Change of address :SEF

@Newly_arrived35

send an e mail to the Lisbon SEF HQ and also to your local SEF office detailing your change of address details. At the very least you have given them notice pending any appointments.

@Newly_arrived35,

You need to document your attempts to make an appointment by phone and email.

Try contacting a local SEF centre, maybe you'll have luck. Or wait for October, to see if the new agency that will replace SEF is more user friendly for appointments phone calls ....

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 45#5684348

(Post #2)

Local SEF offices:

https://www.sef.pt/pt/Pages/conteudo-de … spx?nID=53

(Select a "Direção regional" near where you live)

@JohnnyPT  thank you for your reply. Just found an a place I would like to move into but seems like I will have to put that aside. I really could not be bothered getting an appointment with SEF under current circumstances .

@joeygraham Thanks... great idea ! As I have already changed my address at Financas (just walked in and showed them documents and they updated it ) I downloaded my proof of new address from the Financas portal and attached it to the email to SEF. It's easy to do and this link walks you through how to do it

[link moderated]

@stowboy123

Unfortunately they will not accept this to actually do the address change. You have to go into an AIM office and have the appointment - the reason is that they will issue you a new Titulo de Residencia card with the updated address, and cancel the old one. Obviously you will need to show them the proof of the address change (new lease registered with Finanças or if you bought, new ownership documents). And to get that the formalities are required in person.

@stowboy123

I realized my above reply might need slight further clarification.

When you go in to the AIM office to do the address change, the issue of the new Titulo de Residencia Card is not immediate. What they do is confirm the address change is ok (looking at the documents), and then they initiate the issue of the New card. They then cancel the Old card by punching holes in it with a clipper and give that canceled Old card back to you, so that you have ID while you are waiting for the new card to come - the period of waiting depends on the workload being processed by that office - can be 2 weeks (small regional office) or maybe longer at larger busier offices.

Hey @perpetual_traveler,

I hope this message finds you well. Did the change of address appointment at SEF/AIMA prompt an extension of your Residence Permit card’s validity alongside the new card number or did the validity stay the same?

Unfortunately it stays the same. The only thing that will change aside from the address is if for example you have been issued a health system number, and a social security number subsequent to the first appointment. If you didn't have those at the initial appointment you can show them those at the address change appointment and they will add those to the new card. The expiry does not change though.

@Perpetual_traveler, I appreciate your swift reply. I’d also like to know if they had offered you the online option to change your address on the SEF website instead of reissuing the card? Asking because I came across a post on another website where a couple was offered two options (online/re-issuance) by SEF Porto in 2023. They chose the re-issuance option & had their permits miraculously extended by 1 year in addition to the original expiry date of 2 years from then.

Additionally, did you also submit “não duvida” certificates from Finançias & Social Security (much talked about elsewhere) for the address change purpose or was it deemed unnecessary?

Furthermore, how long (in weeks/months) did it take for your card to arrive? If I may ask, what SEF/AIMA did you attend to & which year was this - 2023/2024?

I look forward to your response.

Thanks in advance!