I want to reunite or live with my family
- Residence-permit holders wishing to reunite family members.
- Family members already in Portugal.
- Family members still outside Portugal.
- Family members of EU or Portuguese citizens.
FAM · route
Family can mean family reunification or free movement.
The family route depends on who holds the underlying right, nationality, and whether the family member is inside or outside Portugal. Family members of EU/Portuguese citizens may use a different regime from family reunification with a third-country residence-permit holder.
Do not mix legal routes
Do not use a generic “family reunification checklist” before confirming whether the case falls under Foreigners Law reunification or the EU/Portuguese family-member regime.
Your route, step by step
What to check first
01
Identify who holds the underlying right
A third-country residence-permit holder and an EU/Portuguese citizen do not necessarily use the same family regime.
02
Family member outside Portugal
AIMA has a family-reunification procedure for family members outside Portuguese territory.
03
Family member already in Portugal
A separate procedure exists, including biometric presence and evidence of entry/legal situation as applicable.
04
EU/Portuguese citizen
See the EU & family area, where third-country family members use a specific residence-card regime.
Confirm before acting
Reunification — family outside Portugal ↗Reunification — family in Portugal ↗
Family members of EU citizens — AIMA ↗
Rules, channels and fees can change. The official source prevails at the time of filing.