Let’s Discuss & Start Visa Consultations
Expert guidance on visas, settlement, citizenship, and asylum — just a message away.
The Portugal Family Visa is a legal immigration pathway that allows close relatives of Portuguese citizens or legal residents to live in Portugal. Its primary purpose is family reunification, enabling spouses, partners, dependent children, dependent parents, and, in specific cases, other relatives to join a sponsor in Portugal.
The visa provides access to essential benefits, including healthcare, education, work rights, and Schengen travel. The Portuguese immigration authority responsible for family visas is AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo), which fully replaced SEF in 2024. All residence permit applications, renewals, and post-arrival procedures are now handled exclusively by AIMA.
The family visa is designed for long-term stays and is typically issued for 1–2 years, renewable depending on the sponsor’s legal status.
This visa is for legally married spouses or long-term partners of Portuguese citizens or residents. It provides a residence permit linked to the sponsor’s status, granting rights to work, study, and access social services. Evidence of a genuine relationship is required, such as a marriage certificate, civil partnership documents, or proof of long-term cohabitation.
Dependent children include all minors (under 18), including adopted children, regardless of whether they are in full-time education. Adult children who are financially dependent and studying full-time are also eligible, with no strict upper age limit, though this is commonly interpreted by authorities to be up to the age of 25 for financially dependent students.
Dependent parents or elderly relatives may qualify if they rely on the sponsor for financial or physical support. Approval requires strong evidence of dependency and the sponsor’s ability to provide care.
Certain extended family members may qualify in exceptional circumstances, subject to AIMA approval and detailed justification.
Note: Only long-term residence permits under the family reunification route count toward permanent residency eligibility. Short-term visits or temporary visas do not.
For legal resident sponsors (non-EU/EEA citizens), the sponsor must generally have held a valid residence permit for at least two years before applying for family reunification. This two-year requirement is typically waived in cases involving:
All documents issued outside Portugal or EU/EEA must be apostilled or legalised and translated into Portuguese.
Financial sufficiency is calculated based on the Portuguese minimum wage (€870/month paid over 14 months), equating to €12,180/year, or an average of €1,015/month. Thresholds for family reunification are generally:
Applicant Type | Amount (€) |
Main Sponsor | 12,180 |
Spouse/Partner | 6,090 |
Each Dependent Child | 3,654 |
Dependent Parent | 6,090 |
Authorities may request slightly higher amounts to cover unforeseen expenses.
This visa allows family members to visit Portugal for less than 90 days. It does not lead to a residence permit or permanent residency and is equivalent to a short-stay Schengen visa for family visits.
The standard pathway for family reunification. Provides an initial residence permit for 1–2 years, renewable as long as the sponsor maintains legal residence.
Permit duration: Initially 1–2 years, renewable.
AIMA pre-approval (Mandatory 2025 Update): The sponsor must apply for AIMA pre-approval before the family applies at the consulate. The legally mandated decision timeline is up to 9 months, though simpler cases may be faster.
Consular visa application: Submitted at a Portuguese embassy or consulate abroad (1–3 months processing).
Post-arrival AIMA appointment: Family members attend an appointment to issue the official residence permit.
Path to permanent residency: After 5 years of lawful residence, family members may become eligible for permanent residency.
Time spent on short-term or temporary visas does not count toward the 5-year requirement.
Eligibility requires:
Family members may also transition to other visa routes or long-term residence permits if circumstances change.
Stage | Typical Timeline |
AIMA Pre-Approval by Sponsor | Up to 9 months |
Consular Visa Processing | 1–3 months |
AIMA Residence Permit Issuance | 2–4 months after arrival |
Annual Renewals | 1–3 months |
Confirm fees with the relevant consulate before submission
Family members of EU/EEA or Swiss citizens have a different process. They generally apply directly to AIMA after arrival, rather than obtaining a consular visa. This guide primarily focuses on third-country nationals.
At LawSentis, our IAA-regulated advisers provide end-to-end support:
Our team ensures that family relocation to Portugal is smooth, legal, and successful, minimizing risks of delays or refusal.
Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.
Expert guidance on visas, settlement, citizenship, and asylum — just a message away.