Immigration · Family Reunification
Family reunification in Portugal.
Family reunification allows certain relatives of a residence-permit holder to live lawfully in Portugal. The rules introduced by Law no. 61/2025 vary according to the sponsor’s residence title, the family relationship and whether the procedure begins in Portugal or through a consular residence visa. The expression «D6 visa» is commonly used for the consular residence-visa route in family cases; family reunification itself is the broader legal procedure and is not limited to the visa label.
When the application can be made
Prior residence periods.
General rule
The sponsor must have held a valid residence permit for at least two years.
Spouse with previous cohabitation
Where the couple had already lived together for at least 18 months before the sponsor entered Portugal, the prior period is 15 months.
No prior period
The waiting period does not apply to dependent minor or incapable children, the spouse who is the parent of those children, or relatives of holders of the residence permits specified in articles 90, 90-A and 121-A, including Golden Visa holders.
Exceptional waiver
The period may be waived by a reasoned decision in the situations permitted by law.
Refugees
The prior periods do not apply.
Benefits
Benefits of family reunification.
Legal residency
Family members receive official residence permits valid for renewable periods.
Work and study
A Portuguese residence permit may allow work and study in Portugal under the applicable rules.
Education access
Access to education depends on registration and the rules governing the relevant service.
Healthcare
Access to healthcare and social protection depends on registration and the rules governing the relevant service.
Family stability
Keep your family together while maintaining legal status and security in Portugal.
Schengen travel
Short stays in the Schengen area within the 90-days-in-180 rule; the permit is not a general right to reside or work in every EU country.
Eligible relatives
Who can be reunited and on what conditions.
The law includes, among others, a spouse, a duly proven de facto partner, minor or incapable children, adult children who remain dependent, unmarried and in education, and dependent parents, subject to the detailed statutory conditions. There is no general age limit of 26. For Golden Visa family reunification, an eligible dependent adult child is not required to study in Portugal.
The marriage or partnership must be valid and recognised, and both partners must be at least 18.
- iDe facto partnership — for family reunification, a de facto partnership is proved through the evidence and indicators accepted under article 104(2). It does not require the court declaration used for the nationality route based on a de facto union.
- iiAccommodation, means and integration — the applicant must show accommodation and means of subsistence without relying on social assistance. Law no. 61/2025 provides for further regulation of these requirements and of integration measures, which remained pending at the date of this review. Until that detail is published, the operational reference remains Ministerial Order no. 1563/2007: 100% of the national minimum wage for the first adult, 50% for each additional adult and 30% for each dependent child or young person. Renewal is also subject to the integration measures that become applicable under the implementing rules.
- iii2026 reference figures — in mainland Portugal, €920.00, €460.00 and €276.00. The higher regional minimum wages in Madeira and the Azores must be checked where relevant.
- ivApplication in Portugal or abroad — an application made while the family member is already in Portugal is limited to the situations in article 98(3) and requires lawful entry. In other cases, the procedure may involve a residence-visa application at the competent consular post followed by the residence-permit stage in Portugal.
- vDecision period — the statutory decision period is nine months and may be extended in the circumstances provided by law.
- viPermit autonomy — the family member’s permit is not automatically independent when first issued. As a rule, it may become autonomous after two years or where minor children reside in Portugal. If the marriage or partnership has lasted more than five years, the spouse’s first permit may be autonomous. Earlier autonomy may also arise in situations such as divorce, widowhood, the sponsor’s death, adulthood or an accusation of domestic violence, in accordance with the law.
- viiRefusal and challenge — where refusal is based solely on non-compliance with the conditions in article 101 and the family members are already in Portugal, a legal challenge has suspensive effect in the circumstances provided by law.
How we help
Family reunification process.
- Eligibility assessment. Confirm your relationship eligibility and review sponsor's residency and financial situation.
- Document preparation. Gather marriage certificates, birth certificates, financial records, and authentication documents.
- Application filing. Submit family reunification application through Portuguese immigration authorities or consulate.
- Assessment & approval. Immigration authorities review application and financial capacity of sponsor.
- Residence permit. Family members receive residence permits and can travel to Portugal for registration.
Related services
- →D7 visa — the passive income visa is a popular route for families relocating to Portugal.
- →Golden Visa — relatives of Golden Visa holders are not subject to the prior residence period normally required from a sponsor.
- →D8 Digital Nomad Visa — remote workers may also bring family members under this visa category.
Common questions
Family reunification FAQs.
Last legal review: 19 July 2026. This information is general and does not replace individual legal advice. It does not constitute a guarantee of any outcome. The applicable framework depends on the law in force and on the specific circumstances of each case.
Book
Ready to reunite with family in Portugal?
Book an initial consultation to assess the family relationship, the applicable prior periods and the documents required for the procedure.
Schedule consultation →