Portugal’s immigration authority Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) introduced a new fee schedule for immigration and residence procedures starting 1 March 2026. The update affects several administrative services related to foreign citizens entering and staying in Portugal.
The revised fees apply to different types of immigration processes, including residence permit procedures, document issuance, and other administrative services handled by AIMA. According to reports, the change is part of the government’s broader effort to modernize immigration administration and improve processing capacity.
However, the increase has drawn criticism from immigrant associations and advocacy groups, who argue that higher administrative costs could make the immigration process more difficult for many foreign residents already facing delays and bureaucratic challenges.
The announcement comes at a time when Portugal is still dealing with a large backlog of immigration cases inherited during the transition from Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) to AIMA. During that institutional restructuring, hundreds of thousands of residence applications remained pending, creating significant delays for foreign nationals.
Government officials say that updating the fee structure is part of a broader effort to strengthen the immigration system, improve services, and address operational pressures faced by AIMA.
For foreigners living in Portugal or planning to relocate, the key takeaway is that immigration procedures may now involve higher administrative costs, making it increasingly important to stay informed about current regulations and official fee schedules before starting a visa or residence process.
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