The Article 15 residence card is the correct legal route for non-EU family members of EU, EEA, Swiss, and Portuguese citizens who are living in Portugal. It doesn’t require a national visa, it’s based on EU law rather than national immigration policy, and it gives the same right to work and live here as a standard residence permit.
But the confusion around it is real. Many people confuse it with the family reunification process under Law 23/2007, which is a completely different route and applies when the person already in Portugal is themselves a non-EU national. Article 15 applies specifically when the person already here is an EU, EEA, Swiss, or Portuguese citizen. Getting that distinction wrong at AIMA can send you down the wrong process entirely.
The other issue is the appointment. AIMA’s backlog from the SEF transition period has improved significantly since 2024, but wait times vary by office and by how well the initial request is framed. What you write in the contact form matters.
Quick Summary: Article 15 of Lei n.º 37/2006, de 9 de agosto (Law 37/2006) gives non-EU nationals the right to a Cartão de Residência (Residence Card) in Portugal based on their family relationship with a qualifying EU, EEA, Swiss, or Portuguese citizen. The process runs through AIMA (Agência para a Integração, Migrações e Asilo). Before applying, EU/EEA/Swiss citizens must first obtain their CRUE (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União) from their local Câmara Municipal. Portuguese citizens skip this step. The application must be submitted to AIMA within 30 days of the family member completing three months in Portugal. While waiting for the card, the applicant can legally live and work in Portugal.
Who Can Be the EU Citizen Sponsor
The sponsor must be an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen who is genuinely residing in Portugal, or a Portuguese citizen living in Portugal. Citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland are covered through the EEA/Swiss free-movement framework.
British citizens cannot use this route. Since 1 January 2021, UK nationals are treated as third-country nationals in Portugal. If you are a British citizen who moved to Portugal after Brexit, your non-EU partner or family member cannot apply for an Article 15 card using your status as the basis. They would need a separate visa route such as the D7 or D8. The one carved-out exception involves British citizens who were already legally residing in Portugal before 31 December 2020 under the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement — their family rights are governed by transitional rules that are separate from Article 15.
This is a common and costly mistake in mixed EU/UK households. The legal position changed on the same date for everyone, and many couples did not realise the implications until they were already trying to regularise the non-EU partner’s status.
Who Qualifies as the Non-EU Family Member
| Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Legally married; same-sex marriages fully recognised |
| Civil partner (união de facto) | Must demonstrate at least two years of stable cohabitation |
| Children under 21 | Biological or legally adopted, of the EU citizen or their spouse |
| Dependent children over 21 | Must demonstrate ongoing financial dependence |
| Dependent parents or parents-in-law | Must demonstrate medical or financial dependence on the EU citizen |
| Minor siblings under legal guardianship | Requires proof of custody or guardianship |
Extended family — cousins, non-dependent siblings, grandparents not in the ascending-line definition — do not qualify under Article 15. They would need a separate visa route if they want to live in Portugal.
What Article 15 Is and Is Not
This matters practically, not just theoretically. Under standard Portuguese immigration law (Lei n.º 23/2007), a residence permit is a permission granted by the state. AIMA can, within limits, impose conditions, attach requirements, or refuse.
Article 15 is different. It establishes a right derived from EU law — specifically Diretiva 2004/38/CE (Directive 2004/38/EC) — that Portugal is obliged to recognise. AIMA is not granting you a favour; it is processing your exercise of a pre-existing right. This distinction matters if AIMA delays or denies your application without valid grounds, because the legal challenge position is stronger than for a standard permit.
Once the Cartão de Residência is issued, it gives you the right to:
- Live in Portugal on the same terms as the sponsoring EU citizen
- Work without any separate work authorisation
- Apply for a número de utente and access the SNS (Serviço Nacional de Saúde)
- Travel within the Schengen Area using your residence card and passport
The card’s validity is generally tied to the EU citizen’s own residence and the ongoing family relationship. A permanent right of residence becomes available after five years.
Step 1: The EU Citizen Gets the CRUE First
Before the non-EU family member can do anything with AIMA, the EU or EEA/Swiss citizen must register their presence in Portugal.
