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Everything you need to know to reunite your family in Italy
Family reunification under Articles 28-30 of the Italian Immigration Act is the ordinary route for eligible family members of non-EU sponsors lawfully resident in Italy. Family members of Italian or EU citizens follow the separate national family-visa and residence rules under Legislative Decree 30/2007, without an ordinary SUI nulla osta.
For an Article 29 application, eligible relatives include a spouse not legally separated, minor children, dependent adult children who cannot permanently provide for their essential needs because of total disability, and qualifying dependent parents. The two-year continuous legal-residence requirement normally applies to applications for a spouse, a disabled adult child or parents. It does not apply to reunification with a minor child or to beneficiaries of international protection; special EU regimes also protect ICT workers and EU Blue Card holders.
Income is linked to the annual social allowance and must be updated every year. For 2026, the base amount is €7,101.12, increased by one half for each family member to be reunited, subject to the special rule for two or more children under 14. Suitable housing is also required where Article 29 applies. The initial family permit may not exceed two years and each renewal may not exceed three years. It authorizes work and access to the National Health Service.
Legal basis / Official references: Consolidated Immigration Act, Articles 28–30 — Family reunification and family residence permits · Ministry of the Interior — Documents for family-reunification applications
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Review the requirements, documents and procedural steps below.
Family reunification can be requested by:
Family members of Italian and EU citizens follow the national family-visa and residence regime under Legislative Decree 30/2007. The ordinary Article 29 SUI nulla osta is not required
Eligible non-EU sponsors use the Article 29 route. Two years of continuous legal residence normally apply for a spouse, disabled adult child or parents, but not for a minor child, international-protection beneficiary or qualifying ICT/EU Blue Card case
Eligible family members:
Adult spouse not legally separated
Minor children (including stepchildren or born out of wedlock)
Adult children with total disability who are completely dependent
Dependent parents with no other children in the country of origin or residence, or parents over 65 whose other children cannot support them because of documented serious health reasons
Core family members and qualifying extended family members or durable partners are assessed under the separate Legislative Decree 30/2007 route, not the ordinary Article 29 list
Complete document checklist for your application
Verify today’s reunification test We calculate today’s income threshold, check whether the two-year residence rule or an exemption applies, and review housing before SUI filing. We then align the Prefettura authorization with the Consulate’s authentication requirements for civil-status documents.
Foreign civil-status records are translated into Italian and apostilled or legalized only where required by the issuing country, the applicable international convention and the competent authority. The electronic procedure also requires compliant digital copies.
With Future Italian we manage coordination between SUI, consulates and police headquarters. We guide you through every phase of family reunification with the expertise of those who know every detail of Italian regulations.
Filing responsibilities, authority steps and expected sequence
Electronic application at the Single Immigration Office (SUI) of the competent Prefecture. Access via SPID or Electronic Identity Card. Registration on ALI portal and digital documentation upload.
How long does it take?
The complete family reunification process from nulla osta request to residence permit issuance.
Family reunification requires thorough knowledge of Italian procedures and coordinated management between SUI, consulates and police headquarters. With Future Italian, every step is guided by experts who understand the importance of reuniting families and ensuring a smooth procedure.
Preliminary assessment of requirements and reunification feasibility. Optimal strategy for your specific case. Guidance on timelines and critical aspects of the procedure
Support in collecting and preparing all documentation. Coordination of sworn translations and legalizations/apostilles. Verification of completeness and document compliance
Assistance in registration and use of the electronic portal. Accurate compilation of all required forms. Management of communications with SUI and consular representations
Constant control of progress status. Timely intervention in case of delays or clarification requests. Coordination between different phases of the procedure
Assistance for residence permit application. Support for civil registration and NHS enrollment. Guidance for integration agreement and advice for future renewals
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