Strict checklist and a race against time
The primary purpose of the appointments is to verify the applicant's current status and update documentation. The document requirements are specific and, crucially, time-sensitive.
Applicants are instructed to bring a comprehensive file, including their passport, proof of legal entry (if applicable), and administrative numbers (NIF, NISS, SNS). However, the most critical items are proof of accommodation and proof of financial means, both of which must be less than three months old. This rule is being strictly enforced, with some applicants reporting they were to present financial statements or a simple passport in recent versions.
Main Documents Required:
- Proof of Accommodation: A registered rental contract, property deed, or a declaration from the local parish (Junta de Freguesia).
- Proof of Financial Subsistence: The three most recent Portuguese bank statements showing a balance of at least €10,440 (the 2025 equivalent of 12x national minimum wage), or the three latest salary slips.
- Payment: Proof of payment for the €183.16 processing fee, for which a reference is provided in the email.
Upon successful verification, where fingerprints and signatures may also be re-taken, applicants are issued a stamped declaration (’comprovativo de pedido’). This document serves as legal proof of residence, allowing them to work and travel within the Schengen Area until their official residence card arrives, a process which AIMA staff are quoting will take up to 45 working days.
