Family Reunification Portugal 2026: New Rules and How to Apply

Updated 25 October 2026· Checked against official sources

Quick answer: Since October 2025, family reunification in Portugal is only possible if you have held a valid residence permit for at least two years (15 months for spouses who lived together for 18 months before entry). Dependent minor or incapacitated children are exempt from this wait. You apply at AIMA and the decision should come within nine months.

Family reunification in Portugal (reagrupamento familiar) is the right of a foreigner who lives legally in Portugal to bring their family here (or to make their stay legal). Searches on this topic shot up after Lei n.º 61/2025, in force since 23 October 2025, made the rules stricter. This guide sums up what changed and how to apply in 2026.

What changed in 2025?

Rule	Before	After Lei n.º 61/2025
Minimum residence time of the applicant	None	2 years with a valid residence permit
Spouse who lived together ≥ 18 months before entry	—	15 months
Dependent minor or incapacitated children	—	No waiting period
Accommodation	Required	Required, with standards set by portaria (government order)
Means of subsistence	Required	Required without using social benefits
Integration measures	No	Training in Portuguese and constitutional values; compulsory schooling for minors
Decision deadline	Shorter	9 months

Also exempt from the two-year wait:

the spouse (or de facto partner) who is the parent or adoptive parent of a dependent minor or incapacitated child;
family members of holders of residence permits under art. 90 (highly qualified activity, teaching, cultural), art. 90-A (investment) or art. 121-A (EU Blue Card).

In exceptional cases, the government member responsible for migration can waive or shorten the waiting periods.

Who counts as “family”?

According to AIMA and the MNE (arts. 99 and 100):

Spouse or de facto partner (union must be proved; for spouses, both at least 18 years old)
Dependent minor or incapacitated children of the couple or of one of the spouses
Adopted minors
Dependent adult children, single, studying in Portugal
Parents (first-degree ascendants) of the resident or the spouse, if they are dependent on them
Minor siblings under the resident’s guardianship

“União de facto” is the Portuguese term for a de facto partnership (living together as a couple without being married). AIMA asks for proof that it has existed for more than two years.

Family reunification Portugal income requirement

The reference is the 2026 minimum wage: €920 (Decreto-Lei n.º 139/2025).

Household member	Percentage	Monthly amount 2026
First adult	100%	€920
Each extra adult	50%	€460
Each child or dependent adult child	30%	€276

Example: couple with two minor children → 920 + 460 + 276 + 276 = €1,932 per month.

These amounts use the 2026 minimum wage (€920), which is the reference given by the MNE. The AIMA page on means of subsistence still shows the 2025 amount (€870); if in doubt, check with AIMA when you apply.

What documents do you need?

According to AIMA:

The applicant’s residence permit
Certified copy of the family member’s passport
Certified proof of the relationship: marriage certificate, birth certificate, adoption or guardianship decision, proof of de facto partnership
Statement of address, signed on your honour, with a land registry certificate or a statement from the landlord
Proof of means of subsistence
Criminal record certificate of the family member (country of nationality or of residence for more than one year), certified
For minors with one parent abroad: written permission from the non-resident parent
Portuguese translations of foreign documents

How to apply for family reunification in Portugal

Family member outside Portugal (art. 98(1)):

Check that you already meet the waiting period (2 years, 15 months or an exemption).
Apply at AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum), by appointment, with the documents above.
Wait for the decision (up to nine months).
Once approved, the family member applies for the reunification visa at the consulate within 90 days — otherwise the decision expires.
Once in Portugal, the family member applies for their own residence permit at AIMA (art. 107).

Family member already in Portugal (art. 103(2)): only for family members exempt from the waiting period who entered and are staying legally. According to AIMA, at the moment only residents with children aged over 5 and under 15 in the household can apply online, under art. 98(2); other applications are made by appointment at a Loja AIMA (AIMA office). For the online application it helps to have the Chave Móvel Digital (digital ID login).

What about renewal?

Renewal of your family members’ permits now depends on proving that they completed the integration measures (Portuguese language and constitutional values) and that they do not depend on social benefits, unless for a reason that is not their fault.

Common mistakes

Applying before completing the two years without being in one of the exceptions — the application will be refused.
Counting social benefits as income. The law clearly excludes them.
A home that is too small. The accommodation must be suitable for a comparable family in the same region.
Missing the 90 days to apply for the visa after approval.
Documents not certified or translated.
Following old rules. The 180-day transition period for family members already in Portugal ended in April 2026.

Keep reading

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to wait to bring my family to Portugal?

As a rule, two years with a valid residence permit. For a spouse who lived with you for at least 18 months before you entered Portugal, the wait is 15 months. Dependent minor or incapacitated children have no waiting period.

How much money do I need for family reunification?

The reference is the minimum wage (€920 in 2026): 100% for the first adult, 50% for each extra adult and 30% for each child or dependent adult child, not counting social benefits.

My family members are already in Portugal. Can I apply?

You can apply for family members who are exempt from the waiting period (for example minor children) and who entered and are staying in Portugal legally (art. 103(2)).

How long does the decision take?

The law sets nine months. Outside the cases in art. 98(1) and (2), it can be extended by the same period in exceptional situations.

Does my family member pay a visa fee?

According to the MNE, only the spouse and parents pay the visa fee; children are exempt.