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Planning a move to Portugal as an EU citizen — or bringing your family with you? Under Article 15 of Portuguese Law 37/2006, non-EU family members of EU citizens have the right to obtain a residence card and live in Portugal under EU free-movement rules.
This process allows family members to join an EU citizen residing in Portugal and enjoy many of the same rights, including the ability to work, study, and access healthcare.
Although the process is generally straightforward, it is important to understand the eligibility criteria, required documents, and steps involved.
In this guide, we explain how EU citizens and their family members can obtain legal residence in Portugal through Article 15 family reunification.
What is the Article 15 Portugal?
Article 15 of Portuguese Law no. 37/2006 regulates the residence card issued to non-EU family members of EU citizens living in Portugal.
This legal framework comes from EU free-movement law, which protects the right of EU citizens to live in another EU country together with their close family members.
Eligible family members can obtain a residence card for family members of an EU citizen, usually valid for five years.
This residence card allows family members to:
- live legally in Portugal
- work or start a business
- study in Portugal
- access public healthcare
- travel freely within the Schengen Area
Because this route is based on EU law, the process is typically simpler than standard family reunification procedures for non-EU residents.
CRUE: EU Citizen Registration
Before applying for residence cards for family members, EU citizens living in Portugal normally need to register their residence and obtain the CRUE (EU Citizen Registration Certificate).
This certificate confirms that the EU citizen is legally residing in Portugal.
To obtain the CRUE, applicants typically need:
- a Portuguese NIF number
- proof of accommodation in Portugal
- identification documents
The application is submitted in person at the local Câmara Municipal (City Hall) where the EU citizen lives. The certificate is usually issued the same day and costs around €15.
Since this article focuses on family reunification, we recommend reading our complete CRUE guide for detailed information about the registration process.
Who Is Eligible as a Family Member?
Under Article 15 of Portuguese law, EU citizens can bring certain family members to Portugal.
Eligible family members generally include:
- Spouse or registered partner
- Children under 21 years old
- Dependent children over 21
- Dependent parents of the EU citizen or their spouse
These relatives may qualify for residence in Portugal if they are accompanying or joining the EU citizen who is legally residing in the country.
Family members may apply whether they are already in Portugal or planning to join the EU citizen after relocation.
Applying for the Article 15 Residence Card
Non-EU family members who plan to stay in Portugal for more than three months must apply for a residence card for family members of EU citizens.
The application is submitted through the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA).
In most cases, applications are submitted after the EU citizen has obtained their CRUE registration certificate.
Applicants must submit their residence card request within 30 days after completing the first three months of stay in Portugal.
Documents Required for Article 15 Applications
When applying for the residence card, applicants usually need to provide several documents confirming their identity, family relationship, and residence in Portugal.
Typical documents include:
- Passport with valid identification details
- EU citizen’s CRUE certificate
- Portuguese NIF number
- Marriage certificate or birth certificates proving family relationship
- Proof of accommodation in Portugal (rental contract or property ownership)
- Proof that the EU citizen has sufficient financial resources
- Proof of school enrollment for children of school age (if applicable)
Authorities may also request additional documents depending on the specific situation.
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Document Legalization Requirements
Documents issued outside Portugal often need to be properly legalized before being accepted by Portuguese authorities.
This usually includes:
- Marriage certificates with a Hague Apostille or legalization
- Birth certificates with Apostille or legalization
- Certified Portuguese translations when documents are issued in another language
In many cases, documents should also be recently issued, typically within the last 180 days.
Documents issued in Portugal generally do not require translation or notarization when original copies are presented.
EU Family Member Residency Rights
Once the residence card is issued, family members benefit from many of the same rights enjoyed by EU citizens living in Portugal.
Healthcare Access
Family members may access healthcare services in Portugal after obtaining a Número de Utente, which allows registration in the public healthcare system.
Right to Work and Study
Residence card holders have the right to work, study, or start a business in Portugal without needing a separate work permit.
Schengen Area Travel
As Portugal is part of the Schengen Area, residence card holders can travel freely within most European countries for short stays.
Article 15 vs Standard Family Reunification in Portugal
Many people confuse Article 15 residence cards with the standard family reunification process used by non-EU residents.
The key difference is that Article 15 applies to EU citizens living in Portugal, while standard family reunification applies to non-EU residents holding Portuguese residence permits.
Under EU free-movement rules, the Article 15 route is generally simpler and faster, because EU citizens have the right to live in another EU country with their close family members.
Standard family reunification, on the other hand, often involves stricter financial requirements and longer processing times.
For EU citizens relocating to Portugal, Article 15 is typically the most straightforward way for non-EU family members to obtain residency.
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How Long Can EU Family Members Stay in Portugal Without Article 15?
Non-EU family members of EU citizens can usually stay in Portugal for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without applying for a residence card, provided they enter legally under Schengen travel rules.
However, if the family member plans to stay longer than three months, they must apply for the Article 15 residence card.
This residence card provides legal residency and allows family members to live, work, and access services in Portugal while accompanying the EU citizen.
Can Article 15 Lead to Permanent Residence or Citizenship?
Yes. Family members who hold an Article 15 residence card may eventually qualify for permanent residence in Portugal.
After five years of legal residence, they may apply for permanent residence under EU law.
In some cases, long-term residents may also become eligible to apply for Portuguese citizenship, provided they meet additional requirements such as language proficiency and legal residency criteria.
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Technology plays a very important role in our company. We minimize our clients’ involvement in paperwork. We are customers ourselves and we know how to serve you.
Your Questions Answered
How long is the Article 15 residence card valid?
The residence card for family members of EU citizens is usually valid for five years. After this period, family members may become eligible for permanent residence in Portugal.
Can family members work in Portugal with Article 15?
Yes. Once the residence card is issued, family members have the right to work, study, or start a business in Portugal without needing an additional work permit.
Do EU citizens need the CRUE before applying for Article 15?
In most cases, yes. EU citizens usually obtain their CRUE registration certificate first, which confirms their legal residence in Portugal before family members apply for their residence cards.
How long does Article 15 processing take?
Processing times vary depending on AIMA appointment availability and application volume, but residence cards are generally issued within a few months after submitting the application.
Article 15 of Portuguese law allows EU citizens to live in Portugal together with their close family members under EU free-movement rules. Through this process, eligible relatives can obtain a residence card and enjoy many of the same rights as EU citizens, including the ability to work, study, and access healthcare.
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