The balance sheet of the AIMA strike has been announced: Those who cannot make an appointment do not need to re-apply

Following the 24-hour strike at AIMA, the Portuguese Immigration, Integration and Asylum Agency, on October 6, the institution and the union announced very different participation figures.

According to AIMA's final balance sheet, 96 out of 831 employees participated in the strike.

This means a turnout of 11.6 percent.

Sindicato dos Técnicos de Migração, on the other hand, argues that participation is approximately 50 percent and that service is not provided in some AIMA units.

Why do the two sides give different figures?

It is not unusual for the participation rates of the government or institution and the unions to differ in strikes.

Parties can use different calculation methods for the total number of employees, personnel who must actually work that day, employees on leave, and the scope of personnel who can participate in the strike.

Therefore, it is not correct to compare AIMA's 11.6 percent figure with the union's nearly 50 percent figure as two results calculated with the same methodology.

What is certain is that service is disrupted at some AIMA locations.

What will those whose appointments are canceled do?

AIMA's most important statement for immigrants is here.

There is no need to re-apply for appointments that cannot be made due to strike.

AIMA will send affected users the new appointment date to the email address associated with the existing appointment.

Therefore, the person who cannot receive service due to the strike must restart the system to make a new appointment or make a new appointment for the same transaction. It doesn't need to create demand.

Checking email is important

People whose appointments cannot be made due to the strike must follow the e-mail account registered with AIMA.

It may also be helpful to check your spam or spam folder.

The new date will be announced by AIMA.

The agency also announced that the overall operational impact of the strike was limited and that most services were continuing.

The union opposed this assessment, stating that service was not provided in some delegations.

Strike did not change residence status

The 6 October strike did not change Portugal's immigration or residence legislation.

A person's residence permit period, application status or legal rights do not automatically change just because AIMA employees go on strike.

The practical result is in the service and appointment calendar.

Therefore, the most important information for those who went to AIMA yesterday and could not make transactions due to the strike is as follows:

AIMA will make the new appointment; A new application is not expected from the user.

Resources

AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo

https://aima.gov.pt/

Observador / Lusa — 6 October 2026

https://observador.pt/2026/10/06/aima-diz-que-greve-dos-tecnicos-de-migracao-teve-adesao-de-116-e-impacto-reduzido-sindicato-fala-em-50/

Diário de Notícias — October 6, 2026

https://www.dn.pt/sociedade/greve-na-aima-com-1131-de-adeso