D6 Visa Portugal: 2026 Guide to the Family Reunification Visa

What is the Portugal D6 Visa?

The Portugal Family Reunification Visa is a legal pathway for close family members of Portuguese residents, such as spouses, dependent children, or parents. Also called the D6 Visa, this residence permit is for non-EU nationals who want to reunite and live together in Portugal.

The Portugal D6 Visa is valid for the same time as the sponsor’s residence permit. For example, if you have a two-year residency permit, your spouse or minor children will also obtain a two-year permit. You can renew the visa, as long as the family relationship still exists.

After obtaining the Portuguese Family Visa, your family can study, live, and work in Portugal without worrying about applying for another permit or overstaying. The D6 Visa provides temporary Portuguese residency for work, retirement, education, or any other purpose.

The Portugal Family Reunification Visa (D6) is issued under Portuguese law based on Article 98 (Reagrupamento Familiar). The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) handles the administrative processing, including granting residence permits to family members.

The Benefits of the Portugal Family Reunification Visa

The Portugal D6 Visa benefits include the opportunity for foreign nationals to reunite with dependent family members and live legally in Portugal, along with the right to access public healthcare, education, and work in the country.

The list of advantages is as follows:

• Live, study, and work freely in Portugal: Holders of the Portugal Family Reunification Visa (D6) become legal residents. It means they can live anywhere in the country, enroll in universities or schools, or take up a job without having to reapply for other permits.
• Pathway to permanent residency: Holders of the D6 Visa can apply to become permanent residents or Portuguese citizens after five years of maintaining their residency. Based on the latest data from Statistics Portugal (INE), 46,840 foreign nationals obtained Portuguese nationality in 2024, mainly because of its inclusive residency and family policies.
• Visa-free travel: The Family Reunion Visa lets you travel to the 29 countries across the Schengen Area without applying for other Portugal visas.
• Access to public healthcare and education: You get full entry to Portugal’s public healthcare network, also known as Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS). Dependent minor children can attend public schools for free, while dependent adult children can attend higher education in Portugal, which is significantly more affordable than in the United States and many Western European countries. For example, the average tuition for a public university in Portugal is around €1,000 to €2,000 per year for EU/EEA students and €3,000 to €5,000 per year for students outside the EU.
• Access to banking and financial services: With legal residency, eligible D6 Visa holders can open Portuguese bank accounts, apply for housing loans, or credit, which can help them fully integrate into Portuguese society.
• Supportive integration programs for families: Initiatives funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund and through local integration centres (CLAIM) offer services such as language courses, legal guidance, and social support to help eligible families adapt and settle.

Note: The time you need to apply for Portuguese citizenship may change depending on the Portuguese Nationality Law. The Portuguese government has proposed increasing the required residency period from five years to 10 years. However, these changes are not yet in effect.

Who is eligible for the Portugal D6 Visa?

Non-EU nationals with a valid residence permit can apply to sponsor their family members to join them through the Portugal Family Reunification Visa (D6).

Here is a list of the family members who can get the D6 Visa Portugal:

• Partners or spouses recognized by law
• Dependent children (as well as adopted children), which could also include a dependent child of the resident’s partner
• People over 18 who are dependent on the main applicant for the Portugal D6 Visa or their partner. To qualify, they must be single and attend a Portuguese educational institution.
• Minor siblings of the main applicant, who are under the legal guardianship of the main applicant
• The parents (direct ascendants) of the main applicant or the direct ascendants of their spouse, as long as they are financially dependent on the applicant or their spouse

What are the Portugal Family Reunification Visa requirements?

To apply for family reunification, there are certain D6 Visa Portugal requirements to meet. They are less strict than the D8 Digital Nomad Visa or the Portugal Golden Visa.

Here is what you can expect:

• The family member living in Portugal (the sponsor) must hold a valid residence permit or Portuguese citizenship.
• The sponsor must provide proof of housing that is large enough to accommodate the incoming family member(s).
• The applicant must be a direct family member of the sponsor.
• Children over 18 must be enrolled in school or university in Portugal and remain dependent on the sponsor to qualify.
• There is no minimum income requirement published specifically for the sponsor of the Portugal D6 Visa. Instead, the reference value for the sponsor’s monthly income is based on Portugal’s minimum monthly wage. According to Decree-Law No. 112/2024 of 19 December, the minimum wage for 2026 is set at €920 (Article 273 of the Labor Code).

The table below shows the minimum monthly income the sponsor must have to support family members on a D6 Family Reunification Visa:

Note: The minimum wage is the official reference point for calculating your financial means. So, if you rely on a lower benchmark, such as the Indexante dos Apoios Sociais (IAS), authorities can reject your application for insufficient funds.

Portugal D6 Visa Required Documents

Applicants need the following documents for the Portugal Family Reunification Visa:

• Valid passport (It must be valid for an extra three months beyond the duration of your planned stay)
• Two passport photos (They must be recent, in great condition, and with good lighting)
• A filled-out D6 Family Reunification Visa application form
• Private health insurance (Mandatory to cover travel medical insurance, such as medical expenses, emergency care, and repatriation)
• A clean criminal record certificate
• Proof of family ties (This can include birth certificates, marriage documents, adoption certificate or proof of de facto union)
• Travel authorization for minor children under 18 (Signed by the parents or legal guardians)
• Proof of sufficient income for the sponsor (This includes bank statements, pension statements, employment contracts, or similar documents)
• Proof of adequate accommodation for the sponsor (This can include property ownership documents, rental contract, proof of address, or utility bills)

An immigration lawyer can compile all the documents and conduct due diligence to ensure that all applicants comply with Portuguese immigration law.

