AIMA Residence Cards: Funding Approved for Production

AIMA residence card funding: the latest news

Portugal has authorised AIMA to spend up to €31.35 million on the production and delivery of residence permits and other secure official documents. The decision covers expected needs through the first half of 2027, according to the government. (portugal.gov.pt)

The Council of Ministers approved the authorisation on 22 October 2026. It was reported in a news briefing on 23 October and in an AIMA news update on 24 October. The spending is intended to pay Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda, the Portuguese state mint and official printer, for work that includes producing, personalising, packaging and dispatching the documents. (boletimpt.com)

For someone waiting for a residence card, the distinction is important: this is an authorisation to spend, not an announcement that every pending card has been produced or that waiting times will fall. The government announcement does not give an individual delivery date or a new deadline for issuing cards. (portugal.gov.pt)

What the decision covers

The government says the spending authorisation covers several stages of document production:

• Production and issuance;
• Personalisation;
• Packaging; and
• Dispatch.

Residence permits are included, but the authorisation also covers other secure official documents. The announced amount is a maximum for the work described; it is not a fee that an individual applicant must pay. The government presents the decision as a way to maintain document issuance for expected needs through the first half of 2027. (portugal.gov.pt)

The announcement does not say how many residence cards will be produced under the authorisation, how much of the amount will be spent on residence cards alone, or when a particular applicant will receive a document. Readers should avoid treating the maximum amount as a guarantee of a particular result.

Does this mean your card will arrive sooner?

Not necessarily. The announcement addresses the resources authorised for producing and dispatching documents. It does not announce a faster processing timetable or say how quickly individual cards will be delivered. (portugal.gov.pt)

It is useful to separate the stages of a case. An application may still require assessment or further documents, while a different applicant may already be waiting for a card to be produced or delivered. The funding announcement does not tell either person the status of their own case.

If you are waiting, use the information and instructions AIMA has given you for your particular application. Keep any correspondence and receipts together so that you can identify the case when asking for an update. If you are unsure which stage your case has reached, ask AIMA rather than assuming that a card is already on its way.

An issued card can still miss delivery

AIMA says issued residence cards are sent by registered post with an acknowledgement of receipt to the address provided in the application. If the recipient is not at home, the postal service leaves a notice explaining how long the card can be collected from a CTT location. If it is not collected within that period, it is returned to AIMA. (aima.gov.pt)

This makes it worth checking both your postal address and your letterbox while you wait. AIMA also advises people awaiting a card to check their email, including the spam folder. (aima.gov.pt)

What this means for you

As of November 2026, the practical response depends on where your application stands. The following steps can help you organise your next enquiry:

1. Review your latest AIMA communication. Check whether you have been asked to provide documents or take another action. Keep your application receipt and reference details accessible.
2. Check the address AIMA has for you. If you have moved or believe the address is incorrect, consult AIMA’s instructions for updating it. The appropriate contact-form option depends on your circumstances. (aima.gov.pt)
3. Watch for delivery notices and emails. If a card has been sent, follow the collection deadline on any CTT notice. Check your email and spam folder for AIMA messages. (aima.gov.pt)
4. Ask about your own case if you are unsure. AIMA provides a contact form and contact centre. Have the identifying information and case details requested by AIMA ready, and explain clearly what you need to know. (aima.gov.pt)
5. Check travel requirements before booking. If you are waiting for a card, confirm the documents needed for your specific journey with the airline and the relevant authorities. Do not assume the funding announcement changes travel-document requirements.

If you need to update your address

AIMA’s published guidance describes contact-form options for communicating or correcting an address. For example, it lists an option under Portal de Renovações for people using that route. It lists a different option for someone who already has a residence card and has no ongoing process. Read the official instructions and choose the option that fits your situation. (aima.gov.pt)

Updating an address is not the same as receiving confirmation that a card has been dispatched. If you are concerned about a delivery already in progress, explain that when you contact AIMA and ask what you should do next.

If a card was returned to AIMA

AIMA gives different instructions depending on how the application was started. For a process begun through services.aima.gov.pt, it says the person will receive an email notice specifying where and when to collect a returned card. For a process started through another route, AIMA says to go to the AIMA office where the application was made, taking account of that office’s available services and hours. (aima.gov.pt)

Check the current instructions before travelling to an office. AIMA’s guidance also says that collection under the emailed-notice route depends on presenting the notice, either personally or through a duly authorised representative with the specified power of attorney. (aima.gov.pt)

What has not changed in the announcement

The decision concerns spending on documents; it does not announce a new residence application route or a special right to an immediate card. It also does not state that applicants should submit a fresh application simply because this funding has been authorised. (portugal.gov.pt)

If AIMA has requested missing documents for a residence-permit application, follow the instructions relevant to your case. AIMA says its contact-form document-submission procedure has exceptions, including cases being handled through the Renewals Portal and services.aima.gov.pt. Do not assume that one submission channel applies to every application. (aima.gov.pt)

This article is general information, not legal advice. For an individual residence-status question, consult AIMA or a qualified professional.

Frequently asked questions

Has AIMA promised to deliver all pending cards by June 2027?

No. The government says the authorisation covers expected document needs through the first half of 2027; it does not set a delivery deadline for every pending card. (portugal.gov.pt)

Is €31.35 million a new fee for applicants?

No. It is the maximum spending authorised for document production and related services, not an individual application fee. (portugal.gov.pt)

What should I do if I miss my card delivery?

Follow the CTT notice within its stated collection period. If the card has been returned to AIMA, check AIMA’s instructions for your application route. (aima.gov.pt)