SEF
Published 8 November 2026, 20:40
Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras
Portugal's former immigration and border service. It was closed on 29 October 2023: administrative matters were handed to AIMA, and border control and inspections to the police. The name still turns up in old guides, in letters and in documents issued before the reorganisation.
Where you come across it. Old articles and advice, links to sef.pt, stamps and residence cards issued before the end of 2023.
The personal area and appointment booking on sef.pt no longer work; everything goes through AIMA. A residence card issued by SEF, however, remains valid until its expiry date.