AIMA vs SEF: What Changed in Portugal Immigration Services

CheckinSimple Team ·

The Transition from SEF to AIMA

In late 2023, Portugal underwent a significant restructuring of its immigration and border services. The Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) was dissolved, and its functions were distributed among new agencies.

What Was SEF?

SEF (Foreigners and Borders Service) was responsible for:

  • Border control and immigration
  • Processing residence permits and visas
  • Managing the SIBA guest registration system
  • Investigating immigration-related crimes

Enter AIMA

AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) is the new agency responsible for immigration and asylum matters. It inherited many of SEF's functions, including oversight of the guest registration system.

What Changed for Accommodation Providers?

For hosts and property managers, the practical implications are relatively limited:

  1. The SIBA system continues to operate
  2. Registration requirements remain the same
  3. Deadlines (3 working days) are unchanged
  4. The same credentials work with the new system

Key Differences

The main changes that affect day-to-day operations include:

  • Updated terminology in official communications
  • New contact points for support inquiries
  • Gradual system updates and improvements

Compliance Requirements

Despite the organizational changes, your obligations as an accommodation provider remain the same:

  • Register all guests within 3 working days
  • Maintain accurate records
  • Keep credentials secure
  • Report any issues promptly

Looking Forward

AIMA is expected to modernize many processes, potentially making guest registration easier in the future. However, the core requirements under Portuguese law remain unchanged.

Practical Tips

To ensure smooth compliance during this transition:

  1. Keep your SIBA credentials updated
  2. Monitor official communications for updates
  3. Use reliable software that stays current with changes
  4. Maintain good records of all submissions

The transition period may bring occasional technical issues, so having a backup plan (like manual submission or DAT file export) is always wise.