D6 (Family Reunification Visa)
Route
Family Reunification
General sponsor rule
Valid permit for 2 years
AIMA decision period
9 months, with limited extension cases
Packages from
€1,595
Family Reunification
Who can apply for family reunification in Portugal in 2026?
Portugal's D6 family reunification route allows eligible relatives of a person legally resident in Portugal to join them and establish residence. In 2026, a sponsor applying for later family reunification must generally have held a valid residence permit for at least two years, with a 15 month rule for a spouse or equivalent partner who cohabited with the sponsor for at least 18 months in the period immediately before the sponsor entered Portugal, plus statutory exceptions. The Visas.pt team and Portuguese immigration lawyers help assess eligibility, prepare the evidence and coordinate the applicable AIMA, consular and residence stages, with packages shown from €1,595.
👫 Spouse or Partner
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General waiting rule A sponsor generally needs to have held a valid Portuguese residence permit for at least two years before applying for later family reunification.
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15 month rule The period is 15 months for a spouse or equivalent partner who cohabited with the sponsor for at least 18 months in the period immediately before the sponsor entered Portugal.
👧 Children and Exceptions
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Minor or incapable children The two year waiting period does not apply to dependent minors or incapable persons, or to a spouse or equivalent partner who, together with the residence permit holder, is the parent or adopter of a dependent minor or incapable person.
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Some residence categories Families of holders of residence permits for highly qualified activity, Golden Visa investment and the EU Blue Card are also exempt from the general two year wait.
Moving together? Qualifying family members can apply for accompanying residence visas at the same time as the main applicant under Article 58(5) of Law 23/2007, which can avoid the later family reunification waiting period.
Get a Family Reunification Assessment →
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.
★ Most Popular
Reunification Plus
€2,810
Everything in the Complete Package, with three powerful additions
- Everything in the Complete Visa Package
- Consultation with Tax Lawyer
- Property Finder
- File and Accompany you for your AIMA Appointment
🗣️ Free Portuguese lessons to A2 included
Reunification Complete
€1,595
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 Guidance & Assistance
🗣️ Free Portuguese lessons to A2 included
Portugal D6 Visa
What is the Portugal D6 family reunification route?
The D6 is commonly used for eligible family members who are abroad and want to join a person already legally resident in Portugal. The normal process starts with the resident sponsor applying to AIMA in Portugal, not with the family member filing directly at a consulate.
🏠 Family Abroad
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Sponsor applies to AIMA first The resident sponsor submits the family reunification application and supporting evidence to AIMA in Portugal.
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Visa follows AIMA approval After approval, the family member applies for the residence visa at the Portuguese consulate or VFS centre responsible for where they legally live.
✈️ Applying Together
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Accompanying residence visas Qualifying family members can apply at the same time as the principal residence visa applicant under Article 58(5).
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Avoid a later wait For families planning to relocate together, the accompanying route can avoid having to wait until the sponsor becomes eligible for later reunification.
🇵🇹 Family Already in Portugal
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Check the current status first Where the family member is already legally in Portugal, the correct residence procedure depends on their entry, current status and family circumstances.
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Different procedure may apply We assess the legal basis before filing rather than automatically treating the case as a consular D6 application.
Eligibility
Which relatives can you bring to Portugal through family reunification?
Eligibility depends on the relationship and, for some relatives, dependency, age, study or other statutory conditions. A family relationship by itself does not mean every relative qualifies.
💍 Spouse or Partner
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Spouse A qualifying spouse can fall within the family reunification rules where the relationship and sponsor requirements are met.
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Relationship evidence Marriage or qualifying partnership evidence must be documented in a form accepted for the Portuguese procedure.
👧 Children
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Minor or incapable children Dependent minor or incapable children benefit from an exception to the general sponsor waiting period.
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Adult children The normal rule requires an adult child to be dependent, unmarried and studying in Portugal. For a sponsor holding an Article 90-A Golden Visa residence permit, a dependent unmarried adult child must be studying, but the law does not require those studies to be in Portugal.
