Before looking at the specific documents required for each type of residence permit, keep in mind that some documents are mandatory in every case. You must always have:

• €16.00 revenue stamp
• Valid passport (plus copies of the pages showing personal details, expiration date, visas and entry/exit stamps)
• 4 passport-size photos of the applicant, plus 4 photos of any children under 14 to be included in the permit
• Certificate of current residence, or declaration of hospitality/property transfer

Let’s now review the specific documents required for each type of residence permit.

Documents required for the EU residence card for non-EU family members of Italian or EU citizens

Article 2 of the relevant Decree provides that the following family members of an EU citizen may apply:

1. The spouse;
2. A partner who has entered into a registered civil union with the EU citizen under the legislation of a Member State, where the host State treats registered partnerships as equivalent to marriage.

Under Italian law (Law 76/2016), registered civil unions are considered equivalent to marriage only for same-sex partners. De facto cohabiting partners (two adults in a stable emotional relationship who live together) are not treated as spouses.

The following family members are also eligible:

1. Children under 21, including adopted children, or dependent children, and those of the spouse or same-sex civil partner;
2. Dependent direct ascendants, and those of the spouse or same-sex civil partner.

The documents required for the residence card for non-EU family members of Italian or EU citizens pursuant to Article 30 of Legislative Decree 2007 are:

• Certificate issued by the competent authority of the country of origin or residence confirming the family relationship (translated and legalized by the Italian diplomatic or consular authority in the country of origin, or bearing an Apostille if issued by a country that is party to the Hague Convention);
• For ascendants and descendants over 21 years of age, proof that they are financially dependent on the EU citizen (for example, evidence of regular and stable financial transfers, tax returns showing dependency, or a declaration from the authority of the country of origin—translated and legalized or apostilled—confirming that the person does not receive a pension and is financially supported by the EU citizen);
• Copy of the valid identity document of the Italian/EU family member;
• Documentation proving that the EU citizen has sufficient income; alternatively, proof of sufficient financial resources for themselves and their dependent family members from lawful sources (bank deposits, accumulated capital, annuities, regular and continuous transfers, etc.);
• For family members of EU citizens who are not Italian nationals, a certificate of registration of the EU citizen with the local registry office is also required.

Documents required for a residence permit for family reasons (spouse and relatives up to the second degree of an Italian citizen)

This type of residence permit is issued to the spouse or partner and to relatives up to the second degree (father, mother, grandparents, brother, sister) of an Italian citizen who live together, where the requirements for the issuance of the EU residence card for a family member of an EU citizen are not met (Article 19, paragraph 2, letter c) of Legislative Decree 286/1998- Testo Unico Immigrazione).

The required documents are:

• Certificate confirming marriage, civil union, or kinship up to the second degree (translated and legalized or apostilled);
• Copy of the Italian relative’s identity document;
• Proof of cohabitation (updated family status certificate of the Italian citizen and a declaration of hospitality stamped by the Public Security Authority for the foreign national, or a joint lease agreement registered with the Revenue Agency);
• Postal payment slip for the electronic residence card (€30.46) and for the required contribution (€40.00 for permits valid up to one year; €50.00 for permits valid for more than one year or up to two years).

Not sure whether you qualify for an EU Residence Card or a permit under Article 19? Read our in-depth legal breakdown here or contact our team for a case assessment

Documents required for a residence permit for family unity (family cohesion)

A foreign national who already holds a valid residence permit in Italy may apply for family unity (family reunification requested directly in Italy) pursuant to Article 30, paragraph 1, letter c) of Legislative Decree 286/1998 (Testo Unico Immigrazione), for the following family members:

1. Spouse;
2. Minor child, including the spouse’s child or a child born out of wedlock, unmarried, provided the other parent has given consent;
3. Dependent adult child;
4. Dependent parent.

The required documents are:

• Copy of the residence permit of the foreign family member already legally residing in Italy (under Article 28, paragraph 1 of the Consolidated Immigration Act, this must be an EU long-term residence permit or a permit valid for at least one year issued for employment, self-employment, international protection, study, religious reasons, or family reasons), and copy of the related passport;
• Certificates confirming marriage, civil union, or family relationship (translated and legalized or apostilled if issued by the country of origin);
• Certificate of residence and family status;
• Documentation proving that the accommodation meets housing suitability requirements;
• Documentation proving possession of a minimum annual income from lawful sources not lower than the annual amount of the social allowance, increased by half that amount for each family member to be reunited (Article 29, paragraph 3, letter b) of the Consolidated Immigration Act). The total annual income of family members living with the applicant is also taken into account;
• Postal payment slip for the electronic residence card (€30.46) and for the required contribution (€40.00 for permits valid up to one year; €50.00 for permits valid for more than one year or up to two years);
• In the case of minor children, written consent of the other parent, if applicable (translated and legalized or apostilled if issued by the country of origin);
• In the case of dependent adult children, certification confirming total disability (translated and legalized or apostilled if issued by the country of origin);

