Residence Permits: Validity Officially Extended Until 15 October 2025
Decree-Law No. 85-B/2025 entered into force today, 1 July 2025, extending the validity of residence permits for foreign nationals residing in Portuguese territory.
Specifically, all foreigners residing in Portugal whose residence permits expired between 22 February 2020 and yesterday, 30 June 2025, now retain validity until 15 October 2025.
All foreign residents in Portugal should be aware of the new rules introduced by the Portuguese government under Decree-Law No. 85-B/2025. This decree-law applies exclusively within Portugal and in the foreign resident's country of origin.
All foreign nationals residing in Portugal whose residence permits have expired are required to renew them. To do so, they must register on an online platform created by AIMA. Once registered, they will receive an email notification regarding the renewal process. A fee, set by the Portuguese government, will apply.
Those whose passports and biometric data are current can complete the process online via AIMA's website. Those who do not meet these criteria must attend in person to provide biometric data and present all required documentation for residence permit renewal.
It is essential that, upon receiving the receipted invoice for the AIMA fee, payment is made promptly. The process will only commence once payment has been confirmed. Failure to pay will be interpreted by AIMA as withdrawal from the residence permit renewal process.
The fees charged by AIMA vary considerably depending on the type of residence permit. For example, the current fee for a Portuguese Golden Visa is €4,050.30.
As the defined time window—which runs until 15 October—is relatively short, Decree-Law No. 85-B/2025 sets out the following in Article 2, paragraph 2:
- After 15 October 2025, documents concerning residence permits will be accepted upon presentation by the holder of proof of payment for the renewal request, issued by AIMA. This proof is valid for 180 days from the date of issue.
This means that individuals who do not receive a response from AIMA by 15 October, but have already paid the applicable fees, will still benefit from an extension of document validity for a further 180 days.
To ensure that all required documents are current, appointments are scheduled in advance, and the process is properly organised, it is advisable to engage a specialised immigration lawyer. Their expertise can significantly increase the likelihood of a
successful outcome in immigration cases.
