Family Reunification · Italia

Reunite your family in Italy

Italy has three distinct family reunification routes. Which one applies depends entirely on the sponsor’s immigration status. Choosing the wrong route means refusal — and often significant delays.

Three distinct routes: The correct route depends entirely on the sponsor’s status. Filing via the wrong route will result in refusal. Choose your route →

The three routes

Which route applies — it depends on the sponsor

Route A — Non-EU permit holder (Art. 29)

For non-EU nationals legally residing in Italy with a valid permesso di soggiorno of at least 1 year. The sponsor applies via the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione. Requires proof of income (at least €6,468/year for a couple) and adequate housing.

Route B1 — FamIT (families of Italian citizens)

For spouses, children or other family members of Italian citizens. The family member obtains a Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi Familiari (FamIT). No income threshold for immediate family. Processed via the Questura after entry.

Route B2 — Carta di Soggiorno (families of EU citizens)

For family members of EU citizens exercising free movement rights in Italy. The family member applies for a Carta di Soggiorno (5-year residence card). Based on EU Directive 2004/38/EC and D.Lgs 30/2007. No income threshold.

Important: A non-EU national with Italian citizenship (e.g. obtained via jure sanguinis) sponsors their family under Route B1, not Route A. An EU citizen living in Italy sponsors family under Route B2. Choosing the wrong route means starting over.

Who can join you

Which family members are included

01

Spouse (all routes)

Legal spouse recognised under the law of the country of marriage. Same-sex marriages are not currently recognised for immigration purposes in Italy, though registered civil partnerships may qualify in certain conditions for EU citizens (Route B2).

All routes

02

Minor children (under 18)

Children under 18 of the sponsor or of the sponsor’s spouse, including legally adopted children.

All routes

03

Adult dependent children (Route A only)

Children over 18 may join under Route A if they cannot meet their own needs due to total disability. Requires medical documentation.

Route A only · Total disability required

04

Dependent parents (Route A only)

Parents of the sponsor may join under Route A if the sponsor has no other siblings in the country of origin and the parent has no other children to provide support. Very restrictive criteria in practice.

Route A only · Restrictive criteria

Family Reunification · Procedure

Three procedures — one for each route

Each route has its own procedure, authorities and timelines. Route A involves the Sportello Unico. Routes B1 and B2 involve the consulate and the Questura.

Three distinct routes: The correct route depends entirely on the sponsor’s status. Filing via the wrong route will result in refusal. Choose your route →

Route A — Non-EU permit holders

Procedure — Art. 29 D.Lgs 286/98

1

Sponsor applies at the Sportello Unico (SUI)

The sponsor (resident in Italy) files a family reunification application at the SUI of the provincial prefecture. The SUI verifies income and housing requirements and issues a Nulla Osta if conditions are met.

Sponsor + ImmiLex30–90 days processing

2

Family member applies for entry visa at Italian consulate

With the Nulla Osta, the family member applies for a type D family reunification visa at the Italian consulate in their country. We prepare the consular dossier.

Family member + ImmiLex2–6 weeks

3

Permesso di Soggiorno kit (within 8 days of entry)

Within 8 days of entering Italy, the family member submits the permesso kit at a post office. The Questura schedules the biometric appointment and issues the Permesso per Motivi Familiari.

Family member + ImmiLexWithin 8 days

Routes B1 & B2 — Italian and EU citizens

Procedure — consulate then Questura

1

Document preparation

Civil status documents (marriage certificate, birth certificates), translated and apostilled where required. Sponsor’s Italian or EU citizenship documentation. For Route B2: proof the EU citizen is exercising free movement rights in Italy.

Sponsor + Family member + ImmiLex

2

Entry visa at Italian consulate (where required)

For non-EU family members: family reunification visa application at the Italian consulate. For EU citizens’ family members who are also EU nationals: often no visa required. We determine the correct approach for each situation.

Family member + ImmiLex

3

Questura: Permesso FamIT or Carta di Soggiorno

Route B1: Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi Familiari (FamIT), valid 2 years. Route B2: Carta di Soggiorno (5-year EU residence card). Both are renewable. We manage the full submission and Questura follow-up.

QuesturaPermit issued

Family Reunification · Documents

Documents required — by route and phase

The document list varies significantly by route. Civil status documents must be apostilled and translated. Incorrect or incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delay.

Three distinct routes: The correct route depends entirely on the sponsor’s status. Filing via the wrong route will result in refusal. Choose your route →

Route A — Core documents

Non-EU permit holder reunification

01

Sponsor’s valid permesso di soggiorno

Copy of the sponsor’s permesso di soggiorno, valid for at least 1 year at the time of application.

Sponsor · Min. 1-year validity

02

Proof of income

Sponsor’s income documentation: last tax return (CU/730), last 3 payslips, or employment contract. Minimum €6,468/year for a couple; increases with each additional family member.

Sponsor · Min. €6,468/year for couple

03

Housing documentation

Certificate of habitability (agibilità) from the Comune, confirming the accommodation meets minimum habitability standards for the number of occupants.

Sponsor · Issued by Comune

04

Civil status documents (apostilled + translated)

Marriage certificate, birth certificates of children, or other documents establishing the family relationship. All documents from outside Italy must be apostilled and accompanied by a certified Italian translation.

Family member · Apostille + Italian translation

05

Passports (copies) — sponsor and family member

Copies of all pages of valid passports for both the sponsor and the family member joining.

