Eligibility Quiz
Overview
The family reunification visa (Visto per Ricongiungimento Familiare) is a long-stay national visa (Type D) that allows minor children under 18 to join a parent or guardian who is legally residing in Italy. This pathway is governed by Legislative Decree 286/1998, specifically Article 31, paragraph 1, which provides a critical exception to recent restrictions on family reunification. As of March 2026, this pathway remains active and accepting applications, and minor children are explicitly protected from new eligibility restrictions introduced in late 2024.
The family reunification visa for minor children is one of Italy's most established immigration routes. It allows your child to obtain a residence permit valid for the same duration as your own residence permit in Italy, granting them full access to work, education, healthcare, and social services.
Recent Legal Changes
Law 187/2024 (December 2024)
This law introduced significant changes to family reunification in Italy, but minor children are explicitly exempt from the new restrictions:
- A two-year continuous legal residence requirement was introduced for sponsors seeking to reunify with spouses, dependent parents, and adult dependent children. This requirement does NOT apply to minor children under 18.
- Enhanced housing verification was introduced, including potential on-site municipal inspections to verify compliance with space and occupancy standards.
- A new, cost-free National Visa for Family Reasons was introduced, valid for 365 days with multiple entries.
Impact on your pathway: Minor children remain protected and can be reunified without delay, regardless of how long the sponsor has been in Italy.
Pending Legislation (November 2025)
The League (Lega) has drafted a new "security decree" that would further restrict family reunification, limiting eligible family members to spouses and minor children only.
- Status: Consultations with coalition partners are ongoing; final text could reach the Council of Ministers "within weeks" as of November 2025.
- Expected impact on minor children: If enacted, this would actually reinforce the protected status of minor children by making them one of only two eligible categories.
- Potential legal challenges: The Italian Refugee Council argues that such restrictions may breach EU Directive 2003/86/EC on family reunification.
Free Visa Change (June 2024)
As of June 1, 2024, the family reunification visa became free of charge. Previously, some consulates charged €116. The new National Visa for Family Reasons is valid for 365 days with multiple entries.
Rights as a Minor Child with Family Reunification Status
Once you obtain a residence permit for family reasons (permesso di soggiorno per motivi familiari), you have the following rights:
- Work rights: Full access to employment without restrictions
- Education: Access to schools and universities at all levels
- Healthcare: Registration with the Italian National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale)
- Social services: Access to social assistance and benefits
- Travel: Travel within the Schengen Area for 90 days every 180 days
- Residence permit renewal: Renewal is granted provided your sponsor continues to meet the requirements
- Permit validity: Your residence permit has the same duration as your sponsor's residence permit (for example, if your sponsor holds a 2-year work permit, your family residence permit is also valid for 2 years)
Long-Term Residence and Citizenship Pathways
- EU Long-Term Residence Permit: After 5 years of continuous and legal residence in Italy, you may apply for an EU long-term residence permit (permesso di soggiorno CE per lungo soggiornanti)
- Italian Citizenship: If your sponsor becomes an Italian citizen through naturalization, you may be eligible for Italian citizenship