt/ords/r/aima/aima-pr/pr-home. You need a NISS (and to update it with AIMA if you already have one but it is not in their records), an up-to-date address, and to update any information via the Contact Form (contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form).
What are the legal requirements to obtain long-term resident status?
Legal and continuous residence in Portugal for the 5 years before the application (for international protection beneficiaries, the period runs from the application that led to protection); sufficient stable and regular resources; health insurance; supporting documentation; and not representing a threat to public order or security.
What if my NISS is not in AIMA’s records?
AIMA states that if you already have a NISS but it is not in their records, you must update it. Data updates (including address and NISS) should be done via the Contact Form: contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form.