Family Reunification · Italy

Reunite with your family in Italy

Italy has three distinct family reunification pathways. The applicable pathway depends entirely on the sponsor’s immigration status. Choosing the wrong pathway means refusal — and often significant delays.

Three distinct pathways: The correct pathway depends entirely on the sponsor’s immigration status. Applying via the wrong pathway will result in refusal. Choose your pathway →

The three pathways

Which pathway applies — depends on the sponsor

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

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

Pathway B1 — FamIT (family members of Italian citizens)

For spouses, children or other family members of Italian citizens. The family member obtains a Residence Permit for Family Reasons (FamIT). No income threshold for direct family members. Processed via the Questura after entry.

Pathway B2 — Carta di Soggiorno (family members of EU citizens)

For family members of EU citizens exercising the right of free movement in Italy. The family member requests a Carta di Soggiorno (five-year residence card). Based on EU Directive 2004/38/CE and D.Lgs 30/2007. No income threshold.

Important: A non-EU national who has acquired Italian citizenship (e.g. through jure sanguinis) sponsors their family via Pathway B1, not Pathway A. An EU citizen residing in Italy sponsors their family via Pathway B2. Choosing the wrong pathway means starting again from scratch.

Who can join you

Which family members are included

01

Spouse (all pathways)

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

All pathways

02

Minor children (under 18)

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

All pathways

03

Adult dependent children (Pathway A only)

Children over 18 may reunite via Pathway A if they are unable to support themselves due to total disability. Requires medical documentation.

Pathway A only · Total disability required

04

Dependent parents (Pathway A only)

The sponsor’s parents may reunite via Pathway A if the sponsor has no siblings in the country of origin and the parent has no other children who can provide support. Very restrictive criteria in practice.

Pathway A only · Restrictive criteria

Family Reunification · Procedure

Three procedures — one for each pathway

Each pathway has its own procedure, authority and timelines. Pathway A involves the Sportello Unico. Pathways B1 and B2 involve the consulate and the Questura.

Three distinct pathways: The correct pathway depends entirely on the sponsor’s immigration status. Applying via the wrong pathway will result in refusal. Choose your pathway →

Pathway A — Non-EU permit holders

Procedure — Art. 29 D.Lgs 286/98

1

Sponsor files application at the Sportello Unico (SUI)

The sponsor (residing in Italy) submits the family reunification application to the SUI at the provincial prefecture. The SUI verifies income and accommodation requirements and issues a Nulla Osta if conditions are met.

Sponsor + ImmiLex30–90 days processing

2

Family member applies for entry visa at the 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

Residence permit kit (within 8 days of entry)

Within 8 days of entering Italy, the family member submits the permit kit at the post office. The Questura schedules the biometric appointment and issues the Permit for Family Reasons.

Family member + ImmiLexWithin 8 days

Pathways 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. Italian or EU citizenship documentation of the sponsor. For Pathway B2: proof that the EU citizen is exercising the right of free movement in Italy.

Sponsor + Family member + ImmiLex

2

Entry visa at the Italian consulate (where required)

For non-EU family members: family reunification visa application at the Italian consulate. For family members of EU citizens who are also EU nationals: a visa is often not required. We determine the correct approach for each situation.

Family member + ImmiLex

3

Questura: FamIT permit or Carta di Soggiorno

Pathway B1: Residence Permit for Family Reasons (FamIT), valid 2 years. Pathway B2: Carta di Soggiorno (EU five-year residence card). Both renewable. We manage the full submission and Questura follow-up.

QuesturaPermit issued

Family Reunification · Documents

Required documents — by pathway and stage

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

Three distinct pathways: The correct pathway depends entirely on the sponsor’s immigration status. Applying via the wrong pathway will result in refusal. Choose your pathway →

Pathway A — Core documents

Reunification for non-EU permit holders

01

Sponsor’s valid residence permit

Copy of the sponsor’s residence permit, 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

Accommodation documentation

Habitability certificate (agibilità / idoneità alloggiativa) from the Comune, confirming that the accommodation meets minimum habitability standards for the number of occupants.

Sponsor · Issued by the Comune

04

Civil status documents (apostilled + translated)

Marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, or other documents proving the family relationship. All documents from abroad must be apostilled and accompanied by a sworn 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 who will be joining.

Sponsor + Family member

Pathways B1 & B2 — Core documents

Italian and EU citizen sponsors

06

Italian citizenship or EU passport of the sponsor

Pathway B1: Italian passport or citizenship certificate. Pathway B2: EU passport or national identity card. For Pathway 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

Proof of accommodation (Pathway B1)

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

Sponsor · Pathway B1

Family Reunification · Costs

How much does family reunification cost?

