Timing for obtaining a residency permit

You need to make an appointment RIGHT AWAY with SEF through their phone centre, as the appointments can be backed up in the major cities. If your appointment date is past the expiry of your visa, not to worry as you will still be legal in Portugal (do not leave Portugal) as long as you have an appointment.

The call centre numbers only work within Portugal, so once you land, phone for your appointment. They'll take the information on your passport, such as name and visa number(s). You'll need to tell which SEF office you want to book, and they give you a date and time. If it's very far in the future, you have the option to choose another office for your residency appointment.

Be in front of a computer with access to your email while you're calling, as they will stay on the line to double-check that you received the appointment email (check the details).

PHONE | 808 202 653
MOBILE | 808 962 690
WORKING DAYS from 08:00 a.m. to 08:00 p.m.

https://imigrante.sef.pt/en/#contactos

This is firsthand information; I make these appointments for people. Feel free to ask me questions privately.