News from afpop

Good afternoon to you all and here we are in August. That means it’s definitely time to start being ultra-aware of the potential for fires and you’ll see more on that below. Please do take care, particularly in rural areas, as according to the Bombeiros, around 40% of all fires each year are caused by accident or neglectful actions. The government’s fire alert, issued this week, banning entry into forests and restricting the use of heavy machinery in those areas has now been extended until the 13^th of August, so please do remain vigilant. Several years ago now one of the biggest forest fires seen in the Algarve for decades, was apparently started by someone using a strimmer that caused a spark on a large rock. By the time he’d fetched something to douse the small fire it had spread completely out of control.

Those Members who might enjoy a trip across to Spain might be interested in new restrictions on diesel cars that are coming into force in some Spanish cities, with new Low Emission Zones, (Zonas de Baja Emisiones (ZBE)) in cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants. It seems that many cities are developing their own plans, some of which are set to start in 2028, and it is possible to apply for the zoning labels, but it’s not clear exactly how a foreign registered vehicle owner might do that. At the moment we understand that Madrid, Bilbao, Estepona, Palma de Mallorca and Getafe already have some restrictions in force and Catalonia is looking to ban all diesel vehicles from entering ‘ZBE’s at some point between 2026-2028, which will affect 23 cities. If you are planning to take your diesel car to Spain, it will be worth checking in advance if there are restrictions that will affect you. We will update Members if we are able to ascertain exactly how to apply for the badges and when the rules come into force.

Finally from me, you will see in the written press this week that we have launched our Afpop Information campaign, with adverts in the Portugal Resident and Portugal News outlining our campaign to promote our services and there is also an explanation in the August edition of UPDATE magazine. There are A5 leaflets available for Members to give to local businesses that have foreign resident customers and any Member who would like to take them can pick them up from the afpop office, or at BLiP Expo in October. They will also be available from our AEOs and from the Satellite Offices in Lagos and Almancil from September. These are a very simple way for Members to help promote the Association in places where foreign residents congregate, so please do think about anywhere that you might leave a few A5 leaflets and ask the businesses if they will accept them on their counters. Look out for the adverts in the media and show your friends.

There’s quite a lot to get through this week, so let’s get into it:

New SNS App
Members who use the SNS app on their phones will see that a new version has now been created. The new app has had some teething problems, but hopefully they are all resolved now. However, our advice (gained from personal experience) is to update the app now if you have not already done so, in case there are still glitches which might cause you issues if you need to access it at the pharmacy.

The SNS 24 App is a mobile application that allows users to access a wide range of digital health information and services quickly, simply and secure. In the app you can access several services divided into five main menus, where you can find information about your health history, make appointments for consultations, consult prescriptions and exams, download documents and certificates like living will, self-declaration of illness etc.

The SNS 24 App is available free of charge for mobile devices (smartphone or tablet).

If this is your first time accessing the new SNS 24 App, you will need to authenticate using one of the following methods: 

• Número de Utente, as long as you have a mobile phone number or email registered in the National User Registry (RNU)  

• Chave Móvel Digital (Digital Mobile Key)

After authentication, you must define a numeric access code (PIN) so that you can access your SNS 24 App securely the next time you use it. 

Payments to Segurança Social
The Social Security system in Portugal now accepts MB Way payments through the Segurança Social Mobile app. It’s fast, secure and easy to use.

The Segurança Social Direta app can be downloaded Google Play Store or for Android App Store for iOS.
To pay by MB Way: 

1. Open the Segurança Social Mobile app on your phone.
2. Go to the section for “Pagamentos” (Payments).
3. Choose your payment (e.g. contributions, debts).
4. Select MB Way as the payment method.
5. Enter your associated mobile number and confirm via the MB Way app.

You'll receive a notification from MB Way to finalise the transaction.

National Electricity System Security Enhancement Plan
According to the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, Portugal is now better prepared for a possible power outage, with the introduction of a new set of measures to upgrade: Resilience and Security of the National Electricity System; Rapid and Effective Grid Planning; Acceleration of Renewable Energy; Response Capacity of Critical Infrastructure and International Collaboration. Improvements to the electricity grid are also planned.