Costs vary by pathway. Pathway A is the most complex and involves three stages. Pathways B1 and B2 are typically simpler. All include coordination of translations and apostilles.

Three distinct pathways: The correct pathway depends entirely on the sponsor’s immigration status. Applying via the wrong pathway will result in refusal. Choose your pathway →

ImmiLex fees

What you pay us

Orientation call

€ 150

1 hour · Deducted if you proceed

Pathway determination (A, B1 or B2) based on sponsor’s status
Income and accommodation requirements check (Pathway A)
Personalised document checklist for your situation
Timeline and total cost estimate

Book a consultation — € 150

Pathway A — Full service

€ 950

SUI + Consulate + Questura · Consultation deducted

SUI application dossier preparation (income + accommodation check)
Nulla Osta follow-up
Consular dossier preparation and review
Postal kit preparation and Questura accompaniment
Apostille and civil status document translation coordination

Request an assessment

Pathways B1 / B2 — Full service

€ 680

Consulate + Questura · Consultation deducted

Civil status document review, apostille and translation
Consular dossier preparation and appointment briefing
Postal kit preparation and Questura accompaniment
Permit follow-up through to issuance

Request an assessment

Government fees

Fees payable to Italian authorities

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

• Family reunification visa fee (type D): €116
• Residence permit postal kit: €30.46
• Permit issuance fee (family reasons): €40–80
• Carta di Soggiorno (Pathway B2): €30.46 + issuance fee €100
• Revenue stamp (Questura): €16

Family Reunification · FAQ

Your questions answered

The questions we hear most often from sponsors and family members navigating family reunification in Italy.

Three distinct pathways: The correct pathway depends entirely on the sponsor’s immigration status. Applying via the wrong pathway will result in refusal. Choose your pathway →

My spouse has Italian citizenship. Which pathway applies?

Your spouse applies via Pathway B1 (FamIT) as a family member of an Italian citizen. There is no income threshold for direct family members of Italian citizens. The process involves a family visa at the Italian consulate followed by the FamIT residence permit at the Questura.

I have a valid Italian work permit. Can I bring my family?

Yes, via Pathway A (Art. 29). You must demonstrate income of at least €6,468/year for a couple (plus €3,234 for the first additional family member and further increments) and accommodation meeting legal habitability standards. We verify your specific figures at the orientation call.

What is the habitability certificate and how do I obtain it?

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

How long does Pathway A take?

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

Can my parents join me in Italy?

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

I obtained Italian citizenship by descent. Which pathway applies for my non-Italian spouse?

Your spouse applies via Pathway B1 as a family member of an Italian citizen. You are the sponsor as an Italian citizen. There is no income threshold requirement for direct family members on this pathway.

Reunite with your family in Italy

Which pathway applies — depends on the sponsor

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

Pathway B1 — FamIT (family members of Italian citizens)

Pathway B2 — Carta di Soggiorno (family members of EU citizens)

Which family members are included

Spouse (all pathways)

Minor children (under 18)

Adult dependent children (Pathway A only)

Dependent parents (Pathway A only)

Three procedures — one for each pathway

Procedure — Art. 29 D.Lgs 286/98

Sponsor files application at the Sportello Unico (SUI)

Family member applies for entry visa at the Italian consulate

Residence permit kit (within 8 days of entry)

Procedure — consulate then Questura

Document preparation

Entry visa at the Italian consulate (where required)

Questura: FamIT permit or Carta di Soggiorno

Required documents — by pathway and stage

Reunification for non-EU permit holders

Sponsor’s valid residence permit

Proof of income

Accommodation documentation

Civil status documents (apostilled + translated)

Passports (copies) — sponsor and family member

Italian and EU citizen sponsors

Italian citizenship or EU passport of the sponsor

Civil status documents (apostilled + translated)

Proof of accommodation (Pathway B1)

How much does family reunification cost?

What you pay us

Orientation call

Pathway A — Full service

Pathways B1 / B2 — Full service

Fees payable to Italian authorities

Your questions answered

My spouse has Italian citizenship. Which pathway applies?

I have a valid Italian work permit. Can I bring my family?

What is the habitability certificate and how do I obtain it?

How long does Pathway A take?

Can my parents join me in Italy?

I obtained Italian citizenship by descent. Which pathway applies for my non-Italian spouse?

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