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Portuguese visa resources

Appointments and biometrics for a Portugal application

How appointments and biometric data collection work for Portugal applications, both at the consulate abroad and at AIMA inside Portugal.

Official guidance Regularly updated

Important

This information is for general guidance only. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee your application will be approved.

A Portugal national visa application involves two appointment stages. First, the visa itself is lodged abroad at a Portuguese consular post (or, in some countries, through an external service provider such as VFS), where you submit the application, photographs and supporting documents. Second, holders of a residency visa attend AIMA inside Portugal to complete the residence permit, which is where biometric data is collected.

Where you apply abroad depends on your nationality and country of residence, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes the responsible consular post and any external service provider by country.

Lodging the visa abroad

  • Applications are filed at the competent Portuguese embassy/consulate for your country of residence
  • In selected countries an external service provider (e.g. VFS) accepts applications on the consulate's behalf
  • Two recent passport-type photographs are part of the required file
  • Contact the specific consular post for its own appointment-booking method and procedures

Booking the AIMA residence-permit appointment

An appointment to grant the residence permit can be arranged through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the time the visa is issued. If no appointment is available then, or you arrive without one, you should contact AIMA to arrange it.

  • AIMA Contact Centre: (+351) 217 115 000 (working days 8:00–20:00)
  • AIMA contact form: https://contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form
  • Email: geral@aima.gov.pt

Biometrics in Portugal

Biometric data for the residence permit is collected in person at the AIMA service point (Loja AIMA) nearest your area of residence, where the applicable fee is also paid.

Next steps

  1. Check the documents you’ll needView documents
  2. How to applyStart here
  3. Choose your visaFind a visa

Official sources

For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.

Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.