20210830_AOberstadt_Richmond_080__1_.jpgIf you are an eligible relative of a non-EU citizen regularly living in Italy, or of an Italian citizen, you may be entitled to a family permit called Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi Familiari.

You can get the family permit either if you are in Italy (‘coesione familiare’) or if you come from abroad through the family reunification procedure (‘ricongiungimento familiare’). 

You can use this article to learn more on:

  • Family permit for relatives of a non-EU citizen living in Italy
  • Family permit for relatives of a EU citizen
  • Family permit for relatives of an Italian citizen
  • Family permit for family reunification

Family permit for relatives of a non-EU citizen regularly living in Italy

If you are in Italy and you live with a non-EU relative who has any valid permit, you can apply for a family permit in the following cases:

  • You have at least a 1-year permit and you marry in Italy to a holder of a valid permit 
  • You have a permit or your permit has expired within the past year, and you are the spouse, child under 18 or over 18 with disabilities, dependent parent of an holder of a work or study or EU long-term permit who has a minimum income and a suitable house
  • You either have a permit or you are irregular, and your spouse, child or parent holds international protection in Italy

How to apply?

You have to apply for this permesso by sending the kit to Questura through the post office. You will need:

  • Your national passport
  • Your (expired) permit of stay (if you have one)
  • Copy of the valid permit of stay and passport of your relative residing in Italy
  • Certificates proving the relationship with your relative residing in Italy (for example: marriage certificate, civil union certificate, birth certificate) – translated and legalized if issued abroad
  • Declaration of hospitality
  • € 16.00 duty stamp (‘marca da bollo’ in Italian)
  • Payment receipt of € 30.46 for the issue of the electronic permit
  • Payment of the fee, which varies depending on the validity of the permit
  • Other documents depending on the individual case
  • In case you apply for this permit after more that 60 days since the expiration of your permit of stay, you will also need the authorization from the Questura for a delayed application 

If your relative does not hold international protection, you will also need:

  • Your relative’s declaration of income, which must be equal or above the annual social check
  • Your relative’s housing suitability certificate

It is important to know that if you are an asylum-seeker and apply for a family permit, the Questura will ask you to withdraw your asylum procedure. Before proceeding, please talk to a legal expert who may advise you on what’s best for your personal case.

If you hold a Permesso per Cure Mediche for pregnancy, you have to request the family permit directly at the Questura and not through the post office.

How long is it valid for?

The Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi Familiari has the same duration as the permit of the family member to whom it is related. 

Can I renew it and convert it? 

You can apply for renewal when your relative your permit is related to also applies for their permit renewal. You can do it within 60 days before and 60 days after the expiry date. 

To renew your permit, you have to go to the post office and fill in the kit to be sent to the Questura. 

Note that the family permit can only be renewed if the reason it was issued still exists. For example, it can be renewed if you are still legally married and living together with your spouse. You must also prove that you or your family member have sufficient financial resources to support you.

The permit for family reasons can also be converted to a work permit or other permit if eligible. 

Family permit for relatives of an EU citizen 

You can apply for a family permit also if you have the following kinship with an Italian or EU citizen:

  • Legally married spouse or civil union partner
  • Child under 21, or dependent child over 21 - including your spouse’s
  • Dependent parent - including your spouse’s

How to apply?

You have to apply for this permesso directly at the Questura. You will need to bring: 

  • Your national passport
  • Certificates proving the relationship (for example: marriage certificate, birth certificate) – translated and legalized if issued abroad
  • Proof of sufficient income of the EU citizen
  • € 16.00 revenue stamp (‘marca da bollo’ in Italian)
  • Receipt of the payment of € 30.46 for the issue of the permit
  • Payment of the fee, which varies depending on the validity of the permit
  • Other documents depending on the individual case, including proof of income.

How long is it valid for?

The duration of this family permit is 5 years. 

Can I renew it and convert it?

Within 60 days before and 60 days after the expiry date of your permit, you can apply for renewal by sending the kit to Questura at the post office.

The permit for family reasons can also be converted to a work permit or other permit if eligible. If you are married to an Italian, you could also apply for Italian citizenship.

If you have lived in Italy for 5 continuous years, you may apply for the Carta di Soggiorno Permanente per familiari di cittadini europei at the Questura. If your Carta di soggiorno permanente is still in paper version, you need to substitute it with an electronic one by August 3, 2023 (if you don't have the electronic permit yet). The new electronic permit will have an expiry date, and 'familiare UE art. 10 or 20 dir 2004/38/CE' written on it.

Within August 3, you have to request the electronic version at Questura or through the postal kit. You will have to pay a 16 eur revenue stamp, 30.46 euro for the electronic permit release (and 30 euros for the postal service if they request it through poste).

Family permit for relatives of an Italian citizen 

You can apply for a family permit also if you have the following kinship with an Italian citizen, and if you live with them:

  • Legally married spouse or civil union partner
  • Child 
  • Grandchild
  • Parent
  • Grandparent
  • Brother or sister

Basically, you will receive this permit if you don’t meet the requirement for the family permit for relatives of a EU citizen, but you live with an Italian relative up to the second degree of kinship. 

How to apply?

You have to apply for this permesso directly at the Questura. You will need to bring: 

  • Your national passport
  • Certificates proving the relationship (for example: marriage certificate, birth certificate) – translated and legalized if issued abroad
  • Declaration of hospitality 
  • Copy of identity document of the Italian spouse or relative
  • Self-declaration of residence and family status of the Italian spouse or relative
  • € 16.00 revenue stamp (‘marca da bollo’ in Italian)
  • Receipt of the payment of € 30.46 for the issue of the permit
  • Payment of the fee, which varies depending on the validity of the permit
  • Other documents depending on the individual case

Note that a proof of income is not required by law.

How long is it valid for?

This permit is valid for 2 years. 

Can I renew it and convert it?

Within 60 days before and 60 days after the expiry date of your permit, you can apply for renewal by sending the kit to Questura through the post office.

If you are married to an Italian, you could also apply for Italian citizenship.

Family permit for family reunification 

You can get this family permit if your relative brought you to Italy through the family reunification procedure.

Within 48 hours of your arrival to Italy, your relative must present the declaration of hospitality to the Police.

Learn more about: FAMILY REUNIFICATION 

How to apply?

Within 8 days of your arrival, you must go to the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione where the application for authorization was forwarded. After verifying the validity of your entry visa, they will give you a pre-filled form for the request of permit for family reasons. 

You will then need to go to the post office and send the kit to Questura. You will need:

  • Copy of your passport or travel document
  • € 16.00 duty stamp (‘marca da bollo’ in Italian)
  • Payment receipt of € 30.46 for the issue of the electronic permesso 
  • Payment of the fee, which varies depending on the validity of the permit

Note: Minor children are excluded from payment of the contribution

How long is it valid for?

The family permit issued for family reunification reasons has the same duration as the permesso of the relative joined in Italy. 

Can I renew it and convert it?

You can apply for renewal when the family member who brought you to Italy also applies for their permit renewal. You can do it within 60 days before and 60 days after the expiry date. 

To renew your permit, you have to go to the post office and fill in the kit to be sent to the competent Questura. 

Note that the family permit can only be renewed if the reason it was issued still exists. For example, it can be renewed if you are still legally married and living together with your spouse. You must also prove that you or your family member have sufficient financial resources to support you.

The permit for family reasons can also be converted to a work permit or other permit if eligible. 

What rights do I have as a holder of a family permit?

With this kind of permesso, you have the right to:

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