Our AIMA Appointment in Lisbon 🇵🇹 What Really Happened With 5 Kids in Tow!

We just arrived in Lisbon and it already feels like there’s so much to take in. Walking through the city, we notice how every street seems to lead to something new, whether it’s a restaurant, a square, or a hidden café. Traveling as a family of seven makes the experience even more lively, and it feels like there’s always something for each of us to enjoy.

Between meals that remind us of home and sights that are completely new, our days here are full of surprises. Even though we came for an important appointment, we’ve also had the chance to explore, eat well, and enjoy the city together. Lisbon has its challenges, but we’re learning to handle them step by step while making the most of our time here.

Key Takeaways

• We share why we made the trip and what it means for us

• We explore the city together through food and sights

• We face local challenges with patience and flexibility

Why We Came To Lisbon

The Main Purpose Behind Our Visit

We didn’t just come to Lisbon for sightseeing or food, even though we enjoyed both. The real reason was our appointment at the IMA office. That’s the step we needed to move forward with our residency process.

Along the way, we turned it into a short family trip. With seven of us together, it felt like a mix of business and a little holiday.

Setting Up the Appointment

We managed to book our IMA slots only two weeks in advance, which felt lucky since most people wait months or even years. At first, the kids had separate appointments scheduled for the same day, but when we arrived, we found out things had changed.

Here’s what happened:

What We Expected What Actually Happened Five kids’ appointments in Lisbon All moved to March in Coimbra Quick same-day process Rescheduled under Brett’s visa Everyone together Only Brett’s March date confirmed

Even though it was confusing, the staff explained that since we are dependents on Brett’s visa, they shifted all the kids’ appointments to match his.

What We Thought vs. What We Found

We went in expecting the worst because of all the stories we had heard about delays and bureaucracy. Instead, the process was simple: show the appointment email, wait for our time, and go inside.

• Expectation: Hours of waiting, endless paperwork, and possible cancellations.

• Reality: Quick entry, clear instructions, and just a change of dates.

It wasn’t perfect, but it also wasn’t the nightmare we had prepared for. We even had time to enjoy breakfast, walk through the city, and stop at a bakery before heading back.

Family Life In Lisbon

Exploring Lisbon With Our Kids

Traveling as a family of seven keeps things lively. The kids loved spotting new foods, from fish and chips with mushy peas to pancakes that quickly became a favorite. Hot chocolates came decorated with little designs, which made them smile. We kept the stroller handy for the youngest, who eventually fell asleep while we walked through the city.

To keep everyone happy, we mixed sightseeing with simple treats. A stop at a bakery or gelato shop gave us breaks between walks. Having these small pauses made the day easier for all of us.

Our First Days In The City

Lisbon gave us a strong first impression. The streets felt endless, with restaurants at every turn. At night, the main square lit up beautifully, and the big city sign became a photo stop for us.

We noticed how busy the nightlife was, and it surprised us how many people approached us with offers we weren’t expecting. Still, the atmosphere in the city center felt exciting. Walking together through these areas made us feel part of the local rhythm.

Finding Familiar Comforts

Even though we haven’t lived in England for over a decade, we still miss some of its food. That’s why we headed to The George, an English pub in Lisbon. Sitting down to proper chips and classic dishes felt like a small piece of home.

We also tried more local spots, like a stylish breakfast place called After 9. The meals looked beautiful, though the portions were smaller than we’re used to. It gave us a mix of both worlds—something familiar and something new.

Exploring Lisbon’s Sights

Strolling Around the City

We set off on foot, weaving through Lisbon’s streets and soaking in the views. With so many restaurants and shops around, it feels like every corner has something new waiting for us. Walking together as a family of seven makes the city feel even more alive.

Highlights we noticed while walking:

• Endless places to eat

• Bright, colorful streets

• A mix of old and modern buildings

Eating at The George Pub

We stopped at The George, an English pub that gave us a taste of home. The kids ordered fish and chips with mushy peas, and the chips felt just right—crispy and familiar. It was comforting to sit down and enjoy English food after so long away.

Dish Our Thoughts Fish & Chips Proper English-style, just like back home Mushy Peas Classic and tasty Chips Crispy and well done

Visiting Praça do Comércio

After dinner, we walked to Praça do Comércio, the large square by the river. At night, the lights made the whole place shine, and the big Lisbon sign was perfect for photos. We learned the square was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake, which made standing there feel even more special.

We also noticed how busy the area was, with people offering us things along the way—part of the nightlife vibe in the city.

Enjoying the City After Dark

Lisbon’s evenings brought a mix of food, music, and sweet treats. We tried hot chocolate decorated with swans, pancakes instead of crepes, and even some fancy dishes with small portions. The kids loved the desserts, especially the pancakes, which they called the best they’ve ever had.

