Foreign nationals who already have legal resident status in Portugal (residence permit/permanent residence) have the legal right to bring close relatives to live with them. The main tool for this is the national D6 visa (Visto D6).

1. Who is eligible for a D6 visa?

The applicant for family reunification (the sponsor) must be a foreign national who has already obtained a residence permit in Portugal on any legal basis (employment, business, study, etc.).

According to Article 98 of the Foreigners Act (Lei de Estrangeiros), the following family members are eligible for a D6 visa:

• Spouse (the marriage must be officially registered).
• Partners in a civil union (União de Facto), provided they have lived together for at least 2 years (documentary evidence must be provided).
• Minor children (including adopted children) who are dependent on the spouses or one of them.
• Adult children, provided they are unmarried, enrolled in full-time education (in Portugal or another country), and financially dependent on their parents.
• The resident’s parents (or the parents of the spouse), provided they are financially dependent on the resident. If the parents are over 65, proving financial dependence is easier; if they are younger, substantial evidence of regular financial support is required.

2. Financial Requirements 

The sponsor in Portugal must demonstrate that their stable income and savings are sufficient to support all family members. The calculation is based on the minimum wage in Portugal (RMMG), which is €920 per month in 2026.

The amount of financial support is calculated on a sliding scale for 1 year (12 months) in advance:

First adult (resident): 100% of the minimum wage — €920/month.
Second adult (spouse or parents): 50% — €460/month.
Each child (under 18 or dependent): 30% — €276/month.

Calculation example: For a wife and one child to move to a resident husband, the family’s Portuguese bank account (or the husband’s employment contract) must demonstrate income/savings calculated as follows: €920 + €460 + €276 = €1,656 per month (a total of at least €19,872 per year).

3. Required Documents

The application process begins with preparing the necessary documents in the country of residence of the relatives planning to relocate. Applications are submitted through the Portuguese consulate or visa centers (VFS Global).

Basic checklist for a D6 visa:

• Proof of family ties: Marriage certificate, child’s birth certificate (must be apostilled and accompanied by a notarized translation into Portuguese).
• Documents from the host party: Copy of the host’s Portuguese residence permit, copy of their tax identification number (NIF), and a copy of the rental agreement (or proof of ownership).
• Financial guarantees: Resident’s tax return (IRS) for the previous year, statements from a Portuguese bank, pay stubs (recibos de vencimento).
• Certificate of no criminal record: For all family members aged 16 and older (with an apostille and translation).
• Health insurance: An international policy with coverage of at least €30,000 for the first 4 months.
• Proof of financial dependency: University transcripts (for adult children) or receipts for money transfers from Portugal (for parents).

4. Procedure: The Consulate and AIMA

There are two ways to legalize family reunification, but applying through the D6 visa is the most systematic and secure:

Application in the country of origin: Family members submit their D6 visa application to the Portuguese consulate in their home country. The processing time is usually between 30 and 90 days.

Entry and Visit to AIMA: Upon approval, a 4-month visa is affixed to the passport. Along with the visa, an appointment with the AIMA (Agency for Integration, Migration, and Asylum) in Portugal is automatically scheduled or booked manually.

Receiving Residence Cards: The family arrives in Portugal, submits biometric data to AIMA on the scheduled date, and receives plastic residence cards by mail a few weeks later.

Alternative Route (Article 98.2): If the family has already entered Portugal on a visa-free basis or with a tourist visa, they are eligible to apply for family reunification directly within the country via the AIMA portal. However, this route is often accompanied by a long wait for available appointment slots.

5. Rights of Family Members After Receiving a Residence Permit

Obtaining a residence permit based on a D6 visa grants family members the same rights as the main applicant. They receive:

Full work authorization: Spouses and adult children have the right to officially seek employment or start a business without additional permits.

Access to social benefits: Free education for children in public schools, access to the Portuguese National Health Service (SNS), and higher education institutions.

Path to an EU passport: Like the main applicant, family members are eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship after 5 years of legal residence.