Portugal Family Reunification Rules 2026
TL;DR
Are you going to bring your family to Portugal? Things are now more difficult. Law 61/2025 came into effect on October 22, 2025, and it changed everything. The government calls it "strict but humanist."
It feels mostly strict for a lot of families who are waiting to be together again. If you want to move your family to Portugal, you need to know about these changes.
What Is the New Law for Family Reunification in Portugal?
First, you need a residence permit for two full years. You can only apply for family reunification in Portugal after that.
The government says this makes sure that applicants have "real family ties." It also helps families get used to living together before more people come to Portugal. Critics say it just makes things take longer for families who are really in need.
The law changed Article 98 of Portugal's Immigration Law (Law 23/2007). This is a big change in how Portugal deals with family immigration.
What Are the Changes to Family Reunification in Portugal?
The changes have a big effect on the timing, paperwork, and requirements for integration. Some families have to wait longer, while others are not affected at all. This is what really changed:
Key Changes
- It now takes two years to sponsor family members who live abroad
- Couples who lived together for more than 18 months before coming wait 15 months
- Do you have kids or other dependents? You can apply right away
- Everyone must now take new language and civic training classes
- AIMA now has to decide on your application within nine months
- The rules for housing and financial paperwork are much stricter than before
What Are the New Immigration Rules in Portugal 2025?
In Portugal, Law 61/2025 changed more than just the rules for family reunification. In late 2025, the whole immigration system was completely changed. A number of well-known ways to become a resident were taken away or made much harder to use. These changes will have an effect on job seekers, CPLP citizens, and current residents.
| Change | Details |
|---|---|
| No more Expression of Interest | No regularization in the country without a visa first |
| Job Seeker Visa limited | Now only highly qualified professionals can apply |
| CPLP route ended | Must get the right visa before traveling |
| Complete applications only | AIMA only accepts applications that are fully completed now |
| Requirements for integration | Some permit renewals need language proficiency |
| 180-day transition period | People who live there now can change permits until April 2026 |
Who Is Eligible for Family Reunification?
Sponsor Requirements
To be eligible, the main applicant must show three important things. You need a valid permit for at least two years to start. Second, you need to show that you have enough money without help from the government. Third, you need a safe place to live that meets basic health standards. The new framework makes sure that these rules are followed without fail.
AIMA will check to make sure that your home meets the needs of a family like yours. You must own or rent your accommodation and have the right paperwork. Employment contracts, bank statements, and tax returns are all examples of financial proof.
Eligible Family Members
- Your spouse or civil partner can come to Portugal with you
- Adopted children and children under 18 are also allowed
- If you're an adult studying in Portugal and you're single and dependent, you can work too
- If your parents are financially dependent on you, they can also be reunited with you
- In some cases, minor siblings who are legally under your care may be able to qualify
Exemptions to the Two-Year Waiting Period
The law says that some groups don't have to follow the usual two-year rule at all. These exceptions help families with kids and bring in skilled workers. The government wanted to find a balance between restrictions and useful exceptions for important groups.
| Category | Waiting Period |
|---|---|
| Parents of minor children | Zero wait |
| D3 visa holders (highly qualified) | Exempt |
| Golden Visa holders | Exempt |
| Family members of EU citizens | Different rules apply |
How Long Does It Take to Get a Family Reunification Visa in Portugal?
Under new rules, AIMA has nine months to make a decision on your application. The agency must follow this timeline, and it is legally binding. For the most complicated cases, there may be an extra nine months. But there is no way to extend cases involving kids.
The nine-month limit for families with kids is in the best interest of the kids. The Constitutional Court stressed the importance of making quick decisions about family unity rights. Some families had to wait more than three years for decisions about getting back together. The new law deals with those delays by setting strict, enforceable deadlines.
TRANSITIONAL RULES: Are you already in Portugal legally with family members? You can apply under transitional rules until about April 21, 2026. That means it has been 180 days since the law went into effect in October. Adults have to follow different and stricter rules after that window closes.
What Is the New 10-Year Rule in Portugal?
You probably heard that Portugal wanted to make the requirements for citizenship much stricter. The proposal would change the length of time people need to live in the country from 5 to 10 years. People from the EU and the CPLP would need 7 years instead of 5. On October 28, 2025, Parliament passed this bill, which caused a lot of debate.
That law isn't in effect right now, though. In December 2025, Portugal's Constitutional Court looked at it. The court found four important parts to be unconstitutional. The bill had to be changed by Parliament again. No one knows when they'll try to pass new laws again.
CURRENT STATUS: For now there is still a five-year path to citizenship in Portugal. Applications that are filed before any changes take effect are still completely safe. The proposed law would have also required tests in the Portuguese language A2. There were also plans for civic knowledge tests and formal statements of commitment to democracy.
Conclusion
If you're in the transition period right now, act quickly. The changes to the citizenship law are still on hold because of the Constitutional Court's decision. The current 5-year path to Portuguese citizenship is still in place for now.
FAQs
Can family members already in Portugal apply for reunification?
Yes, they can do that because of transitional provisions in the law. They can apply until about April 2026 if they came in legally.
What integration requirements apply to family members?
Now, everyone who wants to reunite with their family must take Portuguese language classes. Training in civic values and constitutional principles is also required after arrival. All kids in Portuguese schools must go to school, no exceptions.
Can I appeal if my family reunification application is denied?
Yes, the new law gave appeals full access to the courts again. You can now go to Portuguese courts to challenge AIMA decisions. This changes rules that the Constitutional Court had previously struck down.
