Family Reunification in Portugal

What Is Family Reunification?

Family reunification (reagrupamento familiar) is a legal process that allows a person with a valid residence permit in Portugal to bring close family members to live with them. It is a right established under Portuguese immigration law and EU directives.

The person living in Portugal is called the sponsor (requerente). The family members who will join them are the beneficiaries. The sponsor files the application with AIMA, and once approved, the family members apply for residence visas at a Portuguese consulate in their home country.

Who Can Be a Sponsor?

To sponsor family members for reunification, you must generally meet these conditions:

• Hold a valid Portuguese residence permit (autorização de residência). Check with AIMA for any minimum holding period applicable to your permit type.
• Have adequate accommodation for your family (see housing requirements below)
• Have sufficient income to support your family (see income requirements below)
• Have a clean criminal record in Portugal

Eligible Family Members

Portuguese law defines which family members can join you through reunification. Eligible family relationships can include (subject to statutory conditions):

Spouse or Partner

• Your legally married spouse
• Qualifying de facto partners, where the relationship meets the conditions established under Portuguese law

Children

• Minor children (under 18) of the sponsor or the sponsor's spouse
• Certain adopted children of the sponsor or the sponsor's spouse
• Certain dependent adult children studying in Portugal, subject to statutory conditions

Parents and Other Dependents

• Dependent first-degree ascendants (parents) of the sponsor or spouse, subject to statutory conditions
• Certain minor siblings under legal guardianship of the sponsor

Other Family Members

Extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins) are generally not eligible for family reunification under the standard provisions. The specific eligibility criteria depend on the applicable legislation. Not every relative qualifies — check with AIMA for your specific situation.

Income and Housing Requirements

The sponsor must demonstrate that they can financially support their family and provide adequate housing. These are two of the most important conditions and a common reason for application refusal.

Income Requirements

You must show that your regular income is sufficient to support yourself and each family member joining you. The minimum income threshold is established by Portuguese immigration law. Check the AIMA website or consult an immigration lawyer for the current income requirements applicable to your family size.

Acceptable proof of income includes:

• Employment contract and recent pay slips
• Tax returns (IRS declaration)
• Bank statements showing regular income
• Social Security contribution statements
• Proof of other regular income (pension, rental income, investment returns)

Housing Requirements

You must have adequate accommodation for your family. AIMA may verify this. "Adequate" generally means:

• A legal rental contract or property deed in your name
• Sufficient space for the number of family members
• Basic living conditions (running water, electricity, sanitation)

Documents Required from the Sponsor

As the person in Portugal requesting family reunification, you need to prepare:

• Valid residence permit (copy of your card)
• Valid passport (copy)
• NIF (tax number)
• Proof of income (employment contract, pay slips, tax returns)
• Proof of accommodation (rental contract or property deed)
• Criminal record certificate from Portugal
• Proof of family relationship with each person you are sponsoring (marriage certificate, birth certificates) — apostilled and translated into Portuguese
• Social Security registration proof
• Application form for family reunification (check the current form on the AIMA website)
• Proof of payment of the applicable fee

Documents Required from Family Members

Each family member joining you must prepare their own set of documents for the visa application at the Portuguese consulate in their country:

• Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
• Passport-sized photographs
• Criminal record certificate from their country (for adults) — apostilled and translated
• Birth certificate (for children) — apostilled and translated
• Marriage certificate (for spouse) — apostilled and translated
• Medical certificate or health insurance proof (check current requirements with the Portuguese consulate)
• AIMA approval letter (the authorisation from Portugal confirming the reunification request was approved)
• Visa application form (obtain from the Portuguese consulate)
• Visa fee (confirm the current amount with the consulate)

The Application Process

Step 1: Sponsor Submits the Application to AIMA

The sponsor (the person in Portugal) submits the family reunification request to AIMA. This requires an AIMA appointment. Bring all sponsor documents listed above. Check the AIMA website for whether online submission is available for family reunification requests.

