Who is eligible to apply for a ‘family cohesion’?

The ‘family cohesion’ procedure is specifically conceived for Italian or EU citizens already legally residing in Italy, and their family member/s, who are not EU citizens, already legally staying on in the national territory.
Please note that the ‘family cohesion’ procedure also applies towards the following nationals, even though they are not EU citizens:
– Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway;
– The Swiss Confederation;
– San Marino.

For the purpose of family cohesion, the following family members are considered eligible:

• Spouse;
• Partner of a civil union (registered gay partnership) partner of a registered cohabitation in Italy and partner in a stable relationship with the UE citizen with whom the Union citizen has a stable relationship duly attested by official documentation;
• The EU citizen and their spouse’s descendants minor than 21 or economically dependent;
• The EU citizen and their spouse’s parents only if economically dependent;
• Parent of the minor legally residing in Italy;
• Any other family member (relatives up to second degree) living with or dependent on the EU citizen in their country of previous residency ;
• Any other family members (relatives up to second degree) with serious health reasons and in need of the personal assistance of the UE citizen.

Main requirements to apply for the family cohesion

• The person applying for cohesion should already have a valid document to reside in Italy (e.g., tourist visa, work permit, student permit, residence card as a family member of EU citizen issued by another EU Member State, etc);
• The person towards whom the cohesion is requested should have registered their residency in Italy;
• The person towards whom the cohesion is requested should have access to national healthcare or should hold private health insurance for himself/herself and for his/her family member/s;
• The EU citizen should demonstrate a sufficient gross income to sustain themselves and their family member: around 10,000 euros per year in case of one family member; around 14,000 euros in case of 2 applicants applying for the residence permit. Note that also the income of the Non-EU citizen can be used to meet this economic requirement.

Main Procedural Steps

1. Registration of residency of the Italian or Eu citizen (if not already registered);
2. Preparation of the necessary documentation;
3. Application for a residence permit as a family member of an EU citizen;
4. Registration of the applicant’s Fingerprints at the Police headquarter and submission of the original documentation;
5. Issuance of the residence permit.

Validity of the residence permit for family members

The residence card issued to family members of an EU or Italian citizen is a long-term residence permit with a 5-years validity and it is renewable.
The residency card remains valid even in the case of temporary absences of the holder (not exceeding six months per year)..
The residence card for EU family members allows the foreign national to perform work activities in Italy.

Time Frame

The average time frame to obtain the residence permit for family members is 2/3 months from the application date.

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