Family Member of an EU Citizen
If your spouse, parent, or child is an EU/EEA citizen, you may have the right to live in Portugal under EU free-movement rules — through an AIMA residence card instead of a residence visa.
Route
EU Free Movement
Who can apply
Non-EU family of EU, EEA, Swiss or Portuguese citizens
Application
Article 15 AIMA residence card
Packages from
€1,595
A residence card under EU free movement rules
This service is for qualifying non-EU family members of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens in Portugal, and for qualifying family members of Portuguese citizens under Article 3(5) of Law 37/2006. The main procedure is an Article 15 residence card application with AIMA after entry into Portugal, not a Portuguese national residence visa. Visas.pt and our Portuguese immigration lawyers support eligibility, document preparation and the residence process, with packages shown from €1,595.
Who This Is For
Can a non-EU family member of an EU citizen live in Portugal?
Yes, qualifying non-EU family members can live in Portugal with an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen under the applicable residence rules, and Article 3(5) of Law 37/2006 extends the family provisions to family members of Portuguese citizens. A non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor normally registers first with the Câmara Municipal. A Portuguese sponsor does not obtain a CRUE and instead uses their Citizen Card for the Article 15 procedure.
Spouse or Qualifying Partner
A non-EU spouse or qualifying partner of an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen can fall within the free movement family rules when the statutory conditions are met.
Children and Descendants
Direct descendants under 21 can qualify, as can older descendants who are dependent on the EU citizen or qualifying spouse or partner.
Dependent Parents
Dependent direct ascendants of the EU citizen or qualifying spouse or partner can qualify where the dependency requirements are established.
Other Family Situations
More distant relatives and less straightforward relationships need an individual legal assessment because they do not automatically have the same status as the core family categories.
Sponsor Documentation
What must the sponsoring citizen do before the Article 15 application?
A non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor staying in Portugal beyond three months normally applies for the EU registration certificate, commonly called the CRUE, at the Câmara Municipal within 30 days after the first three months. A Portuguese sponsor does not obtain a CRUE in Portugal and instead uses their Citizen Card.
CRUE for Non-Portuguese EU Sponsors
A non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor obtains the CRUE from the local Câmara Municipal after the initial three-month residence period.
Registration Window
A non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor should register within 30 days after the first three months of residence in Portugal.
CRUE or Portuguese Citizen Card
For a non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor, the CRUE is used for the family member's residence card application. For a Portuguese sponsor, the Portuguese Citizen Card is used instead.
EU Free Movement Route
This process follows Law 37/2006, including its extension to family members of Portuguese citizens, rather than the ordinary D6 family reunification procedure for family members of third-country residents.
Article 15 Residence Card
How do I get an Article 15 EU family member residence card?
After a non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor has completed the applicable CRUE registration, or with the Portuguese sponsor's Citizen Card in a Portuguese-citizen case, the non-EU family member applies to AIMA for the residence card. Under Article 15 of Law 37/2006, the application must be made within 30 days after three months from the non-EU family member's entry into Portugal.
Enter Portugal
The non-EU family member enters Portugal under the travel rules that apply to their nationality and circumstances.
Sponsor Provides CRUE or Citizen Card
A non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor completes the required municipal registration. A Portuguese sponsor uses their Citizen Card instead.
Apply to AIMA
The non-EU family member files the Article 15 residence card application with AIMA within the statutory filing period.
Application Certificate
A certificate confirming the residence card application is issued when the application is filed.
Residence Card
The residence card must be issued within three months of the application under Law 37/2006.
Five-Year Validity
The card is normally valid for five years, or for the EU citizen's planned period of residence if that period is shorter.
Documents
What documents does AIMA require from a non-EU family member?
The core file proves the applicant's identity, the sponsor's identity, the CRUE where the sponsor is a non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, or the Citizen Card where the sponsor is Portuguese, and the qualifying family relationship. Dependency evidence is also needed where dependency forms part of the legal test. See our guide to AIMA's document rules for non-EU family members of EU citizens.
Applicant Passport
The non-EU family member provides a valid passport or other accepted travel document.
EU Citizen Identity
A valid passport or national identity card for the EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor, or the Portuguese Citizen Card where the sponsor is Portuguese.
CRUE or Citizen Card
A non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor uses the Portuguese registration certificate. A Portuguese sponsor uses their Citizen Card instead.
Family Relationship
Marriage, birth, partnership or other civil status evidence must establish the qualifying relationship.
Dependency Evidence
For older descendants, ascendants and other categories where dependency is part of the test, suitable evidence must show the required dependency.
