Planning a Family Move to Portugal: What the New Immigration Law Means for Families
Planning a Family Move to Portugal as a Family: Challenges and Realities of the New Family Reunification Rules
Relocating to Portugal as a family has always required preparation — but with the recent amendments to Portugal’s Immigration Law (Lei n.º 23/…), many prospective residents have been asking: Do families now need to relocate in stages? Do they have to travel separately?
These questions emerged after one of the most significant changes introduced by the new law: the reconfiguration of the family reunification regime. For a full breakdown of all recent legal changes, see our detailed article here: Portugal Immigration Law Updates (available on our website: https://rme-legal.com/portugal-immigration-law-updates/). Despite the uncertainty sparked by the legislative updates, the practical effects on families preparing to move to Portugal may be far less dramatic than initially feared. As we often say in Portugal, “a montanha pariu um rato”—the mountain gave birth to a mouse.
How Family Relocation Worked in the Past
Until a few years ago, migration assistance professionals followed a well-established practice:
1. The principal family member applied for a residence visa in the country of origin.
2. Meanwhile, the other family members often accompanied them to Portugal on a tourist visa or through visa waiver entry.
3. Once in Portugal, a family reunification appointment was usually scheduled quickly, allowing the remaining family members to apply for residence.
This system worked reasonably well—until it didn’t. Appointment availability began to disappear, and waiting times stretched far beyond the standard 90-day stay allowed for short-term entrants. Families were left in legal limbo, often for months, facing uncertainty and administrative fragility.
As a result, legal professionals shifted to recommending one of two alternative approaches.
Two “Workaround” Solutions Before the Reform
- Principal Applicant First, Family Later
Under this method, the principal applicant would travel alone to Portugal and file the reunification request locally. Once approved, the family in the home country would obtain a reunification visa at the consulate. In practice, this proved inefficient. It combined the delays of two entities — AIMA (formerly SEF) and the consulates — resulting in a timeline that many families found unreasonably long.
- Entire Family Travels Together, All with Residence Visas
This became the most widely adopted and practical strategy. Instead of depending on reunification after arrival, all family members would apply for residence visas from the start and move together.
The key point:
Family members did not need to qualify individually under independent visa categories like work, study, or passive income. The law already allowed for an accompanying visa, provided that:
- the family relationship is duly proven,
- the principal applicant meets all legal conditions, and
- financial and accommodation requirements cover the entire family unit.
This practice — though not always widely known — already aligned with the direction of the most recent legislative amendments.
The process is still complex and requires careful preparation—but the practical day-to-day impact for new applicants is relatively unchanged.
So What Has Actually Changed for Families Under the New Law?
The recent changes to the family reunification regime mainly affect those already living in Portugal who had not yet been able to reunify with their families due to the long-standing appointment crisis.
But for families planning relocation today, the truth is more straightforward:
For most families receiving qualified legal guidance, the preferred and recommended practice already was to relocate together, each person holding a residence visa. The new law essentially reinforces what had already become standard procedure.
In other words: No, families generally do not need to relocate in stages. And no, they typically do not need to travel separately.
The process is still complex and requires careful preparation—but the practical day-to-day impact for new applicants is relatively unchanged.
Key Takeaway: For Most Families, the Process Remains Familiar
Although the reform introduced significant structural changes on paper, its real-world implications for families moving to Portugal are modest. The emphasis on bringing the entire family at once — already the safest and most efficient route — remains the best approach in most cases.
There will continue to be challenging and sometimes unfair situations, especially for those already residing in Portugal and awaiting reunification. But for families planning relocation now, the landscape is far more stable than early commentary suggested.
Final Note
This article is not legal advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified professional. Each case depends on its own specific facts, documents, and eligibility conditions. Families should always seek authorized legal guidance to confirm that all legal requirements are met before submitting any application.
Get personalized legal advice for your situation from RME Legal.
Raquel Matos Esteves | Partner at RME Legal
João Rebelo Maltez | Senior Immigration Lawyer