Automatic renewal of residence permits

As announced in May, the Government adopted simplified procedures for the decision of applications for renewal of residence permits, in which the Applicant will not need to go to a reception desk, but simply make the application at SEF’s online Portal.

This process will have two stages:

1. Submission of the application for automatic renewal

By registering in the personal area of the SEF Portal, it is possible to submit the request for automatic renewal of your residence permit.
It is important to point out that if you are the holder of a residence permit for study/ volunteer work; residence permit for investment activity; permanent residence permit; residence card (for family member of a European Union citizen); permanent residence certificate (for a European Union citizen), you cannot use the “automatic renewal” feature. In these cases, you must go to a SEF’s reception desk.

2. After submitting the application for automatic renewal

You must pay the fee for the application for renewal of the residence permit on the SEF Portal.
The fees have to be paid during the 48 hours after submitting the application.
After having received the confirmation of the application for automatic renewal of the residence permit you will only have to wait for the arrival of the residence card at your address in Portugal, so there will be no need to go to the reception desk.

These changes will avoid travelling to SEF’s counters, and will allow the renewal of the residence permit to be, for most citizens, quite simplified, since it can be done from home.

Source: SEF