D6 (Family Reunification Visa) | Visas.pt

D6 (Family Reunification Visa)

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Reviewed by: Jéssica Oliveira (Portuguese Immigration Lawyer) : September 2026
👨‍👩‍👧
Route
Family Reunification
🏠
Who can apply
Family of a legal resident
⏱️
Typical timeline
60–90 days
📦
Packages from
€1,595
Family Reunification

Bring your family together in Portugal

The D6 Visa is the residence route for eligible family members of people who are legally resident in Portugal. We help you understand the correct family-reunification procedure, prepare the evidence and coordinate the application.

👫 Spouses & Partners
  • 💍
    Marriage or qualifying partnership We review the relationship evidence and determine which family procedure applies.
  • 🇵🇹
    Join the resident sponsor The family member can apply to join the person legally resident in Portugal, subject to the applicable requirements.
👧 Children & Dependants
  • 👨‍👩‍👧
    Dependent children Eligibility depends on the child's age, dependency and applicable family- reunification rules.
  • 👴
    Dependent parents Dependent parents may qualify where the applicable conditions are met.
Pricing

Choose the right level of support

No hidden fees. No surprises. Every package includes your NIF and bank account setup, with a 50% discount for the second person and a 70% discount for dependants.

Reunification Complete
€1595
Your full Portugal move, start to finish — one package.
  • Determine the most suitable visa for you
  • NIF & Bank account assistance included
  • Document checking and guidance before submission
  • Unlimited email support for all your inquiries
  • Video consultations with immigration lawyer
  • VFS/Consulate Appointment Assistance
  • A1/A2 Portuguese Language Course included
🗣️ Free Portuguese lessons to A2 included
Portugal D6 Visa

What is the Portugal D6 Visa?

The Portugal D6 Visa is the residence route used by eligible family members who want to join a family member who is legally resident in Portugal. The correct procedure depends on the family relationship, the sponsor's residence status and the applicant's individual circumstances.

🏠 Join Family in Portugal
  • 🇵🇹
    Family member already resident The route is designed around joining a qualifying family member who has legal residence in Portugal.
  • 👨‍👩‍👧
    Family residence The objective is to enable eligible family members to establish residence together in Portugal.
📋 Eligibility Depends on Your Case
  • 🔎
    Family relationship matters Spouses, children, parents and other qualifying relatives can have different requirements.
  • ⚖️
    Dependency can matter Certain family relationships may require evidence of dependency or other specific circumstances.
Eligibility

Who can apply for family reunification in Portugal?

Family reunification can cover several family situations, but eligibility and supporting evidence are not identical for every relationship.

💍 Spouse
  • ❤️
    Married couples A spouse may qualify where the marriage and sponsor's residence status meet the applicable conditions.
  • 📜
    Marriage evidence The relationship normally needs to be documented through accepted civil-status evidence.
👧 Children
  • 👨‍👩‍👧
    Dependent children Children may qualify subject to the applicable age, dependency and family rules.
  • 🎓
    Older dependent children Additional evidence may be needed where dependency or age creates additional conditions.
👴 Parents
  • 🏠
    Dependent parents Parents may qualify where the required dependency and other conditions are established.
  • 🔎
    Individual assessment Parent reunification should be assessed individually rather than assumed to qualify automatically.
👨‍👩‍👧 Other Relatives
  • ⚖️
    Additional conditions Other qualifying relatives can be subject to specific dependency or household requirements.
  • 📋
    Evidence is important The relationship and circumstances should be documented before the application is submitted.

Not sure whether your family member qualifies? We can review the relationship, sponsor status and available evidence before you start preparing the application.

Get a Family Reunification Assessment →
Family Relationship

Can my spouse, children or parents join me in Portugal?

Eligible family members may be able to join a legal resident in Portugal, but each relationship has its own eligibility and evidence requirements.

💍 Spouse or Partner
  • 📜
    Relationship evidence Marriage or qualifying partnership evidence should be reviewed before applying.
  • 🛂
    Residence application The applicant follows the family- reunification procedure applicable to their circumstances.
👧 Children
  • 🏫
    Dependent children Children can qualify where the applicable family and dependency conditions are satisfied.
  • 📋
    Birth documentation Birth and identity records need to clearly establish the family relationship.
👴 Dependent Parents
  • 💶
    Dependency evidence Evidence may be needed to demonstrate the relevant dependency relationship.
  • 🔎
    Case-specific review Parent reunification should be assessed against the actual circumstances.
Requirements

What documents are needed for Portugal family reunification?

The exact checklist depends on the family relationship, the sponsor's residence status and the applicant's circumstances.

