News from afpop

Taxi fares
Portugal’s taxi fare system is changing under new regulations that came into force on 19 June 2026. The aim is to simplify pricing, improve transparency and modernise the sector.

• The base taxi fare will fall from €3.25 to €2.00, with fares then calculated according to distance travelled and journey time

• Baggage and pet surcharges will be scrapped, leaving only a €0.80 booking fee for pre-booked journeys

• Fares may vary by time of day, weekends, public holidays and seasonal demand, while larger taxis may charge higher rates

• Cross-municipality trips will no longer incur additional tariff-area charges, making pricing fairer and more consistent. 

Bathing Season
In Portugal, "Época Balnear" translates to the official Bathing Season or Beach Season.

It refers to the legally defined period of the year, usually stretching between May and September, during which a specific beach is officially open, monitored and active.

When the government fixes the "Época Balnear" for a beach, it means they are establishing the exact dates when:

• Lifeguards (nadadores-salvadores) are on duty to ensure public safety.

• Water quality is strictly monitored and tested regularly by environmental agencies to ensure it is safe for swimming.

• Cleanliness and waste management services are actively maintained.

• First-aid stations and safety flags are operational.

The dates are not the same for every beach. They are tailored to regional weather patterns and local needs. For example:

• South (Algarve): The season usually starts earlier (often 1 May) and ends later (mid-to-late September) due to warmer weather.

• North & Center Coast: The season is typically shorter, often starting in mid-June.

• Inland Beaches (Praias Fluviais): River and lake beaches usually have the shortest seasons, often concentrated between July and August.

You can find a list of beaches with dates if you scroll down the decree here

Updated information about water quality you can find in English here. The annual classification data of each bathing water is available, as well as the main characteristics (type of bathing water, existence of the Blue Flag and Accessible Beach awards, existence of works, risk of erosion of the cliffs) and the existing services - restaurants, bathing support, lifeguard, existence of amphibious chair, among others.

IMT Alert
Fraudulent text messages (SMS) are currently circulating which misuse the IMT’s name (Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes – The Portuguese government authority responsible for transport and mobility) and direct members of the public to malicious websites.

We advise you to be particularly wary of any message requesting urgent action, asking for payment or containing suspicious links.

For your safety:

• do not open the link

• do not provide any personal details

• delete the message

If you have any doubts about the authenticity of a communication from the IMT, always check via the IMT’s official channels.

IRC filing deadline extended
Portugal has granted businesses extra time until 30 June 2026 to file their 2025 IRC - corporate tax return (Modelo 22), without penalties, due to delays and exceptional circumstances.

Public information portal about rural fires
We would like to remind you about the Public Portal of the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR – Sistema de Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais) This is a free access platform designed for anyone who wants to stay informed.

In the portal you will find up-to-date information on:

• The SGIFR, Planning Tools and Governance

• Rural fire danger and active incidents

• Weather-related indicators

• Warnings to the population and other relevant information

• Portugal Chama campaign and awareness-raising content

• Statistics, studies, reports and legislation

• News and much more!

Unfortunately, it is only in Portuguese, but as always, you can use the translator of your browser and the map with active wildfires is easy to understand. Access it at www.sgifr.gov.pt.

We would also like to remind members of our friends Alerta’s Facebook group: Associação Alerta de incendio Florestal /Forest fire Alert that publish wildfire alerts in English in the Algarve and the Beja districts that borders the Algarve, Odemira, Ourique, Almodavar and Mertola.

Summer events
With summer now in full swing, we remind you of the website of the Algarve Tourism Board with events being organised this summer: https://eventos.visitalgarve.pt/en/

You can find details of events in other areas of Portugal here: https://www.visitportugal.com/en/encontre/grandes-eventos/list

ANSR campaign “Big Party, Zero Risk”
The National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) has launched the awareness campaign "Big Party, Zero Risk", which will run until 29 June on the Authority's social networks, with the aim of highlighting the risks of driving under the influence of alcohol and its consequences, often serious or fatal.

In Portugal, reality continues to demand attention. In recent years, more than 600 people have lost their lives annually on national roads and more than 2,400 have suffered serious injuries.

Among the main risk factors is the consumption of alcohol before driving. In Portugal, in 2023, one in four drivers who died in road accidents had a blood alcohol level equal to or greater than 0.5 g/l. Of these, three out of four recorded a rate equal to or greater than 1.2 g/l, a value that constitutes a crime.

Driving under the influence of alcohol is a risk for everyone:

• With a blood alcohol level of 0.5 g/l, the risk of suffering a serious or fatal accident doubles

• Alcohol-related accidents tend to be particularly serious

• Alcohol reduces the visual field, causing the so-called "tunnel vision"

• It can generate states of euphoria, overconfidence and disinhibition, significantly increasing the likelihood of involvement in road accidents.

The "Big Party, Zero Risk" campaign is based on the key messages:

• If you drink, don't drive

• Plan your return home safely

• Be the lifesaving friend

Land clearance deadline extension - reminder
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).

CUF private hospitals
HPA Group is now part of the CUF network. We are pleased to inform our members, that the Free Care Card remains available: https://connect.afpop.com/cuf/.

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. 

You can still book for the Lagos seminar here:

In Lagos

Date: 25 June (Thursday)

Time: 10:00 – 12:00

Venue: Lagos Town Hall Auditorium

Book HERE

Please note that the event is FREE and will be delivered in English. It is open to the general public; however, prior registration is required. Please feel free to share this with friends and family who may be interested in this subject. We look forward to seeing you there!

Living in the Algarve seminar
We will be joining the Open Media group once again at their ‘Living in the Algarve’ seminar on 7 July at Tivoli Carvoeiro Hotel. 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

US Citizen digital fingerprinting
Are you a US Citizen who needs digital fingerprinting and a full-service FBI criminal background check for your immigration process in Portugal?

afpop is proud to welcome back Identity Abroad to the Algarve for a special satellite session at our offices in Portimão on Monday, 29 June. Identity Abroad is usually based in Porto but will be coming to the Algarve with their fully FBI certified hardware and software to perform appointments for their Full-Service FBI Criminal Background Check service. You can find more information on the afpop Event Calendar.

If you would like to take advantage of this service in the Algarve, then please request your session directly with Identity Abroad by visiting https://calendly.com/identityabroad-info. This service is open to members and non-members of afpop, with special discounts available for afpop members.

AIMA Renewals Portal (non-EU): until October 2026 - reminder
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:

• PhysioAlba – Rehabilitation clinic in Tavira Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Speech and Language Therapy, Clinical Pilates and Exercise Therapy – 10% Discount

• CUF hospitals - HPA Group is now part of the CUF network – Free Care Card

• Eurofinesco S.A. – Tax & Expatriate services in Guia – Free initial 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 date of the Satellite is: 

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

Please note there will be no Satellite offices in July and August. We will return in the month of September.