Eligibility Quiz
Requirements
Your Sponsor (Non-EU Citizen in Italy)
Your sponsor must meet all of the following conditions simultaneously:
Valid Residence Permit
Your sponsor must hold a valid residence permit for one of these purposes:
- Subordinate employment (lavoro subordinato)
- Self-employment (lavoro autonomo)
- International protection (asylum or subsidiary protection)
- Humanitarian protection
- Study
- Religious purposes
- Family reasons
- Scientific research
- Long-term EU residence card
Permits that do NOT allow family reunification: seasonal work permits, short-stay visas (under 90 days), and certain education or training permits.
Two Years of Continuous Legal Residence
Your sponsor must have held a residence permit in Italy for at least two continuous years without interruption. This requirement applies to most sponsors but has important exceptions:
- Exempt from the two-year requirement: holders of international protection permits (refugee or subsidiary protection status), EU Blue Cards, and intra-corporate transferee (ICT) permits
- Minor children (under 18) can be reunited without the two-year waiting period
The two-year period must be unbroken; even brief gaps may disqualify the application. Count forward carefully from the date your sponsor's first residence permit was issued.
Sufficient and Stable Income
Your sponsor must demonstrate minimum annual income based on Italy's assegno sociale (social allowance). For 2025, the assegno sociale is €7,002.84. Income thresholds are:
- One family member (you, the spouse): Minimum €7,002.84 annually
- Two family members: €14,005.68
- Three family members: €21,008.52
- Each additional family member: Add 50% of the base amount
Income can come from employment, self-employment, pensions, or other lawful, stable, and verifiable sources. Your sponsor must provide recent payslips, tax returns (CU/730), or official income documentation. Authorities look for continuity and stability; recent job changes or gaps in documentation weaken the application.
Suitable Housing
Your sponsor must obtain a Certificato di Idoneità Alloggiativa (housing suitability certificate) issued by the local municipality. This document certifies that the dwelling meets Italian minimum habitability standards, has sufficient space for occupants, and meets health and hygiene requirements.
Minimum space requirements are:
- 14 square metres for one person
- 28 square metres for two people
- 42 square metres for three people
- 56 square metres for four people
- 70 square metres for five people
The certificate is issued by the local Comune (municipality), typically through the housing office or health authority. In some municipalities, a housing inspection is conducted; in others, self-declaration with supporting documentation is accepted. This process can take weeks or months in busy municipalities, so begin early.
Valid Residence Permit at Application Time
Your sponsor's residence permit must be valid and renewable at the time of the nulla osta application. A permit expiring in the near future is unlikely to support a successful application.
You (The Spouse)
You must meet all of the following criteria:
Legal Marriage
You must be legally married to your sponsor and not legally separated. Same-sex civil unions are recognized in some contexts, but you should check with your consulate.
Minimum Age
You must be at least 18 years old.
Valid Passport
You must hold a valid passport with at least two blank pages and a minimum of six months validity remaining.
No Disqualifying Criminal Record
Standard practice requires you to have no serious criminal convictions.
Proposed Requirement: Marriage Registration in Italy
A draft law circulated in February 2026 proposes that the marriage must be formally registered in Italy, not merely valid abroad. This requirement has not yet been enacted and is still subject to discussion. Currently, a marriage valid in the country where it was celebrated is acceptable, though registration in Italy is required for certain other purposes (such as citizenship applications).
Conditions & Warnings
Law 187/2024 (December 2024) introduced a mandatory two-year continuous legal residence requirement for sponsors. Even brief gaps (e.g., short trips outside Italy) may reset the clock. Exceptions apply to EU Blue Card holders, ICT permit holders, and international protection permit holders.
The housing suitability certificate (idoneità alloggiativa) can take weeks to months to obtain from the municipality, particularly in larger cities. Begin this process well before submitting the nulla osta application.
A draft law circulated in February 2026 proposes further restrictions (marriage registration in Italy, stricter income thresholds, employment contract restrictions), but these have not yet been enacted and remain subject to discussion.
The nulla osta is valid for only six months. If the spouse's visa appointment is delayed and the nulla osta expires before the appointment, the entire process must restart.
The spouse must apply for a residence permit within 8 days of arriving in Italy. Missing this deadline can result in penalties and complications.
Qualifications
Fees
€116 visa fee + €32 revenue stamps (marca da bollo) for nulla osta + €50–€100 residence permit fee depending on duration. Excludes document translation, apostille, and postal costs.