'News from afpop' - Friday 30th of August 2024
Michael Reeve - 30-08-2024
'News from afpop' - Friday 30th of August 2024
Included in this Member Briefing: 1. ANA airports alert 2. Airport liquid restrictions 3. Entry/Exit System (EES) 4. AIMA warning 5. AIMA backlog 6. Taxa turística 7. SNS text message 8. Annual Golf Tournament 9. Living in the Algarve event 10. Office closed 11. Satellite Offices
As always if English or German are not your first language and you need clarification on any of the information included in this mailing, please contact the afpop office to ask for assistance. Si un Membre français souhaite discuter de ces informations en français, veuillez contacter Marisa au bureau de l'afpop pour obtenir de l'aide.
Good afternoon to you all and welcome to the second Member Briefing for August. As we head into September, a reminder that our Better Living in Portugal Exhibition (BLiP Expo) will take place over the weekend of October 12th and 13th in the Arena at Portimão. There is more information on that in the August edition of UPDATE, but please do take some time to visit the event at some point over the weekend and see who’s there and what they have to offer. It’s our biggest event of the year and it relies on really two things, the exhibitors and the visitors. We’ve got the exhibitors, as the event is only 2 or 3 stands away from being sold out, so it’s just left to the visitors to help make BLiP a success once again. We hope to see many of you there and of course please do come by the afpop stand and say hello. You can see a video about last year’s expo and also more about the exhibitors by clicking on the ‘Visitors’ button on the BLiP website HERE.
You’ll see in this mailing the final reminder for the golf tournament on 11th September, which is also the day that the afpop staff will take the second part of our first aid and fire fighting course with the Bombeiros, so the office will be closed on the morning on 11th September and will reopen after lunch.
Starting with some airport and travel news, here is this week’s information.
ANA airports alert
ANA- Aeroportos de Portugal is alerting that they recently became aware of the illicit sale of the Fast Track service at ANA airports. They advise that only the service sold online on ANA's website receives a valid QR-Code.
There is still a publication circulating on social media in the name of ANA - Lisbon Airport promoting the fraudulent sale of lost luggage. If you receive it please report it on the social media platform as it is a fraudulent scheme.
ANA is trying to have the pages deleted, with the appropriate criminal consequences for those responsible.
Liquid rules at airports
From 1st September the rules on carrying liquids in hand luggage return to 100 ml limit and liquids must once again be placed in clear sealable plastic bags. Any liquid over 100 ml must be checked in with your luggage. These liquids include water and other drinks, but also toothpastes, gels, lotions creams, perfumes etc. The restrictions had been eased for airports with certain screening equipment, but are now uniform again across all EU airports.
Cabin bags must not weigh more than 10 kgs and must not exceed 55 x 40 x 20cm.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
As you have probably been reading, the EU’s EES is set to come into operation this year, supposedly in November. This system will require all “third country nationals” to have their photograph and fingerprints recorded when entering the EU and will register their entry, time spent and exit from the Schengen area. For those non-EU citizens who are resident in Portugal this could cause problems if they are deemed to be staying longer than the 90 days allowed by the EU as they return to their home in Portugal from a visit to a so-called ‘third country’.
It is not clear what, if any, provision is being made for foreign residents to stay freely in their chosen country of residence and I will be seeking to clarify this with the airport and police agencies once the summer tourist season is over. When there is any information to relay to Members we will of course include it here and in the UPDATE magazine.
The ETIAS, or ‘visa waiver’ system is separate from this issue and scheduled to be operating in the second half of 2025. We will also include information on that in our publications as soon as we have anything to report to Members.
AIMA warning
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) issues a warning regarding the circulation of fraudulent e-mails that unlawfully misuse AIMA's name for undisclosed purposes.
These fraudulent e-mails, sent from the address "noreplyportalsef@saf-aima.pt", contain misleading information about alleged appointments at AIMA service locations, instructing users to appear at specific dates and hours. Please note that all legitimate communication regarding appointments from AIMA will originate from the ‘aima.gov.pt’ domain. In specific cases where information systems are under restructuring, e-mails may be sent from the ‘sef.pt’ domain.
