Can family members join me in Portugal while I'm on a Student Visa?

Bringing family members to Portugal is one of the most important concerns for international students, especially those planning long-term studies.

Portugal does allow family reunification for certain students, but the rules changed significantly under the 2025 immigration reforms, making the process more limited than before.

Whether your family can join you depends on your academic level, the type of visa you hold, and Portugal’s updated regulations.

General Rule: Family Reunification Is Allowed, but With Restrictions

Family reunification for student visa holders is possible, but not as automatic or flexible as it used to be.

Under the updated rules, most students need to meet specific criteria before their family can legally join them in Portugal.

The Two-Year Rule for Most Students

A major change introduced by Lei n.º 61/2025 is the two-year waiting period for many resident permit holders before they can apply for family reunification.

For most Bachelor’s and Master’s students:

You must hold your Portuguese residence permit for two years before applying for family reunification.

This makes it difficult for shorter-term degree students to bring family members immediately, especially in programs that last only two years.

The Big Exception: PhD Students and Academic Researchers

Students enrolled in:

• PhD programs

• Academic research programs

• Highly qualified scientific training

…are usually not subject to the two-year rule.

Under the EU’s Student and Researcher Directive (2016/801), these students can often apply for family reunification immediately, even from abroad, when submitting their own visa application.

This category receives special treatment because researchers and doctoral students are considered “high-value migrants” under EU mobility policy.

Who Qualifies as a Family Member?

The following relatives can typically be included in a reunification request:

• Spouse or legally recognized partner

• Minor children

• Dependent adult children (in limited cases)

• Dependent parents (rare and only with strong justification)

Financial Requirements for Bringing Family

If you qualify to bring family, you must prove additional income beyond your student subsistence requirement.

The thresholds are based on percentages of Portugal’s minimum wage:

• 50% extra for a spouse

• 30% extra per dependent child

You must show this amount multiplied by 12 months and provide accommodation proof large enough to house your family.

Can Family Members Work in Portugal?

Yes. Once reunited, family members with a residence permit can work freely in Portugal. They are not restricted to student-level employment categories.

Alternatives if Family Reunification Isn’t Immediately Possible

For students who do not qualify right away, options include:

• Having a spouse apply independently (e.g., as a student or worker)

• Waiting until you reach the two-year residency threshold

• Exploring later career-based permits, entrepreneurship routes, or even investment pathways such as Portugal Golden Visa Funds for long-term planning

In Summary

Family reunification is definitely possible in Portugal, but not for every student right away.

Bachelor’s and Master’s students face a two-year wait, while PhD students and researchers enjoy more flexible rules.

Careful planning is essential, especially if your academic program is short or your family needs to move sooner rather than later.