📜
Proof of Family Relationship
Marriage certificates, birth certificates or other accepted evidence establishing the relationship.
🪪
Sponsor's Residence Permit
Evidence that the family member in Portugal is legally resident and able to sponsor the reunification process.
🏠
Accommodation Evidence
Evidence of adequate accommodation in Portugal, according to the applicable procedure.
💶
Financial Means
Evidence of sufficient financial resources may be required to support the family unit.
🏥
Health Coverage
Insurance or other accepted health-coverage evidence may be required depending on the applicant and procedure.
📋
Criminal Record
A criminal-record certificate may be required for the applicant, subject to the applicable rules.
Important: Family reunification is not an automatic right for every relative. Eligibility and documents depend on the relationship, dependency, sponsor status and applicable Portuguese immigration rules.
Family Reunification Visa Portugal
👨‍👩‍👧
D6
family reunification
The Process

How does the Portugal D6 Visa process work?

We organize the application around the sponsor, family relationship and evidence required for the individual case.

1
Assess the Family Relationship
We review who is applying, who is resident in Portugal, the family relationship and any dependency issues.
2
Check the Sponsor's Status
We confirm the relevant Portuguese residence documentation and identify the evidence required from the sponsor.
3
Prepare Family Documents
We organize civil-status records, identity documents, accommodation, financial evidence and other supporting documents.
4
Review, Legalise & Translate
We check document consistency and identify where apostille, legalisation, certification or translation may be required.
5
Submit the Application
The application is submitted through the competent consular or designated channel applicable to the applicant.
6
Travel & Residence Stage
After approval, the applicant follows the visa conditions and completes the applicable residence-permit process in Portugal.

From family relationship evidence to residence in Portugal, we guide the process step by step.

D6 Documents

What documents do I need for a D6 family reunification application?

A family-reunification application is built around proving identity, the family relationship, the sponsor's legal residence and the circumstances supporting the family member's move.

🛂
Valid Passport
Valid identity and travel documentation for the family member applying.
📜
Marriage or Birth Certificate
Civil-status evidence establishing the qualifying family relationship.
🪪
Sponsor Residence Evidence
The Portuguese resident's residence permit or other applicable residence documentation.
🏠
Accommodation
Evidence concerning where the family will live in Portugal, as required by the applicable procedure.
💶
Income / Financial Evidence
Evidence of financial means where required for the family-reunification case.
📋
Criminal Record
Criminal-record documentation where required, with appropriate authentication where applicable.
Documents vary by case: Nationality, relationship, sponsor status, age, dependency and the country where the application is submitted can affect the required evidence.
Time & Planning

How long does D6 family reunification take?

The current service information gives a typical estimate of around 60–90 days. This should not be treated as a guaranteed government processing time because appointments, document preparation and authority processing can vary.

📂 Preparation Stage
  • 1
    Collect documents Obtaining civil-status documents, legalisation and translations can affect preparation time.
  • 2
    Review the file Incomplete or inconsistent evidence can create additional delays.
🏛️ Application Stage
  • 3
    Submit the application Processing depends on the competent authority and application circumstances.
  • 4
    Wait for the decision Government processing times and appointment availability can change.
After Approval

What happens after a D6 Visa is approved?

✈️ Travel to Portugal
  • 🛂
    Use the residence visa Travel according to the visa's validity and conditions.
  • 📅
    Prepare for the residence stage The applicant must complete the applicable residence-permit procedure in Portugal.
🏠 Establish Residence
  • 🇵🇹
    Residence documentation The family member follows the applicable process for obtaining residence in Portugal.
  • 👨‍👩‍👧
    Live with family The purpose of the route is to enable qualifying family members to establish residence with the sponsor.
Common Situations

What if my family situation is complicated?

Family immigration cases can become more complex when documents, nationality, dependency or previous immigration history do not fit a straightforward application.

📜 Missing Civil Documents
  • 🔎
    Alternative evidence We assess what evidence is available and whether additional documentation may be needed.
🌍 Different Nationalities
  • ⚖️
    Case-specific rules Nationality and country of application can affect documentation and procedure.
👴 Dependency Questions
  • 💶
    Evidence matters Dependency should be supported with appropriate evidence rather than assumed.
❌ Previous Refusal
  • ⚠️
    Review before reapplying A previous refusal should be assessed before submitting another application.
Professional Support

Why use professional help for a D6 Visa?

🔎 Eligibility Review
  • Check the relationship Identify the family route and the evidence needed for the specific relationship.
📋 Document Review
  • Reduce technical problems Check names, dates, translations, certifications and consistency before submission.
🏛️ Application Guidance
  • Coordinate the process Get guidance on the applicable consular and residence stages.
⚠️ No Guarantee
  • !
    Authorities decide Professional assistance cannot guarantee an approval, appointment or government processing time.
FAQ

Questions about our D6 (Family Reunification Visa)

The Portugal D6 Visa is the family reunification route for qualifying family members of a person who already has legal residence in Portugal. The exact procedure depends on the sponsor, family relationship and circumstances.

