Who can act as the sponsor for Portuguese family reunification?

Family reunification is built around a sponsor who is already legally resident in Portugal with a valid residence permit. The sponsor initiates the process so that close family outside the country can come and live with them.

The sponsor generally must show suitable accommodation and sufficient means to support the joining family without recourse to public funds. Because the right flows from the sponsor's status, it is important that the sponsor's own permit remains valid throughout the process.