What is Family Reunification?
Family reunification is the right of foreign citizens regularly residing in Italy to be joined by their family members living abroad. This is regulated by Legislative Decree 286/1998 (Consolidated Law on Immigration), articles 28-30, and the related implementing regulation (Presidential Decree 394/1999).
Unlike the Decreto FlussiFamily reunification is not subject to annual quotas: it is a subjective right recognized by the Italian Constitution (Articles 29-30) and the European Convention on Human Rights (Article 8). The Prefecture's Immigration Office can reject the application only if the legal requirements are not met.
The process includes three main phases: the request for nulla osta in Italy, obtaining the visa for family reunification to the Consulate in the country of origin of the family member, and the request of the residence permit for family reasons after arriving in Italy.
Who Can Request Family Reunification
Family reunification can be requested by a non-EU citizen who has a residence permit of duration not less than 1 year, issued for employee work, self-employment, asylum, subsidiary protection, study, religious reasons or family reasons. It is also possible with the EU residence permit for long-term residents.
Family members admitted to reunification
- Spouse not legally separated and not younger than 18 years of age (including civil union partners pursuant to Law 76/2016)
- Minor children of 18 years of age, including that of the spouse or born out of wedlock, provided that the other parent has given consent
- Dependent adult children who are unable to provide for their own sustenance due to serious health reasons resulting in total disability
- Dependent parents over 65 years of age, who do not have adequate support in their country of origin and who have no other children able to support them
Minimum Income for Family Reunification 2026
The applicant must demonstrate an annual income sufficient to support themselves and their family members to be reunited. The minimum income is calculated based on theannual amount of the social security benefit INPS (€5,875.42 in 2026). The income of the cohabiting spouse and other cohabiting family members can be added together.
| Number of family members to be reunited | Minimum annual income 2026 |
|---|---|
| 1 family member | €8.813,14 |
| 2 family members | €11.750,85 |
| 3 family members | €14.688,56 |
| 4 family members | €17.626,27 |
| 2+ children under 14 years old | €11.750,85 |
| Parents over 65 | €11,750.85 (minimum) |
The following are considered for the purposes of the calculation: income from employment or self-employment, pensions, property income, and other documentable income. Income is verified through tax returns, CU/CUD documents, and pay slips.
Housing Requirements and Housing Suitability
The accommodation where the reunited family members will live must meet the requirements set by the regional legislation in the field of public housing. It is necessary to certificate of housing suitability, issued by the Municipality.
How to get the certificate
- Request to the Municipality: submit an application to the Technical Office or the Hygiene Office of the Municipality where the accommodation is located
- Inspection: a municipal (or ASL) technician carries out an inspection to verify the requirements
- Release: the certificate is generally issued within 30 days of the request
Minimum accommodation requirements
- Minimum surface area: 14 m2 for the first occupant + 10 m2 for each subsequent occupant (varies by region)
- Hygiene and health requirements: windows, ventilation, toilets, systems compliant with standards
- Regular contract: registered rental agreement, or title deed, loan for use or hospitality
The certificate has a valid for 6 months from the date of issue. If it expires before the process is completed, you may need to request a new one.
Documents Required for Family Reunification
Here is the complete list of documents to prepare for the nulla osta application:
Applicant's documents (in Italy)
- Residence permit valid (or receipt of renewal)
- Valid passport
- Income tax return (last year) or CU/CUD + pay slips
- Municipality's certificate of housing suitability
- Registered rental agreement (or title deed)
- Tax ID code
Family member's documents (from abroad)
- Valid passport
- Translated and legalized birth certificate (or with Hague Apostille)
- Translated and legalized marriage certificate (for the spouse)
- Consent of the other parent to the migration (for minor children, if both parents are not applicants)
- Translated and certified medical certificate (for dependent adult children for health reasons)
- Documentation proving need (for parents over 65)
All foreign documents must be translated into Italian by a sworn translator and legalized by the Italian consular authority or equipped with Apostille (for countries adhering to the Hague Convention).
