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D6 · Family Reunification

D6 Visa: Family Reunification

Last verified: 2026-09-28

Overview

The D6 visa (family member outside Portugal) starts with the reunification request at AIMA by the relative living in Portugal. Only after approval is the national visa filed at the consulate.

Eligibility requirements

  • Relative holding a valid Portuguese residence permit.
  • Family reunification request approved by AIMA before the consulate visa application.
  • Proven family relationship (marriage, parentage, de facto partnership over 2 years, adoption, guardianship/custody, or other legally provided cases).
  • The resident relative proves means of subsistence and adequate housing for the household.

Required documents

General documents7

  • Consulate visa application — family member abroad

    Completed and signed national visa application form
  • Valid passport or other travel document
  • 2 recent passport-style photographs
  • Criminal record certificate from the country of origin or residence for more than one year, when the family member is 16 or older
  • Authorisation to consult the Portuguese criminal record
  • Proof of lawful status in the country where the visa is filed, when applicable (Optional)
  • Valid travel insurance covering medical costs, urgent medical assistance and possible repatriation
Personal and financial documents7

  • Initial AIMA request — relative living in Portugal

    Authenticated documents proving the claimed family relationship

  • Family relationship documents — as applicable

    Marriage certificate, if the family member is a spouse (Optional)
  • Birth certificate, if the relationship is parentage or kinship (Optional)
  • Documents proving a de facto partnership of more than 2 years, when applicable (Optional)
  • Properly recognised adoption decision, when applicable (Optional)
  • Court decision or document proving guardianship, custody or parental responsibility, when applicable (Optional)
  • Medical report or court decision proving incapacity, when applicable (Optional)
Financial documents4

  • Initial AIMA request — relative living in Portugal

    Proof of sufficient means of subsistence for the household
  • Payslips, employment contract, income declarations, bank statements or suitable financial evidence, as applicable (Optional)

  • Family relationship documents — as applicable

    Proof of economic dependency, when legally required (Optional)
  • Proof of enrolment in an educational establishment and of economic dependency, when required for an adult child (Optional)
Housing documents2

  • Initial AIMA request — relative living in Portugal

    Sworn declaration of the resident’s address in Portugal, stating the title under which the property is used
  • Proof of adequate housing: land registry certificate/access code, lease, landlord declaration or equivalent document
Other documents9

  • Initial AIMA request — relative living in Portugal

    Family reunification application on the official form, completed and signed
  • Copy of the valid residence permit of the relative living in Portugal
  • Authenticated copy of the passport of the family member to be reunited
  • Responsibility undertaking (AIMA Model 4) and supporting documentation, when applicable (Optional)
  • Power of attorney and identification of the representative, when representation exists (Optional)

  • Consulate visa application — family member abroad

    Notification of AIMA’s decision approving family reunification

  • Minors and formalities

    Travel authorisation from the parent or legal representative, when applicable (Optional)
  • Authenticated authorisation from the other parent or relevant court decision, when parental responsibility so requires (Optional)
  • Foreign documents legalised/apostilled and translated, when required (Optional)

Full procedure

  1. 1
    Phase 1: AIMA in PortugalOnline

    The resident relative files at AIMA

    The process starts in Portugal, with the person already living there lawfully.

    https://aima.gov.pt
  2. 2
    Phase 1: AIMA in PortugalOnline

    Await the AIMA decision

    Nothing can be filed at the consulate until approval comes through.

  3. 3
    Phase 2: Consulate applicationIn person

    Apply for the national visa with the approval notice

    Gather the form, passport, photos, criminal record (16+), PT criminal-record authorisation, travel insurance and family-link proof.

    https://visa.vfsglobal.com
  4. 4
    Phase 3: AIMAIn person

    After entry: biometrics and residence permit

    The permit issued generally matches the validity of the resident relative’s permit.

Summary and timelines

Prazo / Timeline

Variable — AIMA first; then consular visa and residence permit

Custo / Cost

AIMA fees + consular visa + documentary/VFS costs

Renovação / Renewal

The permit generally follows the validity of the resident relative’s permit

Perfil / Profile

Spouses, children and other eligible relatives of legal residents in Portugal

Taxas / Fees

  • AIMA feeVariable
  • Consular visa feeVariable
  • Documentary / VFS costsVariable