Residence and immigration
Family reunification in Portugal depends on the resident’s permit, family relationship and relative’s situation. Compare waiting rules and exceptions, then organise the evidence for your case.
Article 98 generally requires a valid residence permit held for at least 2 years. For a spouse/equivalent with at least 18 months cohabitation immediately before the resident entered, the period can be 15 months under paragraph 2.
Sources: Diário da República ·The general wait does not apply to dependent minors/incapacitated persons, a spouse/equivalent sharing parent/adopter status for such a dependant, or family of holders under Articles 90, 90-A and 121-A. Exceptional reasoned waivers/reductions are also provided in paragraph 4.
Sources: Diário da República ·An exception to the wait does not waive the remaining application conditions.
Read the conditions and explanation
The first question is which provision permits your application, rather than how long AIMA takes to process it. Holding a permit for a qualifying period, having lived together and waiting for a decision are different concepts. The amendment cannot responsibly be reduced to one waiting period for every family. Compare the confirmed conditions in the cards below with the evidence available in your own file.
| Check | How to use this guide |
|---|---|
| Sponsor’s permit | Identify the category and history before selecting a waiting-period rule. |
| Relationship | Establish the legal relationship evidenced and the formalities applicable to the documents. |
| Exception | Identify the specific exception and evidence; an exception does not remove every condition. |
| Transition | Check the historical period and any actual submission rather than advertising an open window. |
Law 61/2025 took effect on 23 October 2025; its Articles 2 and 3 apply to administrative procedures and judicial cases started afterwards.
Last checked:Article 98 generally requires a valid residence permit held for at least 2 years. For a spouse/equivalent with at least 18 months cohabitation immediately before the resident entered, the period can be 15 months under paragraph 2.
Last checked:An exception to the waiting period does not automatically remove the remaining family reunification conditions. Establish which relationship and residence category support the exception. Where dependent children, incapacity or a special sponsor category are relevant, assemble evidence enabling that situation to be assessed. Do not select an exception simply because it sounds faster. An exceptional waiver requires its own assessment rather than an editorial promise of acceptance.
The general wait does not apply to dependent minors/incapacitated persons, a spouse/equivalent sharing parent/adopter status for such a dependant, or family of holders under Articles 90, 90-A and 121-A. Exceptional reasoned waivers/reductions are also provided in paragraph 4.
Last checked:A document must establish the legally relevant relationship, rather than merely show that two people share accommodation. Before paying for translations or other formalities, check the evidence required for the relationship claimed and the issuing country. Differences in names, changes in civil status and incomplete records need clarification. Good document preparation supports an application but cannot replace the assessment of the legal requirements stated below.
Article 99(6) requires a valid/recognised marriage or partnership and both partners to be at least 18 when applying.
Last checked:Prepare one timeline for the resident and another for the family member: entry, permit issue, cohabitation and family changes. Separate identification, relationship evidence and documents about accommodation and means, checking the current applicable list. This is an editorial organisation method, not a complete official checklist. Record what each document proves and which dates remain unsupported so that you can ask specific questions rather than request a general prediction.
An old report may describe a transitional opportunity for relatives already in Portugal. Before following it, establish its publication date and the scope of the provision. The historical rule below should not be advertised as a channel still open today. Equally, this does not establish that every previously submitted case became invalid. Filing during the window and attempting to start a new case afterwards are different situations.
Article 6(2) of Law 61/2025 provided a 180-day window for certain family members already in Portugal, with legal entry and Article 98 conditions. In October 2026, the original window must not be presented as a future open deadline.
Last checked:Consider a resident whose spouse remains abroad. Advice from someone whose relative was already in Portugal may not apply. Prepare three clear answers: the resident’s permit category, the relationship that can be evidenced and the family member’s location. Then verify the corresponding regime and official instructions. Read any individual decision or notification before choosing the next step. This guide neither authorises entry nor promises a successful application.
Official sources support the stated legal, language and certification facts. Plans, examples and checklists are independent editorial suggestions, not instructions from an authority.
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