Portugal Family Reunification for a Spouse and Children
If you are a non-EU foreign national legally residing in Portugal and your spouse and children are living outside Portugal, you may be able to bring them to Portugal through family reunification, known in Portuguese as Reagrupamento Familiar.
Portugal’s family-reunification procedure allows qualifying residents to request reunification with certain close family members.
For a family member who is outside Portugal, the standard procedure is covered by Article 98(1) of Portugal’s Foreigners Law and is handled by AIMA – Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo.
The process generally involves two major stages:
- The resident in Portugal applies to AIMA for family reunification.
- After approval, the family member abroad completes the appropriate Portuguese residence-visa/consular process and travels to Portugal.
After entering Portugal with the appropriate residence visa, the family member completes the residence-permit process with AIMA.
This guide explains the process step by step for a spouse and children living outside Portugal.
Important: Immigration laws and administrative procedures can change. This guide provides general information and is not individual legal advice. Always verify the current requirements with AIMA and the Portuguese consulate responsible for your family’s country of residence.
Who Can Apply for Portugal Family Reunification?
A foreign national legally residing in Portugal may have a right to request family reunification for qualifying family members.
The person already legally residing in Portugal is effectively the sponsor/resident, while the family members are the people seeking to reunite with them.
For the standard Article 98(1) procedure discussed in this article, the family members are initially outside Portugal.
AIMA currently states that the application is made by appointment and submitted personally using the appropriate signed application form. The request can be submitted at an AIMA office.
Which Family Members Can Qualify?
Portugal’s family-reunification rules cover more than only a husband or wife.
According to AIMA, qualifying family members can include:
- the resident’s spouse;
- minor or dependent/incapacitated children of the couple or either spouse;
- qualifying adopted minor children;
- certain dependent adult unmarried children studying in Portugal;
- certain dependent adult children of particular residence-permit holders;
- dependent parents of the resident or spouse;
- minor siblings where the resident has legal guardianship; and
- qualifying de facto partners and certain children of those partners.
For most families reading this guide, the relevant categories will be the spouse and minor children.
Can I Bring My Wife or Husband to Portugal?
Yes, a spouse is specifically recognised as a qualifying family member for Portugal’s family-reunification procedure.
You will need documentation proving the marriage.
For a standard married couple, one of the most important documents is therefore the marriage certificate.
The document must meet Portugal’s authentication requirements.
Can I Bring My Children to Portugal?
Yes.
Minor or dependent/incapacitated children of the couple or one of the spouses can qualify for family reunification.
Adopted children can also qualify where the relevant legal requirements are satisfied.
For children, expect to provide documents proving the parent-child relationship, normally including an appropriately authenticated birth certificate.
Additional documentation may be necessary where only one parent is relocating with the child.
Portugal Family Reunification: Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Make Sure You Have Legal Residence in Portugal
The process begins with the person already residing in Portugal.
For the Article 98(1) procedure, AIMA lists the resident’s Portuguese residence permit (Autorização de Residência) among the required documents.
Keep your residence documentation valid and available throughout the process.
You should prepare a copy of your current Portuguese residence permit together with the other supporting documents.
Step 2: Identify Which Family Members You Are Bringing
Prepare a separate document package for each relevant family member.
For example:
Spouse
Prepare the documents establishing the marriage and the spouse’s identity.
Child 1
Prepare passport, birth certificate and any required parental documents.
Child 2
Prepare a separate set of documents for the second child.
Do not mix everyone’s documents together.
Creating separate folders for each family member can make the application easier to manage.
Step 3: Prepare the Family Member’s Passport
Where the family member remains outside Portugal, AIMA currently requires an:
authenticated copy of the passport of the family member being reunited.
Make sure the passport is valid and that the copies meet the authentication requirements applicable to the procedure.
Do not assume that an ordinary photocopy will necessarily be sufficient.
Step 4: Prepare Your Marriage Certificate
For a spouse, AIMA specifically lists a duly authenticated marriage certificate as one of the documents that can establish the qualifying family relationship.