You will find more information (also in English) on the AIMA website:
https://aima.gov.pt/pt/noticias/circulacao-de-e-mails-fraudulentos
AIMA backlog
Members will be aware of the issues surrounding AIMA and the backlog of cases, overtime ban and delays in obtaining appointments. Currently there are more than 400,000 cases waiting to be assessed, including first time applications and renewals. A substantial part of this backlog is reported to have been handed over to AIMA by SEF right at the beginning of its operations and with the amount of renewals adding to the waiting list each month it has grown even larger. The current overtime ban by workers is an attempt by them to force the government to employ sufficient staff to deal with the workload, instead of requiring existing staff to work longer and longer hours, which is reportedly the case at the moment.
We are aware that the government is trying to address the matter and the new board which was put in place in July is looking at ways to reduce the backlog and has begun contracting other agencies to help deal with the simplest of processes. Those Members who have an appointment should of course keep it, but still be prepared to wait once they arrive. As for scheduling new appointments, we will continue to update Members about any problems as we hear about them and our Information Bulletins P02 (for EU citizens) and P03 (for non-EU citizens) are kept up to date with information about how to apply and what you will require.
As always as we have more information we will include it in these Briefings and in UPDATE.
Taxa Turística
Members will already be aware of the so-called Tourist Tax, which is applied in some towns and cities. Across the country, there are at least 26 municipalities charging a fee for overnight stays in tourist accommodation (taxa turística), with the Alentejo being the only region where the measure is not currently applied.
According to a count carried out by the Lusa agency, of the 278 municipalities on the mainland, 24 already apply the tourist tax and others will start applying it this year - such as Loulé (November), Setúbal and Caminha (September), with still more planning to start next year, which is the case in some municipalities on the islands of Madeira and Azores.
Each municipality sets its own rate and defines the rules for its application, but there are criteria common to all, such as exemption from payment for children under 12 and people with a disability equal to or greater than 60%, in addition to citizens who are staying for medical treatment.
The maximum fee charged up until this month in Portugal is 2.5 euros per night. The minimum fee that can be paid in hotels or local accommodation units, including campsites, caravan parks and motorhome service areas, is 50 cents.
We remind Members who have AL to check the applicable rate with their municipality.
SNS text message
As we have carried so many warnings in these Briefings about scams purporting to be from government or other official entities, we thought we should highlight something that is NOT a scam and which some Members might have already received, or will in the next few weeks. The National Health Service (SNS) has started to notify users (Utentes) this week via SMS and email to visit their local health centre and complete any missing or out of date information that needs updating. These messages are not a scam and only users with incomplete details will be contacted. After receiving the notification, you have 90 days to update your data as this is a mandatory condition to maintain active registration in primary health care.
Annual Golf Tournament
A reminder that the annual golf tournament, in partnership with our Alliance Partners MEDAL Insurance, will be held at Penina Golf course on Wednesday 11th September. It is an individual Stableford tournament, with a shotgun start at 8h45. The driving range will be open with complimentary practice balls from 7h00.
The green fee is €60 (cash on the day) and includes the excellent Penina Buffet lunch. Buggies cost €35 and can be reserved at the time of registering, but must be paid for at the golf reception as usual.
To register for the tournament please e-mail the afpop office on info@afpop.com or call 282 458 509 or 938 252 100 to reserve your place.
Living in the Algarve seminar
We will be joining the Open Media group once again at their ‘Living in the Algarve’ seminar on Tuesday the 24th of September at Conrad Algarve Hotel – Quinta do Lago.
There is either a morning or afternoon session, where you can hear the presentations and speak with the presenters in person if you have any questions. The seminar will also include coffee breaks and wine tastings.
Reserve your FREE place here: www.livinginthealgarve.pt.
As this event clashes with the scheduled September Satellite office in Almancil, any Member who wishes to speak to staff can visit the team at the Conrad during the morning sessions from 10h30 to 12h30.
Office closed
A reminder that the afpop office will be closed on the morning of 11th of September due to staff training and will reopen after lunch on that day.
