News from afpop

Nationality law
On 3 May 2026, the President of Portugal signed (promulgated) a new law passed by Parliament that changes Portugal’s Nationality Law.  

Parliament passed two decrees:

• One changes the Nationality Law (who can become Portuguese citizens and under what conditions)

• One changes the Penal Code to allow loss of nationality as an additional criminal penalty, but this second decree is still being reviewed by the Constitutional Court 

The President only signed the decree changing the Nationality Law. We are waiting for the law to be officially announced in Diário da República and will offer further information to members once that has happened.

Land clearance reminder
The final date for land clearance is 31 May. After that time the local authorities can start clearing any land that has still not been done and send the landowner the invoice for the work.

This rule is except for municipalities covered by a declaration of calamity in the year 2026, where those works may take place until 30 June 2026.

More information on the website: https://portugalchama.pt (in Portuguese, but you can use the translator of your browser).

Blue Flags
A Bandeira Azul (Blue Flag) is one of the world’s most recognised voluntary eco-labels awarded to beaches, marinas and sustainable boating tourism operators.

When you see a Blue Flag flying at a beach in Portugal (or elsewhere), it is a "seal of approval" telling you that the location meets very high international standards.

To earn the flag, a beach must pass a series of rigorous criteria divided into four main categories:

• Water Quality

• Environmental Management

• Safety and Services

• Environmental Education

The Blue Flags for 2026 have been announced by the ABAAE (Associação Bandeira Azul de Ambiente e Educação). 

In total, 438 Blue Flags were awarded in Portugal, a slight decrease compared to last year due to stricter controls and specific weather conditions that affected water quality in some places.

• 396 beaches (350 coastal beaches and 46 river beaches).

• 21 marinas

• 21 tourist boats

You can find all regions and beaches for 2026 HERE.

IMI payment deadlines
If you own property in Portugal, you are required to pay IMI (Municipal Property Tax) each year. The payment schedule depends on the total amount of tax due.

The deadlines for IMI payments are as follows:

Up to €100

Payment must be made in one single instalment by 1 June 2026

Between €100 and €500

Payment can be made in 2 instalments:

1 June 2026

30 November 2026

More than €500

Payment can be made in 3 instalments:

1 June 2026

31 August 2026

30 November 2026

After receiving the payment notice from the Portuguese Tax Authority (Finanças), you can pay your IMI:

• At any Multibanco ATM

• Through online banking, using the option “Pagamentos ao Estado”

• Via the MB WAY payment option

• Directly at a Finanças office

If you have not received the payment notice

You can check your IMI payment details online through the Finanças website after logging in:

Cidadãos → Os Seus Serviços → Consultar → Imóveis → Notas Cobrança

For more detailed information, please consult our information bulletin T02 available on the afpop website.

Attention American Members: Town Hall in Faro
We have received information from the U.S. Embassy Lisbon to share with our American community. U.S. Ambassador Arrigo will host a Town Hall for American citizens on May 29th in Faro. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet with representatives from the Consular Section and the Federal Benefits Unit. Experts will be on hand to discuss:

• Consular Services available in Portugal.

• Social Security and federal benefits.

• Q&A session for your specific concerns.

Registration is required. Please secure your spot by completing the sign-up form HERE.  

Planning your future in Portugal Seminar - reminder
For those who have already registered, we would like to remind you about our upcoming seminar designed to help you prepare for the future with confidence and clarity.

21 May – Museu do Traje (Costume Museum), in São Brás de Alportel from 10:00 – 12:30. 

We look forward to welcoming you!

Ageing Well in Portugal – seminar
Join us for an inspiring and informative seminar dedicated to healthy ageing, wellbeing, and longevity in Portugal. 

The afpop Ageing Well in Portugal seminar will bring together a range of expert speakers who will share valuable insights, practical strategies, and evidence-based approaches to support a healthier and more fulfilling life as we age.

Learn more about how to keep both your body and mind healthy, with practical advice and support from the experts, and a chance to ask important questions in a relaxed environment.

To reach as many people as possible we will be hosting the same seminar in two different locations in the Algarve. Please choose the location that suits you best and join a seminar designed to make a real difference in your everyday life.

In Tavira

Date: 23 June (Tuesday)

Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Venue: Tavira Municipal Library

In Lagos

Date: 25 June (Thursday)

Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Venue: Lagos Town Hall Auditorium

Please note that both events are FREE and will be delivered in English. They are open to the general public; however, prior registration is required.

To register, please email Marisa at: support@afpop.com, ensuring that you include your name, membership number (if applicable), and your preferred venue.

More detailed information will be available soon.

Whether you are planning for your future wellbeing, supporting loved ones, or simply interested in living a healthier and more active life, this seminar offers valuable knowledge, meaningful discussions, and practical takeaways for all. We look forward to seeing you there!

Welcome our new Ericeira AEOs: Tim & Maria Kirkham!
We are delighted to introduce Tim and Maria Kirkham as our new Area Event Organisers for Ericeira. Tim recently made his debut at the afpop seminar in Ericeira, where he joined representatives from MEDAL and Blevins Franks to connect with our local members.

After falling in love with Ericeira’s charm in 2020, the Kirkhams moved here permanently with their dog, Finn. They are now dedicated to fostering a vibrant local community and are already busy planning future events—but they need your input! If you have a favourite local venue or an activity idea, Tim and Maria would love to hear from you. Send your suggestions to ericeira@afpop.com.

AIMA Renewals Portal (non-EU): until August 2026
The Renewals Portal is now also available for Residency Permit renewals expiring in July and August 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 August 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 31 August 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.

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.

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)