Procedure: How to Apply for nulla osta
The family reunification application is submitted online. Here are all the steps:
- Access to the ALI Portal: connect to the portal of the Ministry of the Interior (portaleservizi.dlci.interno.it) with SPID or CIE
- Filling out the application: select "Family Reunification" and fill in all the required fields (applicant's details, family members' details, income, accommodation)
- Uploading documents: upload all documents in PDF format
- Electronic submission: the application is sent to the Sportello Unico for Immigration of the competent Prefecture
- Convocation: Sportello Unico calls you to verify the original documents and sign the application
- Release of nulla osta: if everything is in order, the Help Desk issues the nulla osta (within 180 days)
- Visa at the Consulate: the family member requests a family reunification visa at the Italian Consulate in the country of origin (within 6 months of nulla osta)
- Entry into Italy: the family member enters Italy with a visa
- Residence permit: within 8 days of arrival, the family member requests the residence permit for family reasons through Kit Postale
Family Reunification Times in 2026
The overall time required for family reunification depends on several phases:
| Phase | Times required by law | Average real times |
|---|---|---|
| Release nulla osta (Sportello Unico) | 180 days | 3 - 8 months |
| Visa issuance (Consulate) | 30 days | 15 - 45 days |
| Residence permit issuance | 20 days | 1 - 3 months |
| Grand total | — | 5 - 12 months |
Times vary depending on the Prefecture (those of Milan And Rome tend to take longer) and the complexity of the case. If there is no response within 180 days, it is possible to submit a appeal to the Court for silence-non-compliance.
Family Reunification Costs 2026
Here is a breakdown of all the expenses to be covered:
| Expenditure item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Online application nulla osta (ALI Portal) | Free |
| Revenue stamp | €16,00 |
| Sworn translation for documents | €50 - €150 |
| Legalization / Apostille for documents | €20 - €80 |
| Certificate of suitability for housing | €0 - €50 |
| Visa for family reunification (Consulate) | €116,00 |
| Kit Postale residence permit | €30,46 |
| Residence permit fee | €40 - €100 |
| Estimated total | €300 - €700 |
Translation and legalization costs vary depending on the country of origin and the number of documents and family members. ImmigraFacile We help you optimize costs and avoid unnecessary expenses for unnecessary documents.
What to Do After Your Family Member Arrives in Italy
Once the family member arrives in Italy with a family reunification visa, there are several procedures to complete within specific deadlines:
Within 8 days of arrival
- Residence permit application: through Kit Postale at Poste Italiane, selecting "Family Reasons" as the permit type
- Declaration of hospitality: if the family member is not yet registered in the registry office
In the first 30 days
- Tax ID code: request from the Revenue Agency (free)
- Registration in the registry office: at the Municipality of residence
- Registration with the National Health ServiceNational Health Service, at the local health authority (rights of reunited family members)
- School enrollment: for minor children, at the school of territorial jurisdiction
Rights of reunited family members
The holder of the residence permit for family reasons has full access to the labor market (employed and self-employed), can register with the SSN, access public education and, after 5 years of regular residence, request the EU residence permit for long-term residentsAfter 10 years of residence, you can request the Italian citizenship.
Denial of nulla osta and Appeals
The application for nulla osta can be rejected for several reasons:
- Insufficient income compared to the expected minimums
- Unsuitable accommodation or expired certificate
- Invalid residence permit or lasting less than 1 year
- Incomplete documentation or non-compliant (missing translations, missing legalizations)
- Criminal record of the applicant
- Unproven family connection (unconvincing documents)
In case of refusal, you have 60 days from the notification to submit appeal to the ordinary court (Specialized immigration section). The appeal suspends the effectiveness of the denial. It is also possible to resubmit a new application after resolving the reasons for the denial.
With our legal advice, an attorney specialized in immigration law will evaluate your case and assist you in appealing or resubmitting your application.
Special Cases of Reunification
Reunification and Decreto Flussi
Family reunification is a independent law from the shares of the Decreto FlussiA reunited family member does not "occupy" a share of Decreto Flussi. However, the applicant in Italy requires a valid residence permit—often obtained through Decreto Flussi for employee work.
