Our Plan B

portuguese residency

D6 Visa - Portuguese Residency for Spouses, children and minor siblings:

If your relative is living in Portugal on a different visa or is an EU Citizen with settled status in Portugal, you may apply for a D6 Family Reunification visa. Applications for a Portuguese spouse visa or family visa need to be made by the existing holder of a Portuguese residence permit ie. your spouse or relative who is already legally living in Portugal. Applications need to be made with the SEF.

If your application for a family visa is approved, the relevant residence visas will be issued in the name of each family member. The SEF will communicate with the parties involved, the Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MNE) and the respective Portuguese embassy or consulate in the home country of the person requiring the visa.

If your relative in Portugal has a permanent residence permit, issued after five years of residence in Portugal, your Portuguese spouse visa or family visa will be valid for two years, and can be renewed. After the initial two-year period, and if the family tie persists, any family members can obtain an independent residence permit. Spouses are entitled to an independent residence permit immediately if the marriage has lasted for more than five years. Minor dependent children are also typically entitled to individual residence permits before two years.

Once the two-year residence permit period expires, family members are granted the same permanent residence type as other foreign permanent residents. This means they also have the same rights as Portuguese nationals in terms of employment, education, healthcare, social security and tax benefits. 

The steps you need to follow are shown below:

•  Proof of Family Ties and Documents Required:

  • Proof of the right to family reunification in Portugal (EU citizen, residence permit or EU Blue Card);

  • Proof of relationship to family member;

  • Passport, valid for at least 6 months after the expiry date of the Portugal passive income visa being applied for (which will be valid for 4 months);

  • Two recent passport-size colour photos;

  • Health insurance policy or affidavit stating that this will be bought in Portugal within 90 days of arrival;

  • Criminal record certificate (or police clearance letter) for yourself and family dependent;

  • Proof of accommodation for family member (does not apply to refugees);

  • Proof of sufficient resources to meet needs of family member (does not apply to refugees);

  • Proof of incapacity or economic dependency of any dependent relatives who are not minor children, certificate of adoption in the case of adopted children;

  • Birth certificate, proof of economic dependence and proof of educational enrolment in Portugal in the case of children who are studying in Portugal;

  • Certificate of guardianship in the case of minor brothers and sisters; and

  • Proof of de facto union in the case of partner who is not a spouse.

• Portugal Residence Permit Program Application in Portugal:

  • Passport having the special visa issued by the Portuguese Consulate;

  • The original documents which have been submitted to the Portuguese Consulate; and

  • Various Portuguese documents that your lawyer can obtain on your behalf.