Eligibility quiz
Is one of your parents an Italian or other European Union (EU) citizen living in Italy?
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
From outside ItalyFrom outside Italy
Find your consulate
If you need an entry visa to join your family in Italy, find the Italian consulate or embassy responsible for the place where you legally live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Italian consulate covers your city for a family reunification visa with an EU citizen?”
Get the visa form
Get the national family reunification visa application form from your consulate.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get the Italian national family reunification visa form for a family member of an EU citizen from the consulate serving your city?”
Fill in the form
Complete and sign the visa application form as instructed by the consulate. If the application is for your child, follow the consulate’s instructions for completing and signing it for them.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Italian national family reunification visa form for a family member of an EU citizen at the consulate serving your city?”
Book an appointment
Book an appointment through your consulate’s official booking channel. If the application is for your child, book the appointment for them.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment for an Italian family reunification visa for a family member of an EU citizen at the consulate serving your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate and the residence card application in Italy.
See required documentsGo to your appointment
Bring the completed form and required documents to the consulate and hand in the application. If the application is for your child, take them to the appointment; the visa is free.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to my Italian family reunification visa appointment for a family member of an EU citizen at the consulate serving your city?”
Wait for your visa
Wait for the consulate’s decision and answer any requests for more information. Once the visa is issued, collect your passport and visa as the consulate instructs.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How long does an Italian family reunification visa for a family member of an EU citizen take at the consulate serving your city?”
Travel to Italy
Travel to Italy with your visa and travel document. If the visa is for your child, travel with your child or arrange their travel.
Find travel informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to Italy with a family reunification visa for a family member of an EU citizen?”
Once in ItalyOnce in Italy
Find a post office
Find a post office with a Sportello Amico near your home in Italy that accepts residence card applications.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Sportello Amico post office in your city accepts carta di soggiorno familiare cittadino UE applications?”
Pick up the package
Pick up the yellow residence application package at a Sportello Amico post office. You can also get a printed application prepared free by an authorised assistance centre or town hall.
Find an application packageSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the application package for a carta di soggiorno elettronica familiare cittadino UE in Italy?”
Fill in the form
Complete and sign Module 1 for the electronic residence card for an EU citizen’s family member. If the application is for your child, follow the form’s instructions for completing and signing it for them.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Module 1 for the carta di soggiorno elettronica familiare cittadino UE in Italy?”
Pay the card costs
Pay the applicable card-production charge and any required stamp duty using the postal payment method given in the application instructions.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the charges for a carta di soggiorno elettronica familiare cittadino UE application in Italy?”
Hand in the application
Within eight days of arrival, take the open application package, required copies and your passport to a Sportello Amico post office and hand it in yourself. If the application is for your child, take your child and their passport; keep the postal receipt and its appointment or next instructions.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a carta di soggiorno elettronica familiare cittadino UE application at a Sportello Amico post office in Italy?”
Attend your police appointment
Go to the police headquarters appointment named in your receipt or later instructions, bringing the originals, photographs and other items requested. If the application is for your child, take your child; the police will take any required fingerprints and other biometric details.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to my Questura appointment for a carta di soggiorno elettronica familiare cittadino UE in Italy?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the police to decide the residence card application and respond to any requests for more information.
See card waiting timesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a carta di soggiorno elettronica familiare cittadino UE application take in Italy?”
Collect the card
When you are notified, collect the electronic residence card as instructed. If the card is for your child, follow the collection instructions for your child; the card documents their right to live in Italy with their qualifying family member.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect a carta di soggiorno elettronica familiare cittadino UE in Italy?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
This card is for a non-EU child joining an Italian parent living in Italy; you must be under 21 or financially dependent on your parent. Get your birth certificate showing your relationship to your Italian parent from the office that issued it. If you were adopted, add the adoption decision.
Parent's citizenship records
Provide a copy of your Italian parent's passport or identity card showing their citizenship. Ask your parent for a copy of their valid document.
Parent's residence record
Provide evidence that your Italian parent lives in Italy. For the residence card, provide their residence registration request or registration certificate, as applicable.
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
Italy Visas & Residency – Legal Support
English Facebook group for people interested in Italian visas and citizenship
Join on FacebookExpats 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 FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated