💡 At AIMA you come only with a prior appointment (agendamento); it's best to arrive a little early with all your documents and copies.
💡 They most often ask for originals and copies: passport, NIF, proof of address, a document about work or study.
💡 If something is missing, ask them to write the document's name on paper or send it by email - that way you won't mix anything up.
💡 Biometrics instructions are short: olhe para a câmara - look at the camera, ponha o dedo - place your finger.
💡 The case number (número do processo) is the main thing they'll ask for; keep it with your documents.
💡 You can often start a renewal online; deadlines and document lists change, so check the current information on the AIMA website.
💡 The voice menu says prima a tecla um - "press 1"; aguarde - "please hold".
💡 The residence card is usually sent by post to the address in your application - make sure your name is on the letterbox.
💡 Temporary protection is proteção temporária; carry the document that confirms it.
💡 Asking for the requirement to be written down is normal and polite; you can translate it calmly at home.
💡 A NIF can be obtained at Finanças or online; this usually requires a passport and proof of address.
💡 Numbers are called on the screen together with the counter (balcão) - the ticket and counter can have different letters and digits.
💡 It's worth changing your address at Finanças straight after moving: letters and passwords are sent to it.
💡 The password for the Portal das Finanças is requested online, and it arrives as an ordinary letter at your address.
💡 The IRS is filed once a year, usually in spring; for employees there is often an automatic return (IRS Automático).
💡 Payment letters usually contain Multibanco details: entidade and referência - you pay with them at a cash machine or in your bank's app.
💡 Most certificates (certidões) can be obtained for free on the Portal das Finanças and printed yourself.
💡 A self-employed person is a trabalhador independente; the invoices they issue are called recibos verdes.
💡 The NISS is issued by Segurança Social; it's asked for when you start a job, together with the NIF.
💡 Entitlement to abono de família and the amount depend on family income; you can apply through Segurança Social Direta.
💡 The employer registers the employee with Segurança Social themselves, but it's useful to always have a copy of the contract.
💡 Sick pay (subsídio de doença) is paid by Segurança Social; the first days usually aren't paid.
💡 To change the account they usually ask for proof of IBAN from the bank (comprovativo de IBAN).
💡 The Segurança Social line often has a long wait; many questions are quicker to resolve through Segurança Social Direta.
💡 At a Loja do Cidadão each service has its own ticket; there is often an information desk at the entrance - start there.
💡 Many services see people only by appointment, some on a first-come queue; check for each one separately.
💡 To book online with public services you often need the Chave Móvel Digital - a digital key that's worth getting in advance.
💡 A copy can be certified (cópia certificada), for example, at the Junta de Freguesia, a CTT post office or a notary; take the original with you.
💡 For an atestado de residência they usually ask for a document showing your address or two witnesses who live in the parish - check with your own Junta.
💡 A utility bill for electricity, water or internet in your name often serves as proof of address.
💡 The Junta de Freguesia is the level of authority closest to the people: it certifies documents, issues certificates, and sometimes organises activities and support.
💡 Free courses for foreigners are Português Língua de Acolhimento (PLA); information is given at the Junta, IEFP and migrant support centres.
💡 The rules for exchanging a licence depend on your status and the country of issue; the current list of documents is on the IMT website.
💡 To exchange a licence you often need a medical certificate (atestado médico) - a doctor issues it, and it has a validity period.
💡 You can often check the status of an IMT application online with the case number - keep it.