News from afpop

Driving rules
The Government has approved three decrees to modernise driving rules, reduce bureaucracy and open markets. They…

• Digitalise and simplify driving licence rules, including easier exchange of foreign licences

• Make accompanied driving with a tutor an easier option to obtain a category B licence and 

• Create a first‑ever legal framework for testing autonomous and connected vehicles on public roads, with strict safety and authorisation requirements.

What this means in practice, we don’t know yet, but we will keep our members updated.

IRS tax benefits for oncological disease
Since 2019, many taxpayers with oncological disease lost IRS tax benefits after their disability degree was re‑evaluated below 60%. Courts repeatedly ruled this was incorrect, including the Supreme Administrative Court and the Constitutional Court. In 2026, the Autoridade Tributária (AT) officially accepted this interpretation through a new ofício‑circulado, meaning court action is no longer needed.

You may be entitled to recover money if you once held a Multiuse Medical Certificate (AMIM) with ≥60% disability, and later your disability was reduced below 60%, and you lost IRS tax benefits as a result.

Although triggered by oncological cases, legal interpretations suggest this may apply to all diseases, not only cancer.

Eligible taxpayers may:

• Keep IRS disability benefits despite reassessment below 60%

• Recover excess IRS paid by submitting replacement returns

• Reclaim wrongly paid IUC (vehicle tax) through a reclamação graciosa

From 1 January 2024, benefits are no longer lost immediately.

Corrections are limited to 4 years. In 2026, this normally includes IRS years 2021–2024 (exact eligibility depends on submission dates)

The AT will not refund anything unless you take action. 

Check with your accountant if you think this applies to you.

IMI notices
As part of the modernisation of their services, AT (Finanças) has adopted a new model for printing and sending communications.

What’s changing?

• ​New envelope formats

• Updated letter layouts.

This new format replaces the old format “letter-envelope” and will be used for IMI payment notices, which will be issued shortly.

AT alert
Have you received a message from AT (Finanças) asking you to click on a link or verify your details to receive a refund? Fraudulent emails and text messages are circulating that claim to be from the Tax and Customs Authority.

The aim is clear:

• To trick you into clicking on malicious links

• To steal your personal or banking details

• To induce you to make unauthorised payments

Important: The AT never asks for personal or banking details, or requests payments, via links sent by email or SMS. AT advice is to:

• Ignore these messages

• Do not click on suspicious links

• Do not provide any information

• Do not make any payments

Check the communications sent by the AT in your personal account.

Polícia Segurança Pública warning
WARNING! NEW SCAM INVOLVING MB WAY!

Have you received an unexpected transfer, followed immediately by a request to return the money via WhatsApp? STOP. You may be about to get involved in an illegal scheme without realising it.

Criminals use third-party accounts to ‘launder’ money from illicit sources. If you return the money to a different number from the one that sent it to you, you are helping to cover up the crime.

Golden Rules for your safety:

• Always be wary: Is the number contacting you not the same as the one that sent the money? That’s a warning sign.

• Cut off contact: Do not respond to pressure or emotional messages.

What should you do?

• Contact your bank immediately.

• Save screenshots of all conversations and proof of transactions.

• Report it to a PSP police station.

HPV vaccine
In April 2026, the Direção‑Geral da Saúde (DGS) formally expanded free HPV vaccination under the Programa Nacional de Vacinação (PNV) to additional groups, beyond the long‑standing childhood programme.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is now available free of charge to:

• Women aged 18 to 26

• Men aged 24, 25 and 26 (born between 2000 and 2002)

• Immunocompromised individuals, of any age

According to the government’s announcement, this expansion helps protect those who were not vaccinated in time, and strengthens the prevention of various HPV-related diseases, including certain types of cancer.

The recommended vaccination at age 10 remains in place for both boys and girls.

Portugal uses the nonavalent HPV vaccine (Gardasil 9)

How to get the vaccine in practice:

1. Go to your Centro de Saúde

2. Bring: 

• Identification

• Your vaccination record (if available)

3. The nurse or doctor will: 

• Confirm eligibility

• Schedule the doses (usually 2; 3 only if immunocompromised)

The PNV applies to all residents, including foreign residents.

Dia do Trabalhador
The afpop office will be closed on Friday, 1 May, due to the public holiday (Dia do Trabalhador). On 1 May, the rights and duties of workers are also celebrated almost everywhere in the world. In addition to political and social aspects, many people take advantage of the holiday to spend time with family and friends, enjoying picnics, barbecues and other leisure activities. Some supermarkets might also close or close earlier.

Segurança Social Direta portal
We would like to remind members that from the 12 May, to log in to the Social Security Portal with your NISS + Password, the Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) will be required (similar to the Finanças website). You have until the 30 April to update your personal and contact details. In addition to your Password, you will be asked for a temporary code sent to your mobile phone or email. 

To activate 2FA you:

• Access the Portal

• Activate Two-Factor Authentication

• Confirm your mobile phone and email address (if this has changed you can correct this here).

If you use the Digital Mobile Key, you don't have to worry, you can continue to use it to log in to the Portal.

