We are family

The D6 Visa, also known as the Family Reunification Visa, is designed to bring together loved ones with Portuguese residents, enabling them to live, work, and enjoy life in beautiful Portugal. If you're already a legal resident in Portugal, whether through schemes like the Golden Visa or D7 Visa or as an EU citizen with settled status, you have the opportunity to reunite with your spouse, partner, or other family members through the Family Reunification Visa (D6).

Portugal typically welcomes family members with open arms, but there are a few conditions. Your family members may be denied entry if there are suspicions of deception or if they have recent convictions for serious crimes, served as mercenaries, or have been convicted of terrorist offences.

Once your family members arrive, they're essentially on the same journey as you. If your residency permit is for two years, they will receive a permit for the same duration. Working privileges are also extended to them. However, if you already hold permanent residency, they will initially receive a two-year visa. After this period, provided the family ties remain intact, they can renew their visa for a longer duration.

WHO CAN APPLY?

The Family Reunification Visa allows you to bring various family members to Portugal, including spouses, partners (as long as the relationship is legally recognised), children, direct dependents, and even parents or siblings in your care. Portugal doesn't discriminate between married, unmarried, or same-sex couples. For unmarried couples, the criteria are slightly different, requiring proof of a genuine relationship for at least two years.

To prove the stability of your union, you can use documents like a declaration of cohabitation, utility bills in both names or a registered domestic partnership where recognised. If you can't establish family ties or haven't been together for the required two years, consider alternative visas such as the D7.

HOW TO APPLY

The person with Portuguese residency must initiate the Family Reunification Visa application. Applications are processed through SEF (Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras), either directly or with the help of a lawyer. Getting an appointment with SEF can take some time, so consider seeking appointments in other cities or towns for quicker results.

Once you receive a favourable decision, the D6 visa application can begin in earnest. Family reunification can be done with family members either inside or outside Portugal. If you wish to be together during the process, you'll need to provide proof of their legal entry into the country.

DOCUMENTATION

The required documentation for the D6 Visa is relatively straightforward. However, it's wise to check the latest requirements on the SEF website, as they may change over time.

For the resident, you'll need your residence documents, Portuguese fiscal number (NIF), proof of subsistence, and proof of address. Family members applying for residency in Portugal should provide a certified copy of their passport, criminal records check from countries where they've lived for more than one year, marriage certificates (or proof of cohabitation), and proof of subsistence.

In all cases, SEF ensures that applicants have the means to support their family members, which typically means having an income equal to or greater than the Portuguese minimum wage, along with additional funds to support dependents.

LIFE AFTER D6 APPROVAL

Coming to Portugal with the D6 Visa puts your family members on the path to Portuguese citizenship. After living in Portugal for five years as D6 residents, they become eligible for permanent residency and can apply for Portuguese citizenship, complete with a Portuguese passport. Just like you, they'll have access to healthcare, the right to work and study in Portugal, and the ability to travel within the Schengen Area.

With the D6 Visa, you can look forward to reuniting with your loved ones and embarking on an exciting journey toward a brighter future in Portugal.