Since June 1, 2024, there have been are important changes to the family reunion visa process for non-EU citizens who want to join an Italian or EU citizen family member in Italy. These changes come from updates to Italian Immigration Law – art. 23 D.lgs 30/2007 and make the process simpler and more direct for foreign family members who want to live in Italy with their loved ones.

This guide explains how to get a family visa to join an Italian or EU citizen livingin Italy, what documents you need, and what has changed from the old rules.

Please note: family members of non-EU residents in Italy must follow a different procedure, including obtaining a nulla osta from the local Sportello Unico Immigrazione before applying for a national visa and a residence permit

No More Tourist Visas: The New National Family Visa

One of the biggest changes is that you can no longer use a tourist visa or family visit visa to join your family in Italy. Since 2024, you must apply for a national visa for family reasons.

Short-Stay differences (Less Than 3 Months)

For family members accompanying or joining an Italian or EU citizen for periods shorter than 3 months, tourist visas will still be issued, free of charge and with simplified procedures, but the family relationship must be verified.

For family members not included under art. 2 of D.Lgs. 30/2007, applications will be treated as regular tourist visa requests.

What the new visa includes:

• Duration: 365 days with multiple entries allowed
• Cost: Free (no visa fees required)
• Residence permit: Within 8 days of arriving in Italy, you must apply for a residence permit for family reasons
• No special permits needed from the Immigration Office (Sportello Unico)

This new framework especially simplifies the process for anyone applying as a spouse or dependent family member of an Italian or EU citizen.

The release of the clearance (nulla osta) by the Sportello Unico Immigrazione (SUI) is not required.

Who can apply for the family reunification visa?

Italian immigration law recognizes the right to family unity. Those eligible for this type of visa include (art. 2  D.Lgs. 30/2007):

• Spouse or registered partner (if civil partnerships are legally recognized in their country)
• Direct descendants under 21 years of age or dependent on the Italian/EU citizen or their spouse/partner
• Direct ascendants dependent on the Italian/EU citizen or their spouse/partner
• Adopted children, adoptive parents, and minors under guardianship or permanent foster care according to Law 184/1983

Italy family visa- required documents

To apply for a family reunion visa Italy, you’ll typically need:

• Valid passport
• 2 passport photographs
• A formal invitation from the Italian or EU citizen residing in Italy
• Proof of identity and legal residence of your family member in Italy
• Translated and legalized documents proving the family relationship (e.g., marriage or birth certificates)
• Proof of economic dependancy if required (income documents from the Italian/EU citizen family member)
• Proof of the family relationship with the inviting person

Residence permit: what to do once you’re in Italy

After entering Italy with this visa, you have 8 days to apply for a EU Family Residence Card (Carta di soggiorno) OR for Residence Residence Permit for Family Members Italian Citizens, depending on your case

Still depending on your case and on w

• At authorized post offices using the postal kit
• In some cities, directly at the police headquarters (Questura)

Documents needed for the residence permit for family reasons:

• Copy of your visa
• Copy of your valid passport
• Invitation letter
• Documents proving family relationship (for example: marriage certificate, birth certificate)
• Documents proving the economic dependency

While waiting for your residence permit, you can legally stay in Italy with the receipt from your application.

Read also: “Can I travel with permesso di soggiorno receipt?”

Italian citizens’ family members who don’t need a visa

Italian citizens’ family members who don’t need a visa Some non-EU family members of Italian/EU citizens don’t need a visa to enter Italy:

• If they come from countries that don’t require visas for short stays (e.g., USA, Canada, UK, Australia).
• If they are accompanying or joining an Italian/EU citizen.

In these cases, they can enter Italy legally and apply directly for a residence permit without an entry visa, provided they can show complete documentation of their relationship and establish cohabitation (residency) with the Italian family member in Italy.

Furthermore, Italian citizens’ family members up to the second degree are considered non-expellable, according to art. 19, paragraph 2 of Legislative Decree 286/1998, and have the right to regularize their status in Italy.

Documents required for an Italian family reunion

• Marriage certificate or birth certificate
• Proof of cohabitation (family registry, residence documents)

Family Reunion Visa for Italy (EU & Italian Citizens)