This is done at the Câmara Municipal (city hall) for the area where you live — not at AIMA. The document issued is called the CRUE — Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União Europeia (EU Citizen Registration Certificate). The fee is €15 and it is typically issued on the same day you attend.
For the CRUE, the EU citizen brings their passport, proof of their Portuguese address, and evidence of activity in Portugal — an employment contract, NIF (Número de Identificação Fiscal) registration, or proof of sufficient income works. The requirements vary slightly between Câmaras, so call ahead if you’re unsure.
Portuguese citizens living in Portugal do not need a CRUE. AIMA’s own guidance for this route says the Portuguese citizen’s Cartão de Cidadão is used instead of the CRUE when the sponsor is Portuguese. Keep proof of address ready too, because AIMA offices may still check where the family is living in Portugal.
The CRUE step is not optional for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. Many applicants try to submit the AIMA appointment request before the CRUE exists. AIMA requires it as an uploaded document when you make the request — you cannot proceed without it.
Step 2: Requesting the AIMA Appointment
The appointment request now goes through AIMA’s online contact form at contactenos.aima.gov.pt. AIMA’s Article 15 guidance tells applicants to use the contact form and select the specific Article 15 appointment subtype, so the wording you choose in the form matters.
When filling in the form, the exact field selections matter:
- Tipo de assunto (Subject Type): Cartão de Residência UE
- Subtipo (Subtype): Pedido de Agendamento – Cartão de Residência ao abrigo do artigo 15
At the form stage, AIMA’s published appointment guidance focuses on the core documents needed to justify the request:
- Scanned copy of the applicant’s valid passport
- Copy of the EU citizen’s CRUE, or the Portuguese citizen’s Cartão de Cidadão
- Proof of the family relationship — apostilled and officially translated marriage certificate, birth certificate, or equivalent
- For civil partners: documentation proving the stable partnership/cohabitation
- For dependent or extended-family cases: proof of dependence, cohabitation, or the legal basis claimed
Keep the upload file names simple, for example passport.pdf, crue.pdf, and marriage-certificate.pdf. Avoid accents, symbols, very large files, and password-protected PDFs, because portal forms often fail silently when a file is hard to read or process.
AIMA can also be contacted by phone on +351 217 115 000 (Monday to Friday, 08:00–20:00). If you use the phone, one phrase to avoid: do not ask for a “family reunification” (reagrupamento familiar) appointment. That phrase is associated with the D6 visa route — which applies to non-EU sponsors under Law 23/2007 — and you may be routed incorrectly. Ask specifically for the “Cartão de Residência ao abrigo do artigo 15.”
The application must be submitted within 30 days of the family member completing three months in Portugal. In practice, where AIMA’s backlog is the cause of the delay, there has been some tolerance — but the 30-day window exists in law and is the target.
For detailed guidance on navigating the AIMA booking system when slots are slow to appear, the AIMA appointment guide covers the different escalation routes.
AIMA Article 15 Form Problems to Watch For
| Problem | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong subject selected | The request may be routed to the wrong AIMA workflow | Use Cartão de Residência UE and Pedido de Agendamento – Cartão de Residência ao abrigo do artigo 15 |
| Form asks for sponsor details | AIMA needs the EU/Portuguese sponsor’s document data | Use the CRUE for EU/EEA/Swiss sponsors, or Cartão de Cidadão details for Portuguese sponsors |
| Upload fails | File size, format, password protection, or special characters may be the issue | Rename and compress the PDF, remove password protection, and upload one clear file per category |
| No confirmation email | The email may be delayed, filtered, or the submission may not have completed | Check spam, save screenshots, and avoid sending duplicate requests unless the first one clearly failed |
| No reply for weeks | Appointment queues vary by office and case type | Keep proof of submission and follow up through official channels if the delay becomes unreasonable |
Step 3: The Biometrics Appointment at AIMA
Once AIMA schedules the appointment, the non-EU family member attends in person at the relevant Loja AIMA (service office). Both parties’ documents are reviewed, fingerprints and a photograph are taken, and the fee is paid. The EU citizen’s presence is not legally required at this stage — but some offices ask for it, so check before you go.