In the case of parents under 65 years of age:

• Documentation issued by the competent authority of the country of origin (translated and legalized or apostilled) confirming that the parent is financially supported by the child in Italy;
• Documentation (translated and legalized or apostilled) confirming that there are no other children or a spouse residing in the country of origin who can provide financial support.

In the case of parents over 65 years of age:

• Documentation issued by the competent authority of the country of origin (translated and legalized or apostilled) confirming that the parent is financially supported by the child in Italy;
• Documentation confirming that there are no children residing in the country of origin, or evidence of serious and documented health conditions preventing children residing in the country of origin from supporting the parents (translated and legalized or apostilled);
• Health insurance coverage or voluntary enrollment in the Italian National Health Service (with proof of payment of the required contribution).

Documents required for a residence permit for subsidiary protection

The applicable legislation is Article 23, paragraph 2 of Legislative Decree 251/2007.

The documents required to obtain a residence permit for subsidiary protection are:

• Paper residence permit issued for the asylum application, if available;
• 4 passport-size photos (if minor children are to be included in the parent’s residence permit, 4 photos are required for each child);
• Original decision issued by the Territorial Commission granting refugee status and, in case of appeal, the court decision upholding the appeal against the negative decision of the Territorial Commission;
• Postal payment slip for €30.46 (if minor children are included in the parent’s permit, a separate payment of the same amount is required for each child, together with a birth certificate extract specifying maternity and paternity);
• €16.00 revenue stamp;
• Proof of stable accommodation: updated family status certificate, or declaration of hospitality validated by the Public Security Authority, or a joint lease agreement duly registered with the Italian Revenue Agency.

Documents required for a residence permit for recognized political asylum

The relevant legislation is Legislative Decree 251/2007 and Legislative Decree 25/2008.

The documents required for the first issuance of a residence permit for political asylum are:

• Paper residence permit issued for the asylum application, if available;
• 4 passport-size photos (if minor children are to be included in the parent’s residence permit, 4 photos are required for each child);
• Original decision issued by the Territorial Commission recognizing refugee status and, in case of appeal, the court decision granting the appeal against the negative decision of the Territorial Commission;
• Postal payment slip for €30.46 (if minor children are included in the parent’s permit, a separate payment of the same amount is required for each child, together with a birth certificate extract specifying maternity and paternity);
• €16.00 revenue stamp;
• Proof of stable accommodation: updated family status certificate, or declaration of hospitality validated by the Public Security Authority, or a joint lease agreement duly registered with the Italian Revenue Agency.

Documents required for a residence permit for child assistance

The residence permit for child assistance is governed by Article 31 of the Testo Unico Immigrazione (T.U.I.)

The required documents are:

• Copy of the decision issued by the Juvenile Court authorizing the entry or stay of the child’s family member;
• Birth certificate of the child (if issued abroad, it must be translated and legalized by the Italian diplomatic or consular authority in the country of origin, or bear an Apostille if issued by a country that is party to the Hague Convention);
• Postal payment slip for the electronic residence card (€30.46) and for the required contribution (€40.00 for permits valid up to one year; €50.00 for permits valid for more than one year or up to two years).

Documents required for a residence permit for special cases (formerly humanitarian protection)

The relevant legislation is Article 1, paragraph 9 of Legislative Decree 113/2018.

The documents required are:

• Paper residence permit issued for the asylum application, if available;
• 4 passport-size photos (if minor children are to be included in the parent’s residence permit, 4 photos are required for each child);
• Original decision issued by the Territorial Commission recognizing refugee status or, alternatively, a court decision granting the appeal against a negative decision of the Territorial Commission;
• Postal payment slip for €30.46 (if minor children are included in the parent’s permit, a separate payment of the same amount is required for each child, together with a birth certificate extract specifying maternity and paternity);
• €16.00 revenue stamp;
• Proof of stable accommodation: updated family status certificate, or declaration of hospitality validated by the Public Security Authority, or a joint lease agreement duly registered with the Italian Revenue Agency.