Family reunification in Italy

A foreign national lawfully residing in Italy may apply for reunification with their family members. Family members of Italian or EU citizens, by contrast, follow a separate and more favourable regime. The Firm identifies the applicable regime and follows the procedure from the nulla osta (clearance) to the residence permit.

Family members of Italian or EU citizens

• The foreign family member of a citizen of the Union who has exercised free movement obtains the residence card for a family member of a citizen of the Union, valid for five years (art. 10 Legislative Decree 30/2007).
• The foreign family member of an Italian citizen who has not exercised free movement obtains a residence permit on family grounds valid for five years, renewable and convertible, and exempt from the contribution (art. 23, para. 1-bis, Legislative Decree 30/2007).
• Family members include, among others, the spouse, the partner in a registered union, descendants under the age of 21 or dependent, and dependent ascendants.

Reunification with foreign nationals: who may apply

Reunification may be applied for by a foreign national holding a residence card or a permit valid for not less than one year for employment, international protection, study, religious or family reasons (art. 28 Legislative Decree 286/1998).

For reunification with a spouse, dependent adult children with total disability and parents, uninterrupted lawful residence of at least two years is also required (art. 28, para. 1-bis). The requirement does not apply to minor children.

Family members eligible for reunification

• the spouse not legally separated, aged not less than 18;
• minor children, including those of the spouse or born outside marriage, who are unmarried, with the consent of the other parent;
• dependent adult children with total disability;
• dependent parents with no other children in the country of origin, or parents aged over sixty-five whose other children are unable to support them for documented serious health reasons.

Requirements

• Accommodation meeting the health, hygiene and housing suitability requirements, as verified by the municipal offices.
• Annual income not lower than the amount of the assegno sociale (state social allowance), increased by half for each family member to be reunited; the amounts are updated every year.
• For parents aged over sixty-five, health insurance or registration with the National Health Service.

Procedure

• Online application for the nulla osta to the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione (single immigration desk) of the Prefecture of the place of abode; the nulla osta is issued within 150 days.
• Application for an entry visa at the Italian diplomatic or consular mission in the country of origin, which verifies the documents relating to the family relationship.
• Entry into Italy and application for a residence permit on family grounds within eight working days; the permit has the same duration as that of the applicant family member.

Costs

The Firm issues a detailed, no-obligation quote, including obtaining, apostilling and translating documents from the country of origin.

Immigration procedures in Italy

Sources: Legislative Decree 286/1998, arts. 28, 29 and 30 · Decree-Law 145/2024 converted into Law 187/2024, arts. 12-ter and 12-quater · Decree-Law 146/2025 converted into Law 179/2025, art. 7 · Legislative Decree 30/2007, arts. 2, 10 and 23 · INPS, assegno sociale. Information only, updated September 2026.