Some of the things we enjoyed at night:

• Hot chocolate art that looked too pretty to drink

• Pancakes that beat out every other we’ve tried

• Lively streets filled with people and energy

Food Journeys in Lisbon

Tasting Both Local and British Plates

We couldn’t resist stopping at The George, an English pub right in the middle of Lisbon. Even though we’ve been away from England for 14 years, the sight of fish and chips with mushy peas felt like home. The kids were quick to point out the chips tasted just like the ones back in England—crispy and proper.

After dinner, we strolled to Praça do Comércio, the famous square lit up at night. The huge Lisbon sign made for the perfect photo stop, and the history of the place gave the walk even more meaning.

Morning Meal at After Nine

The next day we tried After Nine, a modern spot with a cozy feel. The plates looked so good that we couldn’t help but comment on the presentation—10 out of 10.

We ordered things like avocado dishes, pancakes instead of crepes, and rich hot chocolate topped with creative designs. Everyone agreed it was a great start to the morning, even if the portions leaned toward the fancy side.

Dish What We Thought Avocado plate Looked amazing, fresh and colorful Pancakes So good, one of the best we’ve had Hot chocolate Fun designs, tasty and warm

Desserts and Coffee Spots

We also stopped into cafés for sweet treats. The kids loved their hot chocolates, especially with the little designs in the foam. Pancakes and crepes were a big hit too, with some of us saying they were the best we’d ever had.

Later, we wandered toward a gelato shop. Just the thought of ice cream after walking the streets of Lisbon had everyone excited. It was the perfect way to end a day filled with food and exploring.

Dealing with Portuguese Paperwork

How Our IMA Appointment Worked

We booked our IMA appointments only two weeks before coming to Lisbon, which felt like a big win since most people wait months or even years. When we arrived, we learned that the kids’ appointments had been moved to March without notice. They even shifted them to Coimbra, which is closer to home, but we only found out after showing up in Lisbon.

At the building, security only allowed people in at their exact appointment time. We showed our confirmation, walked straight in, and spoke with the staff. They explained that because we are dependents on one main visa, all the children’s dates were moved to line up with that.

What we noticed about the process:

• Appointments can be changed without warning.

• You must arrive at the exact time given.

• Staff were clear once we got inside, but reaching them by phone was impossible.

Struggles With Residency and Visas

Our current visas expire at the end of December, but our new appointments are in March. We were told this won’t be a problem and that we can leave the country twice before then, even after the visas run out. That gave us some peace of mind.

Some people we met said their appointments had been delayed several times, so we feel lucky that ours were only shifted once. It’s still stressful not knowing for sure, but at least we now have a clear date in Coimbra.

Key points we learned:

• Expired visas don’t always mean you’re stuck; temporary rules allow limited travel.

• Families are usually grouped under the main visa holder’s timeline.

• Appointment delays seem common, but not always endless.

Takeaways From Moving Abroad

This whole experience reminded us that patience is essential when dealing with a new system. We expected the worst, but the day turned out smoother than we thought. We even had time for breakfast, a walk, and a stop at a bakery before the appointment.

Living abroad has taught us that things rarely go exactly as planned. Still, if we stay calm and flexible, the process feels less overwhelming. Small wins, like booking quickly or finding out travel is still allowed, make a big difference.

Our mindset going forward:

• Stay relaxed and don’t panic about delays.

• Use the waiting time to explore and enjoy the city.

• Keep moving forward, even if the steps feel slow.

Family Reflections And Next Steps

Handling the Unexpected

We thought all five kids would be seen at their scheduled times, but instead, their appointments were pushed to March without notice. At first, it felt confusing, especially since we had already traveled to Lisbon. Still, we tried to stay calm and just follow the process.

• What changed: Kids’ appointments moved to March

• Where: Shifted from Lisbon to Coimbra

• Why it matters: They are tied to the main visa holder’s timeline

Even though it wasn’t what we expected, the staff assured us the dates won’t be changed again. That gave us some peace of mind.

Enjoying Our Time in Lisbon

Since we had already made the trip, we decided to make the most of being here. We walked through the city, stopped for breakfast, and even tried a fancy restaurant with small but tasty portions. The kids loved the hot chocolate designs and pancakes, and we enjoyed seeing the lit-up square at night.

Highlights of our stay:

Activity Memory Dinner at English pub Fish and chips with mushy peas Praça do Comércio Bright lights and history Breakfast spot Pancakes and hot chocolate art City walk Endless restaurants and shops

Even small surprises, like spilled chocolate milk, turned into simple moments we’ll remember.

Thinking Ahead to Coimbra

Now our focus shifts to the March appointments in Coimbra. Since we live close by, it should be easier and less stressful than traveling to Lisbon again. Our visas run out at the end of December, but we were told we can still travel twice before the new appointment date.

We also believe the process for citizenship may already be counting from now, which makes the wait feel more worthwhile. Until March, we’ll keep moving forward step by step, knowing things are slowly falling into place.