The route can apply to qualifying spouses or partners, minor children, certain dependent adult children, and dependent parents or parents-in-law of a legal resident, subject to the applicable requirements.

Yes. A spouse of a person legally resident in Portugal may qualify for family reunification, subject to the applicable relationship, documentation and sponsor requirements.

A recognised partner or qualifying civil partnership may be eligible. The relationship must meet the applicable Portuguese requirements and be properly documented.

Yes. Minor children may qualify for family reunification. Certain adult children may also qualify where the applicable dependency requirements are met.

Certain adult children can qualify where they meet the applicable dependency conditions, including situations involving dependent students or financial dependency.

Dependent parents may qualify for family reunification where the applicable dependency and family-relationship requirements are satisfied.

Parents-in-law may qualify in appropriate circumstances where the applicable family relationship and dependency requirements are met.

The family-reunification route is based on the sponsor having the relevant legal residence status in Portugal. The sponsor normally needs to provide evidence of their valid residence permit.

In some circumstances a family member may be able to proceed from inside Portugal, while other cases require a consular application. The correct route depends on the applicant and sponsor circumstances.

Yes. Depending on the circumstances, family members may apply through the appropriate Portuguese consular or visa application channel in their country of jurisdiction.

Typical documents include proof of the family relationship, the sponsor residence permit, accommodation evidence, proof of financial means, identity documents and, where required, criminal-record certificates and other supporting evidence.

Foreign civil-status documents may need apostille or legalisation depending on the country of issue and applicable rules. The exact authentication requirement should be checked for each document.

Foreign documents may require an official Portuguese translation before they can be accepted by the relevant Portuguese authority. The exact requirement depends on the document and circumstances.

A birth certificate may be required when the family relationship is based on a parent-child relationship. It may need authentication and Portuguese translation depending on where it was issued.

Yes. The current Visas.pt D6 service page lists adequate accommodation as one of the core requirements and explains that evidence should show suitable housing for the joining family members.

Yes. The sponsor must generally demonstrate sufficient and stable means to support the family members joining them. The applicable financial assessment depends on the household.

There is not one universal figure that applies identically to every family. The applicable financial requirement depends on household size and the family members being supported, so it should be calculated for the individual case.

The current Visas.pt page lists valid health insurance covering applicants in Portugal until SNS registration as part of the service requirements. The exact insurance requirement should be confirmed for the individual application.

The current D6 page states that a criminal record certificate is required for each adult applicant from their country of residence.

The current Visas.pt D6 page gives a typical timeline of approximately 60–90 days for complete applications. Actual processing can vary according to AIMA, consular workload and individual circumstances.

No. The 60–90 day period is a typical timeline rather than a guaranteed government processing time. AIMA and consular workloads can affect the actual decision time.

Once the applicable residence permit is issued, reunited family members generally have the right to live and work in Portugal subject to the conditions of their residence status.

Yes. Once the relevant residence status is issued, family members can generally study in Portugal under the applicable Portuguese education and residence rules.

Qualifying family members can often be handled as part of a coordinated family-reunification process. The exact procedure depends on the sponsor, relationships and individual circumstances.

Where each family member qualifies, the applications can generally be coordinated as part of the same family-reunification strategy. Each person's eligibility and documents still need to be assessed.

After approval, the family member follows the applicable travel and residence-permit procedure in Portugal. Once the residence permit is issued, they can establish residence with the sponsor and use the rights associated with that status.

The D6 route is specifically designed for qualifying family members joining a person who already has legal residence in Portugal. The correct family procedure can differ depending on the sponsor and circumstances.

The current Visas.pt page lists the Reunification Complete package at €1,595 and the Reunification Plus package at €2,810.

The current package includes visa-route determination, NIF and Portuguese bank-account assistance, document checking and guidance, unlimited email support, immigration-lawyer consultations, VFS/consulate appointment assistance and the A1/A2 Portuguese Language Course.

The Reunification Plus package includes the Complete package and adds a tax-lawyer consultation, Property Finder support, and filing and accompaniment for the AIMA appointment.

Yes. The current D6 page states that the second person receives a 50% discount and dependants receive a 70% discount.

Yes. The D6 service page states that Visas.pt handles document legalisation, translations and AIMA submission as part of its family-reunification support.

Yes. The service is designed to assess the sponsor, family relationship, application location and supporting evidence before confirming the appropriate reunification pathway.

No. Professional assistance can help prepare and review the application, but the final decision is made by the competent Portuguese authorities and depends on the applicant and sponsor meeting the applicable requirements.
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