Planning your future in Portugal Seminars - reminder
Join our upcoming seminars designed to help you prepare for the future with confidence and clarity.

21 May – Museu do Traje (Costume Museum), in São Brás de Alportel

Places are still available, but the event is almost fully booked. Register for this session HERE.

This event, which is conducted in English and open to the public, offers practical and easy-to-understand guidance on planning your future in Portugal under the theme You’re never too young to plan for older age.

A range of expert speakers will share valuable insights on key topics, including:

• Networking and Support - Guidance from the British Consulate on registering contacts and building a reliable support network.

• Health and Insurance Planning - Overview of health insurance options tailored to expatriates.

• Legal Planning - Essential advice on wills, powers of attorney, and other key legal matters.

• Financial Planning - Practical guidance on asset organisation, international coordination, and tax considerations in Portugal

• Funeral and Ceremonial Arrangements - Clear information on available funeral plans and services.

• State Support Services - A Social Work Specialist will outline the support available through Portugal’s public system.

• Community Safety - The PSP will provide information about the “Idosos em Segurança” programme, offering advice on staying safe and explaining how the police support vulnerable members of the community.

• Public Safety – The GNR will also be present to help register remote residents for routine well-being checks and emergency support.

Time: 10:00 – 12:30

Cost: Free to attend (advance booking with afpop required)

Living in the Algarve event - reminder
We will be joining the Open Media group once again at their ‘Living in the Algarve’ seminar on 30 April at Cascade Wellness Resort in Lagos. 

There is a morning and afternoon session, where you can hear the presentations and speak with experts in person if you have any questions. There will be Coffee breaks to chat with our event partners.  Save your FREE seats here: www.livinginthealgarve.pt 

Navigating your way in Portugal – Ericeira edition - reminder
Do you need help navigating your way in Portugal?

Join afpop on Wednesday, 6 May (14h00) at the Ericeira Business Factory for an informative seminar on living and planning in Portugal.

Meet our CEO, Daisy Sampson, and our new local event organisers, Tim and Maria Kirkham. We will also host expert speakers Matthew Krystman (Blevins Franks) and João Pinheiro (Medal Insurance), followed by a dedicated Q&A.

• Cost: Free (Booking with afpop essential)

• Language: English

• Note: Places are limited-register early!

You can register here: https://afpop.com/en/navigating-portugal-ericeira-edition

AIMA Renewals Portal (non-EU): April, May and June 2026
The Renewals Portal is now also available for Residency Permit renewals expiring in April, May and June 2026. See further details on the renewal process in our previous briefings. The Portal is only available for non-EU residencies that have expired or are due to expire between July 2025 and June 2026. If your authorisation expires at a later date, you will need to wait for the Portal to open for that specific month.

The renewal of Residence Permits for Investment (ARI) that expired between 22 February 2020 and 30 June 2026, is now available on the Renewals Portal

Residency renewal for EU citizens and family members
AIMA has added an option on their contact form for Residency renewal applications for EU citizens and their family members’ Residency cards and Certificates (CRUE). This option is for cards and certificates that have already expired or are due to expire in the very near future. 

You can find the contact form here: https://contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form 

Choose: “Topic Type” Community Residence Card and then the “Subtopic Type” that suits your specific request. If the English version gives you issues, please try the Portuguese version.

Choose: “Tipo de Assunto” Cartão de Residência UE and then the “Subtipo de Assunto” that suits your specific request.

Please note: We are aware that people who have a Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia (CRUE) that has already expired, are getting an error when trying to use the AIMA contact form to request an appointment for renewal (applying for a permanent Residency). AIMA are also aware of this but so far, the error has not been corrected. Please see below a picture of the error.

If you cannot submit the request due to this error, you can send your appointment request by 

email to geral@aima.gov.pt with the subject: “CR appointment on paper, unable to use the 

form”. Please remember to attach the same documents as needed on the AIMA contact form which is your CRUE and your passport. 

When we know that this error has been corrected by AIMA, we will inform members through our briefings.

New benefits for members
We’re pleased to highlight a growing number of companies featured in the afpop ADvantage Directory. They offer exclusive benefits and services for afpop members.

This week we have the following newcomers:

• Aster Healthcare Services– Holistic daily support for vulnerable adults – 10% off for the first 3 months

• Chase Buchanan Private Wealth Management - regulated, independent wealth management firm - Exclusive members only webinars, Complementary first meeting and €500 off initial fees

For more detailed information, please click on the links that will guide you to the afpop CONNECT website.

Satellite offices
If you need advice or assistance, wish to introduce a new Member to the Association, need to renew your subscription, or just have a general query, please come and see us. We ask you to make an appointment and to inform us about your enquiry, so staff can come prepared to assist you. Please contact the afpop office to make an appointment on 282 458 509 or info@afpop.com.   

The next dates of the Satellites are: 

• Almancil – Tuesday, 26 May between 10h00 and 12h30 (premises of MEDAL Seguros)

• Lagos – Wednesday, 27 May between 10h00 and 12h30 (premises of MediLagos on R. José Ferreira Canelas, which is behind the Câmara building)