Eligibility quiz
Are you married to 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
From outside ItalyFrom outside Italy
Find your consulate
Find the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you legally live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Italian consulate covers your city for a family reunion visa?”
Get the visa form
Get the national visa application form and family reunion document checklist from your consulate.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get the Italian national family reunion visa application form from the Italian consulate in your city?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the national visa application form.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete the Italian national family reunion visa application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the documents required for your visa and residence application.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book an appointment through your consulate's visa booking or contact service.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an Italian national family reunion visa appointment at the consulate in your city?”
Go to your appointment
Go to the consulate yourself with your completed application, passport and supporting documents. Give your fingerprints and other biometric information if requested; the visa is free.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an Italian national family reunion visa application at the consulate in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate's decision and respond if it asks for more information or documents.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow up on an Italian national family reunion visa application at the consulate in your city?”
Collect your visa
Follow the consulate's instructions to get your passport and approved visa back. You can then travel to Italy.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my passport and Italian national family reunion visa from the consulate in your city?”
Travel to Italy
Travel to Italy to join your spouse or partner.
Find travel informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I travel to Italy with a national family reunion visa?”
Once in ItalyOnce in Italy
Find a post office
Find a post office with a Sportello Amico counter near where you live in Italy.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is a Sportello Amico post office in your city for an Italian family residence permit?”
Pick up the package
Get the yellow-band residence application package from a Sportello Amico post office. You can also get free help filling it in from an authorised advice centre or the town hall.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is a Sportello Amico post office in your city for an Italian family residence permit?”
Fill in the form
Fill in and sign the form in the package, using code 34 for the Italian citizen's family permit or code 35 for the electronic family-of-EU-citizen card. The title depends on whether your Italian family member has used EU free-movement rights.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Italian carta di soggiorno or permesso di soggiorno per familiare cittadino italiano application?”
Pay the required fees
Pay the amount required for your title using the payment slip in the package. Postal and document charges may also apply.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay for an Italian carta di soggiorno or permesso di soggiorno per familiare cittadino italiano application at a Sportello Amico?”
Hand in your application
Within eight days of entering Italy, take your passport and open application envelope with the signed form and document copies to a Sportello Amico counter yourself; do not mail it privately. Direct submission at the police immigration office is also possible.
Find submission instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit an Italian carta di soggiorno or permesso di soggiorno per familiare cittadino italiano at a Sportello Amico?”
Keep your receipt
Keep the receipt from the post office as proof that your application is pending, and follow its instructions for your police immigration office appointment.
Find receipt instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I use the Sportello Amico receipt for an Italian carta di soggiorno or permesso di soggiorno per familiare cittadino italiano?”
Go to your appointment
Take your original documents, photographs and receipt to the police immigration office named in your appointment instructions. Complete the identity and biometric checks there.
Find appointment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at the Questura appointment for an Italian carta di soggiorno or permesso di soggiorno per familiare cittadino italiano?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the police immigration office to decide, and respond if it asks for more information or documents. Use your receipt or the office's instructions to follow up.
See how to follow upSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I follow up on an Italian carta di soggiorno or permesso di soggiorno per familiare cittadino italiano application?”
Collect your residence document
Follow the police immigration office's instructions to collect your approved card or permit. It lets you live in Italy as the family member of an Italian citizen.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect an approved Italian carta di soggiorno or permesso di soggiorno per familiare cittadino italiano?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage or partnership record
Get your marriage certificate or registered-partnership record showing your relationship to your Italian spouse or partner. An Italian marriage certificate can be used if your marriage has been recorded in Italy. Bring the original and a copy if your office asks for both.
Spouse or partner's citizenship *
Get a copy of your Italian spouse or partner's identity document showing their Italian citizenship. Your office may ask to see the original too.
* Only if you apply for a visa or your Questura asks for it.
Spouse or partner's residence record *
Get proof that your Italian spouse or partner lives in Italy. For an electronic family card, provide the certificate or confirmation of their requested registration as a resident; your Questura may also ask for a current family-status record.
* Only if you apply for a visa or an electronic family card, or your Questura asks for it.
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
Visti, permessi di soggiorno e cittadinanza
Italian Facebook group for people interested in Italian visas and citizenship
Join on FacebookEU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Italy interested in Italian visas
Request to joinItaly Visas & Residency – Legal Support
English Facebook group for people interested in Italian visas and citizenship
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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