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Portugal has once again revised its immigration law. The amendments approved in 2025 introduce several important changes that will affect foreign nationals planning to move to the country, particularly those hoping to bring their families with them.
The new framework introduces longer residence requirements, additional procedural steps, and stricter eligibility rules for some immigration routes. At the same time, Portugal continues to position itself as a destination for qualified professionals and investors.
Below is a clear overview of what changed and how the new immigration rules affect families planning to relocate to Portugal in 2026 and beyond.
Portugal Immigration Law Changes Approved in 2025
On 23 October 2025, Portugal approved a revised version of its Immigration and Residence Law, introducing changes to the way foreign nationals can enter, reside, and settle in the country.
One of the most significant updates concerns family reunification, introducing new requirements that affect residents who want to bring relatives to Portugal.
These changes primarily affect third-country nationals (non-EU citizens). EU citizens and their family members continue to benefit from EU free movement rules, which follow a different legal framework.
Key Changes Introduced by the 2025 Immigration Law
1. New Family Reunification Rules
While the categories of eligible family members remain largely the same, the 2025 immigration reform introduces new conditions for family reunification.
Under the updated rules, most residents must complete two years of legal residence in Portugal before requesting family reunification.
This waiting period may be reduced to 15 months if the couple—married or in a legally recognized de facto union—can demonstrate that they lived together for at least 18 months before the main applicant moved to Portugal.
Another significant change is that family members must now generally obtain a Residence Visa for Family Reunification before entering Portugal, except in specific situations.
The law also clarifies that marriages and de facto unions must be legally valid under Portuguese law, meaning that relationships not recognized by Portuguese legislation may be refused.
Additionally, residence permit renewals may require evidence of social integration, such as Portuguese language learning or school attendance for minors.
2. Exceptions to the New Family Reunification Rules
Despite the stricter framework, the new immigration law includes several important exceptions.
In these situations, family reunification can still proceed without the two-year waiting period, provided that the family member enters Portugal legally.
These exceptions include:
- family members of Golden Visa investors
- family members of highly qualified professionals
- minor children and dependents
- spouses or partners who are the parents of a minor included in the reunification request
In addition, current residence permit holders have until 20 April 2026 to apply for family reunification under the previous rules, which were more flexible.
3. Other Immigration System Changes
The 2025 immigration reform also introduced broader adjustments affecting other visa categories.
For example:
- Nationals of CPLP countries must now obtain a Residence Visa before applying for a residence permit, aligning their process with other third-country nationals.
- The Job Seeker Visa will now be limited to highly qualified professionals, narrowing its scope.
- The law restores a Residence Visa exemption for entrepreneurs developing innovative or startup projects, encouraging investment and economic development.
At the same time, the legislation tightens access to urgent judicial procedures, limiting emergency appeals in certain immigration cases.
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Who Is Eligible for Family Reunification in Portugal?
Under Portuguese immigration law, residents may request family reunification for close relatives, including:
- a spouse or partner in a legally recognized de facto union
- minor or dependent children, including adopted children
- adult dependent children who are single and studying in Portugal
- dependent parents of the resident or their spouse
- minor siblings under the resident’s legal guardianship
These family members may qualify for residence permits once the reunification request is approved.
What the New Law Means for Families Moving to Portugal
Before the 2025 immigration reform, families often used two main relocation strategies.
The main applicant moved first
In many cases, the principal applicant relocated to Portugal first and later submitted a family reunification request.
Once approved, family members abroad would apply for their visas through Portuguese consulates.
This process was often slow due to delays from both AIMA and consulates.
The entire family moved together
Another common approach was for the entire family to move to Portugal together at the beginning of the relocation process.
Family members could apply for residence visas as accompanying family members, provided that:
- the family relationship was properly documented
- the main applicant met the visa requirements
- accommodation and financial requirements covered the entire household
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What the 2025 Immigration Law Actually Changes
In practice, the new immigration rules mainly affect residents who move to Portugal first and only later request family reunification.
These applicants may now need to wait two years before submitting the request, unless they qualify for one of the exceptions.
However, families who plan their relocation together can still often apply for residence visas simultaneously, allowing them to move to Portugal as a family unit without separating the process.
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Your Questions Answered
Do the new immigration rules affect EU citizens in Portugal?
No. The 2025 immigration law changes mainly affect third-country nationals (non-EU citizens). EU citizens and their family members continue to benefit from EU free movement rules, which follow a different legal framework.
Do residents now need to wait two years before bringing their family to Portugal?
Under the new immigration law, most residents must complete two years of legal residence before applying for family reunification. However, several exceptions apply, including families with minor children, highly qualified professionals, and certain investment visa holders.
Can families still move to Portugal together?
Yes. In many cases families can still apply for residence visas at the same time and relocate together. The new rules mainly affect residents who move first and later request family reunification.
Does the new law affect Portugal’s Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa program itself remains available, and Golden Visa investors may still benefit from exceptions to the new family reunification waiting period under the updated immigration framework.
What happens if I already have a residence permit in Portugal?
Residents who already hold a valid Portuguese residence permit may still apply for family reunification. Transitional rules allow some applications to be submitted under the previous legal framework until April 2026.
Do the new rules apply to Digital Nomad or D7 visa holders?
Yes. In general, the updated family reunification rules apply to most third-country residents, including holders of visas such as the D7 Passive Income Visa or Digital Nomad Visa, unless they qualify for one of the legal exceptions.
Portugal’s 2025 immigration reform introduces stricter rules for family reunification, particularly for residents who intend to bring relatives to Portugal after they have already moved. The new framework introduces waiting periods and additional procedural requirements but still preserves several exceptions for families, investors, and highly qualified professionals.
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