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Visa & Immigration

Portugal Spouse Visa

The Portugal Spouse Visa allows the foreign husband or wife of someone living in Portugal to join them, but which legal route applies depends entirely on the sponsoring spouse’s status. If your spouse is a Portuguese, EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen, you do not go through the standard family reunification visa process at all — instead, you fall under Article 15 of Law No. 37/2006, Portugal’s transposition of the EU Free Movement Directive, which is generally faster and does not require a D-type national visa. If your spouse is a third-country national holding a Portuguese residence permit, you instead apply through the standard D6 Family Reunification Visa process via AIMA and a Portuguese consulate. Identifying the correct route from the outset is essential, since the two pathways differ significantly in cost, documentation, and timeline. As with every Portugal Visa category, the final decision on approval rests solely with AIMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the relevant consular post.

Eligibility

If your spouse is a Portuguese, EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen:

 

  • Your spouse must be resident in Portugal (for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, evidenced by a Registration Certificate — CRUE — obtained from the local Câmara Municipal; Portuguese citizens are presumed resident if living in Portugal).
  • You provide proof of marriage (apostilled marriage certificate) and your own passport and identity documents.
  • If applying from outside Portugal for an initial entry, a long-term national visa (“Temporary Stay” visa for family members of Portuguese/EU citizens) may be required instead of the standard Schengen short-stay visa.

 

If your spouse is a third-country national with a Portuguese residence permit:

 

  • Your spouse (the sponsor) must hold a valid Portuguese residence permit and generally must have held it for a minimum period set by current law.
  • Your spouse must demonstrate stable income and adequate housing to support the household.
  • You provide an apostilled marriage certificate and a police clearance certificate.v

Government Visa Fees

CategoryFee
Article 15 residence card application (spouse of Portuguese/EU/EEA/Swiss citizen)Approximately €33
EU Registration Certificate (CRUE), obtained by the EU/EEA/Swiss sponsorApproximately €15
D6 visa (spouse of a third-country national resident)€90 per applicant
Residence permit issuance in Portugal (D6 route, after arrival)Approximately €85

An additional service fee may apply at some consulates or visa application centres for the D6 route. All fees are non-refundable, regardless of the outcome.

Portugal Spouse Visa Processing Time

For spouses of Portuguese, EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens under Article 15, once the EU/EEA/Swiss sponsor obtains their Registration Certificate (CRUE), the non-EU spouse applies for an AIMA appointment; recent reports suggest a wait of around 3 to 6 months from submission to appointment, with the residence card typically issued within 1 to 3 months after the appointment itself. For spouses applying through the D6 Family Reunification route, the AIMA authorisation stage has a legal deadline of 9 months (extendable to 18 months in complex cases), followed by consular visa processing of roughly 2 to 8 weeks, and further time to finalise the residence permit after arrival in Portugal.

Required Documents Checklist

Valid passport
Apostilled marriage certificate
Proof of the EU/EEA/Swiss or Portuguese spouse's residence in Portugal (CRUE, or Portuguese citizen card)
Proof of accommodation and a Portuguese tax number (NIF)
Passport-sized photographs
Valid passport (with validity extending at least 3 months beyond the intended stay)
Apostilled marriage certificate, translated into Portuguese
AIMA authorisation letter confirming the family reunification request has been approved
Police clearance certificate from the country of residence
Proof of the sponsoring spouse's stable income and adequate housing

Requirements are streamlined given the visa’s narrow, short-stay purpose, but confirmed onward flight details are essential.

Step-by-Step Application Process

The EU/EEA/Swiss or Portuguese spouse registers their residence and, if applicable, obtains their CRUE from the local Câmara Municipal.
The non-EU spouse books an appointment with AIMA to apply for the Article 15 residence card.
Both spouses attend the appointment together; documents are checked and biometrics are taken.
A temporary permit is issued on the day, with the full residence card following within 1 to 3 months.
The sponsoring spouse (a third-country national resident) requests family reunification authorisation from AIMA.
Once approved, the foreign spouse applies for the D6 visa at the Portuguese consulate in their country of residence.
The spouse submits biometrics and required documents, then awaits the visa decision.
Upon approval, the spouse travels to Portugal and completes an AIMA appointment to receive their residence permit.

Important Notes

Identifying the correct route (Article 15 vs. D6) at the outset is essential, since costs, documentation, and timelines differ significantly.
Spouses of Portuguese, EU, EEA, or Swiss citizens do not apply for a D6 visa — they use the Article 15 residence card process instead.
De facto (unmarried) partners generally face more document-heavy requirements than married spouses, often requiring proof of cohabitation over a defined period.
Under the Article 15 route, the non-EU spouse is permitted to remain in Portugal legally while the application is processed.
Housing suitability is assessed independently and must reflect the future size of the household.
Under the D6 route, sponsors who are third-country nationals must generally meet a minimum residence period before applying — confirm the current threshold with AIMA.
Income thresholds are pegged to the national minimum wage and scale upward for each additional family member.
Fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Why Choose Shivansh Consultants

Applying for a Portugal Spouse Visa requires accurate documentation, proof of a genuine marital relationship, and compliance with the immigration requirements prescribed by the Portuguese authorities. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with visa application forms, marriage and relationship documents, sponsor documentation, financial evidence, accommodation details, and all required supporting paperwork. Our experienced consultants carefully review your application to help minimize errors and delays while ensuring your documentation is complete and meets the applicable visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Portugal Spouse Visa application process. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Portuguese immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Portugal Spouse Visa application with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which visa do I need if my spouse is Portuguese?
If your spouse is a Portuguese citizen (or an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen), you generally do not need a D6 visa — you apply through Article 15 of Law No. 37/2006, which is a residence card process rather than a standard national visa.
Which visa do I need if my spouse is a foreign resident of Portugal, not a citizen?
If your spouse is a third-country national holding a Portuguese residence permit, you apply through the standard D6 Family Reunification Visa process, which starts with an AIMA authorisation request from your spouse.
How much does the Portugal Spouse Visa cost?
The Article 15 route costs around €33 (plus €15 for the sponsoring EU/EEA/Swiss citizen's CRUE), while the D6 route costs €90 for the visa plus approximately €85 for the residence permit in Portugal.
How long does it take to join a spouse in Portugal?
The Article 15 route typically takes a few months from AIMA appointment booking to residence card issuance. The D6 route can take longer overall, since the AIMA authorisation stage alone has a legal deadline of up to 9 months (18 in complex cases).
Can my spouse and I apply together at the same time?
In some cases — particularly where the sponsoring spouse is newly arriving in Portugal themselves — it may be possible to apply for residence visas simultaneously ("family accompaniment"). This depends on the specific visa category and circumstances, so it should be confirmed with the consulate or AIMA in advance.