News from afpop

New temporary rules for Alojamento Local
The Portuguese Government has approved CLICK HERE: Decree-Law No. 151/2026, introducing temporary measures that give municipalities additional time to regulate the holiday rental (Alojamento Local or AL) sector. The new rules are intended to help councils complete their local regulations following delays associated with the 2025 local elections. 

Good news for existing AL owners

If you already have a valid AL registration, this decree does not affect your right to operate. The law specifically states that any municipal decision to extend or introduce a suspension on new registrations cannot have retroactive effect and cannot affect AL registrations that were legally granted beforehand. 

What does this mean for new AL registrations?

The main impact will be felt by property owners who are planning to apply for a new AL licence.

Municipalities that had more than 1,000 registered AL establishments by 31 December 2025 are now being given until 31 December 2026 to decide whether to adopt or amend local AL regulations. During this period, municipalities may extend existing suspensions on new AL registrations or, in some cases, introduce a new temporary suspension if a previous one has already expired. 

As a result, obtaining a new AL registration may remain difficult or impossible in certain municipalities until local regulations have been finalised.

Important considerations for buyers and investors

Anyone purchasing a property with the intention of operating it as AL should be particularly cautious. The fact that a property is suitable for short-term rental does not necessarily mean that a new AL registration will be available in that area. Municipal restrictions could prevent new registrations until the end of 2026. 

Prospective buyers and investors should therefore check local municipal policies and any existing suspension measures before making a purchase decision.

These exceptional measures will remain in force until 31 December 2026 at the latest, although they may end earlier if the relevant municipal regulations come into force. 

For existing AL owners, the decree provides reassurance that their registrations remain protected. For those planning to enter the AL market, however, the message is clear: before investing, check carefully whether new registrations are currently permitted in the municipality concerned. 

More information about AL you can find in our afpop Information bulletin CLICK HERE: H13 Holiday Rental Licence.

Driving licence renewal non-EU/non-EEA citizens
CLICK HERE: Decreto-Lei n.º 114/2026 changed the rules for renewal of Portuguese driving licences. Since 9 June 2026, the validity of a Portuguese driving licence for non-EU/non-EEA citizens is linked to the validity of their Portuguese residence permit. 

We are still seeking clarification on whether these rules apply to all third-country nationals, including citizens of CLICK HERE: OECD and CLICK HERE: CPLP countries. Until further guidance is available, we recommend that any non-EU/non-EEA resident in Portugal who holds a Portuguese driving licence and has renewed their residence permit contacts their local IMT office to confirm whether any action is required in their specific case. To contact the CLICK HERE: Instituto da Mobilidade e dos Transportes (IMT), you can call their main support line at 210 488 488.

How to stay safe during wildfires
This public safety campaign from the Portuguese government provides guidance on how to stay safe on motorways during rural wildfires.

Rural wildfires can quickly affect traffic flow on motorways. Being prepared and knowing how to act can make all the difference.

Before You Travel

• Plan your route in advance.

• Check active emergency incidents with the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (CLICK HERE: ANEPC).

• Keep track of official alerts issued by the authorities.

• Use navigation apps to monitor real-time traffic and road conditions (Like CLICK HERE: https://servicos.infraestruturasdeportugal.pt/pt-pt/viajar-na-estrada/transito-em-tempo-real and Waze or Google)

If You Are Still Able to Drive

• Slow down and adapt your speed to the conditions.

• Maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

• Drive with your headlights on.

• Turn on your hazard lights if necessary.

• In heavy smoke, use the white lane markings on the road as a visual guide.

• Keep all windows closed and switch on air recirculation.

• Always follow instructions given by emergency services and police.

If You Have to Stop

• Pull over safely off the main carriageway.

• Where possible, park away from dry vegetation and near solid structures.

• Keep the engine running, lights on, and hazard lights flashing.

• Sound your horn if necessary to help emergency services locate you.

• Stay inside the vehicle with the windows fully closed.