👴 Dependent Parents
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Dependency must be established Parents may qualify where the applicable dependency requirements are satisfied and supported with evidence.
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Individual review The family relationship, dependency and sponsor's circumstances should be checked before preparing the application.
Waiting Rules
How long must I live in Portugal before bringing my spouse or family?
For a later family reunification application, the general rule since 23 October 2025 is that the sponsor must have held a valid residence permit for at least two years. The law provides a shorter period and several exceptions.
2️⃣ General Rule
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Two years The sponsor generally must have held a valid residence permit for at least two years before applying for family reunification.
1️⃣5️⃣ Spouse or Partner Rule
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15 months The waiting period is 15 months for a spouse or equivalent partner who cohabited with the sponsor for at least 18 months in the period immediately before the sponsor entered Portugal.
👧 No Wait for Certain Children
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Minor or incapable dependants Dependent minors or incapable persons are exempt from the waiting period. The exemption also covers a spouse or equivalent partner who, together with the residence permit holder, is the parent or adopter of a dependent minor or incapable person.
⭐ Exempt Permit Categories
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Specified residence routes The general wait does not apply to families of holders of residence permits for highly qualified activity under Article 90, Golden Visa investment and the EU Blue Card.
Planning point: these waiting periods concern later family reunification. Qualifying family members applying together with the principal applicant can use the accompanying residence visa provision instead.
Requirements
What documents are needed for Portugal family reunification?
The exact checklist depends on the family relationship, sponsor's permit, applicant's age and dependency, and whether the family member is abroad, already in Portugal or applying together with the main applicant.
Proof of Family Relationship
Marriage certificates, birth certificates or other accepted civil status documents establishing the qualifying relationship.
Sponsor's Residence Evidence
The sponsor's Portuguese residence permit and other documents needed to establish their eligibility to apply.
Accommodation Evidence
Evidence addressing the family's accommodation in Portugal according to the applicable AIMA or consular procedure.
Financial Means
Evidence of sufficient resources for the family unit where required by the applicable family reunification procedure.
Dependency or Study Evidence
Where the legal category requires it, evidence may be needed to establish dependency, unmarried status, study in Portugal or another qualifying condition.
Criminal Record
Criminal record documentation may be required, with the correct authentication and translation where applicable.
Document preparation: foreign civil documents may need apostille, legalisation or an accepted translation. See our guide to apostilles, legalisation and translations.
D6
family reunification
The Process
How does the Portugal D6 Visa process work for family abroad?
For a family member living outside Portugal, the normal order is AIMA first, followed by the consular residence visa application after AIMA approval.
1
Check Sponsor Eligibility
We check the sponsor's residence permit, the applicable waiting period and whether an exception applies.
2
Confirm the Family Category
We review the relationship and any dependency, age, study or other conditions that apply to the family member.
3
Prepare the AIMA File
We organise the sponsor documents, civil status evidence, accommodation, financial evidence and other required records.
4
Sponsor Applies to AIMA
The resident sponsor submits the family reunification application to AIMA in Portugal. The decision period is nine months. In exceptional complex cases outside Article 98(1) and 98(2), it may be extended by a further nine months.
5
Family Member Applies for the Visa
After AIMA approval, the family member applies at the Portuguese consulate or VFS centre responsible for where they legally live.
6
Travel and Complete Residence
After the visa is issued, the family member travels to Portugal and completes the applicable residence permit procedure.
We coordinate the legal and document stages according to the family's actual circumstances.
D6 Documents
What evidence should you prepare for a D6 application?
The documents need to establish who the applicant is, the qualifying family relationship, the sponsor's Portuguese status and any additional statutory conditions for that family category.
Valid Passport
Valid identity and travel documentation for the family member applying.
Marriage or Birth Certificate
Civil status evidence clearly establishing the claimed family relationship.
Sponsor Residence Permit
Evidence of the sponsor's lawful residence in Portugal and the duration or category relevant to the waiting rules.