Step 2: AIMA Reviews the Application

AIMA will verify your income, housing, and documentation. They may request additional documents or schedule a housing inspection. Processing times vary significantly and there is no fixed statutory deadline — check with AIMA or the SOS Imigrante line (808 257 257) for current estimates.

Step 3: AIMA Issues Approval

If approved, AIMA issues an authorisation (parecer favorável) confirming that the family reunification request has been accepted. This decision is sent to the sponsor and communicated to the relevant Portuguese consulate abroad.

Step 4: Family Members Apply for a Residence Visa

Once the AIMA approval is issued, your family members apply for a residence visa (visto de residência para reagrupamento familiar) at the Portuguese consulate in their country. They submit their documents (listed above) along with the AIMA approval reference.

Step 5: Visa Issuance and Travel

The consulate processes the visa application. Once the visa is granted, your family members can travel to Portugal. The residence visa is typically valid for a limited period (usually four months) — confirm the exact validity with the issuing consulate, as it may vary.

Step 6: Registration and Residence Permit in Portugal

After arriving in Portugal, your family members must apply for their own residence permits through AIMA within the validity of their visa. This process includes booking an AIMA appointment, submitting documents, and providing biometrics.

After Your Family Arrives

Once your family members are in Portugal, there are several things to take care of:

1. Get a NIF for each family member: Visit a Finanças office to obtain a NIF for each person.
2. Register with Social Security: Each family member who will work needs a NISS from Segurança Social.
3. Register at the health centre: Take their residence permit (or pending application proof) and NIF to the local Centro de Saúde for a health service user number (Número de Utente).
4. Enrol children in school: If you have school-age children, register them at the local school. Education is compulsory and free in Portuguese public schools.
5. Apply for residence permits: Book an AIMA appointment for each family member to convert their visa into a residence permit.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Insufficient income documentation: Vague or incomplete income proof is a top reason for refusal. Provide clear, recent, and verifiable financial documents.
• Unsuitable housing: Applying with a temporary address, a room in a shared flat, or accommodation that is too small for the number of people is likely to result in refusal.
• Expired or non-apostilled documents: All foreign documents must be apostilled and translated. Expired certificates (older than 3-6 months) may be rejected.
• Applying too late: The whole process — from sponsor application to family visa issuance — takes many months. Start early.
• Not booking the AIMA appointment promptly: Once your family arrives, they must apply for residence permits within their visa validity. Book the AIMA appointment immediately after arrival.
• Forgetting school enrolment deadlines: Portuguese school enrolment has specific periods. Check with your local school as soon as possible after arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the entire process take?

From submitting the sponsor application to AIMA to the family arriving in Portugal, the process typically takes several months to over a year. AIMA processing, consulate visa processing, and document preparation time all add up. Timelines vary widely — contact AIMA or SOS Imigrante (808 257 257) for current estimates.

Can my family work in Portugal?

Family members who receive a residence permit through family reunification have the right to access employment and self-employment under the same conditions as the sponsor, as provided by Portuguese immigration law (Lei n.º 23/2007, Art. 105).

What if my application is denied?

If AIMA denies the application, you will receive a written decision with reasons. Common reasons include insufficient income, inadequate housing, or missing documents. You can address the issues and reapply, or challenge the decision through administrative or judicial channels within the timeframes stated in the decision notice. Consider consulting an immigration lawyer for advice on the best course of action.

Can I sponsor my parents?

Ascendants (parents) of the sponsor or their spouse may be eligible for family reunification if they are dependents, as defined in Portuguese immigration law (Lei n.º 23/2007, Art. 98). Dependency generally means they rely on the sponsor for financial support. Confirm the specific criteria and required evidence with AIMA or an immigration lawyer.

Do my family members need to learn Portuguese?

There is no Portuguese language requirement for the family reunification application itself. However, learning Portuguese will significantly help with daily life, school, work, and future applications (such as permanent residence or nationality).

Can I apply for family reunification while my own permit is being renewed?

It is generally advisable to have a valid, current residence permit before applying for family reunification. If your permit is in the process of being renewed, consult AIMA about whether you can proceed with the reunification request.