FAMIT Residence Card in Italy: Complete Guide
What is the FAMIT residence card, who can apply, its rights and benefits, and the new rules introduced on June 1, 2024.
Family Visa
Sep 11, 2025
3 min read
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FAMIT Residence Card
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5-year renewable residence permit
Work freely in any sector and without restrictions in Italy
Access to Italy’s public healthcare and social system
Free travel in the Schengen area
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Introduction
What You Need to Know
Everything you need to know to obtain the Residence Card for family members
FAMIT Residence Card — a 5-year residence permit for non-EU family members of Italian citizens.
It guarantees key rights: unrestricted work in Italy, access to public healthcare, education, social services, and free travel within the Schengen area (up to 90 days every 180).
Since June 1, 2024, the procedure to obtain the FAMIT has become stricter: it must start from the family member's country of residence unless they are already in Italy with a valid residence permit that can be converted.
This card officially recognizes the family relationship and opens the door to a stable, opportunity-filled life in Italy, including the possibility of obtaining a long-term EU residence permit in the future.
Ready to start your journey? Follow the steps below to understand the complete process.
Step 1
Who can apply for the FAMIT?
Non-EU family members of Italian citizens who fall into one of these categories can apply for the FAMIT:
💑
Always eligible
Spouse or Partner
Spouse or partner in registered civil union with Italian citizen
👶
Always eligible
Children under 21
Children (biological or adoptive), including those of the spouse, under 21 years old
👴
Dependent Only
Parents and Ascendants
Parents and ascendants (including those of the spouse) who are financially dependent
🏠
Mandatory
Registered Cohabitation
Registered cohabitation with the registry office is mandatory for all applicants
Additional Information
Children under 21 are always eligible without proof of economic dependency. Parents over 65 must have health coverage (NHS or private insurance). For family members already in Italy with a valid permit, direct conversion is possible.
Step 2
Step 2: Required Documents
Complete document checklist for your application
📋
Personal Documents
Valid passport (all relevant pages) + 4 passport-size photos
Identity document of the Italian citizen
Family status certificate (Municipality, valid for 6 months)
Proof of family relationship: marriage, birth, adoption certificate
💰
Financial Support Documents
Declaration of hospitality or proof of accommodation
Latest tax return of the Italian citizen (CU/730/Unico)
For dependent family members: bank statements, regular transfers, official documents of economic dependency
📝
Translations and Legalizations
Sworn translations into Italian of foreign documents
Apostille or legalization if required
For EU documents: possible exemption from legalization (EU Reg. 2016/1191)
Translation & Legalization
All foreign documents must be officially translated into Italian and legalized with apostille or consular authentication. Times may vary from 60 to 180 days, with a legal maximum of 60 days from application submission.
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Step 3
Step 3: Application Process
From start to finish: here's everything that happens step by step
1
National Visa (if necessary)
If the family member is abroad without a valid permit, they must obtain a National Visa for family reasons (VN) at the Italian consulate (valid 365 days, multiple entries, free of charge).
2
Document Collection
Preparation of all required documents: passport, Italian citizen's documents, family certificates, proof of support, and sworn translations.
3
Application Submission
Within 8 days of entry into Italy, submit the application via postal kit (yellow envelope) or directly at the Police Headquarters. Immediate receipt for legal residence.
4
Waiting and Monitoring
The Police Headquarters examines the application. During the wait, the applicant has the right to legal residence and work thanks to the submission receipt.
5
Summons and Collection
Receive SMS from Police Headquarters for collection. Present original documents and receive the FAMIT Residence Card valid for 5 years.
6
Post-Issuance Registrations
NHS registration, registry registrations, possible passport application. Complete access to all services and rights in Italy.
🎉 Your FAMIT Residence Card has been issued! You now have full residence and work rights in Italy.
How long does it take?
The complete FAMIT process from initial application to card issuance.
2-6
months
Average processing time
How Future Italian Can Help You
Obtaining the FAMIT Residence Card requires in-depth knowledge of Italian procedures and careful management of all documents. With Future Italian, every step is guided by experts who understand the importance of reuniting families.
Personalized consultation
Personalized consultation to verify your FAMIT eligibility, analysis of necessary documentation, and assessment of specific timelines for your case
Document assistance
Document assistance to obtain, translate, and legalize foreign documents, support to obtain necessary certifications and documents in Italy and abroad
Completion/submission support
Support with completion/submission of the application via postal kit or online booking, accompaniment in presentation at competent offices
Application monitoring
Application monitoring until permit issuance, timeline control, and communications with Police Headquarters for updates
Post-issuance support
Post-issuance support: NHS registration, registry registrations, passport application, and complete access to Italian services
You focus on your family. We handle the bureaucracy.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about this service
The complete process generally requires 2-6 months. Official waiting times are 60-180 days from application submission, with a legal maximum of 60 days. During the wait, the receipt guarantees residence and work rights.
Yes, the receipt issued immediately after application submission guarantees legal residence and full right to work while waiting for the definitive card issuance.
Since June 1, 2024, it is no longer possible to enter with a tourist visa or Schengen visa and then apply for the FAMIT. It is mandatory to first obtain a National Visa for family reasons at the Italian consulate abroad.
Yes, if you are already in Italy with a valid residence permit and start a registered cohabitation or marry an Italian citizen, you can request conversion to FAMIT, immediately obtaining a 5-year valid document.
The FAMIT guarantees unrestricted work, public healthcare, access to education, social services, and travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days every 180 days.
After 5 years you can renew the FAMIT if the family bond continues, or apply for the EU permit for long-term residents (valid 10 years). After 10 years, the indefinite-term card is possible.
Yes, absences of up to 6 months per year are allowed (12 months for specific reasons like study or health). Longer absences may compromise renewal.
Children over 21 can obtain the FAMIT only if they demonstrate economic dependence on the Italian citizen. Under 21 years they are always eligible without proof of dependence.
Yes, parents over 65 must have health coverage through NHS (once the FAMIT is obtained) or private insurance during the application procedure.
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