Family Cohesion with a non-EU citizen already legally residing in Italy

What is ‘family cohesion’ with someone legally residing in Italy?

This procedure is available to foreign nationals who wish to apply for a residence permit based on a family relationship with a non-EU citizen already residing in Italy, and who are already legally staying in Italy either with (a) a residence permit other than for family reasons, or (b) who hold a valid passport allowing short-term entry into the Schengen area, or (c) who hold a tourist visa.

The following family members are eligible:

• Spouse or partner of a civil union (registered same-sex union);
• Minor children;
• Economically dependent and disabled adult children;
• Economically dependent parents, provided they have no other children in their country of origin (or, even if present, they cannot support them for serious health reasons);
• Parents over the age of sixty-five, provided they have no other children in their country of origin (or, if present, they cannot support them for serious health reasons);
• Parent of a minor already residing in Italy;
• Siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles who are already cohabitants with an Italian citizen.

Main Requirements

• The person applying for the family residence permit (the person applying for the so called “cohesion”) must already have a valid document authorizing the stay in Italy, at least on a temporary basis (e.g., a work or study permit, a valid passport allowing a temporary stay, or a tourist visa);
• The family member already permanently residing in Italy towards whom the “cohesion” is requested must have a valid residence permit with a duration of at least one year from the date of issue;
• The family member already permanently residing in Italy to whom the “cohesion” is requested must have suitable accommodation in Italy that meets hygienic and sanitary legal requirements;
• The family member already permanently residing in Italy to whom the “cohesion” is requested must prove that they have a minimum gross annual income from lawful sources of no less than €11,000 (for the first family member), increased by €3,500 gross for each additional family member. The income of both cohabiting spouses can be taken into account to meet the legal requirements;
• If the family member is over 65 years old, private health insurance or registration with the national health insurance is required.

Main Procedural Steps

1. Application for a residence permit for family reasons by the applicant for family cohesion. The application must be submitted within one year of the expiry of the permit currently held or before the end of the period of stay allowed by one’s tourist visa or visa-free passport;
2. Registration of the applicant’s fingerprints at the competent Police Headquarters and submission of the relevant documentation in original;
3. Issuance of the residence permit.

Validity of the residence permit for family members

The residence permit for family members has the same duration as the residence permit held by the person to whom the “cohesion” is requested.
The residence permit is renewable under the same conditions as the first issue, as long as the foreigner is never away from the Italian territory for six continuous months or more.
The residence permit for family reasons allows working activities.
After 5 years of holding an Italian residence permit, one can apply for a permanent residence permit (also known as a long-term permit), provided they are registered as civil and tax resident in Italy at the time of application and can demonstrate knowledge of the Italian language at level A2 (the second level on a six-level scale).

Time Frame

On average, it takes around 2 or 3 months from the application to obtain a residence permit for family members.

For further reading, see also:

• What is the difference between family cohesion and family reunification?