Overview
AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) operates 34 offices across mainland Portugal, Madeira, and the Azores. These offices replaced the former SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) service points and handle all immigration-related in-person services including residence permit applications, biometric collection, document submission, and card collection. Whether you need to attend a scheduled appointment or collect your residence card, this directory will help you find the nearest AIMA office with its address and opening hours.
For general inquiries before visiting, you can contact the AIMA Contact Center by phone at (+351) 217 115 000, available Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM, or by email at geral@aima.gov.pt.
Note: Office hours may change without notice. Always check the official AIMA website at aima.gov.pt for the latest opening hours and any temporary closures before travelling to an office.
AIMA Office Directory — Greater Lisbon
The Greater Lisbon area has six AIMA offices, including the two main Lisbon locations that handle the highest volume of immigration cases in the country. The Lisboa I office on Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar is the primary office for most residence permit procedures.
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Lisboa I | Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar 20, 1069-119 | Weekdays 9am–5pm |
| Lisboa II | Rua Álvaro Coutinho 14, 1150-025 | Weekdays 8am–5pm |
| Cascais | Rua da Misericórdia 1, 2750-434 | Weekdays 9am–5pm |
| Odivelas | Centro Comercial Strada Outlet, Estrada da Paiã, 2675-626 | Weekdays 9am–5pm |
| Cacém | Praceta Duque de Saldanha 17, 2735-330 | Weekdays 9am–5pm |
| Alverca | Praceta Estanislau Raimundo Nogueira 1 e 2, 2615-075 | Weekdays 8:30am–3:30pm |
AIMA Office Directory — North
Northern Portugal has nine AIMA offices spanning from Porto, the country's second largest city, to smaller district capitals. The Porto office on Avenida de França handles the majority of immigration cases in the region and has extended hours.
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Porto | Avenida de França 316, Edifício Capitólio, 4050-276 | Weekdays 8am–5pm |
| Braga | Rua dos Granjinhos 6, 4700-996 | Weekdays 8:30am–7pm |
| Viana do Castelo | Rua José Espregueira 145-147, 4900-459 | Weekdays 9am–1pm, 2pm–4pm |
| Vila Real | Largo Conde de Amarante, 5000-529 | Weekdays 9am–12pm, 2pm–4:30pm |
| Bragança | Largo S. João R/C Dto, 5301-864 | Weekdays 9am–12pm, 2pm–4:30pm |
| Aveiro | Rua Dr. Orlando Oliveira 41-47, 3800-004 | Weekdays 8:30am–7:30pm |
| Espinho | Rua 32, 834, 4500-191 | Weekdays 9am–12:30pm, 2pm–4pm |
| Viseu | Avenida Alberto Sampaio 17 R/C, 3510-512 | Weekdays 9am–1pm, 2pm–4:30pm |
| Guarda | Rua Paiva Couceiro 22, 6300-593 | Weekdays 9am–12:30pm, 2pm–4:30pm |
AIMA Office Directory — Central
Central Portugal has five AIMA offices covering the districts between Lisbon and Porto. The Coimbra office is the largest in the region and serves a significant immigrant population, particularly students at the University of Coimbra.
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Coimbra | Avenida Central 16/20, 3000-617 | Weekdays 9am–4pm |
| Leiria | Largo Dr. Manuel de Arriaga 1, 2400-177 | Weekdays 8:30am–12:30pm, 1pm–4pm |
| Figueira da Foz | Avenida de Espanha 380, 3080-271 | Weekdays 9am–1pm, 2pm–4pm |
| Castelo Branco | Rua Prof. Dr. Faria de Vasconcelos 6 R/C, 6000-266 | Weekdays 9am–12:30pm, 2pm–4:30pm |
| Santarém | Largo do Carmo, 2000-118 | Weekdays 9am–4pm |
AIMA Office Directory — Alentejo
The Alentejo region has five AIMA offices. The Odemira office serves one of the largest immigrant communities in rural Portugal, driven by the agricultural sector in the region. Setúbal, on the southern bank of the Tagus, is the busiest office in this group.
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Évora | Avenida Lino de Carvalho 7 e 7A, 7005-467 | Weekdays 9am–12:30pm, 2pm–4:30pm |
| Beja | Rua Dom Nuno Alvares Pereira 053, 7800-053 | Weekdays 9am–1pm, 2pm–4pm |
| Portalegre | Avenida de Santo António 12, 7300-074 | Weekdays 9am–12:30pm, 2pm–4:30pm |
| Odemira | Rua Sousa Prado, 7630-176 | Weekdays 9am–1pm, 2pm–5pm |
| Setúbal | Avenida Luísa Todi 36-40, 2900-450 | Weekdays 8:30am–4pm |
AIMA Office Directory — Algarve
The Algarve has four AIMA offices to serve its large expatriate and seasonal worker population. Faro is the main regional office and has the longest hours. The Albufeira and Portimão offices close earlier in the afternoon, so plan your visit accordingly.
