Keep your legal status
A timely renewal stops your residence from lapsing and protects your position in Portugal.
Portugal permit renewal
Renew or extend your Portugal residence permit on time
Keep your right to live, work and study in Portugal without interruption. We handle the documents, the deadlines and the follow-up with AIMA.
Talk to an advisor- Renewal path checked for you
- Documents prepared and translated
- AIMA submission and follow-up
Relocate to Portugal 
Overview
What renewing a Portugal residence permit involves
A Portuguese visa or residence permit is issued for a fixed period. Renewing or extending it is what lets you keep living in the country lawfully once that original expiry date passes. Get it right and your rights and access to services carry on as normal; let it lapse and you can slip into irregular status, with consequences that are hard to undo.
The system has been changing. Renewals are now processed by AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), which has taken over from SEF and IRN for many residence permit procedures. Portuguese immigration law (Law 23/2007) asks holders of a temporary residence permit to request renewal at least 30 days before it expires.
The Portuguese government has also used temporary measures to deal with backlogs. Decree-Law 85-B/2025, for example, extended the validity of many expired residence permits until 15 October 2025. Measures like this are time-limited and do not apply to every case, so they are not a substitute for renewing. We help you understand where you stand today and keep your status secure.
Why it matters
Why renewing your Portugal visa on time matters
Keep healthcare and services
Access to healthcare, social services and benefits depends on staying lawfully resident.
Avoid fines and travel problems
An expired permit can lead to fines, removal proceedings or bans on re-entering the country.
Keep working and studying
Your right to work, study and live in Portugal continues without a break.
Continuity while you wait
Applying on time keeps you covered while AIMA reaches a decision on your case.
Deadlines handled for you
We track the dates and the paperwork, so a busy month never costs you your residence.
Requirements
Documents needed to renew your residence permit
The exact list depends on your permit type, but most renewals draw on the following.
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Valid passport or travel document
Your passport must stay valid for the whole of the period you are extending your stay for.
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Your current visa or residence card
A copy of your existing card or visa, or other proof of the permit you hold now.
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Proof of means or income
Evidence that you have stable income or financial resources to support yourself lawfully in Portugal.
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Health insurance, for some permits
Certain permit types need valid health or medical cover to be renewed.
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Proof of accommodation
Evidence of where you live in Portugal, such as a rental contract or an address registration.
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Criminal record certificate, if asked
In some cases you will need certificates confirming you have no disqualifying convictions.
Process
How the Portugal residence permit renewal process works
- 01
Eligibility review
We look at your permit, your circumstances and your expiry date, and confirm which renewal route applies to you.
- 02
Document preparation
We collect your documents and arrange any translations and certifications the authority needs.
- 03
Fees and scheduling
We take care of paying the government fees and booking the appointment or submission slot.
- 04
Submission to AIMA
Your application goes to AIMA, or to whichever authority handles your permit, and we follow it up.
- 05
Decision and next steps
We monitor progress, keep you updated and deal with any corrections or appeals until the outcome is in.
Our service
What our visa renewal and extension service includes
Personal eligibility advice
A review of your situation and clear advice on the renewal path that fits your permit.
Documents ready to submit
Preparation, translation and certification of everything the authority will ask to see.
Fees and appointments
We handle government fee payments and scheduling so nothing stalls on admin.
AIMA liaison and tracking
Submission, follow-up and regular status updates while your case is decided.
Appeals and corrections
If AIMA asks for changes or refuses, our legal team responds and pursues the next step.
One dedicated contact
A single advisor guides your renewal from the first review to the final decision.
What's included
How we help
At OlaVisa, we take on the bureaucracy so you can concentrate on the move itself. Our legal team owns your application from the first document to the final decision, making sure it is accurate, complete and aligned with what the consulate expects. We make a complicated process simple, so your attention stays on your next chapter rather than on paperwork.
Talk to an advisorFull-Service Visa Support
We run your application from beginning to end, so every step is done correctly, without wasted time and to the exact requirements of the consulate that will decide it.
