Portugal D6 Family Reunification Visa
Legal Preparation and Coordination of the Visa and Residence Process for Eligible Family Members of a Person Legally Residing in Portugal
The Portugal D6 Family Reunification Visa is the visa stage of the family reunification process that enables family members of a person holding valid residence status in Portugal, within the scope of the legislation, to live together in Portugal.
Canaydın Law Firm provides services in the assessment of the right to family reunification and the timing requirements, the preparation of family and marital status documents, the coordination of apostille and translation processes, the preparation of the AIMA family reunification file and its conduct through an authorized attorney in Portugal, the preparation of the required consular visa file and the scheduling of the appointment, and the follow-up of residence procedures after entry into Portugal.
- Family Reunification Suitability Assessment
- AIMA File
- D6 Visa Application
- Attorney Accompaniment in Portugal
Who Is D6 Family Reunification Suitable For?
The right to family reunification is assessed according to the status of the residence permit holder in Portugal and the family member's degree of kinship and dependency. Not every family relationship is automatically accepted under D6.
- Spouse or a partner who is valid and recognized under Portuguese law
- Minor children or children in need of care
- Adult children who are dependent and in education and who meet certain conditions
- First-degree ascendants whom the residence permit holder or their spouse is obliged to support, subject to certain conditions
- Minor siblings under guardianship, under the conditions provided by law
Since the scope of family may differ for residence permit holders with student, unpaid intern or volunteer status, and for investment or other special residence statuses, the type of residence permit of the main applicant is examined separately.
Timing Requirement in Family Reunification After 2025
With the amendments that entered into force on 23 October 2025, new rules were introduced regarding the residence period in Portugal of the permit holder in family reunification. For this reason, the timing of the application, who the family member is, and the legal basis of the main residence permit must be assessed together.
- As a general rule, the person requesting family reunification is required to have held a valid Portuguese residence permit for at least two years.
- For a spouse or partner, if they have lived together for at least 18 months in the period immediately before entry into Portugal, this period may be applied as 15 months.
- An exception to the time requirement may apply to minor children or children in need of care, and to certain family and residence statuses specified in the law.
- In exceptional and substantiated cases, a reduction or waiver of the time requirement may also be assessed separately.
For this reason, when preparing a D6 file, not only the existence of the family tie but also the date on which and the legal status under which the application can be made is subject to a preliminary review.
Assessment of the Family Tie and Documents
The basis of a family reunification file is proof of the family relationship through official and, where necessary, additional documents. For the documents to be usable in Portugal, the authentication, apostille and translation requirements are checked according to the file.
Basic Requirements of the Application
In addition to the family tie, the living conditions of the main residence permit holder and the family group are also assessed. Under the current legislation, accommodation and means of subsistence in particular are among the basic elements of the application.
Accommodation
The legal basis of the housing to be used by the family in Portugal and its adequacy for the application are checked. Documents showing lease, ownership or right of use are prepared as part of the file.
Means of Subsistence
The financial structure of the residence permit holder that can cover the subsistence of the family group, and the documents supporting it, are examined. The legislation current on the date of application, administrative practice and the size of the family are taken into account.
Integration and Subsequent Obligations
The current legislation also regulates integration obligations after family reunification, such as language, constitutional principles and compulsory education for minors. The conditions to be applied and secondary regulations are checked separately at the time of application and renewal.
How Does the Process Work If the Family Member Is Outside Portugal?
For a family member outside Portugal, the family reunification process generally proceeds first with the family reunification request before AIMA in Portugal, then, following a favorable decision, the D6 visa application at the competent Portuguese diplomatic mission, and finally the residence procedures in Portugal.
- 01
Suitability and Timing Analysis
The status of the main residence permit holder, the residence period, the family tie and, if any, exceptions to the time requirement are assessed.
- 02
Preparation of Family and Supporting Documents
Marital status, family tie, accommodation, subsistence and other supporting documents are prepared; apostille and translation processes are coordinated.
- 03
AIMA Family Reunification File
The family reunification file to be submitted to AIMA in Portugal is prepared, and the process is conducted through an authorized attorney in Portugal.
- 04
Preparation of the D6 Visa File
Following AIMA approval, the consular file, application forms and supporting documents required for the visa application to be made from Türkiye are prepared.
- 05
Visa Appointment and Application
An appointment is scheduled with the competent Portuguese diplomatic mission or application system, and the D6 visa application is followed up.
- 06
Entry into Portugal and Residence Procedures
After the visa, the AIMA residence file is updated. The authorized attorney in Portugal attends the AIMA interview together with the client; biometrics and other local procedures are followed up.
- 07
Residence Card and Subsequent Procedures
The residence card, renewal and subsequent changes in family status are followed up according to the nature of the file.
If the Family Member Is Already in Portugal
The presence of a family member in Portugal does not mean that a family reunification application can be made from within the country in every case. After the 2025 amendments, the possibility of applying from within the country has become more limited. The family member's entry and stay status, and whether they fall within one of the exception groups in the law, are assessed separately.
For this reason, for family members already in Portugal, the application route should not be generalized as the D6 consular process or a direct AIMA application without examining the current status of the file.
AIMA and Local Attorney Support in Portugal
Recognition of the right to family reunification falls within AIMA's remit. Procedures that must be carried out in Portugal are followed up together with the local authorized attorney, according to the scope of the file.
- Preparation of the AIMA family reunification application file and document check
- Follow-up of the application and additional document processes before AIMA
- Conduct of local application and interview processes by the authorized attorney in Portugal
- Coordination of the interviews and biometric procedures required at the residence stage
- Follow-up of the residence card and subsequent procedures
The duration of the residence permit granted under family reunification is, as a rule, linked to the residence period of the permit holder on whom the family reunification is based. In the specific file, the card duration and renewal conditions are checked separately.
NIF and Banking Procedures, When Necessary
Where required for the family member's subsequent procedures in Portugal, obtaining a Portuguese Tax Identification Number (NIF) and bank account opening procedures can also be carried out as part of the service. Opening a bank account is subject to the relevant bank's customer acceptance and compliance review.
Refusal, Additional Document and Delay Processes
If an additional document request, refusal or delay occurs in the AIMA or consular process, the current status of the file and the grounds for refusal are examined separately.
What We Do for You
Family Reunification Suitability Analysis
The status of the main residence permit holder, the residence period, the family tie and the current time/exception rules are assessed together.
Document and Translation Preparation
Marital status, birth, custody, dependency, accommodation and financial documents are checked; apostille and translation processes are coordinated.
AIMA Family Reunification Process
The family reunification file to be submitted in Portugal is prepared, and the AIMA process is followed up through the local authorized attorney.
D6 Visa File and Appointment
Following the AIMA decision, the D6 visa file to be submitted in Türkiye is prepared and the visa appointment is scheduled.
Residence in Portugal and Attorney Accompaniment
The residence file for after entry into Portugal is prepared; the authorized attorney in Portugal attends the AIMA interview together with the client and follows up local procedures.
Coordination with Professionals in Portugal and Limits of the Service
Canaydın Law Firm's D6 service covers the assessment of family reunification suitability and timing, the preparation of the documents to be prepared in Türkiye and of the consular visa file, the scheduling of the visa appointment, and the coordination of the AIMA family reunification and residence procedures in Portugal with the authorized local attorney. Services that, under Portuguese law, must be carried out only by a local attorney or other licensed professionals are performed by the relevant independent professionals.