News from afpop

Good afternoon to you all and welcome to this second August Member Briefing. The fires across the country have once again devastated large areas and taken massive resources to combat. Sadly there has been some loss of human life, fortunately very few so far, but of course there has been a great deal of wildlife decimated and a lot of plant life lost. The hot dry weather is still with us and the authorities are calling for continued vigilance from all of us. Our thanks of course go to the Bombeiros and other teams who tackle these fires and my plea is, if you haven’t already thought about doing so, to perhaps consider supporting them by taking some supplies to your local station, such as water and perhaps some easy to handle energy snacks. In the past they have also called for towels and even old socks, so perhaps check with your local station to see if there’s anything specific that they are short of. 

Sadly we have news of yet more fraud/phishing scams in this mailing and that’s not counting one that my wife and others have received about apparently illegal parking and a fine of 170 euros to pay. If you receive that one don’t click on the link to see more details, just delete it and look out for the ones below. Have I mentioned how much I hate these parasites?

The airport baggage handler strikes are back on and there’s some information for those still caught up in the AIMA debacle, so here is this week’s information:

Absentee voting in local elections
The local elections will be held on Sunday the 12^thof October 2025 and any Member who has registered to vote but will be out of Portugal on polling day can still vote, using the ‘Early Vote’ option on the following website: https://www.portaldoeleitor.pt/en/Pages/default.aspx. On the top tabs select the drop-down menu under ‘Voter’, there you will see the 5^th tab is ‘Early Vote’. Select that and in the second paragraph you will see a link to ‘Electronic Platform’ and a box will appear, from where you can proceed by clicking the ‘Ver detalhes’ option. 

This option is only available between 14 and 10 days prior to the election, after which time it closes for electronic voting.

Uber Women
Uber in Portugal has launched and is expanding the ‘Women Drivers’ service, a feature that allows passengers to choose to travel only with female drivers. This initiative aims to increase comfort, safety and inclusion in the mobility sector.

After a pilot phase in Lisbon, the service has been expanded to:

• Algarve

• Aveiro

• Braga

• Coimbra

• Leiria

Female passengers can activate the option of travelling exclusively with female drivers.
Female drivers can also choose to transport only female passengers.
The feature is free and depends on the availability of drivers in the region.

Fraudulent SNS24 messages
The Attorney General's Office (PGR - Procuradoria-Geral da República) warned of fraudulent messages of alleged debts to the National Health Service (SNS) sent via 'Whatsapp' by senders identified as 'SNS24’. These messages are not sent by the National Health Service (SNS), nor by any other entity authorised by it to do so. Although they claim to originate from that public entity, this message is false and serves the sole purpose of convincing victims to make undue payments to third parties.

AT Phishing messages
The Tax and Customs Authority (AT) warns of more fraudulent e-mails and text messages that are circulating, pretending to be official communications from the AT. These messages are fake and include malicious links that can infect your devices. 

It is well worth checking that your device anti-virus software is up to date and ALWAYS be wary of any links or files that are sent by SMS or e-mail. They can always be checked on the official sites. Don’t reply to such messages and certainly do not provide any personal information or make any payments. 

Delete them, immediately.

https://info.portaldasfinancas.gov.pt/pt/destaques/Paginas/Alerta_seguranca_20250819.aspx 

AIMA Renewals Portal: August 2025 
The Renewals Portal is now available for Residence Permit renewals expiring in August 2025.
If you are in this situation, access the Portal link (portal-renovacoes.aima.gov.pt) and renew your Residence Permit! If the due date is later, please wait for the portal to open in subsequent months so that you can submit your application.

• For renewals that expire after 30 June 2025 and that will be processed on the Renewals Portal, at the moment it is mandatory to provide a Social Security Identification Number (NISS). If you do not have a NISS, AIMA recommends that you book an appointment at certain Citizen Space (Espaço Cidadão) offices to request one. You will need to present a valid Residency document and passport to apply. A list of locations that offer this service can be found HERE (You can change the language to English). 