Accommodation
Evidence concerning where the family intends to live in Portugal, as required for the applicable procedure.
Financial Evidence
Evidence of sufficient resources where required for the family reunification application.
Category Specific Evidence
Dependency, study, unmarried status or other evidence where the family member's legal category requires it.
Consular practice can differ: after AIMA approval, the exact visa checklist can vary by the Portuguese consulate or VFS centre responsible for the applicant's place of legal residence. We check the current local checklist before submission.
Time and Planning
How long does Portugal family reunification take in 2026?
For the AIMA family reunification application, the decision period is nine months. In exceptional complex cases outside Article 98(1) and 98(2), it may be extended by a further nine months. Document preparation and the later consular visa stage are additional, so the complete process can take longer and no private adviser can guarantee a completion date.
📂 Preparation Stage
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Collect civil documents Birth, marriage, dependency and other records may need to be obtained, authenticated and translated before filing.
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Check eligibility The sponsor waiting period and the applicant's family category should be confirmed before the AIMA application is prepared.
🏛️ AIMA and Visa Stages
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AIMA decision AIMA has nine months to decide the family reunification application. In exceptional complex cases outside Article 98(1) and 98(2), the period may be extended by a further nine months.
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Consular stage follows For family abroad, the residence visa application follows AIMA approval and adds further processing time.
Fees in 2026: the standard national residence visa fee is €110, with statutory exemptions for some applicants and visa types. The AIMA fee for a first temporary residence permit is €247.30 at the standard rate, or €185.60 where the 25% reduction applies to digital applications and, until the service is available digitally, applications made in person. Government and third party costs are separate from Visas.pt service fees. See the official national visa fees and AIMA fee table.
After Approval
What happens after a D6 Visa is approved?
✈️ Travel to Portugal
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Use the residence visa The family member travels according to the validity and conditions of the issued national visa.
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Prepare for residence The residence permit procedure is completed in Portugal after arrival.
🏠 Residence Permit
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First permit A family member holding the relevant family residence visa, or whose reunification was approved while in Portugal, receives a residence permit with the same duration as the resident sponsor's permit.
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Renewals A family member of a permanent resident receives a two year permit, renewable for successive three year periods under Article 107(2).
Common Situations
What if my family situation is more complicated?
Family cases need individual review when the relationship, documents, dependency, immigration history or current location does not fit a straightforward application.
📜 Missing Civil Documents
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Check alternatives We assess the records available and identify what additional evidence or corrections may be needed.
🌍 Family Already in Portugal
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Assess current status We review the person's entry and current immigration position before deciding which residence procedure is appropriate.
👴 Dependency Questions
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Provide evidence Where dependency is part of the legal test, it should be supported with appropriate records rather than assumed from the family relationship.
❌ Previous Refusal
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Review before reapplying A previous refusal should be examined before another application is submitted so the legal or documentary issue can be addressed.
Professional Support
How can Visas.pt help with a D6 family reunification case?
🔎 Eligibility Review
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Check the waiting rule We assess the sponsor's permit history, family relationship and whether the general wait or an exception applies.
📋 Document Review
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Prepare the evidence We check names, dates, civil records, dependency evidence, translations and authentication requirements before filing.
🏛️ Procedure Guidance
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Use the correct sequence We coordinate the applicable AIMA, consular and residence stages rather than treating every family case as the same procedure.
⚠️ Authorities Decide
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No guaranteed result Professional assistance cannot guarantee an AIMA decision, visa approval, appointment or government processing time.
Not sure which family procedure applies? We can assess whether your family should apply together, use later family reunification or follow a different in-country procedure.
Book a Family Reunification Assessment →
Client Stories
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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.
Yes. Each adult applicant aged 16 and over must supply an apostilled or legalised criminal record clearance from their country of origin and any jurisdiction where they have resided for more than one year.
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. A second adult applicant receives a 50% discount on package fees, and dependent children receive a 70% discount.
Yes. Full legal document support, including sworn Portuguese certified translations, apostille guidance, and AIMA representation, is included.
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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