Since July 1, 2026, Portugal’s AIMA has confirmed that the Renewal Portal is the official channel for submitting and processing requests for permanent residence certificates for EU nationals and permanent residence cards for their family members. The portal replaces the previous contact form for these procedures.

This change is significant beyond Portugal. Across Southern Europe, immigration competitiveness is measured by more than just available residence categories; it is also measured by administrative usability, including portals, renewals, document issuance, appointment access, and predictability.

For Spain-based companies and internationally mobile families comparing Iberian options, the lesson is clear: residence planning is not just a legal matter. It is also an operational consideration. The jurisdiction that makes documentation easier to maintain often feels more stable in practice.

At Duguech & Dip, we help clients evaluate residence planning in Spain and throughout Europe from a practical perspective, considering legal eligibility, documentation continuity, family mobility, and administrative timing.

Fuente: Duguech & Dip