Satellite Offices
afpop staff will be on hand in the Satellite Offices again in September. If you need advice or assistance, wish to introduce a new Member to the Association, 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:
Good afternoon to you all and welcome to the second Member Briefing for August. As we head into September, a reminder that our Better Living in Portugal Exhibition (BLiP Expo) will take place over the weekend of October 12th and 13th in the Arena at Portimão. There is more information on that in the August edition of UPDATE, but please do take some time to visit the event at some point over the weekend and see who’s there and what they have to offer. It’s our biggest event of the year and it relies on really two things, the exhibitors and the visitors. We’ve got the exhibitors, as the event is only 2 or 3 stands away from being sold out, so it’s just left to the visitors to help make BLiP a success once again. We hope to see many of you there and of course please do come by the afpop stand and say hello. You can see a video about last year’s expo and also more about the exhibitors by clicking on the ‘Visitors’ button on the BLiP website HERE.
You’ll see in this mailing the final reminder for the golf tournament on 11th September, which is also the day that the afpop staff will take the second part of our first aid and fire fighting course with the Bombeiros, so the office will be closed on the morning on 11th September and will reopen after lunch.
Starting with some airport and travel news, here is this week’s information.
ANA airports alert
ANA- Aeroportos de Portugal is alerting that they recently became aware of the illicit sale of the Fast Track service at ANA airports. They advise that only the service sold online on ANA's website receives a valid QR-Code.
There is still a publication circulating on social media in the name of ANA - Lisbon Airport promoting the fraudulent sale of lost luggage. If you receive it please report it on the social media platform as it is a fraudulent scheme.
ANA is trying to have the pages deleted, with the appropriate criminal consequences for those responsible.
Liquid rules at airports
From 1st September the rules on carrying liquids in hand luggage return to 100 ml limit and liquids must once again be placed in clear sealable plastic bags. Any liquid over 100 ml must be checked in with your luggage. These liquids include water and other drinks, but also toothpastes, gels, lotions creams, perfumes etc. The restrictions had been eased for airports with certain screening equipment, but are now uniform again across all EU airports.
Cabin bags must not weigh more than 10 kgs and must not exceed 55 x 40 x 20cm.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
As you have probably been reading, the EU’s EES is set to come into operation this year, supposedly in November. This system will require all “third country nationals” to have their photograph and fingerprints recorded when entering the EU and will register their entry, time spent and exit from the Schengen area. For those non-EU citizens who are resident in Portugal this could cause problems if they are deemed to be staying longer than the 90 days allowed by the EU as they return to their home in Portugal from a visit to a so-called ‘third country’.
It is not clear what, if any, provision is being made for foreign residents to stay freely in their chosen country of residence and I will be seeking to clarify this with the airport and police agencies once the summer tourist season is over. When there is any information to relay to Members we will of course include it here and in the UPDATE magazine.
The ETIAS, or ‘visa waiver’ system is separate from this issue and scheduled to be operating in the second half of 2025. We will also include information on that in our publications as soon as we have anything to report to Members.
AIMA warning
The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) issues a warning regarding the circulation of fraudulent e-mails that unlawfully misuse AIMA's name for undisclosed purposes.
These fraudulent e-mails, sent from the address "noreplyportalsef@saf-aima.pt", contain misleading information about alleged appointments at AIMA service locations, instructing users to appear at specific dates and hours. Please note that all legitimate communication regarding appointments from AIMA will originate from the ‘aima.gov.pt’ domain. In specific cases where information systems are under restructuring, e-mails may be sent from the ‘sef.pt’ domain.
You will find more information (also in English) on the AIMA website:
https://aima.gov.pt/pt/noticias/circulacao-de-e-mails-fraudulentos
AIMA backlog
Members will be aware of the issues surrounding AIMA and the backlog of cases, overtime ban and delays in obtaining appointments. Currently there are more than 400,000 cases waiting to be assessed, including first time applications and renewals. A substantial part of this backlog is reported to have been handed over to AIMA by SEF right at the beginning of its operations and with the amount of renewals adding to the waiting list each month it has grown even larger. The current overtime ban by workers is an attempt by them to force the government to employ sufficient staff to deal with the workload, instead of requiring existing staff to work longer and longer hours, which is reportedly the case at the moment.