Foreign Documents
Foreign civil documents should be checked for the authentication, certification and translation requirements applicable to the case.
Travel Before Residence
Do I need a visa before travelling to Portugal?
The Article 15 card is a residence document obtained after entry into Portugal. It is not itself an entry visa. Some non-EU nationalities need an appropriate entry visa before travelling, while others can travel visa-free under the applicable rules. The EU free movement framework is also explained by Your Europe.
Entry Rules Are Separate
Check the travel rules that apply to your nationality before booking travel to Portugal.
No National Residence Visa Stage
The core EU family member route does not require the usual Portuguese national residence visa followed by an AIMA residence permit.
Residence Card After Entry
Once in Portugal and after the relevant residence period, the qualifying non-EU family member applies for the Article 15 card with AIMA.
Timing and Fee
How long does the EU family member residence card take?
Law 37/2006 provides that the card must be issued within three months after the application is filed. The statutory application certificate is issued on filing, while actual appointment availability and administrative handling can still affect the practical timetable.
Apply After Three Months
The Article 15 application is made within 30 days after three months from entry into Portugal.
Three-Month Card Deadline
The residence card must be issued within three months from filing under the statutory rule.
Official Fee
The card costs about €15 to €18 depending on age and whether the application is digital or in person. Check AIMA for the current amount and any applicable urgent or exemption rules.
Card Validity
The residence card is normally valid for five years unless the EU citizen plans to stay in Portugal for a shorter period.
EU Family Card or D6
What is the difference between EU family residence and D6 family reunification?
The routes are based on different laws. The Article 15 card is for qualifying non-EU family members of EU, EEA or Swiss citizens under the applicable residence rules and, under Article 3(5) of Law 37/2006, qualifying family members of Portuguese citizens. D6 family reunification generally concerns family members of a non-EU resident using Portugal's national immigration rules.
Article 15 EU Family Route
A non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor registers through the Câmara Municipal before the qualifying non-EU family member applies to AIMA. A Portuguese sponsor does not obtain a CRUE and instead provides their Citizen Card.
D6 Family Reunification
A non-EU resident sponsor normally uses Portugal's national family reunification procedure, including the AIMA approval and consular stages where the family member is abroad.
No D6 Two-Year Wait
The general two-year sponsor waiting rule introduced for national family reunification does not govern the Article 15 residence card procedure under Law 37/2006.
Visas.pt Support
How can Visas.pt help with an EU family member residence card?
Our team and Portuguese immigration lawyers help identify the correct Article 15 route, organise the CRUE step where the sponsor is a non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss citizen, or the Portuguese Citizen Card evidence where the sponsor is Portuguese, and prepare the non-EU family member's AIMA residence card file. The exact appointment and filing support included in your package should be confirmed before purchase.
Eligibility Review
We assess the family relationship, nationality and EU citizen's Portuguese residence position before the application is prepared.
Sponsor Document Sequence
We explain the CRUE step for a non-Portuguese EU, EEA or Swiss sponsor, or the Portuguese Citizen Card evidence used where the sponsor is Portuguese.
Document Review
We check family records, dependency evidence, identities, translations and document authentication requirements.
AIMA Preparation
We prepare the residence card file and provide guidance on the applicable AIMA filing procedure.
Immigration Lawyer Support
A Portuguese immigration lawyer can advise where eligibility, dependency, documentation or residence history creates a legal issue.
Correct Route From the Start
We distinguish the Article 15 free movement procedure from D6 family reunification and national residence visa applications.
Official Sources and Guides
Where can you check the EU family member residence rules?
Official sources and guides: read Law 37/2006, the Portuguese government CRUE guidance, the Portuguese government residence card guidance and the Your Europe guide for non-EU family members. For practical detail, see our guide to AIMA document rules for non-EU family members and our 2026 Portugal family reunification guide.
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
EU Family 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
EU Family 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
🗣️ Free Portuguese lessons to A2 included
Client Stories
Real people. Real results.
FAQ
Questions about our Family Member of an EU Citizen
The EU Family Member route allows eligible non-EU family members of an EU/EEA citizen to accompany or join that citizen in Portugal under EU free-movement rules. It is different from applying for a standard Portuguese national residence visa.
Qualifying family members can include a spouse, certain descendants and dependent ascendants. The exact eligibility depends on the family relationship and the circumstances of the EU citizen and applicant.
Yes. A non-EU spouse of an EU citizen can generally benefit from EU free-movement residence rights when the EU citizen is exercising those rights in Portugal and the family relationship is properly established.