If you were married outside Portugal, check carefully whether your certificate requires:
- an Apostille;
- legalization;
- consular authentication;
- translation; or
- another form of certification.
The correct procedure can depend on the country that issued the certificate.
Step 5: Prepare Birth Certificates for the Children
For children, AIMA lists an appropriately authenticated birth certificate among the relevant documents.
The birth certificate establishes the relationship between the child and parent.
If the child is travelling/reuniting with only one parent, pay particular attention to parental-authority requirements.
Step 6: Get the Other Parent’s Authorization When Necessary
This is particularly important for children.
Where applicable, AIMA requires written authorization from the parent who is not residing with the child, authenticated by a Portuguese consular authority, or the relevant court/legal decision establishing custody or guardianship.
Do not ignore this requirement.
If the other parent has parental rights, immigration authorities may require evidence that the child’s relocation is legally authorised.
Step 7: Authenticate Foreign Documents Properly
One of the most important parts of Portugal family reunification is ensuring foreign documents are properly authenticated.
Examples include:
- marriage certificates;
- birth certificates;
- custody documents;
- adoption decisions;
- criminal-record certificates; and
- other civil-status documents.
AIMA’s current instructions repeatedly specify that relevant foreign family documents must be duly authenticated.
The exact authentication process depends on the country where the document was issued.
It may involve an Apostille under the Hague Convention or another legalization procedure.
Always check the requirements for the country that issued your document.
Step 8: Translate Foreign Documents Where Required
Documents written in a foreign language may require translation.
AIMA states that foreign-language documents should be accompanied by the appropriate translation and identifies entities that can perform/certify translations under Portuguese rules, including Portuguese notaries and relevant consular authorities.
Do not submit informal translations downloaded from the internet or generated automatically and assume they will be accepted.
Use the appropriate official translation procedure.
Step 9: Prove You Have Accommodation in Portugal
Accommodation is an important part of the family-reunification application.
AIMA currently requires a declaration concerning the applicant’s residential address and the legal basis on which the accommodation is occupied.
For example, you may be:
- the owner;
- tenant;
- subtenant;
- usufructuary; or
- occupying the property under another recognised arrangement.
If You Own the Property
AIMA may require the property-registration certificate or the appropriate access code establishing your ownership or usufruct rights.
If You Rent the Property
AIMA states that a declaration from the landlord or accommodation provider may be required identifying the legal basis for your right to use the property.
Therefore, make sure your housing documentation is properly organised before submitting your family-reunification request.
Step 10: Prove You Have Sufficient Means of Subsistence
AIMA also requires evidence of means of subsistence for the family-reunification procedure.
This is intended to demonstrate that you have adequate financial resources to support yourself and your family in Portugal.
Depending on your circumstances, supporting evidence can include appropriate proof of:
- employment;
- salary/income;
- financial resources; and
- other recognised means of subsistence.
Because financial thresholds and calculation methods can change, check the current AIMA rules when you are preparing the application rather than relying on an old figure from another applicant.
Step 11: Obtain the Required Criminal Record
When the family member is outside Portugal, AIMA currently requires a criminal-record certificate from the family member’s country of nationality or from the country where they lived for more than one year before residing in Portugal, duly authenticated as required.
Make sure the document is:
- from the correct country;
- sufficiently recent under the applicable requirements;
- authenticated correctly; and
- translated where necessary.
Step 12: Prepare the AIMA Application Forms
AIMA currently identifies Modelo 1 as a mandatory form for this procedure.
AIMA also identifies Modelo 4 – Termo de Responsabilidade as applicable where required.
Complete the forms carefully.
Check names, passport numbers, dates of birth and addresses before submission.
A small difference between a passport and marriage/birth certificate can create unnecessary complications.
Step 13: Book the AIMA Appointment
For the standard family-reunification procedure where the family member is outside Portugal, AIMA states that the request is made by appointment and submitted in person.
