Obtaining a residence permit in Portugal is only the first step. For many, the next goal is to reunite the family. Family reunification is the legal mechanism that allows legal residents in Portugal to bring their closest family members to live in the country.
What family reunification is
Family reunification allows the holder of a residence permit — whether D2, D7, ARI, digital nomad, highly qualified or another — to apply for certain family members to also obtain a residence permit in Portugal.
In some cases, it is possible to travel at the same time as the holder on an accompanying visa; in others, reunification is applied for once the holder is already established in Portugal.
Who can be reunited
Portuguese law (Article 99 of Law No. 23/2007) sets out the eligible family members:
- Spouse or de facto partner;
- Minor children or dependent incapacitated children of the couple or of one of the spouses;
- Adopted minor children on the same terms;
- Unmarried adult children who are studying at an educational institution in Portugal and are dependent on the applicant;
- Direct-line, first-degree ascendants (parents) of the resident or spouse, provided they are financially dependent;
- Minor siblings who are under the resident’s guardianship.
Conditions the holder must meet
To exercise the right to reunification, the resident must demonstrate:
- Accommodation suitable for the household in its full size — it must be considered normal for a comparable family living in the same region;
- Means of subsistence sufficient to support all members of the household, without recourse to social support — the benchmark is the national minimum wage multiplied by the number of members (100% main applicant + 50% spouse + 30% per child).
The process step by step
- Application with AIMA — the resident in Portugal submits the application on the AIMA platform, with all the documentation;
- Examination of the case — the family members’ identification documents, proof of family ties, accommodation and means of subsistence are checked;
- Approval — after review, AIMA decides on the application;
- Visa at the consulate — if the application is approved, the family members apply for the family reunification visa at the competent Portuguese consulate in the country where they are located;
- Entry into Portugal and residence permit — with the visa, the family members enter Portugal and obtain their residence permit.
Documents usually required
- Proof of family ties (marriage certificate, birth certificate);
- Family members’ identification documents (passport);
- Proof of suitable accommodation in Portugal;
- Evidence of means of subsistence;
- Declaration of financial dependency (for ascendants and adult children).
A process worth preparing well
Family reunification is, in many cases, the process with the greatest emotional and practical impact on the lives of immigrant families. A complete, well-documented submission from the outset significantly reduces both the timeframes and the risk of refusal. The assistance of a lawyer specialising in immigration law can make all the difference.
This publication is for general information purposes only. For an analysis of your specific case, we recommend seeking specialist legal advice.