In an Emergency

• Download the CLICK HERE: "SOS Autoestradas" app to quickly share your location.

• Call 112 in an emergency.

• Contact the Brisa motorway support line at 210 730 300.

2nd IMI payment deadline approaching
If your Municipal Property Tax (Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis – IMI) for the year exceeds €500 and you opted to pay in instalments, please be reminded that the second payment is due by 31 August.

Taxpayers whose total IMI bill is over €500 have the option to split their payments into three equal instalments across the year (May, August, and November). You can check your payment references via the Finanças Portal or at your local tax office.

Secure access delegation on the Finanças portal
The Portuguese Government has launched a new feature on the Finanças portal that allows taxpayers to authorise another person to manage tax-related matters on their behalf without sharing their login credentials. The service, called Gestão de Autorizações de Acessos (Access Authorisation Management), is available to both individual and corporate taxpayers registered on the tax portal. 

Under the new system, users can grant access to one or more specific services, allowing an authorised individual to view information or carry out selected operations on their behalf. The authorisation can be modified or revoked at any time, giving taxpayers full control over who can act for them, what actions they can perform, and how long the permission remains valid. Authorisations can be granted for up to five years, while those without a specified end date remain valid for one year and one day. 

Previously, many users relied on sharing their portal passwords when seeking assistance with tax matters. The new feature removes this need, while ensuring that all actions carried out by authorised users are recorded. 

The change also supports the use of two-factor authentication (2FA), helping taxpayers maintain stronger account security while still receiving assistance from trusted individuals when dealing with tax affairs. 

You can find information on how to do this on the following link (in Portuguese, but you can use the translator of your browser) [gov.pt].

New Euro banknotes
Euro banknotes are getting a new look! Designers from all over Europe have reimagined how they may look like, and one of their proposals is to become the next design of the euro banknotes.

You can vote on and provide feedback for the shortlisted design proposals through the official online CLICK HERE: public survey, which remains open until 21 September 2026. The ECB’s Governing Council is expected to select the final banknote designs by the end of 2026.

GNR launches special speed enforcement operation
Drivers across Portugal are being advised to take extra care on the roads this week as the GNR has launched a nationwide speed enforcement campaign,"RoadPol – Velocidade", running from 3 to 9 August 2026. 

During the campaign, GNR officers will carry out increased patrols and speed checks on motorways, major roads and other locations with a history of accidents. Particular attention will be given to areas where speeding offences are frequently recorded.

Volta a Portugal
For cycling enthusiasts, August means one thing in Portugal: the return of the Volta a Portugal, the country's biggest and most prestigious stage race. This year's 87th edition will take place from 5 to 16 August, covering more than 1,400 kilometres as the peloton travels from Lisbon to Porto.

One of the highlights of the 2026 edition will be the return of the Algarve to the race, with Stage 2 finishing in Albufeira, giving southern Portugal's cycling fans a rare opportunity to see the action on their doorstep.

While the major restrictions are in Belém on 5 August for the Prologue, each stage of the Volta a Portugal typically brings temporary road closures, parking restrictions, and traffic diversions along the route and in the start and finish towns.

More information can be found on the dedicated website: CLICK HERE: Inicio - Volta a Portugal

afpop/MEDAL Golf tournament - reminder
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 November and December 2026
The CLICK HERE: Renewals Portal is now also available for Residency Permit renewals expiring in November and December 2026. The Portal is only available for non-EU residencies that have expired or are due to expire between July 2025 and December 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 December 2026, is now available on the Renewals Portal.

Residency renewal for EU citizens and family members – now on the Renewals Portal - reminder
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.

US Citizen digital fingerprinting
Following considerable demand, we are welcoming back Identity Abroad to the Algarve for a special satellite session at our office in Portimão tomorrow, Thursday, 6 August.

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.

If you would like to take advantage of this service in the Algarve, then please request your session directly with Identity Abroad by visiting: CLICK HERE: https://calendly.com/identityabroad-info

Satellite offices

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