The resident in Portugal should therefore follow AIMA’s current appointment procedure.
Because Portugal’s immigration system has undergone significant administrative changes in recent years, use the current AIMA instructions rather than old SEF tutorials or outdated social-media posts.
Step 14: Submit the Portugal Family Reunification Application
Take the complete document package to the appointment.
For a family member outside Portugal, AIMA currently lists documents including:
- the resident’s Portuguese residence permit;
- authenticated copy of the family member’s passport;
- authenticated evidence of the family relationship;
- accommodation declaration/evidence;
- evidence of means of subsistence;
- criminal-record certificate;
- marriage certificate for a spouse;
- birth certificate for a child where applicable;
- parental authorization/custody documentation where applicable;
- required application forms; and
- other documents relevant to the particular family relationship.
Always check the current AIMA checklist before attending.
Step 15: Wait for AIMA to Process the Application
After submission, AIMA examines the application and supporting documents.
The authorities can examine:
- whether the resident has a qualifying residence status;
- whether the claimed family relationship exists;
- whether the documentation is authentic;
- accommodation;
- financial means;
- criminal-record information; and
- whether legal grounds exist to refuse the application.
AIMA also notes that the residence authorization is subject to immigration/security conditions, including certain criminal convictions and immigration alerts or entry bans.
Processing times can vary, so avoid booking non-refundable travel solely because the family-reunification application has been submitted.
Step 16: Receive the Family Reunification Approval
If AIMA approves the request, keep the approval documentation carefully.
This approval is extremely important for the next stage.
Remember:
AIMA family-reunification approval does not itself mean that your family member should simply board a plane to Portugal.
Where the family member is abroad and requires a residence visa, the appropriate Portuguese consular procedure must still be completed.
Step 17: Apply for the Portugal Family Reunification Residence Visa
After the family-reunification request has been approved, the family member abroad proceeds with the relevant Portuguese residence visa for family reunification, commonly referred to as the D6 family reunification visa.
The exact visa documents and appointment procedure can depend on the Portuguese consulate/visa service responsible for the country where the family member lives.
The family should check the current consular checklist before submitting the visa application.
Do not rely solely on an old D6 checklist because consular requirements can change.
Step 18: Travel to Portugal
Once the appropriate visa has been granted, the family member can travel to Portugal in accordance with the visa conditions.
Keep important documents in hand luggage, including:
- passport;
- visa;
- family-reunification approval;
- marriage/birth certificates where appropriate;
- accommodation information; and
- copies of other important immigration documents.
Step 19: Apply for the Residence Permit After Arrival
The procedure does not necessarily end when the family lands in Portugal.
AIMA specifically states that after entering Portugal with the residence visa, the family member should proceed to AIMA to request the corresponding residence authorization under Article 107.
Biometric and other residence-document formalities may therefore be required.
How Long Is the Family Member’s Residence Permit Valid?
AIMA states that a family member holding the relevant family-reunification visa, or who is in Portugal following approval of the reunification request, is granted a residence permit with a duration identical to that of the resident.
This means the family member’s initial residence authorization is generally connected to the sponsor’s residence status.
There are also circumstances in which an autonomous residence permit may later become available.
Portugal Family Reunification Document Checklist
Use this simplified checklist when preparing your application.
Sponsor Living in Portugal
- Valid Portuguese residence permit
- Passport/identification documents
- Proof of address
- Accommodation documents
- Landlord declaration where applicable
- Proof of means of subsistence
- AIMA application forms
- Other documents requested for the particular case
Spouse Outside Portugal
- Valid passport
- Authenticated passport copy
- Authenticated marriage certificate
- Appropriate translation where necessary
- Criminal-record certificate
- Authentication/legalization of required foreign documents
- Additional documents requested by AIMA/consulate
Each Child
- Valid passport
- Authenticated passport copy
- Authenticated birth certificate
- Translation where required
- Parental authorization where applicable
- Custody/guardianship documents where applicable
- Additional documents requested for the child’s circumstances
Portugal Family Reunification vs Family Member Already in Portugal
It is important to distinguish between two situations.