Legalizing and translating documents for your Portugal D6 Visa application

All applicants must submit official documents in Portuguese, such as marriage or birth certificates. If they are in another language, you must translate them into Portuguese through a certified translator. The documents should then be legalized by issuing an apostille, which is a special official stamp or certificate. A government authority in the country where the document was issued can provide the apostille. When the translation is finished, you bring the documents to the Notary and have them notarized.

Portugal D6 Visa Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

The process of applying for the Portugal Family Reunification Visa (D6) involves several steps, and it often starts with the sponsor, or the person who’s already resident in Portugal. Let’s begin.

Step 1: The sponsor applies for the family reunification authorization

To become a sponsor, you must already have a valid Portuguese residence permit, such as via the Portugal Golden Visa, D7 Retirement Visa, or the D8 Digital Nomad Visa.

As a sponsor, you submit a family reunification request to AIMA Portugal and provide all the necessary documents, such as proof of family ties, sufficient income, and adequate accommodation.

The processing time for AIMA requests is typically around 60 days.

Step 2: AIMA approves the family reunification request

If the request is approved, AIMA issues a family reunification authorization and notifies the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Portugal (MNE).

This approval allows the family member abroad to apply for a Portugal D6 Visa at a local Portuguese Consulate.

Step 3: Family member applies for the D6 Visa

If the family member lives outside Portugal, they submit an application for a visa for family reunification through a Portuguese Consulate or a VFS Global visa application center.

Here, they fill out visa application forms and submit the legal documentation. The visa application fee is around €90, though fees can vary slightly depending on the Consulate.

The Portugal Family Reunification Visa processing time is about 60 days.

Step 4: Travel to Portugal with the D6 Visa

Once the visa is approved, the family member can travel to Portugal with the Portugal Family Reunification Visa.

The visa usually allows two entries and is valid for about four months, providing the applicant enough time to enter Portugal and complete the rest of the residence permit process.

Step 5: Attend the AIMA appointment for a residence permit

After arriving in Portugal, the family member attends an appointment with AIMA to obtain their family reunification residence permit.

This appointment is often pre-scheduled in the visa approval process or booked after the family members arrive in the country. At this appointment, they submit biometric data and confirm their documents.

The residence permit fee can vary from €150–€170.

Step 6: Receive the residence permit

Once approved, AIMA issues the valid residence permit, which usually has the same validity as the sponsor’s permit. You or your family members can renew the Family Reunification Visa Portugal as long as the family ties continue.

Portugal D6 Visa Application Costs

Understanding the costs associated with the Portugal D6 Visa application is crucial for effective planning. Here’s a breakdown of the main expenses you can expect:

• D6 Visa application fee: The application fee for the D6 Visa is approximately €90. This fee is required when submitting your application and is essential for processing.
• Residence permit registration fee: Once the D6 Visa is approved, you will need to register for a residence permit, which incurs an additional fee of around €150–€170.
• Additional costs: If you choose to work with immigration professionals to assist with your application, their fees can start at approximately €1,500. This can be a worthwhile investment if you seek expert guidance through the process.

Portugal D6 Visa processing time

Once the Portuguese immigration authorities approve the family reunification request, the processing time for the Portugal D6 Visa is around 60 days.

Portugal D6 Visa Renewal and Extensions

The validity of the Portugal D6 Visa residence permit generally depends on the Portuguese resident’s (the sponsor’s) residency status. If the sponsor holds a temporary residence permit, family members will usually receive a residence permit with the same validity period as the sponsor’s permit.

For example, if the sponsor holds the Portugal Startup Visa, which provides a two-year residence permit in the initial stage, they can bring close family members on a Portuguese Family Visa with the same two-year validity.

If the sponsor has Portuguese permanent residence, family members are granted a temporary residence permit, which is commonly issued for two years and can later be renewed.

After the initial residence period, family members may qualify for an independent residence permit issued by the AIMA, provided they meet the legal requirements under Portuguese immigration law.

How to renew the Portugal D6 Visa?

To keep the residence permit valid, every D6 Visa holder must renew and extend their residence visa. Renewing your D6 Portugal Residency Visa helps you maintain a legal residency status in Portugal.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Initial temporary residence permit: Upon arrival in Portugal, the D6 Visa residence permit holder attends an appointment with the AIMA to obtain a valid residence permit. The entry visa is often valid for about four months.
2. Renewal process: The Portugal D6 residence permit can be renewed for the first time after two years. A second renewal is possible after an additional three years.
3. Requirements to renew the Reunification Visa in Portugal: To renew the Portugal D6 Visa, applicants will generally need to provide documentation that proves the continuation of the family relationship and evidence of financial stability and adequate housing in Portugal.

Can I apply for permanent residency and Portuguese citizenship with the D6 Visa?

Yes, holders of the Portugal D6 Visa can apply for permanent residency after five years of legal residence in the country.

This transition grants you a long-term residence permit, allowing you to live in Portugal without the need to renew it.

In addition to permanent residency, D6 Visa holders may also pursue Portuguese citizenship after the same five-year period.

To qualify for citizenship, you’ll need to demonstrate proficiency by passing a Portuguese language test and showing knowledge of Portuguese culture and history.

It’s important to note that Portugal permits dual citizenship, so you can retain your existing citizenship(s) while becoming a Portuguese citizen, provided your home country allows for dual nationality. This opens a pathway to integrate into Portuguese society while maintaining your original ties fully. Portuguese citizens have access to a wide range of perks, including the ability to live, work, and study in any EU member country.

You can also get Portuguese citizenship by descent or if you marry a Portuguese citizen.

Goldcrest: How We Can Help You 

Goldcrest is a buyer’s agent that is based in Lisbon. We provide expert, impartial advice on real estate investments and how to buy property in Portugal. From scouting out the perfect property through to property acquisition, we have you covered throughout the process.

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