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Faro | Mercado Municipal, Largo Dr. Francisco Sá Carneiro, 8000-151 | Weekdays 8:30am–5pm |
| Albufeira | Quinta da Bela Vista, Bloco A10, Loja D, 8200-137 | Weekdays 9am–3pm |
| Portimão | Quinta do Morais Lote 11 Fracção A, 8500-774 | Weekdays 9am–3pm |
| Tavira | Rua Dr. Augusto Carlos Palma 13, 8800-345 | Weekdays 9am–1pm, 2pm–4pm |
AIMA Office Directory — Islands
The autonomous regions of Madeira and the Azores have five AIMA offices combined. Funchal is the main office for Madeira, while the Azores are served by offices in Ponta Delgada (São Miguel), Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira), and Horta (Faial). Porto Santo has a small office with limited hours.
| Location | Address | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Funchal | Avenida Arriaga 42-A, 9000-064 | Weekdays 9am–5pm |
| Porto Santo | Avenida Henrique Vieira de Castro 14, 9400-179 | Weekdays 8:30am–12:30pm, 1pm–4:30pm |
| Ponta Delgada | Rua Marquês da Praia e Monforte 10, 9500-089 | Weekdays 9am–12:30pm, 2pm–4pm |
| Angra do Heroísmo | Alto das Covas 12, Sé, 9700-212 | Weekdays 9am–1pm, 2pm–3:30pm |
| Horta | Rua de S. João 46, 9900-129 | Weekdays 9am–12:30pm, 2pm–4pm |
What Services Are Available at AIMA Offices
AIMA offices across Portugal provide a range of in-person immigration services. Not every office offers every service, and smaller regional offices may have more limited capabilities, but the standard services available at most locations include:
- Biometric collection — fingerprinting and photograph capture required for residence permit cards. This must be done in person and cannot be completed online.
- Residence permit card collection — once your card has been produced, you collect it at the AIMA office specified in your notification. You must bring your passport and the notification letter or SMS.
- Document submission — submitting original documents, certified copies, or additional paperwork requested by AIMA as part of an ongoing application or renewal.
- Information and guidance — general information about immigration procedures, application requirements, document checklists, and status inquiries. Walk-in information desks are available at larger offices.
- Initial application appointments — scheduled appointments for submitting new residence permit applications, including work permits, family reunification, student permits, and investment visas.
- Renewal appointments — scheduled appointments for renewing existing residence permits before or after expiry.
Larger offices such as Lisboa I, Lisboa II, Porto, and Faro offer the full range of services. Smaller offices may only handle biometrics, card collection, and basic inquiries, routing more complex cases to the nearest major office. If you need a specific service, call the AIMA Contact Center at 217 115 000 beforehand to confirm that your nearest office provides it.
Tips for Visiting an AIMA Office
Visiting an AIMA office can be a smooth experience if you prepare properly. Here are practical tips to make the most of your visit:
- Bring all your documents. Carry your passport, NIF, proof of address, any AIMA correspondence or notification letters, and all documents related to your case. Bring originals and photocopies. Missing a single document can mean being turned away and having to reschedule.
- Arrive early. Even with a scheduled appointment, arriving 15 to 30 minutes early is advisable. For walk-in services, arriving before the office opens gives you the best chance of being seen, as daily walk-in capacity is limited and queues form quickly.
- Book an appointment when possible. Most substantive services require an appointment booked through the AIMA online portal or the contact center at 217 115 000. Walk-in service is generally limited to information requests and card collection at select offices.
- Bring a Portuguese speaker. While some staff at larger offices speak English, most communication at AIMA offices is conducted in Portuguese. If you are not fluent, bring a friend, colleague, or professional interpreter who speaks Portuguese. This avoids misunderstandings and speeds up your interaction.
- Check hours before you go. Office hours vary significantly between locations, and some offices close for lunch. Confirm the current hours on aima.gov.pt or by calling 217 115 000, especially around public holidays when schedules may change.
- Be patient and polite. AIMA offices are frequently busy and staff handle high volumes of cases daily. Remaining calm and courteous, even when facing delays, tends to produce better outcomes than expressing frustration.
FAQ
Where is the main AIMA office in Lisbon?
The main AIMA office in Lisbon is Lisboa I, located at Avenida António Augusto de Aguiar 20, 1069-119 Lisboa. It is open on weekdays from 9am to 5pm. A second Lisbon office, Lisboa II, operates at Rua Álvaro Coutinho 14, 1150-025 Lisboa, and is open weekdays from 8am to 5pm. Both offices are accessible by metro and bus.
Can I walk into an AIMA office without an appointment?
Some AIMA offices accept walk-ins for basic services such as general information requests and residence card collection, but most substantive services — including biometrics, application submissions, and renewal appointments — require a scheduled appointment. Walk-in availability varies by office and daily capacity. Arriving early improves your chances, but booking an appointment in advance through the AIMA online portal or by calling 217 115 000 is strongly recommended to avoid a wasted trip.
What is the AIMA phone number?
The AIMA Contact Center phone number is (+351) 217 115 000. It is available Monday to Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM Portuguese time. You can also reach AIMA by email at geral@aima.gov.pt. Be prepared for long wait times on the phone, especially on Mondays and days following public holidays.
Which AIMA office has the shortest wait times?
Smaller regional offices such as Bragança, Guarda, Horta, Porto Santo, and Castelo Branco generally have shorter wait times than the major urban offices in Lisbon, Porto, and Faro. However, these smaller offices may have more limited hours and fewer services available. Wait times fluctuate based on daily demand and are not published by AIMA, so there is no guaranteed shortest-wait office. If you have flexibility in which office you visit, choosing a less busy location outside the major cities can save significant time.
Are AIMA offices open on weekends?
No. All 34 AIMA offices in Portugal are open on weekdays only, Monday to Friday. None are open on Saturdays, Sundays, or Portuguese public holidays. Hours vary by location — some offices open as early as 8:00 AM while others do not open until 9:00 AM, and closing times range from 3:00 PM to 7:30 PM depending on the office. Always check the specific hours for your office before visiting.