News from afpop

Good afternoon to you all and welcome to this Member Briefing, which I am writing after hearing the news of the dreadful incident in Lisbon, where people were killed and injured by the failing of the funicular tram. I know that there are many dreadful events around the world, which cause so much sadness, but the sudden collapse of a rail carriage so close to home and the instant deaths of people simply enjoying a tourist ride seems somehow incredible. As you might know a Day of Mourning was declared yesterday (Thursday) and the president has cancelled events that were to be held in the city. My thoughts, for what they are worth, are with all concerned. 

Sadly in this Briefing you will see another warning of a scam purportedly from official organisations, this time from Finanças once again. We will continue to highlight the ones that we know about, but our general suggestion to Members is to always question any unexpected e-mail or text message that you receive demanding payment, or asking you to click some link to see the ‘full details’. Simply don’t do it and if you are in doubt, then find a way to contact the organisation being represented, to check if the e-mail or SMS are genuine. Please don’t ever click on links, even if they are only ‘suggesting’ that you find more details about your situation. 

That being said, here is this week’s information for you:

New “Algarve Pass” 
Some good news for Members who might enjoy just parking their car and exploring the region Algarve. From September, travelling by bus in the Algarve will become easier and more affordable with the launch of the new “Algarve Pass” on the VAMUS network. For a monthly fee of €40, the pass will be valid on all VAMUS routes, except the AeroBus service, in an initiative, approved by the Algarve’s municipal council presidents (AMAL) and supported by the national program Incentiva +TP.

According to AMAL (Algarve Intermunicipal Community), the pass is valid on any VAMUS route, regardless of the distance travelled or the number of transfers needed. Existing passes priced below €40 will remain unchanged, ensuring that passengers who only need local travel are not affected. AMAL believes that this new pass responds to the need for a more modern, affordable, and convenient public transport system, hopefully reducing reliance on private cars.

The “Algarve Pass” will be available for purchase at VAMUS ticket offices, by phone at 300 074 830 (national landline rate), or by email at clientes@vamusalgarve.pt 

Mondego Metro started operating
The urban route of the Mondego Mobility System (SMM), between the Portagem and Vale das Flores stations, in the city of Coimbra, opened to the public on Friday the 29^th of August. This route will be free for all passengers until the opening of the line to Serpins, in the municipality of Lousã, scheduled for the end of the year.

https://www.portugal.gov.pt/pt/gc25/comunicacao/noticia?i=metro-do-mondego-comeca-a-funcionar-a-partir-de-29-de-agosto 

CTT parcel shipments to the USA
CTT – Correios de Portugal, together with other leading European postal operators, has temporarily suspended the transport of postal shipments containing goods to the United States of America (USA).

This decision follows the end of the De Minimis exemption, which previously allowed parcels valued at under 800 US dollars to enter the USA duty-free and without formal customs clearance. That means, shipments containing only documents and gifts between private individuals worth less than 100 US dollars will not be affected by this measure.

The sending of goods to the USA may still be carried out through the International Premium service, available to CTT Expresso contractual customers. This service allows shipments of up to 30 kg, with convenient collection and delivery. In this case, customs duties will be paid by the recipients.

New SNS system trial
Starting on the 15^th of September 2025, the government will begin testing a new system that allows patients waiting too long for surgery in the public health system (SNS) to opt for treatment in the private sector via a simple SMS. Patients who exceed the recommended wait time for surgery will receive a text message.

The SMS will include a code that lets patients contact a private hospital that has an agreement with the SNS. If accepted the costs are covered by the SNS. If not, they remain on the public hospital’s waiting list.

The three pilot locations are IPO Lisboa, ULS Coimbra, and ULS Alto do Ave and the goal is a nationwide rollout by November or December.

You can find more information on the maximum guaranteed response times on the SNS website: SNS24 | Tempos Máximos de Resposta Garantidos no SNS (in Portuguese, but you can use the translator of your browser). If you have any doubts, please contact your family doctor.

AIMA Renewals Portal: September 2025
The Renewals Portal is now also available for Residence Permit renewals expiring in September 2025. See further details on the renewal process in our previous briefing.

Lisbon metro strike
On the 9th and 11th of September, workers at ML – Lisbon Metro will return to the fight, in the form of partial strikes. The union FECTRANS announced that the partial strike has the following scheme:

• From 5h00 to 10h00 – operations workers

• From 7h00 to 12h00 – office workers

• From 7h30 to 12h30 – workers in the permanent and administrative sectors

• From 2h00 to 7h00 – night and road service workers

Support measures and mitigation of the impact of rural fires
AT - Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira announced exemption from surcharges or penalties for people affected by rural fires:

• For late compliance with tax, reporting and payment obligations whose deadline fell between 26^th of July and 1^st of September 2025 (like IMI), provided that these tax obligations are fulfilled by 12^th of September 2025 and

• For taxpayers who have their residence or tax domicile in the parishes covered by Resolution No. 126-A/2025 of 28^th of August or

• Taxpayers whose certified accountants have their registered office or domicile in the parishes covered above.

More fake e-mails AT
The AT - Autoridade Tributária e Aduaneira (Tax and Customs Authority) is aware that some taxpayers are receiving e-mails purportedly from the AT asking them to click on links provided.

These messages are fake and should be ignored. Their purpose is to convince the recipient to access malicious pages by clicking on the suggested links or to make undue payments.

Under no circumstances should you carry out these operations.

Living in the Algarve event
We will once again be attending the Open Media’s ‘Living in the Algarve’, event, the next instalment of which will take place on 30^th of September in Almancil (Quinta do Lago) at the Conrad Hotel. To reserve a place at the event or for more information, visit their website https://www.livinginthealgarve.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)