News from afpop

Urban rental rules
The Council of Ministers has approved a Draft Law reforming the urban rental rules. The government is trying to encourage more owners to put properties on the rental market by giving landlords greater security and contractual flexibility, while maintaining protections for elderly, disabled and vulnerable tenants.

Practical Impact for Landlords

The reforms are intended to:

• Reduce the risk of unpaid rent

• Make dispute resolution faster

• Allow larger deposits or up to 3 months' rent in advance if agreed

• Make it easier to recover properties in cases of breach of contract.

Practical Impact for Tenants

• Existing contracts remain largely unchanged

• Rent cannot be increased arbitrarily during the term of a contract

• Vulnerable tenants with old contracts (before 1990) retain strong protections

• Additional State support is available in housing emergencies

Entry into force is still subject to final approval by Parliament and we will keep members informed as soon as the law has been passed.

Segurança Social appointments
Portugal's Social Security (Segurança Social) is now available on WhatsApp. People can use the official WhatsApp channel to book in-person appointments directly, making the process faster and reducing bureaucracy. Previously, appointments often required phone calls or navigating multiple online platforms. 

How it should work:

• Contact the official Social Security (CLICK HERE:)  WhatsApp channel 

• Send a message explaining your reason for contact

• Follow the prompts to schedule an appointment (the system will guide you through a few steps by sending automated messages)

• Receive confirmation directly in the chat. 

This method complements the existing channels for scheduling in-person appointments, such as the SIGA platform (also available as a dedicated app for Android and iOS) and the Social Security Appointment Line, accessible by calling 210 548 888 or 300 088 888, on weekdays from 9h00 to 18h00.

New ferry service Rio Tejo
The TTSL (Transtejo Soflusa) extension of the Trafaria–Porto Brandão ferry service to Pedrouços/Algés is a significant new public transport link across the Rio Tejo that began operation in July 2026. It extends the existing route from the south bank (Almada municipality) to the north bank in the Pedrouços/Algés area, near Oeiras and Lisbon. The route is currently operating as a six-month trial service. TTSL will evaluate passenger demand and operational performance before deciding on its long-term future. More information you can find HERE.

Free public transport Porto
As of 10 July 2026, public transport in the city of Porto has become free and unlimited for all residents of the municipality. 

From now on, travel is unlimited through a new integrated ticket called "Flex".

It is valid across the entire Andante network (Porto Metro, STCP buses, the UNIR operator, and CP trains) within the covered municipal area. Please note: Even though travel is free, you must still validate your ticket before boarding.

Any citizen with tax residency in the municipality of Porto is eligible:

• Young People up to Age 23: If you already have the free youth/student pass, you do not need to do anything.

• Current Porto Card Holders: You just need to visit an Andante Shop (Loja Andante) or a Payshop point to update your physical card.

• If You Don’t Have a Porto Card Yet: You must apply for it online (via the  (CLICK HERE:) Porto Card website) or in person at the Municipal Office (Gabinete do Munícipe) to provide proof of address and obtain your card. The free travel benefit will need to be renewed annually.

Avoid the rush: Due to the recent launch of the scheme, long queues have been reported at Andante Shops and the Municipal Office. If possible, apply for your Porto Card online to avoid waiting in person.

EDP urgent warning
EDP (Energias de Portugal) has issued an urgent warning about an incredibly sophisticated new fraud. In the past, scammers sent generic SMS messages with fake bills. Now, they are using highly personalised emails that include your real name, address, NIF (tax number), and even your CPE (Código de Ponto de Entrega — your electrical installation code). Because of this, EDP warns that seeing your correct personal information on an email or bill is no longer a guarantee of authenticity. 

If you are suspicious of any communication, you can verify it directly using EDP's official security resources: 

• EDP has an interactive diagnostic tool on their website where you can answer a few quick questions to see if the message you received is a scam. You can find it on their official EDP  (CLICK HERE:) Security and Privacy Page.

• Scammers will generate fake Multibanco references to steal your money. If you are paying an EDP bill, the only legitimate payment entities are: 

• Residential (Particulares) 20174 or 23013

• Business (Empresas)12223 or 21196.

If a message or email asks you to pay using any other entity (such as 21800, 45761, 12101, or 12167), it is a scam.

Quick ways to spot an EDP communication:

Look at the email attachment style
EDP always sends its digital invoices as PDF attachments. They never include a direct link in the body of the email to click and view your invoice.

