Family Reunification

What is it?

Family reunification through a common-law union allows a person who is legally residing in Portugal to apply for their partner to join them and live together in the country. To be eligible, the relationship must be legally recognized as a common-law union and supported by the required documentation, in accordance with Portuguese law.

Who has the right?

According to Article 99 and 100 of the Foreigners Law

Normal situations
You may be able to apply for family reunification for:	Your spouse. Your partner, if your relationship is legally recognised under Portuguese law. Your children, including: Children under 18. Adult unmarried children who depend on you and are studying (when the legal requirements are met). Legally adopted children. Your parents or your spouse's parents, if they depend financially on you. Your minor siblings, if you are their legal guardian and the guardianship is recognised in Portugal.

Normal situations

You may be able to apply for family reunification for:

Your spouse.
Your partner, if your relationship is legally recognised under Portuguese law.
Your children, including:
Children under 18.
Adult unmarried children who depend on you and are studying (when the legal requirements are met).
Legally adopted children.
Your parents or your spouse's parents, if they depend financially on you.
Your minor siblings, if you are their legal guardian and the guardianship is recognised in Portugal.

Special situations
Different rules also apply to:	Unaccompanied minor refugees, who may reunite with their parents, legal guardian or, in some cases, another close relative. Holders of residence permits for study, unpaid professional internships or volunteering, who may apply for reunification with their spouse and dependent minor or adopted children.

Step-by-Step guide

The application for the granting of a residence permit is made by appointment, submitted in person by the family member to be reunited or by the holder of the right to family reunification with a specific form signed by the applicant or their legal representative.

It can be submitted at any AIMA store, which may forward it, after processing and decision, to the residence services of the applicant's area.

Important note: the family member must always go to an AIMA store for biometric data collection during the application.

Documents Required

Document Required
Article 98 n.1 with Family outside National Territory:	Residence Permit of the individual residing in Portugal; Authenticated copy of the passport of the family member to be reunited; Properly authenticated evidence of the claimed family ties (type of documents required are indicated below; dependent on each situation) Declaration, under solemn promise, of the residential address, stating the terms under which the applicant resides at the indicated residence (e.g., owner, tenant, subtenant, usufructuary, borrower, among others); and In cases where the applicant resides at the location as an owner or usufructuary, they must provide a land registry certificate or provide the respective access code to prove ownership or usufruct right, or In cases where the applicant resides at the location as a tenant or lessee, among others, a declaration from the landlord or hosting entity, mentioning the legal situation underlying the right to use the property; Proof of means of subsistence; Criminal record from the country of nationality of the family member to be reunited or criminal record from the country where they resided for more than one year before residing in Portugal, duly authenticated.
Article 98 n.2 with Family in National Territory	Residence Permit of the individual residing in national territory; Valid passport or another valid travel document; Proof of legal entry into Portugal; Properly authenticated evidence of the claimed family ties (see specific documents); Two identical passport-size color photos with a plain background, updated and in good identification conditions (if the appointment is made at AIMA stores in Odivelas or Aveiro); Declaration of the residential address, stating the terms under which the applicant resides at the indicated residence (e.g., owner, tenant, subtenant, usufructuary, borrower, among others). The form can be found here. In cases where the applicant resides at the location as an owner or occupant, they must provide a land registry certificate or provide the respective access code to prove ownership or usufruct right, or In cases where the applicant resides at the location as a tenant or lessee, among others, a declaration from the landlord or hosting entity, mentioning the legal situation underlying the right to use the property; Proof of means of subsistence (details can be found here) Criminal record from the country of nationality of the family member to be reunited or criminal record from the country where they resided for more than one year before residing in Portugal, duly authenticated.

Document Required

Article 98 n.1 with Family outside National Territory:

Residence Permit of the individual residing in Portugal;
Authenticated copy of the passport of the family member to be reunited;
Properly authenticated evidence of the claimed family ties (type of documents required are indicated below; dependent on each situation)
Declaration, under solemn promise, of the residential address, stating the terms under which the applicant resides at the indicated residence (e.g., owner, tenant, subtenant, usufructuary, borrower, among others); and
In cases where the applicant resides at the location as an owner or usufructuary, they must provide a land registry certificate or provide the respective access code to prove ownership or usufruct right, or
In cases where the applicant resides at the location as a tenant or lessee, among others, a declaration from the landlord or hosting entity, mentioning the legal situation underlying the right to use the property;
Proof of means of subsistence;
Criminal record from the country of nationality of the family member to be reunited or criminal record from the country where they resided for more than one year before residing in Portugal, duly authenticated.

Article 98 n.2 with Family in National Territory

Residence Permit of the individual residing in national territory;
Valid passport or another valid travel document;
Proof of legal entry into Portugal;
Properly authenticated evidence of the claimed family ties (see specific documents);
Two identical passport-size color photos with a plain background, updated and in good identification conditions (if the appointment is made at AIMA stores in Odivelas or Aveiro);
Declaration of the residential address, stating the terms under which the applicant resides at the indicated residence (e.g., owner, tenant, subtenant, usufructuary, borrower, among others). The form can be found here.
In cases where the applicant resides at the location as an owner or occupant, they must provide a land registry certificate or provide the respective access code to prove ownership or usufruct right, or
In cases where the applicant resides at the location as a tenant or lessee, among others, a declaration from the landlord or hosting entity, mentioning the legal situation underlying the right to use the property;
Proof of means of subsistence (details can be found here)
Criminal record from the country of nationality of the family member to be reunited or criminal record from the country where they resided for more than one year before residing in Portugal, duly authenticated.

Submit the properly authenticated evidence corresponding to your situation:
Spouse	Authenticated marriage certificate.
Child	Authenticated birth certificate. For an adult child who is dependent, proof of economic dependence and enrollment in an educational institution in Portugal.
Minor Child (when applicable)	Written authorization from the non-resident parent, authenticated by the Portuguese consular authority; or A copy of the court decision granting legal custody of the minor child to the resident or their spouse.
Dependent Relative	Medical report certifying incapacity; or Judicial declaration of interdiction or disability.
Adopted Child	Authenticated court decision granting the adoption.
Person Under Guardianship	Court decision establishing guardianship, accompanied by a certificate from the competent national authority recognizing the decision, duly authenticated.
Common-Law Partner	Documents proving the existence of a common-law union for more than two years.
Other Dependent Family Members	Evidence of both the family relationship and economic dependence, including proof of money transfers to the country of origin.

Key links

What is it?

Who has the right?

Step-by-Step guide

Documents Required

Frequently Asked Questions

Where we are

Opening hours

Contact info

Family Reunification

What if my documents are written in a foreign language?

Who can I bring to Portugal?

Can I apply if I'm a student?

What if I'm an unaccompanied minor refugee?

Can adult children be included?

Can I bring my parents?

Can I bring my brother or sister?

Who decides if my application is approved?

Where we are

Opening hours

Contact info