Glossary

união de facto

Published 8 November 2026, 22:44
união de facto (de facto union, cohabiting partnership)

Two people who have lived together as a couple for more than two years but are not married. Under Law 7/2001 such a couple has some of the rights of spouses: a joint IRS return, joint calculation of the AIMI surcharge, family leave and benefits, and the right to stay in rented housing after the partner's death. It is proved with a certificate from the junta de freguesia and a statement from both partners.

Where you come across it. Tax returns, AIMI, family reunification with AIMA, renting, inheritance.
A partner in a união de facto does not become a legal heir — you need a will. And the two years are counted from when you started living together, not from the day you got the certificate.