Sponsor + Family member

Routes B1 & B2 — Key documents

Italian and EU citizen sponsors

06

Sponsor’s Italian citizenship or EU passport

Route B1: Italian passport or citizenship certificate. Route B2: EU passport or national ID card. For Route B2, also proof of residence and exercise of free movement rights in Italy.

Sponsor

07

Civil status documents (apostilled + translated)

Marriage certificate, birth certificates. Apostilled and translated into Italian for documents issued outside Italy.

Both parties · Apostille + translation

08

Accommodation proof (Route B1)

Rental contract, property deed or certificate of habitability depending on the Questura.

Sponsor · Route B1

Family Reunification · Costs

What does family reunification cost?

Costs vary by route. Route A is the most complex and involves three phases. Routes B1 and B2 are typically simpler. All include translation and apostille coordination.

Three distinct routes: The correct route depends entirely on the sponsor’s status. Filing via the wrong route will result in refusal. Choose your route →

ImmiLex service fees

What you pay us

Chiamata di orientamento

€ 150

45 minuti · Detratta se si procede

Route determination (A, B1 or B2) based on sponsor’s status
Income and housing requirements check (Route A)
Document checklist tailored to your situation
Timeline and total cost estimate

Prenota una consulenza — € 150

Route A — Complete Service

€ 950

SUI + Consulate + Questura · Orientation fee deducted

SUI application dossier preparation (income + housing verification)
Nulla Osta follow-up
Consular dossier preparation and review
Kit postale preparation and Questura accompaniment
Civil status document apostille and translation coordination

Richiedi una valutazione

Route B1 / B2 — Complete Service

€ 680

Consulate + Questura · Orientation fee deducted

Civil status document review, apostille and translation coordination
Consular dossier preparation and appointment preparation
Kit postale preparation and Questura accompaniment
Permit follow-up until issued

Richiedi una valutazione

Government fees

Authority fees — paid separately

Indicative amounts. We provide precise estimates in the orientation call.

• Family reunification visa fee (type D): €116
• Permesso di Soggiorno kit: €30.46
• Permesso issue fee (motivi familiari): €40–80
• Carta di Soggiorno (Route B2): €30.46 + €100 issue fee
• Marca da bollo (Questura): €16

Family Reunification · FAQ

Your questions answered

The questions we hear most from sponsors and family members navigating Italian family reunification.

Three distinct routes: The correct route depends entirely on the sponsor’s status. Filing via the wrong route will result in refusal. Choose your route →

My spouse has Italian citizenship. What route applies?

Your spouse applies under Route B1 (FamIT) as the family member of an Italian citizen. There is no income threshold for immediate family of Italian citizens. The process involves a family visa at the Italian consulate followed by the FamIT permesso di soggiorno at the Questura.

I have a valid Italian permesso di soggiorno for work. Can I bring my family?

Yes, under Route A (Art. 29). You must demonstrate income of at least €6,468/year for a couple (plus €3,234 for the first family member and additional increments) and housing that meets legal habitability standards. We verify your specific figures in the orientation call.

What is the housing certificate and how do I get it?

For Route A, you need a certificate of habitability (agibilità or idoneità alloggiativa) from your Comune confirming that the housing meets minimum space standards for the number of people who will live there. We manage the application to the Comune as part of our service.

How long does Route A take?

SUI processing of the Nulla Osta typically takes 30–90 days. Consular visa processing: 2–6 weeks. Total from application to family member in Italy: typically 3–6 months.

Can my parents join me in Italy?

Under Route A, parents may join only if the sponsor has no other siblings in the country of origin, and the parent has no other children to provide support. The criteria are very restrictive in practice and applications are frequently refused. We assess feasibility before recommending this path.

I obtained Italian citizenship by descent. What route for my non-Italian spouse?

Your spouse applies under Route B1 as the family member of an Italian citizen. You are the sponsor as an Italian citizen. There is no income threshold requirement for immediate family members on this route.

Reunite your family in Italy

Which route applies — it depends on the sponsor

Route A — Non-EU permit holder (Art. 29)

Route B1 — FamIT (families of Italian citizens)

Route B2 — Carta di Soggiorno (families of EU citizens)

Which family members are included

Spouse (all routes)

Minor children (under 18)

Adult dependent children (Route A only)

Dependent parents (Route A only)

Three procedures — one for each route

Procedure — Art. 29 D.Lgs 286/98

Sponsor applies at the Sportello Unico (SUI)

Family member applies for entry visa at Italian consulate

Permesso di Soggiorno kit (within 8 days of entry)

Procedure — consulate then Questura

Document preparation

Entry visa at Italian consulate (where required)

Questura: Permesso FamIT or Carta di Soggiorno

Documents required — by route and phase

Non-EU permit holder reunification

Sponsor’s valid permesso di soggiorno

Proof of income

Housing documentation

Civil status documents (apostilled + translated)

Passports (copies) — sponsor and family member

Italian and EU citizen sponsors

Sponsor’s Italian citizenship or EU passport

Civil status documents (apostilled + translated)

Accommodation proof (Route B1)

What does family reunification cost?

What you pay us

Chiamata di orientamento

Route A — Complete Service

Route B1 / B2 — Complete Service

Authority fees — paid separately

Your questions answered

My spouse has Italian citizenship. What route applies?

I have a valid Italian permesso di soggiorno for work. Can I bring my family?

What is the housing certificate and how do I get it?

How long does Route A take?

Can my parents join me in Italy?

I obtained Italian citizenship by descent. What route for my non-Italian spouse?

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