Long-Stay (Type D) — Family Reunification (D8)Verified 2026-05-12Portugal D8 Family Reunification Residence Visa (Informational)
The D8 Visa (formerly DF route) is Portugal's family-reunification route for spouses, partners, dependent children, and dependent parents joining a Portuguese-resident sponsor (D1/D2/D3/D4/D7/D9 holder, EU national, or permanent resident). AIMA substantive decisions. Informational only.
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Please note: SureshotVisa does NOT process Portugal long-term residence visas (D1 Work, D2 Entrepreneur, D3 Teaching, D4 Research/Study, D7 Retiree, D8 Family Reunification, D9 Digital Nomad, CPLP Mobility, Golden Visa, etc.). This page is provided for informational purposes only. For Portugal residence visas, apply directly via the Consular Section of the Embassy of Portugal in New Delhi + AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo) — or consult a licensed Portuguese immigration lawyer. We specialise in short-stay Schengen visas where our Indian-side expertise adds the most value.
Processing
60–90 days (Embassy + AIMA)
Stay Duration
4-month entry D-visa; residence permit aligned to sponsor's permit
Starting Fee
€90
Apply At
11 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Portugal visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1SureshotVisa does NOT process D8 — informational only.
- 2AIMA backlog reality: plan 6+ months not the nominal 60-90 days.
- 3Translation must be by authorised Portuguese translator — generic translations get rejected.
Who Can Apply
- Spouse / registered partner / cohabitant of Portugal-resident sponsor
- Dependent children under 18 of Portugal resident
- Adult children unable to support themselves (special cases)
- Dependent parents financially supported by Portugal-resident child
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| D8 Residence Visa — Embassy fee | €90 |
| AIMA Residence Permit fee | €84 |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,052 |
Government fees set in EUR. Family reunification often runs longer in practice due to AIMA backlogs.
Documents Required
Relationship Documents
- !Marriage certificate (apostilled India MEA + translated to Portuguese)
- !Birth certificate (for children/parents), apostilled + translated
- ○Cohabitation proof (for cohabitant route) — 2+ years documented
- ○Proof of financial dependence (for adult dependants)
Sponsor Documents
- !Sponsor's Portuguese residence permit (Autorização de Residência) + passport copy
- !Sponsor's income proof (last 3-6 months) meeting subsistence threshold
Sponsor must cover applicant subsistence: +50% for spouse, +30% per child
- !Sponsor's housing proof — accommodation adequate for family
- ○Sponsor's clean criminal record from Portugal
Core Documents
- !National D-Visa application form (signed)
- !Valid passport (full validity for visa + permit)
- !Passport-size photos
- !PCC India + every country lived 1+ year past 5 years, apostilled (applicants 16+)
- !Travel medical insurance (first 4 months)
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
The journey.
7 steps from intake to approval. Curved spine on the right shows the natural pace — never as linear as government sites pretend.
- 01
Sponsor confirms eligibility
Sponsor verifies their permit type supports family reunification + meets income / housing thresholds.
- 02
Sponsor files reunification request with AIMA in Portugal
Pre-AIMA approval recommended though not always strictly required at consulate stage.
- 03
Apostille + translate relationship documents
India MEA apostille + authorised Portuguese translator.
- 04
Applicant PCC + apostille
India + countries lived 1+ year past 5 years.
- 05
Fill D-visa application + submit at VFS
visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/prt.
- 06
Consulate + AIMA decision
60–90 days nominal; backlogs may extend timeline.
- 07
Enter Portugal + AIMA appointment + residence permit
Within 90 days of arrival.
What works
5 levers that flip a borderline case.
- AIMA's family-reunification queue has been heavily backlogged since 2023-24 reforms — expect delays beyond nominal 60-90 days.
- Apostille documents in India well in advance — India MEA apostille can take 1-2 weeks.
- Cohabitant route requires 2+ years of documented joint life — start the paper trail early.
- Income thresholds: Sponsor must show enough to support self + dependants (+50% spouse, +30% per child) at IAS index level.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen Visa Application Form (Embassy of Portugal)
Portuguese MFA visa portal. Download the Schengen / National Visa application form, complete in English/Portuguese, sign.
VFS Global Portugal (India)
Book biometrics appointment, view checklists, track application status.
AIMA — Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo
Successor to SEF (since Oct 2023). Handles substantive decisions on Portugal long-term residence permits.
VFS Application Centres
Quiz not yet available for this visa type
We're actively building per-visa quizzes. For now, the best way to assess your eligibility for Portugal D8 Family Reunification Residence Visa (Informational) is a free 1-on-1 consultation with our team.
Free · No obligation · Reply in minutesFrequently Asked Questions
How long does family reunification really take?+
Can my parents join under D8?+
What's the path to permanent residence?+
Can I bring siblings?+
This page is for information only
SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other Portugal visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.
Other Portugal Visa Types
Portugal Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting Portugal for tourism — Lisbon, Porto, Algarve, Madeira, Azores — up to 90 days.
Portugal Business / Conference Visa (Schengen Type C)
Short-stay Schengen visa for Indian business professionals attending meetings, conferences, training, or trade events in Portugal.
Portugal Visa for Visiting Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends resident in Portugal — up to 90 days.
Portugal Film Crew Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian film crew members on shooting assignments in Portugal — up to 90 days.
Portugal Visa for EU/EEA/CH/UK Family Members (Schengen Type C — Fee-Exempt)
Fee-exempt Schengen short-stay visa for Indian close family members of EU/EEA/Swiss/UK citizens travelling to or in Portugal.
Portugal D1 Subordinate Work Residence Visa (Long-Stay — Informational)
Informational guide to the Portugal D1 Residence Visa for Indian employees with a job offer from a Portuguese employer.
Portugal D2 Entrepreneur / Independent Professional Residence Visa (Informational)
Informational guide to the Portugal D2 Residence Visa for Indian entrepreneurs, startup founders, and independent professionals.
Portugal D3 Highly Qualified / Teaching / Cultural Activity Residence Visa (Informational)
Informational guide to the Portugal D3 Residence Visa for highly qualified professionals, teachers, researchers, and cultural professionals.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Portugal website and Embassy of Portugal. Last verified 2026-05-12. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.