Eligibility quiz
Are you married to your spouse or partner, or have you been in an unmarried partnership with them for more than two years?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Portugal
Your residence card lets you live in Portugal for its validity period.
It normally lasts as long as the resident family member’s temporary permit; if they have permanent residence, yours is issued for two years and can be renewed.
Temporary permits are generally issued for two years and renewed for three years at a time.
Study in Portugal
You can attend education and job training in Portugal.
Equal treatment also covers recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications.
Work in Portugal
Holders can work for an employer or work independently, without being tied to a particular employer or occupation.
Foreign workers have the same employment rights and duties as Portuguese workers, including equal treatment for trade-union membership.
Travel in Schengen
Your residence card proves your right to return to Portugal.
You can generally visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Live with minor siblings
Your minor siblings can join you in Portugal, whatever their citizenship, if they are in your custody and any foreign custody decision is recognised in Portugal.
Other family conditions apply, including a two-year wait in most cases.
Vote in local elections
Some holders can register to vote in local elections after the required residence period.
This depends on their citizenship and whether their country gives similar voting rights to Portuguese citizens.
Use public healthcare
Holders with a Portuguese address can get an SNS user number for the public health system.
Access to particular services depends on health-system rules, and holders need health insurance or proof of SNS coverage.
Access public support
Holders have equal treatment in access to public goods and services, social security and tax benefits.
Benefits for sickness, parental leave, unemployment or disability depend on the relevant scheme and contributions.
How to apply
From outside PortugalFrom outside Portugal
Get the application form
Ask your spouse or partner in Portugal to get the current AIMA family reunification application form.
Find the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “How can I get the AIMA reagrupamento familiar application form for a family member outside Portugal?”
Fill in the form
Your spouse or partner fills in and signs the AIMA family reunification application form.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How does a resident fill in the AIMA reagrupamento familiar form for a family member outside Portugal?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for AIMA and the consulate.
See required documentsBook an AIMA appointment
Your spouse or partner books an appointment through AIMA's appointment or service channels.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an AIMA appointment for reagrupamento familiar in Portugal?”
Attend the AIMA appointment
Your spouse or partner brings the signed form and documents to any AIMA office in Portugal. They pay the applicable fee using AIMA's payment instructions.
Find an AIMA officeSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I submit an AIMA reagrupamento familiar application in Portugal?”
Wait for the decision
Your spouse or partner waits for AIMA's decision and answers any requests for more information or documents.
See how to follow upSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow an AIMA reagrupamento familiar application for a family member outside Portugal?”
Find your consulate
After AIMA approves the request, find the Portuguese consulate responsible for the country where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Portuguese consulate covers your city for a reagrupamento familiar residence visa?”
Fill in the visa form
Fill in the national visa application form for family reunification.
Find visa form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Portugal national visa application form for reagrupamento familiar?”
Book a consular appointment
Book an appointment through your consulate's official booking channel. Apply for the visa within 90 days of AIMA's approval, or the approval expires.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Portugal reagrupamento familiar residence visa appointment at the consulate serving your city?”
Attend your visa appointment
Bring your visa application, passport and required documents to the consulate, and give your fingerprints and photo. Pay the visa fee as the consulate instructs.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to a Portugal reagrupamento familiar residence visa appointment at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for your visa
Wait for the consulate's decision and respond if it asks for more information or documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow a Portugal reagrupamento familiar residence visa application at the consulate serving your city?”
Travel to Portugal
Once your visa is issued, travel to Portugal and follow the residence permit appointment instructions that come with it.
Find arrival instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What do I do after receiving a Portugal reagrupamento familiar residence visa?”
Once in PortugalOnce in Portugal
Attend your residence appointment
Go to AIMA as instructed with your documents for checking and give your fingerprints and photo. Follow AIMA's instructions to complete the issue of your residence card, which lets you live in Portugal.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend an AIMA residence permit appointment after a Portugal reagrupamento familiar visa?”
Complete integration measures
Follow the applicable instructions for Portuguese-language and constitutional principles and values training. Completing applicable measures normally matters when you renew your residence permit.
Find integration informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “What integration measures apply after reagrupamento familiar in Portugal?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Partner's residence permit
Provide your spouse or partner's valid Portuguese residence permit.
Marriage certificate *
Get a copy of your marriage certificate showing your marriage to your spouse.
* Only if you are married.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationProof of partnership *
Provide documents showing that you and your partner have been in a partnership for more than two years.
* Only if you are applying as an unmarried partner.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence and integration conditions
Keep your residence document, passport and address and status details current, and renew on time.
The family relationship and residence conditions must continue; your sponsoring relative must maintain adequate means and housing.
Applicable language, constitutional-principles training and schooling requirements can affect renewal, unless a humanitarian exemption applies.
Residence can be lost
Your residence permit can end if it is not renewed or its conditions no longer hold.
It can be cancelled for a fraudulent family relationship, one created solely to obtain entry or residence, or serious criminal, public-order or security grounds.
Long absences can also cause renewal problems.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Move to Portugal D7 & Golden Visa with European Odyssey
English Facebook group for people living in Portugal interested in Portuguese visas
Join on FacebookPortugal family reunification facilitation
English Facebook group for people living in Portugal interested in Portuguese visas
Join on FacebookPortugal Family Reunification Updates 👨👩👧👦
English Facebook group for people living in Portugal interested in Portuguese visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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