News from afpop

New Portuguese President
The new President of Portugal, António José Seguro (Partido Socialista - PS), will take office on 9 March 2026. This is the date of his formal inauguration. He will be replacing Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. For more information about political parties, please see afpop Information Bulletin Z01.

Planning your future in Portugal Seminar
afpop is delighted to announce its upcoming seminar: Planning Your Future in Portugal under the theme: You’re never too young to plan for older age, taking place on Tuesday, 28 April at Boavista Resort – Lagos.

The event, conducted in English, is open to the public and aims to provide practical guidance for planning your future in Portugal.

Each speaker will share their expertise on key topics, including:

• Networking and Support – The British Consulate will guide participants on registering contacts and building support networks.

• Health and Insurance Planning – Health insurance plans tailored to expatriates.

• Funeral and Ceremonial Arrangements – Explaining available funeral plans and services.

• Legal Planning – Covering important legal topics, including wills and powers of attorney.

• Financial Planning – Advise on asset inventories, international coordination, and tax implications in Portugal.

• State Support Services – A social worker will outline options available through the Portuguese public system.

Time: 10h00 – 12h30 

Cost: Free to attend (prior booking with afpop required).

Please sign up to the event HERE to book your place today.

EU lanes at the airport – non-EU citizens with Portuguese Residency documents
Following reports from members, stating that they were not allowed to go through the EU gates with their non-EU passport and their Portuguese Residency document, we raised the matter again with the PSP Airport Police in Faro. They clarified again that, while the Schengen Borders Code determines that non-EU citizens should use the "All Passports" lanes, it is their firm understanding that, since the Entry/Exit System (EES) does not apply to residents, then their entry should be facilitated.

Consequently, their standing instructions to all border guards is that residents should be allowed to use the EU lanes. They will reinforce this message internally to ensure that their officers are fully aligned.

Calamity support
A number of local councils have been added to the list of areas that can receive special support from the Government following the severe weather and flooding caused by Storm Kristin at the end of January 2026:

Alcoutim, Alenquer, Almeirim, Alpiarça, Anadia, Arganil, Arruda dos Vinhos, Azambuja, Baião, Benavente, Cartaxo, Castelo de Paiva, Chamusca, Coruche, Faro, Mafra, Monchique, Mortágua, Oliveira do Hospital, Salvaterra de Magos, Sobral de Monte Agraço and Tábua.

This new order recognises that some councils outside the main impact zone were also badly affected, especially by flooding, and therefore should also be eligible for the same calamity support. These councils can now access the exceptional financial and logistical support created to help repair damage and assist affected communities. To access this support, a simplified procedure was created through the submission of an application to the Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR): in the case of private works, there must be certification from the municipality that the destruction was caused by storms; in the case of municipal works, the certification will be done by the CCDR. 

The Minister stressed that "state support is subsidiary to insurance – and insurers must act quickly. We cannot create the idea that the state is a universal insurance provider." However, there are damages beyond those covered by insurance that require a rapid response. 

The order took effect from the date it was signed: 24 February 2026. 

AT fraude warning
Fraudulent messages are circulating online which misuse the image of the Tax and Customs Authority. These messages aim to trick recipients into clicking on malicious links or making unauthorised payments.

Ignore these communications. Do not click on the links or make any payments.

PSP radars
Every month, the Public Security Police (PSP) shares a list of places where mobile speed control operations are planned. In total, there are more than a hundred locations across Portugal, Azores and Madeira, where authorities carry out prevention and inspection actions.

In the list HERE you can see, by district, where the PSP radars will be and on what dates. 

A reminder that these are just some of the planned operations and that throughout the month it is likely that there will be speed control in other areas without prior notification from the PSP.

IUC rules approved - reminder
The Assembly of the Republic has approved the Government's proposal to simplify the payment of the Vehicle Tax (IUC). 

In 2026, you will still pay your vehicle tax in the month of registration.

