Portugal’s immigration system has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. One of the most important changes was the replacement of SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) with a new authority responsible for immigration and residency matters.

For many foreign residents and applicants, SEF was the main institution handling residence permits, visa-related processes, and immigration appointments for decades. However, the Portuguese government introduced reforms to restructure the system and improve how immigration services are managed.

Today, those responsibilities have been transferred to AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), which now oversees immigration applications, residence permits, and integration policies for foreign nationals living in Portugal.

Understanding the transition from SEF to AIMA is important for anyone applying for residency, renewing a permit, or planning to move to Portugal. In this guide, we explain what SEF was, why it was replaced, and how immigration applications work today under the new system.

What Was SEF?

The Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) was Portugal’s former immigration and border control authority. For many years, SEF was responsible for managing immigration matters, including issuing residence permits, processing visa-related applications, and overseeing border control at Portuguese airports and entry points.

Foreign nationals living in Portugal typically interacted with SEF for key immigration procedures such as residence permit renewals, family reunification applications, and biometric appointments. SEF played a central role in Portugal’s immigration system until the government decided to restructure how these responsibilities were managed.

Portugal immigration

Why Portugal Replaced SEF

Portugal replaced SEF as part of a broader reform of its immigration and border management system. The change was introduced to separate administrative immigration services from law enforcement and border control duties.

Under the previous structure, SEF handled both immigration administration and policing functions. The reform aimed to modernize the system, improve efficiency, and create a clearer distinction between immigration services and security operations.

As a result, the government redistributed SEF’s responsibilities among several institutions, with immigration administration transferred to a new agency dedicated specifically to migration and integration.

What Is AIMA?

The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) is the new Portuguese authority responsible for managing immigration and residency processes for foreign nationals.

AIMA was created to oversee immigration applications, residence permits, asylum requests, and integration policies for migrants living in Portugal. The agency now handles many of the administrative tasks that were previously managed by SEF, including residence permit applications, renewals, and immigration appointments.

What Changed for Foreign Residents

For foreign nationals living in Portugal, the transition from SEF to AIMA primarily affected how immigration services are managed.

Residence permits and immigration applications are now handled by AIMA instead of SEF. Individuals applying for residency, renewing permits, or completing biometric appointments must now interact with AIMA.

Another major issue has been the backlog of immigration applications inherited from SEF. Thousands of pending cases were transferred to the new agency, which has been working to process them while restructuring the immigration system.

Additionally, new appointment and scheduling systems have been introduced as AIMA gradually modernizes the process for handling immigration requests.

How Immigration Applications Work Today

Today, most immigration procedures in Portugal are handled through AIMA, which manages residency applications, renewals, and immigration appointments.

Foreign nationals who want to move to Portugal typically begin by applying for a visa through a Portuguese consulate abroad. After arriving in Portugal, they complete the residency process with AIMA and receive their residence permit.

Depending on their situation, applicants may later pursue longer-term status in Portugal, including:

  • Temporary residence permits, which are usually the first step for individuals relocating to Portugal
  • Permanent residency, available after several years of legal residence
  • Portuguese citizenship, which may be possible after meeting residency and language requirements

What Our Clients Say

Tim Evans
Tim EvansUSA
We began working with Portugal Residency Advisors (PRA) in April 2024 to consider residency in Portugal. Pedro Branco and Beatriz Garcia provided critical incite and information in helping us decide how best to apply for the Portugal Golden Visa Program. The most wonderful thing was that their advice was completely independent and they were not trying to sell us any investment scheme that they would benefit PRA. They provided professional advice and let us decide what worked best for us. We completed the process in less than two months. I highly recommend that you talk with them regardless of who you have talked with already.
Phyllis Kynas
Phyllis KynasCanada
My experience with Portugal Residency Advisors has been exceptionally good. Pedro Branco (client manager) provided me with clearly set out details of their services and costs and timeline. Right from the start, Beatriz Garcia (immigration lawyer) has promptly set out clearly what steps I needed to take for my visa application. She was always helpful and supportive (when I was feeling stressed by the process) and guided me through it with patience and a quick response. Portugal Residency Advisors took me through a complicated and detailed process efficiently and clearly, and I am sure that it would have taken me much longer, and with much more stress, without them.
Lyssa Adkins
Lyssa AdkinsUSA
I recommend to Beatriz Garcia and Portugal Residency Advisors completely. They helped us with our immigration meetings scheduling and preparation. I am quite sure that without Beatriz we would still be waiting for our immigration appointment. The onboarding process and documents collection process was incredibly smooth and professional.
Chyntia Sutton
Chyntia SuttonUSA
The best team of immigration attorneys in Portugal! Pedro and Fernanda were so attentive to every single question, nothing was too small or too big to handle for them. They guided us through every stage to the point of arrival in Portugal. They continue to be available to us whenever we have questions. We highly recommend them and we will add their contact information on one of our podcast episode as well. Thank you for your excellent expertise!
Ann-Marie Giustibelli
Ann-Marie GiustibelliUSA
Beatriz and Pedro were professional, kind most importantly (to me) is they were effective. They promptly answered all of my questions; even after my case was finished. I would hire them again in a second!
Francis Miles
Francis MilesUK
Pedro helped us through the legal minefield when purchasing a property in Portugal, along with the residency aspects as well. He is always on call, professional and extremely patient, and we are happy to recommend him and his company.
Andrew Symons
Andrew SymonsUK
Portugal Residency Advisors provided an excellent service. They took control of the whole residence permit application process, explained to me what was going on, gathered and presented all the required documentation. I received my permit 20 days after the application.
Mehmet Kidman
Mehmet KidmanTurkey
They are a highly successful team that you can completely trust and always get support from throughout our residency application process. We were very pleased with their immediate support regarding our issues.
Alejandro Castellano
Alejandro CastellanoSpain
Thank you, Pedro, for making my experience of moving to Portugal so lovely!
Piero Colafranceschi
Piero ColafranceschiItaly
Perfect assistance all along the process!

Who Can We Help

Local Expertise

We know Portugal. Due to our extensive local knowledge, we believe that concentrating our services in a single country destination is the best way to give you the most thorough and useful information.

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We recommend what’s best for you based on an extensive process experience that saves time and money to clients. Our pricing is clear and competitive, and we don’t sell services that make us more money.

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One single channel of communication for the entire process. We provide you with a comprehensive service that covers all aspects of your move, from identifying the ideal residency visa to finding your new home or helping you to settle.

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Technology plays a very important role in our company. We minimize our clients’ involvement in paperwork. We are customers ourselves and we know how to serve you.

Frequently Asked Questions

SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) was officially replaced in 2023 as part of a reform of Portugal’s immigration system. Its administrative immigration responsibilities were transferred to a new agency called AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum).

AIMA is the government agency now responsible for immigration services in Portugal. It handles residence permit applications, renewals, asylum requests, and integration policies for foreign nationals living in the country.

No. SEF’s immigration functions have been transferred to AIMA, while border control and policing responsibilities were reassigned to other Portuguese security authorities.

Residence permits are now issued and managed by AIMA, which replaced SEF as the main authority responsible for immigration administration.

Most applicants first obtain a visa through a Portuguese consulate abroad. After arriving in Portugal, they complete the residency process with AIMA, which issues the residence permit.

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