We’re legal!
Our first temporary resident permits (TRP) expired in September 2024 and we received our renewed TRPs in October 2025. Yep, you read that correctly – one year to renew.
I’m not going to write about our process, because EVERYTHING about the renewal process has changed since we had our in-person appointments in April 2025.
Here are some things that I would recommend for those who are facing the renewal process now:
- Get all of your numbers in order: NISS, SNS, NIF etc.
- Be ready to show proof of sustenance (income) and that you’re actually living in your place of residence (deed, utility bill, and/or letter from your landlord).
- If you can afford it, get help. We worked with an attorney who helped with many things:
- Ensuring we had the correct documents.
- Going to the appointments with us and handling literally everything on our behalf with the attendants at IRN. This came in handy because only 3 of the 4 of us had interviews on the same day – Tiny Human #2’s appointment was the next day. But our attorney successfully appealed to the IRN employees and manager to allow us to all be processed on the same day. The IRN staff were resistant to the idea at first, but our attorney was very persuasive. I think it helped that #2 is adorable, and our attorney appealed to their general sense of being overworked and understaffed, and that if we came back tomorrow, another staff member would have to re-enter and re-scan all the same documents and information they had already completed.
- Most importantly, our attorney helped assuage our fears and help us remain calm during a time of change and uncertainty. It felt good knowing that we had someone in our corner who was well-informed and committed to seeing us through this process.
- Mail forwarding! If your address has changed since your last TRP, and you haven’t been able to change it with AIMA, or you’re planning to update your address during your renewal process – PAY FOR MAIL FORWARDING. By paying for mail forwarding, you’ll be sure to receive your new card at your new address, even if they send it to your old address. Go to your local CTT store and be prepared to spend a few minutes filling in forms. Time well spent.
- Stay informed. Things are changing all of the time. Previously, the government had to make a decree for expired permits to be valid for a certain duration. Now the rules have changed and there’s a standard validity period for expired permits.
Our new permits are valid through 2028, at which point we can choose a few paths to remain in Portugal. But things are changing in Portugal. When we applied for residency in 2022, it was with the understanding that after 5 years of temporary residency we could apply for citizenship, which can take another 2 years to be completed. Now, there’s new legislation under review that would extend that timeline to 10 years. Then there’s the option to become permanent residents of Portugal. We also have the NHR until 2032.
For now, we’re going to wait and see. It would be lovely if we could start the citizenship process in 2028, but a few extra years doesn’t really change anything for us. I’ll write more about our options and thoughts when the Portuguese government has solidified it’s new immigration and citizenship rules, probably in early 2026.
Portugal is still one of the best life choices we’ve made. Even with the frustrating bureaucracy, I wouldn’t change anything we’ve done.