AIMA has moved toward stricter complete-file processing, so do not rely on being allowed to fix missing documents after the appointment. If a document is missing, expired, untranslated, or does not match the names in your passport and certificates, the office may refuse to continue and you may need a new date. Confirm what counts as valid proof of address before attending — AIMA usually wants proof that you legally live at the address, not just a random bill with your name on it.
The fee for the Cartão de Residência is approximately €170, paid at the office. Check AIMA’s current fee schedule before attending as fees are periodically updated.
After the appointment, AIMA should issue a comprovativo or receipt showing that the residence-card process is in progress. This helps prove your legal position inside Portugal. It is not a Schengen travel document. Do not use it to cross EU borders and expect smooth entry — it is for use within Portugal only.
The physical card is sent by post and typically arrives within six to eleven weeks of the appointment.
Documents to Bring to the Appointment
Keep two document sets in mind: the documents AIMA asks for when you request the appointment online, and the wider set you should prepare for the actual in-person appointment. The online request is mainly about proving identity, the sponsor’s status, and the family relationship. The appointment-day file should be fuller.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Valid passport (full original document) | Bring the original and a full copy; it must remain valid during processing |
| EU citizen’s CRUE or Portuguese Cartão de Cidadão | CRUE for EU/EEA/Swiss sponsors; Cartão de Cidadão for Portuguese sponsors |
| Marriage certificate, birth certificate, or civil-union proof | Apostilled/legalised and officially translated into Portuguese where needed |
| Birth certificates for children | Apostilled/legalised and translated where needed |
| NIF of both parties | Get your NIF before this step if you don’t have one |
| Proof of address in Portugal | Strong proof can include a registered lease, ownership proof, or other legal accommodation proof accepted by AIMA |
| Proof of dependency, if applicable | For dependent children over 21, parents, or other qualifying dependent relatives |
| Criminal record certificate, if requested | Some offices or case types may ask for it; check timing before ordering |
| NISS, if applicable or requested | Bring it if you have one; confirm current practice for your office and case type |
Do not order time-sensitive documents too early. Criminal-record certificates, when requested, are often expected to be recent. If you order one months before the appointment and the date is old by the time you attend, the office may ask for a newer version.
The NISS position is less clear for Article 15 than for ordinary residence permits under Law 23/2007. If you already have a NISS, bring it. If you do not, prepare an explanation and ask AIMA or a lawyer what your office currently expects for Article 15 cases.
Cost and Timeline
| Stage | What the Law Says | What Usually Happens |
|---|---|---|
| CRUE at Câmara Municipal | €15, issued on the day | Usually straightforward and fast |
| AIMA appointment request | Free | Response takes weeks to months depending on office |
| Biometrics appointment | ~€170 fee paid at AIMA | Wait can be 1–6 months depending on office and demand |
| Card issued | Within 6 months of application | Physical card arrives 6–11 weeks after biometrics |
The biggest variable is always the appointment wait. Lisbon and Porto offices have historically faced higher demand. Offices in Braga, Setúbal, or smaller regional centres sometimes have shorter waits — worth checking if you’re not tied to a specific city.
The AIMA Backlog: What It Means Practically
AIMA inherited a substantial backlog when it replaced SEF in October 2023. Appointment availability has improved in some areas, but it remains uneven by office and case type.
While you wait, your legal status in Portugal is protected. You have submitted a valid application, you have the comprovativo, and you have the right to work. The comprovativo cannot, however, be used for Schengen travel. If you need to cross into other EU countries before the card arrives, get specific legal advice about your options before booking any flights.
There is also a timing problem for family members entering on a tourist basis. The standard 90-day Schengen stay limit applies to non-EU nationals who enter without a visa. If this clock expires before AIMA responds to the appointment request, the family member is technically overstaying. In practice, lawyers have successfully defended applicants in this position when there is clear documentary evidence of having tried to contact AIMA before the 90 days ran out — the online contact form creates exactly that record. Submit it before the 90-day mark, not after.
