AIMA Accommodation Declaration: Landlord Guide (2026)

The AIMA accommodation declaration is a document in which the landlord confirms that a foreign citizen resides in their property. It is required by AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum) for residence permit applications and expressions of interest. It must identify the landlord, the tenant, the property, and the title that legitimizes the occupation, and must be signed by the owner. It does not replace the lease agreement or its registration with the Tax Authority.

If a tenant has asked you for a ‘declaration for AIMA’ and you do not know what to sign, this guide explains exactly what the document is, what it must contain, what it should not contain, and what the real risks of signing — or refusing — are.

What is the AIMA accommodation declaration

AIMA replaced SEF in 2023 and took over the responsibilities regarding foreign residents in Portugal. In residence permit processes, the agency requires proof that the applicant has accommodation within the national territory.

This proof can be provided in several ways: a lease agreement registered with the Tax Authority, a property purchase deed, or — when the applicant is not the leaseholder — an accommodation declaration issued by the person providing the housing.

It is this latter case that raises doubts for landlords, because the declaration is a signed document that produces legal effects before the State.

When it is mandatory

The declaration is usually requested when:

the tenant is not listed as a leaseholder on the lease agreement (for example, they live with the leaseholder);
the lease agreement exists but is not registered with the Tax Authority;
the accommodation is provided free of charge (family members, friends);
the applicant lives in a room within a property rented to another person;
AIMA requests additional proof of actual residence.

If the tenant holds a rental agreement registered with the Tax Authority (Finanças), the declaration is usually not necessary — the contract and the proof of registration are enough. It is worth confirming this before signing anything.

What the declaration must contain

Identification of the declarant (landlord): full name, NIF (Tax Identification Number), identification document, address
Identification of the occupant: full name, nationality, identification document or passport
Property identification: full address, tax article (artigo matricial), and parish
Title of occupation: rental agreement, free use agreement, or other
Period: start date and, if applicable, end date
Date and signature of the landlord, matching the identification document

What NOT to declare

This is the point that exposes landlords the most, and which almost no guide mentions.

Do not declare an occupation that does not exist. Making false statements to a public entity is a crime of false declaration, punishable under the Penal Code. It is not just a formality.
Do not declare more people than those who actually reside in the property. A request to ‘add one more name’ must be refused.
Do not sign blank declarations or documents without the address filled in.
Do not confuse the declaration with a contract. It does not create, alter, or replace the tenancy.

Can I refuse?

Yes. There is no legal obligation to issue an accommodation declaration. It is a voluntary act of the owner.

That said, it is worth separating two situations. If the tenant legitimately resides in the property under a contract, refusing the declaration can deteriorate a relationship you wish to maintain — and the information you are confirming is already in the contract. If, on the other hand, you are being asked to declare something that does not reflect reality, a refusal is not only legitimate: it is the only safe response.

Tax risks you should know

An accommodation declaration is an official document confirming that someone lives in your property. If this occupancy corresponds to a lease that is not registered with the Tax Authority nor declared for IRS purposes, the declaration makes this situation visible to the State.

In other words: signing an AIMA declaration regarding an informal lease is, in practice, documenting it. If the contract is not yet registered, regularize it first — registration must be completed by the end of the month following the start of the contract.

Frequently asked questions

Does the declaration require a notarized signature?

Not always. It depends on what is required for the specific process. Some service desks accept a simple signature accompanied by a copy of an ID document; others require in-person notarization. Confirm the requirements before scheduling a notary.

Does it have an expiration date?

The declaration does not have a fixed legal validity period, but in practice, a recent date is usually required. A declaration that is several months old may be rejected.

Can I declare rent-free accommodation?

Yes, and this is common among family members. Explicitly state that the provision is free of charge, so it is not interpreted as an undeclared lease.

What if the tenant leaves after I sign?

The declaration attests to the situation on the date it was issued. You are not held responsible for subsequent changes. If the departure is permanent and relevant to the process, you may report it.

Does it serve for the tenant to register with the parish council?

They are distinct processes with their own requirements. Confirm with the parish council what is required; the format is usually similar but not automatically interchangeable.

Free template

[BLOCO DE DOWNLOAD — PDF preenchível + Word. Ver notas de implementação no ticket Jira KAN-106.]

If you do not yet have a formalised lease agreement, start there: our NRAU-compliant lease agreement generator is free and produces a contract ready to sign in less than five minutes.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific situations, consult a lawyer or solicitor.

AIMA Accommodation Declaration: Complete Landlord’s Guide (2026) + Free Template