Foreigners who have a valid residency permit can bring their family members who live outside the country to join them. Before going to the consulate to apply for a residency permit for family reunification, the foreigner must first ask the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) to approve bringing their family members.
Once approval is granted, the family members mentioned can then apply for their residency visas.
Family Members Explained
Family members of a foreigner living in Portugal include:
Spouse.
Minor children, or any dependents of either spouse.
Minors adopted by an unmarried applicant, the applicant, or the spouse, if recognized by the country of origin and Portugal.
Non-minor children who are dependent on the couple or one of the spouses, unmarried, and studying in Portugal, if the residency permit was granted under Article 90 A.
First-degree lineal ascendants who are dependents of the resident or their spouse.
Minor siblings under the guardianship of the resident, if recognized by the country of origin and Portugal.
Fees
Only the spouse or ascendants need to pay the visa application fee. Descendants of residency permit holders are not required to pay visa application fees under family reunification clauses.