Some applicants who cannot get an appointment through normal channels speak to a lawyer about a providência cautelar (administrative injunction) or other legal step. This is not the first step, and it depends heavily on the facts of the case, urgency, documents, and current court practice.
Civil Partners and the União de Facto
Portugal’s Law 37/2006 explicitly covers partners in a civil union — uniões de facto — on the same basis as married spouses. This includes same-sex couples, and it applies whether or not the union is formally registered in the EU citizen’s home country.
To qualify, you need to demonstrate that the relationship is stable and lasting. The standard threshold is two years of continuous cohabitation. Exceptions exist where there are shared children or other compelling circumstances that make shorter cohabitation periods credible.
The documentation requirement is higher than for spouses. A married couple presents an apostilled marriage certificate. An unmarried couple needs to build a file that demonstrates the reality of the relationship: a shared registered lease, joint bank account statements, utility bills in both names, a declaração de coabitação (cohabitation declaration), and where available, a civil union registration from your home country.
Each application is reviewed individually. A strong file matters considerably here. A thin file on a civil union application will receive more scrutiny than a thin file on a standard marriage-based application.
If the EU Citizen Leaves Portugal or the Relationship Ends
The Article 15 card is connected to the EU citizen’s presence and the ongoing family relationship. Two specific legal protections exist for when circumstances change:
On the death of the EU citizen: If the non-EU family member has lived in Portugal for at least one year immediately before the death, they can generally retain the right of residence, provided they meet certain conditions independently at that point.
On divorce or dissolution of the civil partnership: If the marriage or partnership lasted at least three years in total, with at least one of those years in Portugal, the non-EU family member may retain the right of residence after the relationship ends. They would need to demonstrate they can meet residence conditions independently — employment, sufficient income, or similar.
Neither protection is automatic. If either situation applies to you, take legal advice as soon as possible rather than waiting until the card is about to expire or has already lapsed.
After Five Years: Permanent Residence and the Citizenship Question
After five continuous years of legal residence with a valid Article 15 card, the non-EU family member becomes eligible to apply for a permanent residence card — an Autorização de Residência Permanente. This route runs through the EU long-term residence framework under Article 125, which gives a more stable and portable status than the Article 15 card alone.
On citizenship: Portugal’s nationality rules are changing in 2026. The Portuguese Parliament approved a revised Nationality Law on 1 April 2026, and the President promulgated the decree on 3 May 2026. The final Diário da República publication and entry-into-force wording still matter, especially for transition rules. The reform is expected to move residence-based citizenship toward seven years for EU/CPLP nationals and ten years for many other applicants, alongside stronger integration requirements.
If you are approaching the five-year mark, review your timeline now rather than waiting. The 2026 citizenship requirements guide explains the latest 7-year/10-year reform and what it may mean in practice.
Common Mistakes
Mistake: Applying for Article 15 before the CRUE exists
The AIMA appointment request requires the EU/EEA/Swiss citizen’s CRUE as an uploaded document at submission. Without it, the form may not be processed. Portuguese sponsors use their Cartão de Cidadão instead. Going to AIMA before the Câmara Municipal step is done adds weeks to the overall timeline for no benefit.
Mistake: Using the D7 or another national visa when Article 15 was available
Some EU citizens in Portugal arrange a D7 or D8 visa for their non-EU partner because they were not aware of the Article 15 route — or because they assumed the AIMA backlog made it impractical. A standard visa route requires income documentation, consulate fees, and processing abroad. The Article 15 card does not require a national visa at all and carries the stronger legal basis of EU-derived rights.
Mistake: Ignoring the NISS question until the appointment
For Article 15, the NISS requirement is less clear than for ordinary residence permits, and practice can vary. Still, if you already have a NISS, bring it. If you do not, ask ahead and keep proof of any answer or explanation you receive rather than discovering the issue at the counter.
Mistake: Using the comprovativo to travel in Schengen
AIMA proof that your residence-card process is in progress helps show your position inside Portugal. It is not recognised as a travel document for crossing into other Schengen member states. Applicants who take trips to Spain, France, or elsewhere while waiting for the card and rely only on this proof at border checks often encounter problems. If you need to travel internationally before the card arrives, get specific advice before booking.
