We know how much your family reunification application matters. Etnopoint helps you get the authorisation you need to bring your spouse, children or parents to Italy, without costly paperwork mistakes.
Bring your family to Italy
Family reunification
- Immigration
Frequently asked questions
Family reunification allows foreign nationals legally resident in Italy to bring certain family members living abroad to Italy so they can live together, provided they meet the legal requirements.
EtnoPoint can help you check whether you can apply and what documents you need.
Sources: Articles 28 and 29, Legislative Decree No. 286 of 25 July 1998 (Consolidated Immigration Act)
Foreign nationals legally living in Italy with a residence permit valid for at least one year may apply in the circumstances set out by law.
In general, you must also have lived legally and continuously in Italy for at least 2 years, with exceptions set by law, including reunification with minor children and for people granted international protection.
Whether you can apply depends on your residence permit, which family member you want to bring to Italy, and whether you meet the income, housing and other requirements.
EtnoPoint can help you check whether your residence permit allows you to apply.
Sources: Article 28(1) and (1-bis), Legislative Decree No. 286 of 25 July 1998; two-year requirement introduced by Decree-Law No. 145 of 11 October 2024, converted into Law No. 187 of 9 December 2024.
If you meet the legal requirements, you can apply to bring the following family members to Italy:
- Spouse aged 18 or over, not legally separated;
- Civil partner;
- Unmarried children under 18, including your spouse’s children and children born outside marriage; adopted children and children in foster care or under guardianship are also eligible;
- Dependent adult children who cannot meet their basic needs because a health condition leaves them completely disabled;
- Dependent parents, if they have no other children in their country of origin or the country they are coming from;
- Parents over 65, if their other children cannot support them due to documented serious health reasons.
Siblings and other relatives are generally not eligible for family reunification under Article 29.
EtnoPoint can help you check which family members you can bring to Italy in your circumstances.
Sources: Article 29(1) and (2), Legislative Decree No. 286 of 25 July 1998 (Consolidated Immigration Act); for civil unions, Article 1(20), Law No. 76 of 20 May 2016, and Ministry of the Interior Circular No. 3511 of 5 August 2016.
In general, you’ll need the following to apply:
- a residence permit that allows family reunification;
- sufficient minimum income, calculated according to the number of family members you wish to bring to Italy;
- Legal residence;
- suitable accommodation that meets health, safety and housing standards;
- any specific requirements for the family member you wish to bring to Italy.
EtnoPoint can help you check that you meet all the requirements before you apply.
Sources: Article 29(3)(a) and (b), Legislative Decree No. 286/1998
To apply, you must meet the legal requirements and prepare the necessary documents.
You will generally need:
- a residence permit that allows family reunification;
- where required, at least 2 years of legal, continuous residence in Italy;
- sufficient income, calculated according to the family members you wish to bring to Italy;
- suitable accommodation;
- the applicant’s passport and residence permit;
- passports for both the family member joining you and the applicant;
- documents relating to income and accommodation;
- any additional documents required for your personal and family circumstances.
When you apply for a visa, the Consulate also checks documents proving your family relationship, such as marriage or birth certificates. These must be translated and legalised or apostilled where required. The process has two stages: the Immigration Desk handles the authorisation, and the consular office checks your family relationship.
EtnoPoint can help you check whether you meet all the requirements and prepare the necessary documents correctly.
The income you need depends on how many family members you want to bring to Italy.
You generally need to show that your annual income meets the legal threshold.
The more family members you want to bring to Italy, the higher the income requirement.
Etnopoint can help you check whether your income meets the requirement before you apply.
The housing suitability certificate confirms that the family’s home meets the requirements for its condition and the number of people living there.
In many cases, you need this to show that your family member will have suitable accommodation when they arrive in Italy.
Etnopoint can help you understand how to request it and which documents you need.
Once submitted, your application is reviewed by the relevant authorities.
If your application is approved, you’ll receive family reunification authorisation.
Once approval is granted, your family member can apply for an entry visa at the relevant Italian consulate. After arriving in Italy, they can apply for a residence permit for family reasons.
Etnopoint can help you through every stage, until your family member arrives in Italy.
Timelines vary depending on the Prefecture handling your application, whether your documents are complete and the checks required.
After approval, you’ll also need to allow time for the visa from the Italian consulate and the paperwork required after arrival in Italy.
Etnopoint can help you track your application and respond to requests for additional documents.
If your family reunification application is refused, it’s important to understand why it was rejected.
In some cases, you may be able to submit missing documents, resolve issues or consider an appeal.
Etnopoint can help you find out what happened and what you can do next.
We guide you through each stage of your family reunification application, from the initial checks to your family member’s arrival in Italy.
- Eligibility check: we check your residence permit, income, accommodation and family relationship.
- Document checks: we make sure your Italian and overseas documents are complete and correct.
- Application preparation: we prepare your application and the documents needed for the authorisation.
- Additional documents: we help you if you are asked to provide them.
- Visa support: once you have authorisation, we guide you through the next steps to apply for your family member’s visa.
- Help after arrival: we also help you with the paperwork needed once your family member arrives in Italy.
Step-by-step support
- Fewer mistakes: we check your eligibility and documents carefully to reduce the risk of delays or rejection.
- Support at every step: we help you from the initial checks through to the steps after your family member arrives in Italy.
- Help with overseas documents: we help you check whether translations, legalisation or apostilles are needed.
- Additional documents: we help you respond if the Prefecture or Consulate asks for more paperwork.
- Online or in person: get support in the way that suits you best.
- Clear explanations: we guide you step by step, without jargon or unnecessary complications.