A qualifying partner may be able to join an EU citizen in Portugal, but the evidence and legal conditions depend on the type of partnership and the applicable Portuguese rules. The relationship should be assessed before applying.
Yes. Descendants under 21 are among the recognised family categories. Older descendants may also qualify where they are dependent on the EU citizen and the applicable conditions are satisfied.
Yes. Dependent ascendants can qualify under the EU-family-member framework when the required dependency relationship is established with appropriate evidence.
An older descendant may qualify where they are dependent on the EU citizen. Dependency should be demonstrated with appropriate evidence rather than assumed automatically.
The EU citizen generally needs to establish their identity and their residence or exercise of free-movement rights in Portugal. Depending on the circumstances, this can involve registration, employment, self-employment, study or sufficient means and applicable conditions.
The relevant evidence depends on the EU citizen's circumstances. A Portuguese registration certificate or other accepted evidence of the EU citizen's residence or status can be important when the non-EU family member applies for their residence card.
CRUE refers to the Portuguese registration certificate for an EU citizen exercising free-movement rights. It can be important evidence of the EU citizen's status when a non-EU family member applies for residence.
Typical evidence includes the non-EU applicant's valid passport, proof of the family relationship, evidence concerning the EU citizen's status in Portugal and, where applicable, proof of dependency, accommodation or other supporting circumstances.
Foreign civil-status documents may need apostille, legalisation or another recognised certification depending on the issuing country and document. AIMA currently emphasises that documents must be properly certified and legalised where required.
AIMA's recent guidance highlights the importance of an up-to-date marriage certificate or valid online access code for marriage-based applications. The exact document-validity requirements should be checked before the appointment.
Where a foreign birth certificate is required, the document must meet the applicable certification and legalisation requirements. The exact process depends on the country that issued the certificate.
Yes, but the entry requirements depend on the applicant's nationality and the applicable EU visa rules. AIMA states that non-EU family members outside Portugal are admitted subject to the applicable entry and visa requirements.
It depends on the applicant's nationality and applicable EU entry rules. A non-EU family member should check the visa requirement before travelling rather than assuming that the EU-family-member residence right automatically removes an entry-visa requirement.
A non-EU family member staying in Portugal for more than three months should apply for the appropriate residence card. AIMA currently states that the application is made after three months of entry through the applicable appointment procedure.
The residence-card process for non-EU family members is handled through AIMA. AIMA currently directs applicants to the applicable residence-card appointment process and provides specific document requirements.
There is no single guaranteed timeline for every application. Appointment availability, document completeness and administrative processing can affect the overall time. AIMA currently lists three months as the period after the application for the residence-card procedure.
The EU-family-member residence framework provides residence rights connected to the EU citizen's free-movement rights. The specific employment and registration consequences should be checked against the applicant's residence status and current Portuguese rules.
Yes, eligible family members can reside in Portugal under the EU-family-member framework and can generally access education subject to the applicable rules and institution requirements.
Yes. AIMA states that a non-EU family member can request a permanent residence card after five consecutive years of legal residence in Portugal, subject to the applicable conditions.
AIMA states that the permanent residence card for a non-EU family member can be requested after five consecutive years of legal residence in Portugal.
The EU Family Member route is based on the free-movement rights of an EU/EEA citizen. D6 family reunification is a different Portuguese immigration route generally used for eligible family members joining a qualifying legal resident in Portugal.
It can be a more direct legal framework when the applicant genuinely qualifies as a family member of an EU/EEA citizen exercising free-movement rights. However, the correct route depends on the family relationship and the EU citizen's circumstances.
There is not a separate universal income threshold for the non-EU family member in the same way some national visa routes use fixed financial thresholds. However, the EU citizen's qualifying basis for residence can involve employment, self-employment, study or sufficient resources and applicable health coverage.
Health-coverage requirements can depend on the EU citizen's basis of residence and the circumstances of the family member. Where residence is based on sufficient resources or another category requiring health coverage, the appropriate evidence should be prepared.
AIMA states that missing required documents can prevent an application from being received. Documents should therefore be checked for validity, certification, legalisation and completeness before the appointment.
Yes. Minors can qualify when they fall within the applicable descendant category. AIMA's current guidance says applications involving minors may require proof of the family relationship, legal representation and parental responsibility where applicable.
Yes. The current EU Family Complete and EU Family Plus packages provide assistance with route assessment, NIF and bank-account setup, document checking, lawyer consultations and application-related support. The Plus package additionally includes tax-lawyer consultation, Property Finder and AIMA appointment filing/accompaniment.
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