News from afpop - Wednesday 20th of December 2023

Good day to you all and welcome to this, the final Member Briefing of 2023, the year in which we surpassed the 10,000 Member mark. Once again the year has had its ups and downs and we head into 2024 not knowing what the political situation in Portugal will be after the elections in March. Whatever happens though, you can be sure that your afpop team will be here to ensure that you have correct information about any changes and also to help you on a host of other matters that you trust us with each year. My sincere thanks to those of you who have sent such kind and generous messages to the office throughout they year. It really is our great pleasure to be able to help you and thank you to those who have recommended afpop to their friends.
 
You may not be aware that this Monday (18^th December) was in fact International Immigrants Day and a report on the study of foreigners living in Portugal was released. Apparently over the last ten years the number of immigrants in Portugal has doubled to almost 800,000, equating to just under 8% of total residents. 30% of those are Brazillian and a large percentage are migrant workers, whilst a third of the immigrants in the last 15 years have been descendants of Portuguese Sephardic Jews. Portugal really has become a more diverse country over the last decade.  
 
Due to the success of the prostate presentation last month and the request for more subjects to be covered, you will see in this Briefing that we are looking to return to a seminar programme next year. More details below and in January, but we’re looking forward to including these events, which I’m calling ‘AFPOP Presents …’ in 2024. Until then though it only remains to thank you all again for your support of the Association this year and to wish you a joyous and peaceful Christmas, whatever your religion or beliefs.
 
Please stay safe and I like the Portuguese sentiment seen on the illuminated gantries over the roads; “O melhor presente, é estar presente”, The BEST present, is to BE present.
 
Extension of deadlines for documents, Residency and Visa
Another validity extension has been announced for documents, Residencies and Visas relating to stays in the Portuguese national territory whose validity expires from the 25th of November (and 15 days prior). Those documents will continue to be accepted under the same terms until 30^th of June 2024. They will also be accepted after 30^th of June 2024, providing that the holder proves that they have already scheduled the respective renewal.
 
The previous validity extension date was the 31^st of December 2023. Citizens that fell under those terms need to be able to show a proof appointment after the 31^st of December 2023, if they have not been able to renew before the end of the year. If you have not managed to make an appointment for renewal (no appointments available online and not getting through to AIMA over the phone), we suggest to contact a CLAIM office near your area of residence: https://plim.acm.gov.pt/contactos/contactos-rede-claim, they may be able to assist you with an appointment. 
Rectified 02/02/2024

Waste disposal at Christmas
Waste disposal and recycling are always an issue over the Christmas and New Year period and the municipalities once again ask citizens to deposit their waste only until 18h00 on the 24th and 31^st of December. They ask people not to deposit waste outside the ecological islands on 25th of December and 1^st  of January, as there will be more trash than usual and no collections. 
 
Retirement age
For those that are working in Portugal, the legal retirement age next year remains at 66 years and four months, but in 2025 it will increase to 66 years and seven months. Every year the legal retirement age is assessed and based on the average life expectancy.
If you are an employed person with Social Security discounts and a contributory career of at least 15 years, you can do a simulation on the Segurança Social website (you will need to register first), by filling in your NISS number and password, to obtain a pension forecast. (Please note that at the moment they have not updated the simulator with the new retirement age.)
 
Public Services Portugal Mainland
The Government of Portugal Mainland has granted additional public holidays on the 26th of December and 2^nd of January to workers who carry out public functions, so public service offices will be closed on those days. This also includes Loja do Cidadão, Espaço do Cidadão, Registry Offices and AIMA (previously SEF) offices. If any Members have appointments booked on those days, they should receive a communication to re-schedule. If you have not received any communication, please check with the authority where you are booked.
 
Lisbon Metro
Due to reduction in demand usually seen on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, the Metropolitano de Lisboa will close its operating service at 22h00 on 24th of December and will resume at 8h00 on the 25^th of December.
 
Trains through Christmas and New Year
CP has announced that on the days 24^th,25^th, 31^st of December and 1^st of January, there will be some adjustments made to their train schedules. You can find further information here: https://www.cp.pt/passageiros/pt/consultar-horarios/avisos/circulacao-natal-ano-novo
 
Tolls
As mentioned in our News from afpop of the 29^th of September, the reduction in tolls comes into force in January 2024.
The ordinance allows new reductions on motorways in the Interior and Algarve on 1^st of January 2024. The reduction will be 30% for light vehicles compared to current prices. The routes covered are: 

 
BLiP exhibitor offers
A significant number of exhibitors created promotional offers for afpop Members, which we will publicise on the BLiP website throughout December and January: https://betterlivinginportugal.com/index.php/en/
 
Seminar presentations in 2024
The recent ‘Movember’ prostate presentation was the first afpop seminar that we have held for a number of years. For many years the seminar programme was a regular fixture in our  schedule, but for various reasons, not least of all the restrictions caused by coronavirus, the events have not been held. Due to the success of the presentation in November and the subsequent request for more of these small events in the future, we are in discussions with several organisations to host more of the presentations next year. We are also looking to host IRS presentations in early 2024.
 
The intention is to begin with the prostate presentations again in other locations, including the Lisbon area and then add some other information events throughout the year. We are investigating potential venues and are already in discussion with some potential presenters and hope to have more information in January. The intention is for the events to be free for afpop Members to attend, with an entry fee for non-Members and allowance has been made in the budget for 2024 to cover any administration costs.
 
Thank you to those Members who have already contacted us about this and we look forward to meeting many of you at the presentations next year.
 
Christmas closing
The afpop office will close for the Christmas break at 12h30 on Friday 22^nd of December and will remain closed throughout the Christmas period, reopening on Tuesday 2^nd of January 2024.
 
Satellite Offices
afpop staff will be on hand in the Satellite Offices again in January 2024. 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 our 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: