News from afpop

Land clearance deadline extension
The deadline for land clearing and fuel management has been extended to 30 June throughout the country. The decision, announced by the Minister of Agriculture, follows the weather conditions of recent months, marked by persistent rain and storms, which have hampered fieldwork.
The aim is to ensure that landowners, farmers and municipalities can complete fire prevention and protection measures. After the deadline, the local authorities can start clearing any land that has still not been done and send the landowner the invoice for the work.

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

Nationality law update
The new nationality law was published in Diário da República on 18 May and came into force the day after. The new law makes nationality:

• Harder to obtain

• More dependent on: 

  • integration

  • time living in Portugal

  • clean criminal record

  • knowledge of the country

You will find all the updated information in our Factsheet FS45.

Enhanced electric mobility on the A1 and A2 highways
96 ultra-fast chargers are now distributed across eight hubs in the Galp service areas of Pombal and Aveiras on the A1 motorway, and Alcácer do Sal and Aljustrel on the A2 motorway, allowing electric vehicles to recharge their batteries in less than 20 minutes.

The infrastructure represents more than 550 kilometres of coverage between the North and South of the country and integrates a total power of 20 MW.

These hubs are part of Portugal's public charging network (Mobi.E) and you can see them live, check real-time availability, and navigate directly to them using these platforms:

• The Mobi.E Official Map: You can use the interactive map on the Mobi.E website to filter for ultra-fast chargers ($>$ 150 kW) along the A1 and A2.
• Mio / Miio App: You filter for Galp stations or look directly at the Aveiras, Pombal, Alcácer, and Aljustrel pins on the map, you will see these massive new ultra-fast setups.
• Galp Electric App: Since these were deployed by Galp, their proprietary app lists all of these specific hubs, along with the current pricing and whether the plugs are free.
• Roaming Apps: They are also mapped on international platforms like Miio, PlugShare, or Chargemap.

If you are planning a trip right now, simply punch any of those 4 service stations into your preferred EV routing app, and they will show up as active, high-power charging points.

Fake e-mails AT
The AT (Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira - Finance office) is aware of fraud attempts via fake emails. These messages may appear legitimate, but they are not sent by the AT.

The aim is to trick taxpayers into:

• Clicking on malicious links
• Providing personal details
• Making unauthorised payments

WARNING: The AT never requests payments or personal data via text message or email containing links

• Do not click
• Do not reply
• Do not make any payments

Ignore and delete the message.

Green Rail Pass app
The Green Rail Pass is now available on the gov.pt app, the official Portuguese state application for accessing digital documents. Foreign residents can only access the app if they have a Chave Móvel Digital. This feature eliminates the need for a physical card, allowing the pass to be managed digitally through gov.pt. Costing €20 per month, the pass allows travel on the entire regional train network, on Intercidades trains (with prior booking required), and on urban rail sections not included in intermodal tickets. 

IRN strike
As we mentioned on the afpop facebook page, civil registry workers in Portugal are on strike this week (8-13 June). Because of this, you should expect major disruptions, significantly restricted service hours, or total counter closures at Conservatórias (Registry Offices) and Lojas de Cidadão (Citizen Shops) across the country. 

Minimum Services Guaranteed
By law, mandatory minimum services are being maintained, but only for urgent and pre-arranged matters. These include: 

• Urgent Civil Marriages: Weddings already scheduled before the strike was announced, or urgent ones where a party is in imminent danger of death or childbirth. 

• Urgent Wills: Specifically, where a person is in imminent danger of death.

• Urgent IDs: Applications for extremely urgent or provisional Citizen Cards (Cartão de Cidadão), as well as urgent or express Passports. 

The IRN strongly recommends avoiding in-person visits unless absolutely critical.

• Use Digital Services: Where possible, use online portals to request civil registry actions, obtain official certificates, look up information, or apply for document/ID renewals and replacements.

• Check the SIGA App/Platform: If you absolutely must attend an office in person, you are advised to check the SIGA platform online first to see which local branches are actually open and what services are available before travelling. 

Ageing Well in Portugal – June seminar - reminder
A new seminar dedicated to offering practical advice about physical and mental health as we age.

The afpop “Ageing Well in Portugal” seminar brings together a panel of expert speakers who will share valuable insights, practical strategies, and evidence-based advice to help you enjoy a healthier, happier, and more fulfilling life as you age.

This year’s seminar will place an even greater focus on both mental and physical health, with specialists offering practical tips on how to maintain wellbeing, stay active, support cognitive health, and improve quality of life at every stage of ageing.

Learn how to care for both body and mind, discover positive lifestyle habits that can make a real difference, and take the opportunity to ask important questions in a relaxed and supportive environment. To reach as many people as possible, we will be hosting the same seminar in two different locations in the Algarve. Choose the venue that suits you best and join us for a seminar designed to help you age well and live well.

In Tavira

Date: 23 June (Tuesday)

Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Venue: Tavira Municipal Library

Book HERE

In Lagos

Date: 25 June (Thursday)

Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Venue: Lagos Town Hall Auditorium

Book HERE

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. We look forward to seeing you there!

AIMA Renewals Portal (non-EU): until October 2026
The Renewals Portal is now also available for Residency Permit renewals expiring in September and October 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 October 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 October 2026, is now available on the Renewals Portal.

Residency renewal for EU citizens and family members - reminder
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:

• Viscura Internacional – Medical concierge – 5% Discount

• Conceito – Consultoria de Gestão SA – Accounting, Tax and Immigration advisory services in Lisbon – 10-15% Discount

• Team Rolph Properties -2 Agents, 1 Goal within Century 21 Algarve – 20% off selling commission

• Tojal Lda – Bespoke furniture makers and carpentry services Algarve – 5% Discount

• PremierePrints – Professional Fingerprinting Service, Criminal Background Checks, Apostille in Estoril - €5 off fingerprint cards, €15 off full-service package

• Adriana Sales Nutritionist – Personalised nutrition consultations, consultancy and training Portimão and online – 20% Discount on first consultation

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: 

• Lagos – Wednesday, 24 June between 10h00 and 12h30 (premises of MediLagos on R. José Ferreira Canelas, which is behind the Câmara building) 

• Almancil – Tuesday, 30 June between 10h00 and 12h30 (premises of MEDAL Seguros)