1. What is Family Reunification?
Family reunification is the legal right that allows the holder of a valid residence authorisation to reunite members of their family unit in Portugal, granting them derived residence status — independent of the main applicant’s original visa.
Law No. 61/2025, in force since 23 October 2025, introduced important adjustments to the conditions and deadlines governing this process. The most relevant changes concern the minimum residence time of the holder before being able to reunite, new integration requirements and the elimination of regularisation through expression of interest.
2. Who can benefit?
The following family members of the main holder are eligible for reunification:
- Spouse or de facto partner (marriage or de facto union valid and recognised under Portuguese law; both at least 18 years of age at the time of the application)
- Minor children (including adopted children and the spouse’s children)
- Adult children in care, single, who are studying in Portugal
- Ascendants in the direct line and in the 1st degree (parents and parents-in-law) who are in the holder’s care
- Minor siblings under the legal guardianship of the holder (recognised by Portugal)
3. New Central Rule: Minimum Residence Time of the Holder
This is the most significant change of Law No. 61/2025. With the entry into force of this law, it became a requirement that the resident has at least two years of valid residence authorisation in Portugal before being able to apply for family reunification.
However, the law provides for important exceptions:
| Holder’s Situation | Minimum Period Required |
| Spouse/de facto partner with minor or incapacitated children in common | No minimum period — immediate reunification |
| Spouse/de facto partner without minor children, with cohabitation of ≥ 18 months prior to entry into Portugal | 15 months of residence |
| Adult children and ascendants (general case) | 2 years of residence |
| Holders of ARI (Golden Visa), EU Blue Card or highly qualified workers | No minimum period — exempt |
| Exceptional cases (assessed by ministerial order) | Waiver or reduction of the period upon justification |
The period may be waived or reduced in duly justified exceptional cases, taking into account the nature and strength of the person’s family ties and the effectiveness of their integration in Portugal, in light of the principles of human dignity and proportionality.
5. Key Requirements and Documentation
A. From the Main Holder
- Valid residence authorisation in Portugal (with the minimum required time, as per the table above)
- Proof of adequate accommodation for the whole family
- Proof of sufficient income for the support of the family unit (calculated with the percentage increases on the National Minimum Wage, according to the type of visa)
- No tax or Social Security debts
B. From the Family Members
- Valid passport
- Criminal record from the country of origin (apostilled)
- Proof of family relationship: marriage certificate, birth certificate or court order for adoption/guardianship — duly apostilled and translated into Portuguese
- Valid health insurance in Portugal (for the consular phase)
6. The Step-by-Step Process
7. Practical Advantages
- Own and independent authorisation: Each family member receives their own individual residence card, with their own rights to work and study in Portugal.
- Access to the labour market: The spouse and adult children receive authorisation to work in Portugal, without the need for a separate work visa.
- Access to public education: Minor children have immediate access to the Portuguese public education system, on equal terms with national citizens.
- Access to the SNS: The whole family benefits from the National Health Service.
- Autonomous path to permanent residence: After 5 years, each family member may apply for permanent residence in their own right.
If you are still considering other housing options, also check out our Visa Hub, where we have compiled complete information on other visa programs available in Portugal.
