Portugal family reunification visa: rules after Lei 61/2025

Eligible family members are the spouse; minor or incapacitated children of the couple or one spouse; adopted minors where the adoption is recognised in Portugal; unmarried adult children dependent on the couple and studying in Portugal; dependent first-degree ascendants of the resident or spouse; minor siblings under the resident’s guardianship by a recognised decision; and an unmarried partner in a proven de facto union with that partner’s minor or incapacitated children. Since Lei 61/2025, the marriage or union must be valid and recognised under Portuguese law, and both partners must be at least 18 at the date of the request.

Under article 98 as amended by Lei 61/2025, a holder of a residence permit valid for at least two years has the right to reunification with the family members listed in articles 99 and 100, whether the family ties existed before or after the resident’s arrival. For a spouse or partner who lived with the resident for at least 18 months immediately before the resident entered Portugal, the period is 15 months.

The waiting period does not apply to dependent minor or incapacitated children, to a spouse or partner who is a parent or adopter of such a child together with the resident, or to family members of holders of permits under article 90 (teaching, highly qualified and cultural activity), article 90-A (ARI golden visa) or article 121-A (EU Blue Card). The Minister responsible for migration can waive or reduce it in duly justified exceptional cases.

The resident must have housing, owned or rented, considered normal for a comparable family in the same region and meeting safety and health standards, and enough means to support the whole family without recourse to social benefits, as defined by ministerial order. Means are calculated from the minimum wage (EUR 920 a month in 2026): 100% for the first adult, 50% for each additional adult and 30% for each child.

At the consulate, only spouses and ascendants pay the EUR 110 visa fee; visas for descendants of residence permit holders are free. There is no EUR 75 appeal fee for visa decisions following a family reunification approval. The residence permit itself is charged by AIMA: EUR 133.00 for receiving and analysing the request plus EUR 114.30 for granting a temporary permit (in-person rates in the fee table updated 26 February 2026; 25% less through a digital channel).

First, the resident books an appointment and lodges the request in person at an AIMA office with form Modelo 1 (and Modelo 4 where relevant): their residence permit, an authenticated copy of each relative’s passport, authenticated proof of the family link, a sworn address declaration with the property certificate or landlord declaration, proof of means and an authenticated criminal record for each relative. Foreign documents must be translated by a Portuguese notary or consulate. AIMA must decide within nine months.

Second, after AIMA’s approval is notified, each relative applies for the family reunification residence visa (D6) at the Portuguese embassy or consulate responsible for their place of residence within 90 days, with the AIMA notification and identification; minors need parental travel authorisation. Missing the 90-day deadline cancels the reunification approval.

After entering Portugal, the family member requests the residence permit at AIMA. Lei 61/2025 requires reunited relatives to attend Portuguese language training and training on Portuguese constitutional principles and values, and minors to attend compulsory schooling. Renewal of the reunification permit depends on proving compliance with these measures, the absence of reliance on social benefits and knowledge of the language and values, unless the failure is not the family’s fault; humanitarian exemptions are possible.

AIMA may refuse reunification on public order, public security or public health grounds, weighing the seriousness of the conduct or the disease and the capacity of health services. Lei 61/2025 also created a specific administrative-court action against AIMA decisions or failures to act.