Mistake: Assuming British citizenship still works as the EU sponsor
A British partner living in Portugal does not give their non-EU spouse or children the right to an Article 15 card — not since 1 January 2021. Couples who have been in Portugal for a while sometimes assume the old rules still apply. They do not. The non-EU family member needs a separate visa route unless the British citizen holds protected status under the pre-December 2020 Withdrawal Agreement provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a non-EU spouse of an EU citizen need a visa to enter Portugal?
Not necessarily. Non-EU family members of EU, EEA, Swiss, or Portuguese citizens can enter Portugal without a national visa if their nationality has visa-free access to the Schengen Area. They still need to apply for the Article 15 residence card once they have been in Portugal for three months.
What is Article 15 in Portuguese immigration law?
Article 15 of Lei n.º 37/2006, de 9 de agosto, establishes the right of non-EU family members of EU, EEA, Swiss, and Portuguese citizens to obtain a Cartão de Residência in Portugal. It transposes EU Directive 2004/38/EC (Diretiva 2004/38/CE) and is administered by AIMA.
How long does AIMA take to process an Article 15 residence card?
The law requires AIMA to issue the card within six months of application. In practice, getting an appointment can take weeks to several months depending on the office, and the physical card typically arrives by post six to eleven weeks after biometrics.
Can I work in Portugal while waiting for my Article 15 card?
Yes. Once the Article 15 application is accepted and you receive proof that the residence-card process is in progress, you are generally permitted to live and work in Portugal while waiting for the physical card.
What is a CRUE and who needs one?
A CRUE (Certificado de Registo de Cidadão da União) is the registration certificate for EU citizens living in Portugal. It is obtained from the Câmara Municipal and costs €15. EU and EEA/Swiss citizens must have one before their non-EU family member can apply for Article 15. Portuguese citizens do not need a CRUE.
Does Article 15 apply to Portuguese citizens and their non-EU spouses?
Yes. Portuguese citizens residing in Portugal are included under Law 37/2006. Their non-EU family members can apply for the Article 15 Cartão de Residência at AIMA using the Portuguese citizen’s Cartão de Cidadão instead of a CRUE.
What happens to my Article 15 card if I divorce my EU spouse?
If the marriage lasted at least three years in total, with at least one of those years spent in Portugal, you can generally retain the right of residence after divorce. You would need to demonstrate you meet independent residence conditions. Seek legal advice if this situation applies to you.
Can I travel outside Portugal while waiting for my Article 15 card?
AIMA proof that your residence-card process is in progress helps show your position inside Portugal, but it is not recognised as a travel document for Schengen travel. If you need to travel between EU countries while waiting for the card, seek legal advice on your specific situation before booking.
Do British citizens still qualify as the EU citizen sponsor for Article 15?
No. Since 1 January 2021, British citizens are treated as third-country nationals in Portugal and cannot sponsor an Article 15 card for a non-EU partner or family member. British citizens who were legally residing in Portugal before that date under the Withdrawal Agreement may have different rights under transitional rules.
How do I request an AIMA appointment for Article 15?
Use the AIMA contact form at contactenos.aima.gov.pt. Select “Cartão de Residência UE” as the subject type and “Pedido de Agendamento – Cartão de Residência ao abrigo do artigo 15” as the subtype. AIMA can also be reached by phone on +351 217 115 000 Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 20:00.
The CRUE is the step that cannot be skipped for EU/EEA/Swiss sponsors, and it cannot happen at AIMA — it comes first, at your local Câmara Municipal. Portuguese sponsors use the Cartão de Cidadão instead. Get the sponsor document right, submit the AIMA form with the exact field selections above, and keep every proof of submission, upload, email, and appointment confirmation.
If you are approaching five years of residence under Article 15, check the current citizenship timeline before the pending nationality law takes effect — that window may be shorter than you expect. The permanent residence path under Article 125 is also worth understanding in parallel as it provides a more independent form of status once you qualify.