Foreign citizens and family reunification in Italy

Foreign citizens who have immigrated to Italy, or are in the process of doing so, have the opportunity to bring their family members with them. Those already residing in Italy with relatives still abroad can submit an application for family reunification.

The Italian government actively supports immigrant families, and one of the most common ways to bring loved ones to Italy is through a family reunification visa.

Below, our immigration attorneys in Italy outline the main conditions and procedures for obtaining this type of visa. Our legal team can guide you through the entire reunification process and also assist you and your relatives in applying for Italian citizenship.

Who can apply for a family reunification visa in Italy?

The family reunification visa is a residence permit that allows non-EU foreign citizens to move to Italy if they already have a family member legally living in the country.

Most foreign citizens holding a valid residence permit in Italy can apply for this visa, including:

• individuals with employment or self-employment residence permits valid for at least one year;

• holders of residence permits granted on humanitarian grounds such as refugee status, political asylum, or subsidiary protection;

• residents in Italy for study or religious reasons (with permits valid for at least one year);

• holders of long-term or permanent residence permits;

• individuals currently in the process of acquiring Italian citizenship.

If you plan to move to Italy and need professional guidance, our lawyers can provide personalized advice on the most suitable relocation and residence permit options.

Which family members can be reunited in Italy?

According to Italian law, applicants for a family reunification visa may bring the following relatives:

• a spouse;

• minor (underage) children;

• dependent children over 18 years old;

• parents.

Dependent adult children are defined as those unable to live independently due to serious health or medical conditions. Adult children who are financially self-sufficient do not qualify under this visa category, but other immigration options may be explored.

If you wish to bring an adult child, our immigration lawyers can help identify suitable visa alternatives depending on their circumstances — whether they are students, workers, single or married, and based on their skills or studies.

For parents, additional rules apply: they must be at least 65 years old and have no other children in their home country who could provide support.

Requirements for obtaining a family reunification visa

The application must be filed in Italy by the resident family member. To qualify, the applicant must provide:

• proof of adequate housing to accommodate the family;

• proof of sufficient income to support both themselves and the incoming relatives (at least equal to the annual social allowance);

• valid health insurance covering all family members;

• additional documentation depending on the applicant’s residence status.

The Italian resident must hold a valid residence permit for at least one year and demonstrate proper housing conditions — including sufficient space and compliance with sanitary standards.

Financial requirements generally start from €9,200 per year for one family member and €13,000 per year for two.

If a parent over 65 is joining, proof of private health insurance or registration with the national health system is mandatory.

Because these criteria vary depending on the family member’s age and status, we recommend consulting a lawyer to ensure the application process runs smoothly.

How long does it take to obtain the visa?

Compared to other visa categories, the family reunification process is relatively fast. The visa is typically issued within one to three months after submission, depending on the workload of the immigration office and whether additional documents are requested.

Accommodation standards in Italy

To reunite with family, the resident must also meet specific housing size requirements. If your apartment is too small, you may not be allowed to bring multiple family members, even if you meet the financial criteria.

According to Italian law, minimum space requirements are as follows:

• 2 persons → 45 m²

• 3 persons → 55 m²

• 4–5 persons → 60–65 m²

• 6–7 persons → 75–90 m²

• 8–9 persons → 95–105 m²

• 10 persons → over 115 m²

Documents needed for the application

In addition to the proof listed above, applicants must provide the following to the local municipality (Comune):

• a copy of the residence permit;

• a clearance certificate (nulla osta) for family reunification.

Relatives abroad must then submit the following to the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their home country:

• receipt of stamp duty payment;

• valid passport;

• the nulla osta;

• proof of residence abroad.

Once in Italy, family members must register at the local police headquarters (Questura) within 8 days.

The visa’s validity will match the duration of the residence permit held by the family member already living in Italy.

Additional information

Family reunification visas can pave the way toward permanent residence and eventually Italian citizenship, depending on each case. Applicants must meet further conditions such as language proficiency and legal residence duration.

It’s essential to continue meeting visa requirements to maintain legal status in Italy — failure to do so may result in cancellation of the visa.

Foreign citizens can also come to Italy for other reasons, such as employment, entrepreneurship, or investment. One notable option is the Italian Golden Visa, which grants permanent residence rights to investors who meet higher capital requirements compared to standard business visas.vite them to leave a comment below your post.