Check the sender's email address
For residential customers, legitimate digital bills are sent exclusively from faturaedp@edp.pt 

For business accounts, they only come from divida.ML@edp.pt, cobrancas.edpcomercialb2b@edp.pt, empresas@edp.com or noreply@edp.pt.

There is an "urgent" threat to cut off your power 
Scammers rely heavily on creating panic. If you receive an unexpected text or email threatening to cut off your electricity within hours unless you pay a specific reference immediately, stop and verify it first.

If you ever want to be 100% safe from fake references, EDP recommends setting up Direct Debit (Débito Direto).

Skin cancer awareness
The Portuguese government is running an awareness campaign about skin cancer prevention.

Skin cancer is mainly caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun and tanning beds.

• Melanoma:

  • Less common but the most dangerous type

  • Causes most skin-cancer deaths

  • More than 1,000 cases are diagnosed annually in Portugal

• Non-melanoma skin cancer:

  • The most common type

  • Usually grows locally

  • Often curable when detected early

How to protect yourself 

• Avoid sun exposure between 11h00 and 17h00.

• Stay in the shade during the hours of strongest UV radiation.

• Remember that UV rays are reflected by sand and water.

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses to protect the face, neck, and eyes.

• Use sunscreen SPF 30 or higher.

• Apply it 30 minutes before sun exposure.

• Reapply every 2 hours, and after swimming or sweating.

• Avoid sunbeds/tanning beds.

• The campaign notes that 12 minutes on a sunbed can be equivalent to about 3 hours on a beach in the midday sun.

afpop/MEDAL Golf tournament
This year’s annual Golf Tournament with MEDAL Insurance, will take place at Penina on Wednesday 9th of September. As usual it will be a shotgun start at 8h45 and the practice range will be open at 7h30 and is free of charge for competitors. The green fee is €60 plus a €5 euro competition fee, payable in cash at the golf desk, and a buggy costs €35, which is payable at the Penina counter and should be booked in advance.

Any member wishing to take part in the tournament can register by contacting the afpop office on info@afpop.com In your email please quote your name, afpop membership number and your golf handicap. Also mention if you wish to reserve a Buggy.

AIMA Renewals Portal (non-EU): until October 2026 - reminder
The  (CLICK HERE:) Renewals Portal is now also available for Residency Permit renewals expiring in September and October 2026. 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 – now on the Renewals Portal
From 1 July, the Residency renewal application for European Union (EU) nationals and their family members is available on the (CLICK HERE:) Renewals Portal. 

Eligible holders should be able to carry out the following on the Renewals Portal:

• submit their application

• pay the fees

• submit the required documents

After entering the Portal, you will need to log in with a password.

If you have not registered before, change the language to English if you prefer and go to the bottom of the page to click on CREATE ACCOUNT. You will come to the next page, where you fill in your e-mail address, Residência certificate or card number, NIF (Portuguese Fiscal Number) and Date of Birth – then click on CREATE ACCOUNT again.

There have been issues with creating passwords for EU citizens and their family members, at present we are not completely sure why, but we will keep members informed. 

If you do succeed, then after starting the application on the Renewals Portal, it will be necessary for most applicants to provide biometric data in person. AIMA will arrange an appointment and notify the applicant of the date, time and location of the appointment.

Applications submitted via the AIMA contact form up to 30 June 2026 and appointments already booked will remain valid.

CUF/HPA Care Card benefit
As part of the integration process of HPA Saúde into CUF, we were informed that, although it was confirmed to us that the free Care Card would continue as previously, they are currently evaluating a new operational model to be implemented in the coming weeks. They will reach out to members who have contacted them about the Care Card as soon as definitive updates are available.

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:

• (CLICK HERE:) Palma Health Concierge – personalised health management in Western Algarve – 10% Discount

Boavista Property Talks
Thinking about making the move to the Algarve, or want to understand the property market better? Join the afpop team and a panel of specialists at the Boavista Property Talks - Summer Edition at the Boavista Golf & Spa, Emerson Suite. Our team will be on hand to answer your questions on Friday, 24 July starting at 10h00.

Badminton in Silves
The regular Monday evening booked for Badminton players at the pavilion of the Escola EB 2,3 Dr. Garcia Domingues in Silves between 19h30 and 21h30 will end for the summer break with the last evening being 27 July and will start again on 14 September 2026. If you like to sign up for after the summer, please contact Sue on suesharman9@gmail.com or call 910 108 730. 

Satellite offices
A reminder that there are no Satellite offices in July or August. We will be back in September.