New public portal rural fires
The new Public Portal of the Integrated Rural Fire Management System (SGIFR – Sistema de Gestão Integrada de Fogos Rurais) is a free access platform designed for anyone who wants to stay informed.

In the portal you will find up-to-date information on:

• The SGIFR, Planning Tools and Governance

• Rural fire danger and active incidents

• Warnings to the population and other relevant information

• Portugal Chama campaign and awareness-raising content

• Statistics, studies, reports and legislation

• News and much more!

Unfortunately it is only in Portuguese, but as always you can use the translator of your browser and the map with active wildfires is easy to understand.

Access it at www.sgifr.gov.pt 

We would also like to remind Members of our friends Alerta’s Facebook group: Associação Alerta de incendio Florestal /Forest fire Alert that publish wildfire alerts in English in the Algarve and the Beja districts that borders the Algarve, Odemira, Ourique, Almodavar and Mertola.

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.

• 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 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.

• 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. 

• 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 a Citizen Space (Espaço Cidadão) 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, please contact AIMA’s call centre (+351) 217 115 000.

Rental contracts 
In the past it was the responsibility of the landlord to register rental contracts with Finanças, but now tenants with long term rental contracts can also register them if requested by the landlord. The submission must be made via the Finanças Portal and you must attach the contract and other supporting documents. Of course it makes sense for the landlord and tenant to discuss this at the time of signing the contract.

Once a rental contract is registered, the tenant then has the possibility to access the support of the Porta 65 program or the Apoio Extraordinário à Renda (Extraordinary Rent Support), which only operate when there is a lease contract declared to the tax authorities. In addition, they will be able to deduct rent expenses from the IRS - currently up to a maximum value of €700, which next year will rise to €800.

Local election registration
A reminder that the local elections will be held on Sunday the 12^th of October 2025 and any Member who intends to vote has until the 18^th of August to register, as registration has to close 60 days prior to the election date.

Airport strikes
As mentioned in our previous briefing, luggage handlers from SPdH/Menzies are striking at all major Portuguese airports (Lisbon, Porto, Faro, Funchal, and more) across four more weekends throughout August, scheduled for 8^th -11^th of August, 15^th - 18^th of August, 22^nd - 25^th of August and 29^th of August - 1^st of September. 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
We advised Members in the previous Briefing (25th of July) about the E-Lar programme, which is now scheduled to launch on the 30^th of September. The program encourages the replacement of gas appliances with more efficient electric alternatives by offering financial assistance through vouchers funded by the government.

To apply, individuals simply need to complete the form - available from the 30th of September - on the Fundo Ambiental portal and await their voucher. Once received, they can redeem it at one of the authorised suppliers. The most vulnerable group will receive higher support, which can go up to €1,683. In all other cases, the maximum support is €1,100. No payment is required unless the selected equipment exceeds the value covered by the programme.

The vouchers will be valid for 60 days, and any appliances purchased under this scheme must be energy efficiency Class A or higher. As the government anticipates high demand and rapid fund exhaustion, we recommend preparing in advance by identifying the appliances you intend to replace—such as ovens, stoves and gas water heaters.

As mentioned before, the aim of the program is to encourage families to actively contribute to the decarbonisation process; therefore, only the replacement of gas-powered appliances will be allowed. Recycling is the responsibility of the supplier of the new appliances, who must collect the replaced equipment on-site and deliver it to an appropriate recycling facility.

The list of authorised suppliers will be made available shortly on the same portal.

If more news is announced, we will update Members via these Briefings.

IMI second instalment
For those with a property tax bill exceeding €500, a reminder that your second instalment is due in August, but because the final day falls on a Sunday, the deadline has been extended to the 1^st of September. If you wish to simplify your tax payments, you can set up a direct debit for this instalment. Just be sure to finalise the process, including account confirmation, before the 15^th of August. If you would like guidance on how to do this, see our "How to..." video on setting up a direct debit with Finanças. Click HERE to view it - you must be logged into the afpop website to watch.

National Holiday 15^th of August
Friday the 15^th of August is the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and it is a National Holiday in Portugal. Most public places and also the afpop office will be closed on that day.

Satellite offices 
In September we will be back with the satellite offices.
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)
• Almancil - Tuesday 30^th of September between 10h00 and 12h30 (premises of MEDAL Seguros)