A non-EU/EEA/Swiss national legally resident in Portugal can sponsor certain close family members to join them, under Articles 98–100 of Lei n.º 23/2007 (the Foreigners Law). The process differs depending on whether the family member is already inside Portugal (Art. 98.º, n.º 2) or still abroad (Art. 98.º, n.º 1). A significant change took effect with Lei n.º 61/2025 (in force since 22 October 2025): the sponsoring resident must now hold their own residence authorization for at least 2 years before exercising the right to family reunification, and reunification requests for adult family members already inside Portugal are no longer generally permitted — adults must apply from outside the country, while minors can still be reunified in-country. A 180-day transitional window applied after the law's entry into force for certain in-country cases already meeting the old Art. 98 conditions.
Family reunification rules changed materially in late 2025, and the changes affect both who can apply (2-year residency threshold for the sponsor) and where the application must be filed (adults generally barred from in-country requests). Anyone relying on older guidance — including many currently-published blog posts — may be reading pre-October-2025 rules.
Key Facts
Eligible family members under Art. 99.º include: the spouse; minor or incapacitated children (including adopted) of the resident or their spouse; adult children who are single, in the couple's/spouse's charge, and studying at a Portuguese educational establishment (with an additional category tied to holders of a residence authorization granted under Art. 90.º-A); ascendants in the direct first-degree line (i.e. parents) of the resident or their spouse, provided they are financially dependent on the resident.
For de facto (unmarried) partnerships, reunification can also be authorized for the partner in a duly proven de facto union, and for that partner's single minor/incapacitated children (including adopted) legally entrusted to them.
New rule (Lei n.º 61/2025, in force 22 October 2025): the sponsoring resident must hold a residence authorization valid for at least 2 years before the right to family reunification under Arts. 99–100 can be exercised.
New rule (same law): requests for reunification of people already physically present in Portugal are now restricted to minors; adult family members generally must apply for reunification from outside Portugal, subject to approval by Portuguese authorities before travel.
Transitional provision: for 180 days after the law's entry into force, a sponsor could still request reunification for family members already in Portugal under the pre-existing Art. 98.º conditions, provided the family member had entered the country legally.
Core required documents (per AIMA guidance) include: the sponsor's valid residence authorization; the family member's valid passport/travel document; proof of the family member's legal entry into Portugal (for in-country cases); and properly authenticated proof of the family relationship (e.g. marriage/birth certificates).
Foreign-issued civil documents (birth/marriage certificates, etc.) must be apostilled or otherwise authenticated for use in Portugal, and birth certificates are treated as valid for 1 year from issuance for this purpose.
Documents in a foreign language must be translated by an authorized channel: a Portuguese notary, the Portuguese consulate in the issuing country, or that country's consulate in Portugal.
The sponsor must also provide a signed declaration of honor stating their residential address and their relationship to that housing (owner, tenant, sub-tenant, etc.), with property registration proof if claiming ownership/usufruct.
Applications are submitted via scheduled in-person appointment at an AIMA counter, including biometric data collection.
Steps
Confirm the sponsor's eligibility — Verify the sponsoring resident has held their own residence authorization for at least 2 years (post-October-2025 rule) and identify which of the Art. 99/100 family categories the intended family member falls under.
Assemble and authenticate documents — Gather the sponsor's residence permit, the family member's passport, proof of the family relationship (apostilled/authenticated as needed, translated by an approved channel if not in Portuguese), and proof of adequate housing.
File the correct case type — If the family member is still abroad, file under Art. 98.º, n.º 1 (they will subsequently need a family-reunification visa to travel to Portugal). If already in Portugal, filing under Art. 98.º, n.º 2 is now generally limited to minors, per the 2025 law change — confirm current eligibility for any adult in-country case before relying on older guidance.
Attend the AIMA appointment — Submit the file and complete biometric data collection at a scheduled AIMA appointment.
Required Documents
Sponsor's valid residence authorization (held ≥ 2 years, per Lei n.º 61/2025)
Family member's valid passport or other travel document
Proof of legal entry into Portugal (for in-country cases)
Authenticated/apostilled proof of family relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificate — birth certificates valid 1 year from issuance)
Certified translation of any foreign-language documents (via Portuguese notary, Portuguese consulate abroad, or the relevant country's consulate in Portugal)
Sponsor's declaration of honor covering residential address and housing status, plus property registration proof if claiming ownership/usufruct
Common Mistakes
Relying on pre-October-2025 guidance that omits the new 2-year minimum residency requirement for sponsors.
Assuming an adult family member already in Portugal can still be reunified in-country — this is now generally restricted to minors, with only a limited transitional window for pre-existing situations.
Submitting foreign civil-status documents without apostille/authentication or without an approved translation channel, causing rejection at the AIMA counter.