Family Member Outside Portugal
This article primarily covers Article 98(1) — family reunification where the family member is outside Portuguese territory.
Family Member Already in Portugal
AIMA has a separate procedure under Article 98(2) for qualifying family members who are already in Portugal.
For that procedure, AIMA currently requires evidence including a valid passport and proof of legal entry into Portugal, and the family member must attend AIMA for biometric collection.
Do not use an Article 98(2) checklist for an Article 98(1) case without checking which procedure actually applies to you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Portugal Family Reunification
Can I Bring My Wife to Portugal With My Residence Permit?
Potentially, yes.
A spouse is one of the family members recognised by Portugal’s family-reunification rules.
You must satisfy the applicable requirements and provide appropriate evidence of the marriage and the other required documentation.
Can I Bring My Children to Portugal?
Yes, qualifying minor or dependent/incapacitated children are included within Portugal’s family-reunification rules.
Birth certificates and, depending on the family circumstances, parental authorization or custody documentation can be required.
Can My Family Be Outside Portugal When I Apply?
Yes.
AIMA has a specific procedure for family reunification with the family member outside Portuguese territory under Article 98(1).
Do I Need Accommodation for Portugal Family Reunification?
Yes, accommodation documentation forms part of the current AIMA requirements.
The required evidence depends on whether you own, rent or occupy the accommodation under another legal arrangement.
Do I Need Income for Portugal Family Reunification?
AIMA requires evidence of means of subsistence as part of the family-reunification application.
Check the current financial requirements before applying because the applicable amounts and calculations can change.
Does My Spouse Need a Criminal Record Certificate?
For the outside-Portugal procedure, AIMA currently lists a duly authenticated criminal-record certificate from the relevant country among the required documents.
Do Marriage and Birth Certificates Need to Be Legalized?
AIMA requires the relevant family-relationship documents to be duly authenticated.
Whether that means an Apostille, legalization or another authentication process depends on the country issuing the document.
What Is the D6 Visa in Portugal?
The term D6 visa is commonly used for Portugal’s residence visa connected with family reunification.
Where the family member remains abroad, the family-reunification process normally begins with the appropriate approval in Portugal, followed by the applicable Portuguese consular residence-visa process before travelling.
Is AIMA the Same as SEF?
No.
If you find old articles telling you to complete the entire procedure through SEF, be careful because they may be outdated.
Portugal’s immigration administration is now handled by AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) for the procedures discussed in this guide.
Does My Family Get a Residence Permit After Arriving?
After entering Portugal with the appropriate residence visa, AIMA states that the family member should apply for the corresponding residence authorization.
Final Thoughts
Portugal family reunification provides a route for eligible foreign residents to live in Portugal with their spouse and children.
For a family still living abroad, the process generally begins with the resident in Portugal preparing the family documents and submitting the family-reunification request to AIMA.
Preparation is extremely important.
Before applying, make sure you have the correct:
- residence documentation;
- passports;
- marriage certificate;
- children’s birth certificates;
- document authentication;
- translations;
- accommodation evidence;
- means of subsistence;
- criminal-record certificate; and
- parental authorization where applicable.
After AIMA approves the family-reunification request, the family member abroad normally moves to the appropriate Portuguese residence-visa/consular stage.
Once the appropriate visa has been issued, the family can travel to Portugal and complete the remaining residence-permit formalities with AIMA.
Most importantly, check the current requirements before submitting anything. Portugal’s immigration administration and procedures have changed considerably in recent years, and an old SEF guide, Facebook post or YouTube video may no longer describe the current process.
Last updated: September 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Portugal family reunification and does not constitute legal advice. Requirements depend on individual circumstances and can change. Verify the current procedure with AIMA and the appropriate Portuguese consulate before applying.
