Family reunification
Lets a legal resident bring a spouse or partner, dependent children and, in defined circumstances, dependent parents. Rules in this area were tightened in 2025, so timing and qualifying periods need checking carefully.
Who it is for. Family members of someone already holding a Portuguese residence permit.
Worth knowing. Portuguese family reunification rules were amended in 2025 and parts of the reform were contested. This entry describes the general shape of the route only; confirm current qualifying periods and eligible relationships with AIMA before relying on it.
- Income required
- Not stated
- Savings required
- Not stated
- Investment required
- None
- Application fee
- Not stated
- Processing time
- 90–270 days
- Permission lasts
- —
- Permanent residence
- After 5 years
- Citizenship
- After 5 years
Renewable
Sources
Worth knowing. Portuguese family reunification rules were amended in 2025 and parts of the reform were contested. This entry describes the general shape of the route only; confirm current qualifying periods and eligible relationships with AIMA before relying on it.
Check this against
- AIMA — residence permits and in-country immigration procedures (opens in a new tab)AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo · National immigration authority
- Lei n.º 23/2007 — entry, stay, exit and removal of foreign nationals (as amended) (opens in a new tab)Diário da República · Government department