How to get an AIMA appointment: every working method in 2026

Most Portuguese visas — D7, D2, D8 and others — are only the first step. The residence card itself is issued in Portugal, after an in-person AIMA appointment where your documents and biometrics are taken. And booking that appointment — the so-called slot (agendamento) — is, for many, the hardest part of the whole journey.

In this guide: what AIMA is, why slots are scarce, every legal way to book, and what to do if there are "no" free slots.

What AIMA is and why an appointment is hard to get

In October 2023, Portugal dissolved the immigration service SEF and handed all immigration functions to a new agency — AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo). AIMA handles everything: from filing residency applications to renewing cards and family reunification.

The problem is that, along with those functions, AIMA inherited a huge backlog — more than 300,000 cases from SEF. There are around 34 offices nationwide, each seeing only a limited number of people per day. Hence the shortage: demand for slots far exceeds supply.

Who needs an AIMA appointment

• First residence permit. You entered on a national visa (D7, D2, D8, D1, etc.) and must file for your residence card in Portugal.
• Permit renewal. Your card is expiring — renewal isn't automatic, and the appointment must be booked separately.
• Family reunification. After the application is filed, the sponsored family member attends an appointment to submit documents and biometrics.
• Family members of EU citizens also book an appointment after arriving.

Ways to book an appointment

For a first residence permit, three main channels work. Try them in parallel, not one after another.

1. The online form on the AIMA website. At aima.gov.pt there's an electronic appointment request form (Agendamento). Fill it in fully and correctly.
2. Email. Send a detailed request with your full name, date of birth, passport number, visa type and category. Writing in Portuguese improves your odds and leaves a written trail in the system.
3. The AIMA call center: +351 217 115 000, during business hours. Be ready for long waits and several attempts; ask to be placed on the waiting list for any available slot.

For renewals, there's a separate Renewals Portal (Portal das Renovações). AIMA opens booking there in "windows" — by card-expiry month — so watch for when your period opens. Since 1 August 2025, renewals are handled exclusively by AIMA.

If there are "no" slots: the court route

The most common situation: there are simply no free slots in the system for weeks. In that case, the legal and effective solution is an ação de intimação — an administrative claim compelling AIMA to schedule your appointment. It's not a way to "bypass" the rules, but a way to restore your right to file.

In practice the court decides in roughly 1.5–4 months, but AIMA often schedules a slot even before the ruling — as soon as it receives the court request. This route is handled by licensed lawyers; it's currently considered the best option for those stuck for months without an appointment.

What happens at the appointment

• Document check. An AIMA officer verifies that your package is complete and correct.
• Biometrics. Fingerprints, photo and signature — usually 15–30 minutes.
• Fee payment. Roughly €170 for the residence card.
• Comprovativo de agendamento — a temporary document confirming your status while you wait for the card (valid for about 90 days).

After the appointment

The physical residence card (AR) arrives by mail — usually within 6–11 weeks of the appointment. While you wait, your temporary document confirms the legality of your stay. Note: the temporary document does not guarantee free travel across Schengen — plan trips carefully.

In brief: a checklist

• Submit your request online, by email and by phone at the same time — not one after another.
• Prepare a complete package in advance: there's no grace period anymore.
• Don't forget your NIF and NISS — without them the application won't be accepted.
• For renewals, watch for your month's "window" on the Renewals Portal.
• If there are no slots for months, consider an ação de intimação with a lawyer.

This information is current as of 2026 and is for general guidance only. AIMA's rules and platforms change often — before applying, check official sources or reach out to us for up-to-date support.