Living in Italy without your family can be one of the hardest parts of moving abroad. If you are legally resident in Italy, family reunification lets you bring your spouse, children and, in some cases, dependent parents to join you. It is a legal right, but you must follow a set process and meet requirements for income, housing and documents. Here is how it works, step by step. Who can apply You can apply if you are a non-EU national with one of these residence permits: An EU long-term residence permit A residence permit valid for at least one year for employment, self-employment, international protection, family reasons, study or research In many cases, you must also have lived legally in Italy for a minimum continuous period. Check your status before you apply, even if your permit is valid. Which family members can join you Not every relative is eligible. The law allows: Your adult spouse, provided you are not legally separated (this also includes a civil partner) Your children under 18, including children born outside marriage or your spouse’s children, with the other parent’s consent where required Your dependent adult children, if they are completely unable to work Your dependent parents, if they have no other children in their country of origin, or if they are over 65 and their other children cannot support them for documented serious health reasons Income and housing requirements The minimum income is based on the INPS social allowance (around €7,000 a year), plus 50% for each family member joining you. If you are bringing two or more children under 14 and no other adult relatives, a fixed threshold of twice the social allowance applies instead. You may also count the income of family members who already live with you legally in Italy and appear on the same household registration record. You must also show that you have suitable housing that meets the health and hygiene standards set by your local municipality. The municipality issues a certificate confirming that the accommodation is suitable. How to apply 1. Apply for clearance Submit your application online through the One-Stop Immigration Office portal. You will need to provide your residence permit, proof of income, your housing suitability certificate and proof of your family relationship, translated and legalised. The office checks your eligibility and seeks an opinion from the police immigration office (Questura). 2. Receive clearance By law, clearance must be issued within 150 days, although actual processing times vary by prefecture. It remains valid for 6 months. 3. Apply for a visa Once clearance is granted, your family member must apply for a family visa at the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for their country of origin. If there are doubts about your family relationship, the consulate may ask for further checks, including a DNA test for children. 4. Apply for a residence permit in Italy Within 8 days of arriving in Italy, your family member must apply for a residence permit for family reasons at the local police immigration office. A different process for relatives of Italian citizens If your family member is joining an Italian or EU citizen, the process is different and generally faster. You do not need clearance from the One-Stop Immigration Office, the usual income and housing requirements do not apply, and the family visa is free. Common mistakes to avoid Most delays stem from avoidable problems: documents that have not been translated or legalised correctly, incomplete proof of family relationships, incorrect income calculations or applications for relatives who are not eligible under the law. Checking every requirement before you apply is the best way to avoid requests for more documents or, worse, a refusal. How Etnopoint can help Etnopoint Immigration can support you throughout your family reunification application. We check your income and housing eligibility, help gather and legalise documents, and track your application with the One-Stop Immigration Office and the consulate. Our aim is to help you bring your family to Italy as simply and reliably as possible. This article provides general information and is not a substitute for personalised advice. Laws, amounts and processing times may change. Contact our team for an assessment of your situation.