D6 Visa – Family Reunification

This visa is intended for family members of holders of a valid residence permit. Since Law 61/2025 (Lei), the resident must, as a rule, have held a valid residence permit for at least two years (15 months in the case of a spouse or equivalent partner with whom the resident lived for at least 18 months before entering Portugal). This period does not apply to minor children or dependent children lacking legal capacity, to a spouse or equivalent partner who is the parent or adoptive parent of a dependent minor or person lacking legal capacity, or to family members of holders of a residence permit for highly qualified activity, for investment (ARI) or of an EU Blue Card. The following are considered family members:

• Spouse or equivalent partner (marriage or de facto union (união de facto) valid and recognized under Portuguese law, both being at least 18 years old on the date of the application);
• Minor children, or children lacking legal capacity, dependent on the couple or on one of the spouses;
• Minors adopted by the applicant, when not married, or by the applicant or the spouse, by virtue of a decision of the competent authority of the country of origin, provided that the law of that country grants adopted children rights and duties identical to those of natural filiation and that the decision is recognized by Portugal;
• Adult children dependent on the couple or on one of the spouses who are single and studying at an educational institution in Portugal;
• Adult children dependent on the couple or on one of the spouses who are single and studying, where the holder of the right to reunification has a residence permit granted under Article 90-A;
• Relatives in the direct ascending line, in the 1st degree, of the resident or of the resident's spouse, provided that they are dependent on them; and
• Minor siblings, provided that they are under the guardianship of the resident, in accordance with a decision issued by the competent authority of the country of origin and provided that this decision is recognized by Portugal.

Remember: the resident must prove suitable accommodation, owned or rented, and sufficient means of subsistence for the whole household, without recourse to social support (Article 101 of the Foreigners Act, Law 23/2007 (Lei de Estrangeiros)). Under Ministerial Order 1563/2007 (Portaria), the reference is the national minimum wage (€920 per month in 2026): 100% for the first adult, plus 50% for each additional adult and 30% for each child or young person under 18 or dependent adult child.

The reunification application is filed by the resident, in Portugal, with AIMA. If the family member is outside Portugal, after approval by AIMA they must apply for the residence visa (D6) at the competent Portuguese Consulate. An application for family members who are already legally in Portugal is only admissible in the cases of Article 98(3) (minor children or dependent children lacking legal capacity, a spouse who is the parent of a minor child, family members of holders of an ARI, of a highly qualified activity permit or of an EU Blue Card) – Article 103(2).

If the “family reunification” visa application is filed with the Consulate of Portugal, the following must be submitted:

• Statement signed by the applicant, specifying the reason for the visa application;
• Notice from AIMA confirming that family reunification has been authorized;
• Proof of the family ties claimed;
• Proof of means of subsistence;
• Written statement of responsibility by the family member residing in Portugal, stating that they will be responsible for all of the applicant's expenses, together with a photocopy of their latest income tax return;
• Proof of accommodation in Portugal;
• Health insurance or, for those entitled to it, the Certificate of Entitlement to Medical Care (CDAM), issued in Brazil under the Brazil–Portugal social security agreement;
• Travel insurance meeting the standards of the European Union;
• Criminal Record Certificate;
• Two recent 3×4 color photos with a plain background;
• Certified copy of a valid personal identity document with a Hague apostille;
• International Certificate of Vaccination (which can be requested at the airport); and
• Payment of the Consulate fee slip (boleto).

After the documents have been reviewed, the applicant will be notified to attend a “personal interview” at the Consulate. Once the application is approved, the “D6 Visa” will be affixed to the applicant's passport and the applicant will have up to 120 days to enter Portuguese territory.

But that's not the end of it. After arriving in Portuguese territory, the applicant must file an application for “Conversion of the Visa into the corresponding Residence Permit” with the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) in Portugal: upon arriving in Portugal, the applicant must attend the scheduled appointment at AIMA, bringing the documents previously submitted to the Consulate General of Portugal and also:

(i) NIF – tax identification number;
(ii) NISS – Social Security registration number; and
(iii) Official form – AIMA (Form 1).