Italy spouse visa: family of Italian or EU citizens

The rules cover the spouse, a registered partner where the partner's EU state equates partnership with marriage, children (including the spouse's) under 21 or dependent, and dependent parents and parents-in-law. Italy also facilitates entry for a stable partner with official proof of the relationship.

Bring an invitation letter from the Italian or EU relative stating the wish to exercise family unity, with their ID; proof of the relationship such as a marriage certificate; and, where dependency matters, proof of regular remittances. Foreign documents need Italian translation and legalisation or an apostille.

Apply at the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence, directly or through its external service provider. By law the visa is free and handled with priority, and no nulla osta is needed.

After three months in Italy, a family member of an EU citizen applies to the local Questura for the residence card, with passport, proof of the family link, the EU citizen's municipal registration certificate and four photos. A receipt is issued at once; the card is valid five years and costs only printing. Family of Italian citizens who have not used free movement receive a five-year family permit, renewable and convertible to a work permit.

After five years of continuous legal residence, apply to the Questura before the card expires; the permanent card is issued within 90 days and is lost only after more than two years away in a row. Divorce does not end the right if the marriage lasted three years, one of them in Italy.

Family members may do any employed or self-employed work except jobs reserved for Italians. Refusal of the right of residence can be challenged before the ordinary courts.