Family reunification is where the 2025 Foreigners Law reform hits hardest. If your spouse or children are not moving with you on day one, the rules now decide how long you could be apart. Test what you know before you plan the move.
Lei 61/2025, published on 22 October 2025 and in force from 23 October 2025, amended the Foreigners Law (Lei 23/2007) and rewrote the family reunification regime.
Source: Lei 61/2025 — US Library of Congress, Global Legal Monitor
The sponsor must generally have at least two years of legal residence in Portugal before requesting a family reunification visa for dependants or partners left abroad.
Source: Lei 61/2025 — US Library of Congress, Global Legal Monitor
The reform kept exceptions for Golden Visa (investment) holders and highly qualified professionals. D7 and D8 holders whose family joins later are subject to the 2-year rule.
The 2-year rule applies to reunification with family left abroad. Families who relocate together and apply at the same time are not waiting on a later reunification request.
Source: Portugal's new Foreigners Law explained (Portugalist)
The reformed law puts more weight on proving that you have adequate accommodation and sufficient financial means for the family members joining you.
Source: Portugal's new Foreigners Law explained (Portugalist)
Family reunification decisions can take nine months or more, on top of any waiting period, so families should build the timeline into their relocation plan.
The D1 and D2 requirements were not changed by Lei 61/2025. What changed for their holders is that bringing family later now usually requires two years of residence.
Unmarried partners usually need paper evidence of a stable relationship, commonly two or more years living at the same address.
Children under 18 are added easily; adult children up to around 24 generally qualify if they are dependent and in full-time education.
Portuguese enrolment rules do not require a residence permit for the child or parents, so children can start school while family residence is being processed.
This quiz is general information based on Portuguese rules in force on the review date above, not legal advice. Immigration thresholds change every January with the minimum wage, and laws change often. Confirm your case with a lawyer before applying.