Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF), the Portuguese immigration and border service agency responsible for documenting foreigners, issuing residence permits and extending visas, is no longer in operation and has been replaced by a new entity.
In this post, we take a closer look at the decision regarding SEF Portugal and the recent shift in authority, effective October 29, 2023, to the Agency for Integration, Migrations, and Asylum (AIMA).
We also explain where you can apply for the Portugal residence permit, also known as the residence card, now that SEF doesn't exist anymore.
- What is AIMA?
- Decision to close SEF
- Institute of registration and notary office
- Residence permit application
- Public security police
- Republican national guard
- Judiciary police
- Borders and foreigners coordination unit
- SEF offices
- Portugal visas
- Accommodation for nomads
What is AIMA?
The Agency for Integration, Migrations, and Asylum (AIMA), according to the Portugal News, will now take over from SEF and also from the High Commission for Migrations (ACM) responsible for handling the reception and integration of immigrants in Portugal, as ACM is also abolished.
AIMA will handle administrative tasks concerning foreign citizens in Portugal, including residence permits and refugee matters. It will inherit about 300,000 pending processes for legalizing immigrants from SEF.
Around 600 employees from SEF's general and IT departments will be transferred to AIMA. This transition comes at a time when more than one million immigrants live in Portugal.
Under the new structure, the powers of Portugal SEF are now distributed among various entities:
- Administrative tasks for foreign citizens are transferred to the new agency and the Institute of Registration and Notary Office (IRN).
- Police officers move to the Public Security Police (PSP), the Republican National Guard (GNR), and the Judiciary Police (PJ).
- The Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit is established and will operate under the authority of the secretary general of the Internal Security System.
- Some inspectors are also transferred to the Tax Authority.
When and why was it decided to close SEF?
The idea of dividing police tasks and responsibilities for approving immigrant documents was part of the previous PS government's plan to make procedures more “efficient.” However, it was only after a Ukrainian citizen died in SEF facilities at Lisbon airport that the former Minister of Internal Administration, Eduardo Cabrita, announced the restructuring of this service.
The Assembly of the Republic approved the end of SEF on October 22, 2021. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, parliament voted on November 25 of the same year to delay SEF's closure until May 2022, following a bill presented by the PS.
In April 2022, the current Government postponed SEF's closure for the second time. This delay was linked to the establishment of the Portuguese Agency for Migration and Asylum (APMA), which was later named the Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA).
Find the perfect accommodation in Portugal
When did the government approve the current reform?
On April 6 this year, the government gave the green light to establish the new agency along with a transition plan for SEF workers. On May 24, the president officially approved these government decisions, acknowledging potential challenges in the initial phase of the new agency, particularly regarding ongoing residence permit processes.
What will the Institute of Registration and Notary Office (IRN) do?
The Institute of Registration and Notary Office (IRN) is now responsible for granting and issuing the Portuguese electronic passport, as well as managing renewals of residence permits.
How to apply for a residence permit or passport renewal
According to a statement published on the government portal and cited by SchengenVisaInfo.com, foreigners should use the SIGA platform to apply for a residence permit.
“Applications for residence permits can be made on the SIGA platform or on the SigaApp mobile application for Android, iOS or Huawei. You have to choose the ‘Registration’ option, the ‘Citizen’ theme and the ‘Residence Permit’ sub-theme, choosing ‘Renewal of Residence Permit’ as the reason”, the statement reads.
SchengenVisaInfo.com also reports that applicants can submit their application for a residence permit or passport renewal at an IRN service counter, which requires an appointment.
There are 34 branches available:
- Civil Identification Department of the Lisbon Justice Campus
- Boa Hora Civil Identification Department (Chiado) – Lisbon
- Amora/Seixal Citizen’s Bureau
- Aveiro Citizen’s Bureau
- Braga Citizens’ Bureau
- Castelo Branco Citizens’ Bureau
- Coimbra Citizens’ Bureau
- Faro Citizens’ Bureau
- Guarda Citizens’ Bureau
- Laranjeiras Citizens’ Bureau – Lisbon
- Leiria Citizens’ Bureau
- Marvila Citizens’ Bureau – Lisbon
- Odivelas Citizens’ Bureau
- Oporto Citizens’ Bureau
- Saldanha Citizens’ Bureau – Lisbon
- Tavira Citizens’ Bureau
- Vila Real Citizens’ Bureau
- Viseu Citizens’ Bureau
- Beja Registration Centres
- Bragança Registration Centre
- Évora Registration Centre
- Loulé Registration Centre
- Marinha Grande Registration Centre
- Pombal Registration Centre
- Portalegre Registration Centre
- Póvoa de Varzim Registration Area
- Santarém Registration Centre
- Setúbal Registration Centre
- Cascais Civil Registry
- Espinho Civil Registry
- Civil, Land and Commercial Registry of Horta
- Civil Registry of Ponta Delgada
- Portimão Civil Registry
- Civil Registry of Viana do Castelo
Explore more: How to Apply for Portugal NHR Tax Program as Government Sets Deadline for Its End
What will the Public Security Police (PSP) do?
The Public Security Police (PSP) oversees airport borders, checks, and controls them, and manages temporary facilities at airports. Within PSP, the Organic Airport Security and Border Control Unit was formed. This unit is in charge of overseeing people entering and leaving the country by air and ensuring airport security.
What will the Republican National Guard (GNR) do?
The Republican National Guard (GNR) will oversee and control maritime and land borders, including cruise terminals. To carry out this responsibility, the existing GNR Coastal Control Unit will be renamed the GNR Coastal and Border Control Unit.
What skills are transferred to the Judiciary Police (PJ)?
The PJ is specifically skilled in investigating illegal immigration and human trafficking.
What will the Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit do?
The Borders and Foreigners Coordination Unit, nicknamed "mini-SEF," will work under the leadership of the secretary general of the Internal Security System. Its role is to coordinate actions between different police forces and the IRN and AIMA, ensuring cooperation and coordination regarding people's movement, return, and border control.
This unit, led by a general coordinator, will also manage police databases and information systems related to borders, foreigners, and international police cooperation.
What will happen to the SEF facilities?
The SEF offices across the country will be transferred to the new responsible services. However, the future of the building housing the SEF headquarters in Porto Salvo (Oeiras municipality, Lisbon district) is still uncertain.
Are you planning to immigrate to Portugal?
Find the perfect accommodation in Madeira
If you’re interested in immigration to Portugal and would like to know more about Portugal immigration policy and Portugal immigration requirements, including Portugal visa options, that are available (such as Portugal digital nomad visa known as Portugal D8 visa, Portugal D7 visa, and Portugal D2 visa) or the ones that have changed (Portugal Golden Visa), we recommend the following articles:
- Portugal Digital Nomad Visa D8: How to Apply, Requirements, and Alternatives (D7 and D2)
- Portugal Takes Steps to Ease Housing Crisis: Portugal Golden Visa to Be Scrapped, Airbnbs to Be Restricted
Accommodation for nomads in Portugal
If you work remotely, moving to Portugal and looking for accommodation for digital nomads, we’ve got you covered.
Flatio is a digital nomad housing platform operating in over 300 destinations in Europe and beyond. In Portugal, we have listings in popular destinations such as:
We focus on monthly stays (rooms, flats, and houses), but short-term rentals are also possible from 5 days. No deposit is required for stays under 180 days unless local laws require otherwise.
Utilities and Wi-Fi are included in our lease agreements, which can be used for visa purposes and as proof of address. We offer a secure payment system, including a Bitcoin option, and daily customer service, including a 24/7 emergency line.