In 2027, there will be a transitional phase, so that taxpayers have time to adapt to the new rules. You will pay a single instalment during the month of October 2027 when the tax amount is equal to or less than €500, or two instalments during the months of July and October when the tax amount is greater than €500.

From 2028:

The IUC (Vehicle Tax) will be paid in April by vehicle owners, with the possibility of payment in instalments, under the following terms:

• In one instalment, in the month of April, when the IUC amount is equal to or less than €100

• In two instalments, in the months of April and October, when the IUC amount is greater than €100 and equal to or less than €500

• In three instalments, in the months of April, July and October, when the amount exceeds €500.

Changes to the IUC payment system will not result in any increase in the tax and aim to provide greater predictability for citizens. For more information, please check the afpop Information Bulletin M03.

US Citizen digital fingerprinting - reminder
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 Identity Abroad to the Algarve for a special satellite session at our offices in Portimão on Friday, 6 March (5 March is fully booked).

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 on 6 March, 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.

afpop office opening hours - reminder
The afpop office has new opening hours:

Monday – Thursday

9h00 – 12h30 and 13h30 – 17h00

Friday

9h00 – 13h30 and closed in the afternoon.

Due to the change of opening hours, the News from afpop-briefings will be sent on Wednesdays. 

AIMA Renewals Portal (non-EU): April, May and June 2026
The Renewals Portal is now also available for Residency Permit renewals expiring in April, May and June 2026. See further details on the renewal process in our previous briefings. The Portal is only available for residencies that have expired or are due to expire between July 2025 and June 2026.

New tariffs AIMA
From 1 March 2026, the updated Table of Fees and other charges applicable to administrative procedures related to residence permits, visas, renewals, titles and other acts associated with migration management services has come into effect. The new tariffs can be found here: https://aima.gov.pt/pt/noticias/atualizacao-da-tabela-de-taxas

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.

Annual General Meeting (AGM)
A reminder the 38^th Annual General Meeting will take place on Saturday 21 March 2026. Members are now able to download the AGM paperwork and voting forms at the afpop website https://afpop.com/en/agm-2026 (you need to be logged in) - click on the Download Paperwork link and a ZIP file will download automatically,  or may request them from the afpop office. Postal votes and proxy nominations are to be received in the afpop office by the last postal delivery on Thursday 19 March 2026. 

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 month we have the following newcomers:

• Empowered Ageing Algarve Healthy ageing Fitness in Lagos and Portimão - 20% Discount

• Luxial - Professional AL Management & Rental Income Optimisation covering the Algarve. 5% Discount on our Management Fee.

• Ajuda Home Inspections - Certified Home Inspection – 10% Discount

• Rural Properties - Investment in Rural Properties in the Central Region. Free Consultation on rural property investment and the plusses and minuses of living in Portugal's interior.

• Natural Joki Flow - Holistic Treatments in Portimão - 10% Discount

• Friends in Business Algarve - Business Networking - 15% off a membership
   
• Jorge Ribeiro Handyman - Handyman services - Pool maintenance Loulé/Faro/Albufeira - 20% Discount

• Portugal Made Simple – Support and translations for expats in Portugal - 20% Discount.

• Michael Mueller Verlag – German Travel Guide Publisher giving 3 months free access to the travel apps Algarve, Lisbon, North of Portugal for iOS/Android

• Bespoke Architects - John Wilson – Architectural Practice Carvoeiro Lagoa - project and project management, and information service to produce a due diligence report on land or existing property - 5% Discount

• Ceremonies by Chrissie Brazier - Ceremony Services in the Algarve –10% Discount

• Smokehouse 125 – Slow smoked Texas style BBQ Boliqueime – 10% Discount

For more detailed information, please click on the links that will guide you to the afpop CONNECT website.

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, 31 March between 10h00 and 12h30 (premises of MEDAL Seguros)

• Lagos – Wednesday, 25 March between 10h00 and 12h30 (premises of MediLagos on R. José Ferreira Canelas, which is behind the Câmara building)