Here at Immigrate With Ammy, I know how demoralising it is to hold nothing but a stamped piece of paper while your future hangs in limbo. So let's break down exactly what happened, what the numbers mean for you, and the practical steps to take if you are stuck in the AIMA queue in 2026.
What Happened: Portugal's AIMA Residence Permit Task Force
Back in April 2026, Portugal's Superior Council of Administrative and Tax Courts (CSTAF) assembled a dedicated task force of 28 judges to tackle the flood of lawsuits filed by immigrants against AIMA, the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum that replaced the old SEF. These judges took on the immigration cases on top of their regular workload, specifically to relieve a court system buckling under an unprecedented volume of litigation.
The reason so many people ended up in court is simple and painful: AIMA has not been able to keep up with demand. Applications for residence permits, family reunification, and the CPLP permit piled up with no appointments in sight, leaving thousands of people with no choice but to sue the agency just to force it to act.
The Numbers Behind Portugal's Residence Permit Backlog Cleanup
The scale of the effort is genuinely impressive. Over a three-month period, the task force issued rulings in 22,436 cases, roughly 18% of the total backlog, which stood at about 124,000 cases when the group began in April. That works out to an average of 247 rulings per day, or around eight decisions per judge every single day.
Momentum built quickly. After 5,691 rulings in April, the group peaked at 8,705 decisions in May and held strong with 8,040 in June. On top of the rulings themselves, the team handled more than 47,000 procedural actions, things like requests for documents and information-gathering steps that keep cases moving. For anyone who has felt like their file simply disappeared into a void, this is proof the system can move when the resources are there.
What This Means for Your Residence Permit or Family Reunification
It is also worth remembering that not every problem needs a courtroom. AIMA has been quietly modernising: its Renewals Portal now handles residence permits expiring in July and August 2026, and as of early July the agency opened a dedicated online portal for EU nationals and their family members to apply for permanent residence certificates and cards. If your matter is a straightforward renewal, the portal may resolve it faster than litigation ever could.
The CPLP Permit and the "Proof of Lawsuit" Problem
A large share of the litigation traces back to the CPLP permit, a category created by the previous government for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries that, for certain situations, lacked the administrative regulations needed to actually process applications. That gap pushed thousands of people into court just to be seen.
The current administration has since amended the law to restrict recourse to the courts and remove the internal application process for that permit. But here is the catch that still traps many foreigners: without a final court ruling, some people hold only proof that they filed a lawsuit. Police authorities do not always accept that document as evidence of legal residency, which can leave otherwise law-abiding residents exposed to notices to leave the country. If this is your situation, do not wait passively, document everything and get proper advice.
What Happens Next: The September Second Phase
The task force is now pausing for the courts' summer judicial recess and will resume the second phase of its work in September 2026, following its original six-month operational plan. In plain terms: expect a quiet stretch through August, then another push to clear cases in the autumn. If you are waiting on a ruling, this is not the moment to give up, it is the moment to make sure your file is complete and your paperwork is airtight so you're ready the instant your case is reached.
Practical Steps If You're Stuck in the AIMA Queue
While the courts do their part, there are things within your control:
- Keep every document current. Passports, proof of income, tax numbers (NIF), social security (NISS), and address registration should all be valid and easy to produce.
- Check the AIMA Renewals Portal first. If your case is a renewal or an EU permanent-residence matter, you may not need to be in the court queue at all.
- Save all lawsuit and appointment evidence. Keep copies of your legal filings, any court communications, and receipts — you may need them if your status is questioned.
- Don't let a permit lapse silently. Portuguese law generally protects your rights while a renewal is pending, but you must have filed on time and kept the proof.
- Get tailored advice before acting. The right move depends entirely on your permit type and where your case sits.
The bottom line: Portugal's residence permit system is still under strain, but for the first time in a long while the backlog is moving in the right direction. Whether you're fighting for a court ruling, waiting on family reunification, or simply trying to renew, the smartest thing you can do is understand your exact position and act deliberately. If you'd like personalised help mapping out your next step, I'm here for you book a one-on-one consultation and let's get you a clear plan.
Sources: AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo (official); reporting via The Portugal News (Lusa / Diário de Notícias data).
Disclaimer: This article is general information based on current and officially reported rules as of July 2026 and is not legal advice. Immigration procedures change frequently. Always confirm your specific situation with AIMA (aima.gov.pt) or a qualified, registered legal professional in Portugal before making any decision.