  If you can’t obtain a NISS because your Residency has expired after the 30^th of June, please contact AIMA’s call centre (+351) 217 115 000.

• Once you have managed to obtain a NISS, you need to add that to your file with AIMA which can be done through the contact form https://contactenos.aima.gov.pt/contact-form by selecting Autorização de Residência » Portal das Renovações - fill in your details and attach scans of your Residency document and NISS. It is best to use the Portuguese version as the English version has had some issues.

• Minors (under 18 years of age) do not need to have your Fiscal number (NIF) and Social Security Identification Number (NISS) to renew their Residence Permit on the Renewals Portal.

• If your Residence Permit expired before 30^th of June 2025, and its validity was extended until 15^th of October 2025 by Decree-Law No. 85-B/2025, you must wait to be contacted by AIMA to proceed with its renewal.

• Residence Card (this is the old paper version for EU citizens) renewals are not yet available on this Portal. We will inform Members when we have news on that.

• If you need to change your address, you must do so using the contact form in Contact Us, option “Change data without the need for an appointment > Communicate/rectify Address – Without issuing a new card”. If you can’t submit the information when using the English version, please change to the Portuguese version.

Airport strikes
After the cancellation of the airport strikes by ground-handling staff at SPdH/Menzies last week the matter seemed to have been resolved, but it wasn't. The Union of Metallurgical and Related Industries (SIMA) has issued a new strike notice at Menzies (formerly Groundforce) that will last from the 3^rd of September 2025 until the 2^nd of January 2026, covering all national airports. Whilst this union only represents 4%, there may still be some disruption to travellers.  

The first strike will take place from 00h01 on the 3^rd of September until 23h59 on the 9^th of September, followed by a new 4 day strike every weekend from Friday until Monday in September, October, November until the 15^th of December.

The last one is scheduled from 19^th of December until the 2^nd of January 2026.

ANA is advising passengers to contact their airline in advance to confirm the status of their flight before heading to the airport.

E-Lar program – update
As previously informed, we remind you that the E-Lar Program is designed to improve household thermal comfort, support families in acquiring efficient appliances, and encourage the electrification of energy consumption. By replacing gas-based equipment with electric alternatives, the program contributes to decarbonisation, whilst also providing for the collection and recycling of old appliances within a circular economy approach.

Applications are open from September the 30th, 2025, until the allocated funds run out, with a final deadline of June the 30th, 2026. The program is available across mainland Portugal. Approved applicants will receive an E-Lar Voucher, which must be activated in-store within 60 days. Once activated, qualified suppliers must deliver and install the new appliances and collect the old ones within a maximum of 30 days.

The voucher covers part of the costs of eligible appliances and services, with maximum amounts depending on the type of beneficiary. For participants in the “More Sustainable Neighbourhoods” initiative and TSEE beneficiaries (Groups I and II), support ranges from €179.60 for a conventional hob to €738 for a hob and oven set, with additional coverage for transport (€50) and installation services (between €100 and €180). For other individual applicants (Group III), the amounts are slightly lower—ranging from €146 for a conventional hob to €600 for a hob and oven set—while transport and installation costs are not eligible.

Applications and extra information can be checked online through the Environmental Fund portal: www.fundoambiental.pt

Satellite offices 
In September we will be back with the satellite offices. Please note the change of venue for Almancil (this one time).
If you need advice or assistance, wish to introduce a new Member to the Association, if you need to renew your subscription or just have a general query, please pass by and see us. We ask you to make an appointment and to inform us about your enquiry, so staff can come prepared to assist you. Please contact the afpop office to make an appointment on 282 458 509 or info@afpop.com.   

The next dates of the Satellites are: 

• Lagos - Wednesday 24^th of September between 10h00 and 12h30 (premises of MediLagos on R. José Ferreira Canelas, which is behind the Câmara building)
• Quinta do Lago - Tuesday 30^th of September between 10h00 and 12h30 (premises will be the Conrad Algarve Hotel in Quinta do Lago, where we will participate at the Living in the Algarve seminar)