The family eligibility matrix organizes the inclusion decision for each dependent type across four dimensions: eligibility criteria (what must be true for this person to qualify), documentation requirements (what paperwork is needed), cost and timeline impact (how including this person affects the overall application), and strategic value (what benefits this person receives from inclusion). The goal is to make family-level variables visible enough that your household can ask informed questions before the application is filed.

For each family member, the matrix produces one of three outcomes: definitely include (eligibility is clear, documentation is accessible, strategic value is high, and cost impact is minimal), evaluate further (eligibility is conditional, documentation may require effort, or the family member's willingness to participate is uncertain), or defer to reunification (eligibility is uncertain, documentation is problematic, or the timing is better served by a later application). These outcomes should be discussed as a household before the legal engagement begins, because each included dependent adds processing time that affects the entire family's timeline.

The matrix is a planning tool, not a legal opinion. Eligibility determinations must be confirmed by your Portuguese immigration lawyer based on the specific facts of each dependent's situation. What the matrix provides is the framework for organizing the conversation — ensuring that no family member is overlooked, no eligibility question is deferred until it becomes urgent, and the inclusion decision reflects the full strategic picture rather than a hasty calculation made during the application process.