Reunification with permit pending renewal
It is also possible to apply with the permit in the process of being renewed, provided that a valid renewal application has been submitted and the postal receipt is available. The Sportello Unico will verify the validity of the residence permit.
Reunification for holders of international protection
The owners of international protection (asylum or subsidiary protection) enjoy preferential conditions: there is no requirement for suitable housing or minimum income. It is sufficient to demonstrate housing and an income, even if it is below the minimum standards.
Family cohesion (art. 30 TUI)
If the family member is already in Italy (even irregularly) and the requirements for family reunification exist, he/she can request a residence permit for family cohesion directly to Questura, without the need for nulla osta. This applies to spouses, minor children, and dependent parents already present in the area.
Warning: The most common mistakes cost months
Even a single incorrectly filled-in field, a missing document or a missed deadline can make reject your application — with months of delay and additional costs to resubmit it.
With ImmigraFacile this does not happen:
Frequently Asked Questions about Family Reunification
Requirements: the applicant's residence permit, the family member's passport, translated and legalized birth and/or marriage certificates, proof of income (CU, pay slips, tax return), a certificate of suitability for housing issued by the Municipality, and a rental agreement or property title.
For one family member: €8,813.14/year (social security benefit + half). For two family members: €11,750.85/year. For two or more children under 14: €11,750.85/year. For parents over 65: double the social security benefit. The amounts are updated annually by INPS.
The law requires the nulla osta to be issued within 180 days of the application. After nulla osta, the family member has 6 months to apply for a visa at the Consulate (which has 30 days to decide). The actual processing time ranges from 5 to 12 months.
Yes, it is possible to reunite dependent parents who are over 65, who do not have adequate support in their country of origin, and who have no other children able to support them. Proof of income equal to at least double the social security benefit is required.
It can be requested by non-EU citizens legally residing in Italy with a residence permit valid for at least 1 year, for: non-separated spouse (18+ years), minor children, dependent adult children for health reasons, and dependent parents over 65.
The nulla osta is the authorization issued by the Sportello Unico Immigration Office of the Prefecture. It is the document required for the family member to apply for a family reunification visa at the Italian Consulate in their country of origin.
This is a certificate issued by the municipality certifying that the accommodation complies with the health and hygiene requirements and surface area requirements set by regional legislation. It can be requested from the Technical Office or the Local Health Authority (ASL) of the municipality of residence.
Yes, since 2016 (Cirinnà Law No. 76/2016), same-sex civil unions have been treated as equivalent to marriage for the purposes of family reunification. The civil union partner has the same rights as a spouse.
In the event of a denial, an appeal may be filed with the Ordinary Court (Specialized Immigration Section) within 60 days of notification. The appeal suspends the effectiveness of the denial. It is also possible to resubmit the application after resolving the reasons for the denial.
The online application is free. The main costs are: €16 revenue stamp, certified translations (€50-150 per document), legalizations (€20-80), certificate of suitability for housing (€0-50), consular visa (€116), and Kit Postale (€30.46). Estimated total: €300-€700.
Yes. Family members who obtain a residence permit for family reasons have full access to the Italian labor market, both as employees and self-employed. They can also register with the National Health Service (SSN) and access public education.
Only in specific cases: fully dependent adult children who are unable to support themselves due to serious health conditions resulting in total disability. This condition must be certified by translated and certified medical documentation.
Within 8 days of entry, the family member must apply for a residence permit for family reasons using Kit Postale. They must also request a tax code, register with the municipal registry office, and register with the National Health Service.
Yes, it is possible to apply even if the permit is being renewed, as long as a regular renewal application has been submitted and the postal receipt is available.
These are two different procedures. Family reunification is a right of a legal foreign citizen to allow family members to enter, regardless of quotas. Decreto Flussi establishes annual quotas for the entry of workers. A reunified family member does not occupy quotas of the Decreto Flussi.