Portugal · Family

Family reunification — family member outside Portugal

Q: Who qualifies for this route to Portugal?

The official source states: “A lawful Portuguese resident may request entry and residence for a qualifying family member who is outside Portugal, subject to the current waiting-period and family conditions.” (aima.gov.pt, read 2026-07-27.)

Q: How much money do I need?

The official source states: “The sponsor must have sufficient resources for all family members without recourse to social assistance.” It does not publish a fixed amount — no minimum figure is stated. (aima.gov.pt, read 2026-07-27.)

Q: Can I bring my family?

The official record lists: spouse, dependants, children, siblings, parents, partner, guardian, de facto partner (aima.gov.pt, read 2026-07-27).

Q: Do I need to show accommodation in Portugal?

The official source states: “The sponsor must have owned or rented accommodation normal for a comparable family in the same region and compliant with safety and health standards.” (aima.gov.pt, read 2026-07-27.)

10 facts quoted from the official source

A lawful Portuguese resident may request entry and residence for a qualifying family member who is outside Portugal, subject to the current waiting-period and family conditions.

Income required: —
Can bring: spouse, dependants +6
Requirements: 7

Who qualifies

Who this route is for

Every item below is the government’s own wording, quoted from the official source. Whether you personally qualify depends on your full profile.

7 requirements quoted from the official source.

The conditions that decide it

Age requirementFor reunification with a spouse or partner, both the sponsor and spouse or partner must be at least 18 at the application date.via diariodarepublica.pt
Financial resourcesThe sponsor must have sufficient resources for all family members without recourse to social assistance.via diariodarepublica.pt
Nationality or qualifying statusThe route is for nationals of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who meet its specific conditions.
Prior immigration or residence statusAs a rule, the sponsor must have held a valid residence permit for at least two years; for a spouse or partner who cohabited with the sponsor for at least 18 months immediately before the sponsor entered Portugal, the period is 15 months.via diariodarepublica.pt
Qualifying family relationshipQualifying family includes a spouse; dependent minor or incapable children; qualifying adopted minors; dependent unmarried adult children studying in Portugal; certain dependent ascendants; minor siblings under guardianship; and qualifying de facto partners and their minor or incapable children.via diariodarepublica.pt

What you’ll show with your application

Paperwork you prepare — it does not rule you out.

Accommodation requirementThe sponsor must have owned or rented accommodation normal for a comparable family in the same region and compliant with safety and health standards.via diariodarepublica.pt
Passport or travel-document requirementA valid passport or other valid travel document is required.

What rules you out

1 exclusion quoted from the official source.

Material restrictions or case-specific conditionsThe waiting period does not apply to dependent minors or incapable persons, a spouse or partner who is also the parent or adoptive parent of a dependent minor or incapable person, or family of holders under Articles 90, 90-A or 121-A; exceptional waiver or reduction is possible by reasoned ministerial decision.via diariodarepublica.pt

Family

Who you can bring

spousedependantschildrensiblingsparentspartnerguardiande facto partner

Costs & timelines

What the source prices

Validity

1 proven from the official source.

Initial duration or stay ceilingThe family member normally receives residence for the same duration as the resident sponsor; where the sponsor has permanent residence, the first family permit is valid for two years.via diariodarepublica.pt

How it works

From here to a yes

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FAQ

Straight answers

01Who qualifies for this route to Portugal?

The official source states: A lawful Portuguese resident may request entry and residence for a qualifying family member who is outside Portugal, subject to the current waiting-period and family conditions.

02How much money do I need?

The official source states: The sponsor must have sufficient resources for all family members without recourse to social assistance. It does not publish a fixed amount — no minimum figure is stated.

03Can I bring my family?

The official record lists: spouse, dependants, children, siblings, parents, partner, guardian, de facto partner.

04Do I need to show accommodation in Portugal?

The official source states: The sponsor must have owned or rented accommodation normal for a comparable family in the same region and compliant with safety and health standards.

Every answer is quoted from the official aima.gov.pt page for this route, last read 2026-07-27.

We checked 10 points against the official source; 10 are quoted on this page. The other 0 are either not addressed by the source or not yet backed by a quote — we would rather show you the edge of the record than fill it with a plausible guess.

See the 0 open points

Fees and processing time are not published in the official source for this route. We publish a number only when the official text states that number.

The source

Where every quote comes from

Official government source aima.gov.ptLast read 2026-07-27 Every quote on this page is from this Portugal government page.

Compiled from official sources · pending independent re-check · Last checked 2026-07-27 · Our methodology

· Compiled by António Mira · How we verify · Not legal advice — rules change; confirm with the official source before deciding.

Same category, same country

Other family routes to Portugal

12 other family routes to Portugal.

Autonomous residence after family reunification Family reunification — qualifying family member already in Portugal Family reunification — recognised refugee sponsor Residence Visa — accompanying family member applying simultaneously Residence Visa — family reunification (D6)Special residence — accompanying informal carer — Article 122(8)

Same category, elsewhere

Family routes in other countries

201 other countries publish at least one family route. Nearest first.

Italy22 family routes

Greece16 family routes

Spain12 family routes

San Marino11 family routes

Malta8 family routes

Cyprus3 family routes

Does this route fit your numbers?

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