Residency Permit Support
The visa is only the first milestone — the residence card is the real goal. Our support carries on until you hold it, and one fee covers the whole journey to your new life in Portugal.
Thorough Document Review
Each document is checked for accuracy and compliance before it is submitted, which prevents the delays and refusals small errors cause. A secure client portal keeps your files and our updates in one place.
Consulate Scheduling
We book and coordinate your VFS, consulate and AIMA appointments as quickly as availability allows, on dates that fit around your plans.
Appeals & Revisions
If something does not go to plan, we handle the appeal or correction to put your application back on course. It is never one attempt and done — we stay with you until there is an outcome.
Uncapped Access to Our Legal Team
Ask as many questions as you need, with no cap of one or two calls. Our legal team is available by email and phone throughout your case, with clear and timely answers.
Strategic Legal Planning
The most obvious route is not always the one with the best chance of success. We take the time to understand your whole situation and point you towards the path we believe serves you best.
After the visa
Legal & Financial Setup
Our support carries on once your visa is granted. From your Portuguese NIF number to your bank account, we take care of the details so you can settle in with confidence and peace of mind.
Taxes
Start compliant from day one, with tax guidance built around expats and businesses.
NIF / Bank
Get your Portuguese tax number (NIF) and a Portuguese bank account quickly and without the hassle.
Learn moreCompany Formation
Launch your business in Portugal with full legal support, from setting it up to registering it.
Employee Relocation
Move your team smoothly, with visa, tax and legal support at every step.
Portugal questions
Renew or Extend Your Portugal Visa: questions answered
Get answers to common questions about visa applications, requirements, and processes.
Who processes residence permit renewals in Portugal now?
Renewals are handled by AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum. It has replaced SEF and IRN for many residence permit procedures, so older guidance that mentions SEF may be out of date.
How early should I renew my Portugal residence permit?
Under Portuguese immigration law, renewal of a temporary residence permit should be requested at least 30 days before it expires. Starting to gather documents well before that gives you room to fix anything that is missing.
My permit has already expired. Is it still valid?
Decree-Law 85-B/2025 extended the validity of many expired residence permits until 15 October 2025. Extensions like this are temporary and have conditions, so do not assume one covers you. Talk to an advisor about your exact situation as soon as possible.
What happens if I let my residence permit lapse?
You risk losing your legal status in Portugal, along with access to healthcare, social services and the right to work or study. An expired permit can also lead to fines, removal or a ban on re-entering the country.
Does my passport need to be valid for the whole renewal period?
Yes. Your passport or travel document must remain valid for the full period of the extension. If it is close to expiring, renew it before you apply for the permit renewal.
Do I need health insurance to renew?
It depends on your permit. Some permit types require valid health or medical cover at renewal, while others do not. We confirm what applies during the eligibility review.
Can you help if AIMA refuses my renewal or asks for corrections?
Yes. Our service includes responding to correction requests and handling appeals where needed, so you are not left to deal with the authority alone.
Right here with you, wherever you're headed
Local offices. Global support.
Relocating is easier with people on your side. With offices in Portugal, the UK, the UAE, Turkey and Australia, our team is on the ground to help you settle in with confidence.
- PT
Coimbra, Portugal
Praça da República 9, Sala 8, 3070-304 Mira, Coimbra, Portugal +351 938 599 748 - GB
London, United Kingdom
30 Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1J 6EF, UK +44 (0) 203 393 1028 - AE
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Silicon Oasis, Digital Park, IFZA Buildings A2, Dubai +971 56 00 65 007 - TR
İstanbul, Turkey
Bostancı Mah, Bağdat Cad. No: 472/A, Kadıköy / İstanbul +90 530 754 35 67 - AU
Melbourne, Australia
Suite 329/98-100 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia +61 1300 440 170
Other services
More ways we help in Portugal
Ready to go?
Talk to an advisor Keep your legal stay in Portugal secure
Get in touch and we will manage your renewal from documents to decision.