Legal Assistance for AIMA Residence Permit Renewals in Portugal
We help you organize documents, draft required declarations, and support submission and follow-up through AIMA's portal — so you avoid mistakes, reduce stress, and save time.
Expats and immigrants renewing their residence permit in Portugal
We assist holders renewing via AIMA's online platform across all major permit categories:
Common related requests
- Switching from a student residence permit to a work permit (case assessment and strategy)
- Planning for Permanent Residence and EU long-term residence pathways based on your profile and timeline
Why choose our team
6+ Years of Experience
Over 800 cases handled with extensive experience in renewals, AIMA submissions, and related immigration procedures.
77+ Five-Star Reviews
Verified 5.0 rating on Google from clients across the world who successfully renewed their residence permits.
Fast & Direct Communication
We respond promptly by email and WhatsApp. No call centres, no delays — you communicate directly with your lawyer.
We Are Also Expats
Marcus and Catherine didn't just study immigration law — they lived it. In 2018, leaving established careers in Brazil behind, they emigrated to Portugal in search of a better quality of life and new challenges. Upon arriving, they faced the exact same hurdles many of our clients do: complex bureaucracy, language barriers, and the lack of clarity provided by public services. They know firsthand what it feels like to sit on the other side of the desk, trying to rebuild a life in a new country. This personal journey is the foundation of ZR Lawyers.
Read our full storyRegistered Lawyers Dedicated to Immigration Matters
Licensed in Portugal and Brazil. Dual LL.M. from the University of Lisbon. Registered with the Portuguese Bar Association.
Marcus Zottis Rocha
Co-founder & Registered Lawyer (Advogado)- Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados): Professional Licence (CP) No. 62594L
- Brazilian Bar Association (OAB): Professional Licence (OAB/RS) No. 84.065
- Education: LL.M. in Public International Law, University of Lisbon; LL.B., PUCRS
- Expertise: Licensed in Portugal since 2020 and Brazil since 2012. Extensive experience handling AIMA procedures, nationality processes, and complex immigration matters.
Catherine Rezende Barros
Co-founder & Registered Lawyer (Advogada)- Portuguese Bar Association (Ordem dos Advogados): Professional Licence (CP) No. 63589L
- Brazilian Bar Association (OAB): Professional Licence (OAB/RJ) No. 220.485
- Education: LL.M. in Civil Law, University of Lisbon; LL.B., Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
- Expertise: Licensed lawyer since 2017, with hands-on experience in Portugal since 2018. Dedicated to effective and personalised solutions in immigration law, visas, and nationality processes.
What our clients say
Real feedback from people who renewed their residence permit in Portugal with our support — verified on Google.
You can apply on your own — professional support helps you avoid mistakes and stay on track
You don't need a lawyer to submit a renewal, but missing or inconsistent documents are the most common cause of avoidable delays. We cover the entire process — from initial document review and declaration drafting through to submission and AIMA follow-up until a final decision is issued.
- Reduce the risk of delays caused by missing or inconsistent documentation
- Save time by avoiding rework, repeated uploads, and uncertainty
- Professional guidance step-by-step — from document preparation to final decision
How the renewal process works
Assessment & Checklist
We review your situation, identify the correct renewal path, and provide a personalised document checklist.
Document Preparation & Declarations
We help organise your documents, check for consistency, and draft the required declarations.
Notarization / Certification
In-person notarization or certification of documents when applicable (at our office or a designated location).
Submission & Follow-up
We support submission through the AIMA platform, respond to any additional requests, and follow up until a final decision is issued.
Available Service Models
Three models of assistance are available, ranging from a pre-submission review to full end-to-end support. These options are structured to align with different stages of the renewal process and the specific needs of each applicant.
Engagement Option 3
Full Assistance (End-to-End)
Suitable for: Applicants seeking complete support, from document preparation to the final decision — including submission and responses to any AIMA requests.
What's included
Best value: covers the entire process so you don’t have to guess what to do next if AIMA requests more documents.
- Initial consultation & case assessment (online)
- Personalised document checklist for your permit type
- Full document review (completeness + consistency)
- Declaration drafting (when required / case-dependent)
- In-person certification of passport scan and declarations (Lisbon), when needed
- Submission via AIMA portal + monitoring and follow-up until final decision
- Response to AIMA requests for additional documents
- Tacit approval assessment/request when legally applicable
Engagement Option 2
Certification + Preparation
Suitable for: Applicants seeking in-person certification of documents (passport scan and signed declarations) and intending to submit on their own after preparation.
What's included
- Initial consultation & case assessment (online)
- Personalised document checklist for your permit type
- Full pre-submission document review (completeness + consistency)
- Declaration drafting (when required / case-dependent)
- In-person certification of passport scan and signed declarations (Lisbon), when applicable
Not included: submission support and AIMA follow-up.
Tip: If you want end-to-end assistance (including submission + follow-up), choose Engagement Option 3.
Engagement Option 1
Checklist + Pre-Submission Review
Suitable for: Applicants intending to submit on their own and seeking a professional checklist and pre-submission review to reduce the risk of errors and rework.
What's included
- Initial consultation & case assessment (online)
- Personalised document checklist for your permit type
- Full pre-submission document review (completeness + consistency) — delivered as written feedback with clear next steps, or in a second consultation, depending on your preference
Not included: declaration drafting, in-person certification, submission and AIMA follow-up.
Pricing note: By professional and ethical obligations applicable to the practice of law, fees are not published on this page. By selecting the “Fee Details & Payment” link above, you will be directed to our scheduling page where you can view the respective fee and proceed with engagement if desired.
Further Information on Service Models
For applicants uncertain about which model aligns best with their specific case, permit type, or deadline, further clarification is available upon request.
Common questions about AIMA renewal support
No. You can submit the renewal yourself through the AIMA online portal. However, many applicants choose professional support to reduce the risk of delays from missing or inconsistent documentation, avoid rework, and get clarity on what AIMA expects — especially if additional documents are requested after submission.
Requirements depend on your permit type. Common documents include a valid passport, proof of accommodation, proof of financial means (bank statements, employment contract, or tax returns), NIF, NISS, and health coverage. Some permits require additional declarations or proof of activity in Portugal. We provide a personalised checklist tailored to your specific case.
Yes. When your renewal requires certified copies — such as passport scans or signed declarations — we offer this service in person at our Lisbon office or a designated location. It is included in Packages 2 and 3, and ensures your documents meet AIMA's formatting and legal requirements.
Yes. If AIMA requests additional information after submission, we respond promptly on your behalf. This is included in Engagement Option 3 (Full Assistance). Responding quickly and accurately is often critical to avoiding further delays in the decision timeline.
Yes, when applicable. We review and align your NIF, NISS, Health Number (SNS), and registered address as part of the renewal process. If any of these need to be updated or applied for to support your case, we handle it — including the NISS application when required.
Yes. We assist holders of D7, D8, Work permits, Family Reunification, Student permits, ARI (Golden Visa), and EU Long-Term Residence — among others. Each permit type has its own documentation requirements, and we tailor our checklist and support accordingly.
Processing times depend on AIMA's workload, permit type, and case complexity — we do not guarantee specific timelines. Our focus is on submitting a complete, well-organised application to minimise avoidable delays. We monitor the process and follow up until a final decision is issued, and can request tacit approval after 60 working days when eligible.
Tacit approval is a mechanism under Portuguese administrative law that may apply when no decision is issued within a legally relevant timeframe. Whether it applies depends on your permit category and case conditions. If you have not received your residence card after 60 working days, we assess eligibility and, when applicable, submit a tacit approval request.