Eligibility quiz
Were you adopted by someone who is an Italian citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Italy
You can live in Italy with the citizen through whom you have this right, without an ordinary immigration permit.
Your card proves your right and is valid for five years, but you can exercise your right without it.
After five continuous years of lawful residence with that citizen, you gain permanent residence and can request a permanent residence card.
Move with your family
You can join or accompany the citizen through whom you have your right to another EU country under its family residence rules.
A stay over three months depends on that citizen's circumstances and the host country's registration or card rules.
Study in Italy
You can study in Italy and work while you study.
Work in Italy
You can work for an employer or work for yourself, and change employer or activity.
Some work is reserved by law for Italian citizens.
Travel in Europe
You can travel in the EU with a valid passport.
A valid residence card normally removes the entry-visa requirement when you accompany or join the citizen through whom you have your right, including when entering Italy.
Get consular help
When accompanying the citizen through whom you have your right, you may be covered by EU consular protection as their family member.
Whether you are covered depends on the rules of the country providing help.
Use public healthcare
Your access to public healthcare depends on your entitlement under Italy's health service or health insurance rules.
Your residence card is not health insurance.
Access public support
You have equal treatment with Italian citizens for available public services and benefits, under each benefit's rules.
Social assistance may be excluded for the first three months unless you qualify through work or another law.
How to apply
Applying from inside ItalyApplying from inside Italy
Find your police office
Find the immigration office at the police headquarters, called the Questura, for the province where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Questura handles the carta di soggiorno for family members of Italian citizens in your city, Italy?”
Get the registration attestation
Ask your Italian adoptive parent to register their residence at the town hall and obtain the attestation that registration was requested.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How does an Italian citizen request residence registration and an attestation at the comune di your city, Italy?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the residence-card application.
See required documentsPick up the package
Get the family-member residence-card application package from an authorised post office.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I pick up a carta di soggiorno application package for a family member of an Italian citizen in your city, Italy?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the family-member residence-card application form. If you are a child, ask your parent or guardian to help you.
Get help filling itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the carta di soggiorno application for a family member of an Italian citizen in Italy?”
Hand in your package
After three months from entry, take your completed package and document copies to an authorised post office to send to the police headquarters. Pay the applicable document and material costs there and include a revenue stamp if required; keep the receipt and appointment information.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I submit a carta di soggiorno application for a family member of an Italian citizen in your city, Italy?”
Go to your appointment
Take your original documents and photographs to the immigration office at the police headquarters and give your biometric data. If you are a child, attend with your parent or guardian when the office asks you to.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring to my Questura appointment for a carta di soggiorno for a family member of an Italian citizen in your city, Italy?”
Wait for the decision
Use your receipt to follow your application and respond if the police office asks for more information or documents.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my carta di soggiorno application for a family member of an Italian citizen in Italy?”
Collect your card
Follow the police office’s notice to collect your electronic residence card. You can then use it as your residence title in Italy.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my carta di soggiorno for a family member of an Italian citizen from the Questura in your city, Italy?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Adoption documents
Get the official adoption decision, adoption certificate or another civil-status record showing that your Italian parent adopted you. You can use an adoption record registered in Italy.
Parent's Italian ID *
Ask your Italian parent for a copy of their valid identity document. Submit it with their invitation or statement.
* Only if you apply for a visa at a consulate.
Parent's residence record *
Get the document showing that your Italian parent has requested registration as a resident. Ask the registry office at their municipality in Italy for it.
* Only if you apply for a residence card in Italy.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Documents and records
Keep a valid passport and card, register your residence and report changes to your address, family relationship or the citizen's qualifying status.
The card is valid for five years and needs replacement or renewal, but its expiry does not automatically end your residence right.
Time outside Italy
Temporary absences of up to six months per year are protected.
One absence of up to twelve months is protected for important reasons such as pregnancy, maternity, serious illness or study.
Residence can be lost
You may lose residence if the citizen's qualifying right, your family tie or required dependency ends, or you exceed the protected absence periods.
Some people can stay independently; permanent residence ends after more than two consecutive years abroad.
Removal is possible on public-order or security grounds, with stronger protection for permanent residents.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats in Italy.
English Facebook group for people living in Italy interested in Italian visas
Request to joinItaly Property for Sale & Living in Italy
English Facebook group for people living in Italy interested in Italian visas
Join on FacebookPermesso di soggiorno o carta di soggiorno
Italian Facebook group for people living in Italy interested in Italian visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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