Lost or Stolen Residence Card in Portugal: What to Do

Last updated: 3 October 2026 · By Link in Portugal

1. Report it to the police

Go to the nearest PSP (cities) or GNR (rural areas) station and report the loss or theft. Ask for a copy of the report (auto de denúncia or declaração de perda). It protects you if someone misuses your card and is usually needed for the replacement.

2. Request a second copy from AIMA

Ask AIMA for a second copy (2.ª via) of your residence card through its Contact Form (contactenos.aima.gov.pt), under Autorização de Residência, subtype Segunda via. AIMA asks for copies of your passport and your residence card, plus the police report. AIMA says this request can only be made until 90 days before your card expires. If your card expires sooner, check the renewal rules instead (see our renewal guide).

If you cannot find a matching option in the form, AIMA says to send your appointment request by email to geral@aima.gov.pt. An older AIMA FAQ also mentions booking through the contact centre, but AIMA now says it does not book appointments by phone.

A fee applies. Under AIMA’s fee table in force since 1 March 2026, a second copy costs 50% of the card issue fee. In some cases AIMA will call you in, for example for biometrics.

3. While you wait

• Keep the police report and the AIMA receipt with your passport
• Your right of residence is not lost with the card, but you may have trouble proving it at a bank, employer or border
• Travel: leaving Schengen without a valid card can make it hard to return. If you must travel, get advice first. The Portuguese consulate abroad may need to issue a visa for your return in some cases

Lost your passport too?

Report it to the police and contact your country’s embassy for a new passport first. AIMA will usually need a valid passport to issue a new card. When you write to AIMA, our free AIMA email writer drafts the message in Portuguese.

Card sent by post but never arrived?

If AIMA sent your card by post (CTT) and it came back to AIMA, AIMA invites you by email to collect it in person, at the Loja AIMA and on the day given in the invitation. Check your spam folder too. Bring the invitation. Only you, or a lawyer with a power of attorney (procuração forense) for this purpose, can collect it. AIMA’s fee table in force since 1 March 2026 (section XVI) charges €29.90 for each in-person card delivery.

Card damaged or data changed?

To change your address, use AIMA’s Contact Form: if you renew on the Portal de Renovações, choose Portal de Renovações, then Comunicar/retificar Morada, and attach the documents asked for; AIMA said in January 2026 that it updates these addresses within two working days. Other residence permit holders choose Alteração de dados (sem necessidade agendamento), then Comunicar/retificar Morada – Sem emissão de novo Cartão (no new card is issued). For other changes, such as your name, choose the matching option in the Contact Form and attach proof of the reason for the change. If your card is damaged, ask AIMA through the Contact Form which option applies to you. Fees can apply; check AIMA’s fee table.

Official sources

• AIMA – Contact Form
• AIMA – Contacts (second copy / data changes: use official contact channels)
• AIMA – Contact Form (address change: Portal de Renovações or Alteração de dados)
• AIMA – Fee table in force from 1 March 2026 (PDF)
• Ordem dos Advogados – AIMA information for lawyers, 2026 (appointment requests; returned cards)

This guide is general information, checked against official sources on 28 September 2026. Rules and portals in Portugal change often, so confirm the current rules with the official source before you act. It is not legal advice.