We are aware that the government is trying to address the matter and the new board which was put in place in July is looking at ways to reduce the backlog and has begun contracting other agencies to help deal with the simplest of processes. Those Members who have an appointment should of course keep it, but still be prepared to wait once they arrive. As for scheduling new appointments, we will continue to update Members about any problems as we hear about them and our Information Bulletins P02 (for EU citizens) and P03 (for non-EU citizens) are kept up to date with information about how to apply and what you will require.
As always as we have more information we will include it in these Briefings and in UPDATE.
Taxa Turística
Members will already be aware of the so-called Tourist Tax, which is applied in some towns and cities. Across the country, there are at least 26 municipalities charging a fee for overnight stays in tourist accommodation (taxa turística), with the Alentejo being the only region where the measure is not currently applied.
According to a count carried out by the Lusa agency, of the 278 municipalities on the mainland, 24 already apply the tourist tax and others will start applying it this year - such as Loulé (November), Setúbal and Caminha (September), with still more planning to start next year, which is the case in some municipalities on the islands of Madeira and Azores.
Each municipality sets its own rate and defines the rules for its application, but there are criteria common to all, such as exemption from payment for children under 12 and people with a disability equal to or greater than 60%, in addition to citizens who are staying for medical treatment.
The maximum fee charged up until this month in Portugal is 2.5 euros per night. The minimum fee that can be paid in hotels or local accommodation units, including campsites, caravan parks and motorhome service areas, is 50 cents.
We remind Members who have AL to check the applicable rate with their municipality.
SNS text message
As we have carried so many warnings in these Briefings about scams purporting to be from government or other official entities, we thought we should highlight something that is NOT a scam and which some Members might have already received, or will in the next few weeks. The National Health Service (SNS) has started to notify users (Utentes) this week via SMS and email to visit their local health centre and complete any missing or out of date information that needs updating. These messages are not a scam and only users with incomplete details will be contacted. After receiving the notification, you have 90 days to update your data as this is a mandatory condition to maintain active registration in primary health care.
Annual Golf Tournament
A reminder that the annual golf tournament, in partnership with our Alliance Partners MEDAL Insurance, will be held at Penina Golf course on Wednesday 11th September. It is an individual Stableford tournament, with a shotgun start at 8h45. The driving range will be open with complimentary practice balls from 7h00.
The green fee is €60 (cash on the day) and includes the excellent Penina Buffet lunch. Buggies cost €35 and can be reserved at the time of registering, but must be paid for at the golf reception as usual.
To register for the tournament please e-mail the afpop office on info@afpop.com or call 282 458 509 or 938 252 100 to reserve your place.
Living in the Algarve seminar
We will be joining the Open Media group once again at their ‘Living in the Algarve’ seminar on Tuesday the 24th of September at Conrad Algarve Hotel – Quinta do Lago.
There is either a morning or afternoon session, where you can hear the presentations and speak with the presenters in person if you have any questions. The seminar will also include coffee breaks and wine tastings.
Reserve your FREE place here: www.livinginthealgarve.pt.
As this event clashes with the scheduled September Satellite office in Almancil, any Member who wishes to speak to staff can visit the team at the Conrad during the morning sessions from 10h30 to 12h30.
Office closed
A reminder that the afpop office will be closed on the morning of 11th of September due to staff training and will reopen after lunch on that day.
Satellite Offices
afpop staff will be on hand in the Satellite Offices again in September. If you need advice or assistance, wish to introduce a new Member to the Association, 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:
- Almancil - Tuesday 24th of September between 10h30 and 12h30 (Conrad Algarve Hotel – Living in the Algarve Seminar)
- Lagos – Wednesday 25th of September between 10h00 and 12h30 (premises of MediLagos on R. José Ferreira Canelas, which is behind the Câmara building).
Alliance Partners
Associate Partners
