Bringing Your Family to Italy: A Guide for Non-EU Citizens

Posted on September 16th, 2025

For non-EU citizens residing in Italy, having your family with you is a tangible goal. Italian law provides a framework for family reunification, allowing you to bring close relatives to live with you under specific conditions. This guide outlines the key requirements, procedures, and rights to help you navigate the process.

Who Can Apply for Family Reunification

You may apply for family reunification if you hold one of the following valid residence permits:

• Long-term EU residence permit

• Residence permit valid at least one year for: employed or self-employed work, international/subsidiary/humanitarian protection, studies, religious purposes, family purposes, or scientific research

You also need:

• Adequate income and accommodation to support the relatives you wish to bring.

Which Family Members Qualify

You may request reunification with:

• Your legitimate adult spouse

• Unmarried minor children (your own or your spouse’s, with the other parent’s consent)

• Dependent adult children with serious health conditions

• Dependent parents who have no other children in their country of origin, or parents over 65 whose other children cannot support them due to serious and proven health reasons

Steps in the Procedure

1. Authorisation for Family Reunification (Nulla Osta)

◦ Submit your application online (in Italian) to the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione at the Prefecture of your province of residence.

◦ The Immigration Desk checks your documents and issues the authorisation if requirements are met.

2. Visa Application by Your Family Member(s)

◦ Once authorisation is granted, your relatives apply for an entry visa at the Italian consulate or embassy in their country.

◦ The consulate verifies the family relationship.

3. Residence Permit in Italy

◦ Within 8 days of arrival, your family members must apply for a residence permit at the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione (One-Stop-Shop for Immigration) of the competent Prefecture.

◦ They must present their passport and travel documents.

Minors on a Parent’s Permit

• Children under 14 can be included in your residence permit or that of your spouse.

• From age 14 to 18, they are granted a separate residence permit for family reasons, valid until age 18.

• At 18, they can renew their permit for the same duration as their parents’ or switch to another status (study, employment, etc.).

Validity and Renewal

• The residence permit for family reunification has the same duration as your own residence permit.

• Renewal is granted if the entry requirements are still met.

Rights of Family Members

With a residence permit for family reasons, your relatives can:

• Work in Italy (employment or self-employment)

• Access education and training

• Convert their status to long-term residence or another type of permit (study, work, etc.)

• After five years of legal, continuous residence, apply for long-term EU residence status (subject to proof of adequate resources, accommodation, and good conduct).

In cases of divorce, legal separation, or the sponsor’s death, the family reunification permit may be converted to a permit for work or study.

Where to Get Help

The Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione (Immigration Desk) in each Prefecture handles:

• Authorisations (nulla osta) for foreign workers and family reunification

• Conversions of residence permits (e.g. from study to work)

Applications must be submitted online via the Ministry of the Interior’s portal. The Immigration Desk will consider your actual family ties, your length of stay in Italy, and your links with your country of origin.

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