a) EU/EEA citizens family members
EU/EEA citizens family members benefit of a privileged treatment accorded by law (Directive 2004/38/CE and Italian Legislative Decree 30/2007). Please find here the documents you must submit for family reunion.
Important note: from 1 June 2024, visa applicants “for family reunification” with EU/EEA citizens residing in Italy will have to request a National Visa (instead of a Schengen tourist visa) to be converted into a residence permit at the competent Police Headquarters within 8 days of entry into Italy. Please note that for periods of less than 3 months a Schengen tourist visa will be issued.
Therefore, starting from 1 June 2024, foreign family members of Italian/EU citizens who will travel to Italy for the purposes of a “permanent and stable” family reunification will have to request a National Visa for “family reasons”.
Requirements and conditions:
The family members who have the right to family reunification are:
1) the spouse;
2) the partner who has contracted a registered partnership with the Union citizen on the basis of the legislation of a Member State, if the legislation of the host Member State equates the registered partnership to marriage and in compliance with the conditions laid down by the relevant legislation of the host Member State;
3) direct descendants under the age of 21 or dependents and those of the spouse or partner referred to in letter b);
4) dependent direct ascendants and those of the spouse or partner referred to in letter b).
Adopted/adopters and minors subjected to permanent guardianship/custody with provisions issued pursuant to Law 184/83 are also considered equivalent to direct descendants/direct ascendants.
Visas will be issued free of charge.
The visa request must be submitted directly to the Italian Embassy/Consulate General, referring to the consular district to which it belongs and the appointment must be requested via the appropriate Prenot@mi platform.
There is no provision for issuing the “SUI – Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione” Authorization.
The visa will last 365 days with multiple entries, however, please note that family members must apply for a residence permit for “family reasons” within 8 days of entering Italy by completing the appropriate kit at the Post Office.
Documentation:
Letter of invitation from the Italian/EU family member which shows the intention to exercise the right to family unity (insert this wording in the section “for the following purpose/for the following reason”) accompanied by a document of valid identity.
Civil status documentation certifying the status of family member (pursuant to art. 2 of Legislative Decree 30/2007) translated and apostilled, or marriage or civil union deed transcribed in Italy.
In cases where the financial dependency is mandatory: demonstration of economic remittances by the Italian/EU citizen.
It is specified that:
family members who accompany or join the Italian/EU citizen for periods of less than 3 months must instead request a Schengen visa for tourism/visit to family member, through the IVAC Visa Centers/IVAC Satellites or also at the Visa Desk of the diplomatic representation, referring to the consular district of belonging.
Other family members (art.3 of Legislative Decree 30/2007) who accompany or join the Italian/EU citizen for periods of less than 3 months will also have to request a visa for tourism/family visit, in this case exclusively through the IVAC Visa Centres/ IVAC satellites, referring to the consular district to which they belong.
For direct access to visa office, please check the main page of the visa section of this website.
b) Non-EU/EEA family members
Those who according to Italian law have the right for family reunion with their relatives regularly resident in Italy, can apply after being issued the no-impediment (“nulla osta”) by relevant Italian authorities. Please, submit visa application following the check-list.
For direct access to visa office, please check the main page of the visa section of this website.