PERMESSO DI SOGGIORNO
per motivi familiari
The Permesso di soggiorno per motivi familiari is a residence permit granted to foreign nationals who reunite with close relatives legally residing in Italy (Article 30, D.lgs. 286/1998).
⚖️ 1. Legal framework
Article 30 of D.lgs. 286/1998 establishes the legal basis for obtaining a permesso for family reasons: reunification with Italian or EU citizens, or with foreign nationals holding legal residence, as well as parents of minor Italian citizens.
The D.P.R. 394/1999 regulation specifies the procedures and time limits for applications.
2. Who is eligible to apply
- A person who entered Italy with a national type D visa for ricongiungimento familiare (family reunification).
- A foreigner who has resided in Italy for more than one year and has married an Italian citizen.
- A foreigner holding any valid permesso (study, lavoro, etc.).
- Close relatives of refugees or persons under humanitarian protection.
- A foreign parent of a minor Italian citizen.
Who qualifies as a familiare?
Main categories of family members:
- Spouse (not legally separated), over 18 years old;
- Minor children (including those born out of wedlock or children of the spouse), with the other parent’s consent;
- Adult children with disabilities who are fully dependent on the parent;
- Minor children who are adopted or under legal guardianship;
- Parents, if:
- they have no other children in their country of origin, or
- they are over 65 years old and other children cannot provide support for health reasons.
⚙️ 3. Step-by-step procedure
If entry is based on a visa (ricongiungimento familiare):
- Obtain a national type D visa (ricongiungimento familiare).
- Upon entry to Italy, submit the application (Modulo 1) through Poste Italiane (kit) within 8 days.
- Wait for an appointment at the Questura for photos and fingerprints.
- Receive the ricevuta, confirming legal residence.
- Wait for the permesso to be processed (2–6 months).
- Collect the issued Permesso at the Questura.
If applying within Italy (conversion):
- Prepare all required documents.
- Submit via Poste Italiane (kit) or, in some cases, directly at the Questura.
- Receive the ricevuta → wait → attend the fingerprint appointment.
- Collect the Permesso once approved.
4. List of required documents
- Passport with type D visa (ricongiungimento familiare) and copies of all pages;
- Completed Modulo 1;
- Kit Poste receipts, marca da bollo, and envelope;
- Four passport-size photos;
- Codice fiscale of both the applicant and the sponsor;
- Document proving family relationship (certificate or autocertificazione);
- Written declaration of financial support from the sponsor (dichiarazione di sostentamento).
Foreign documents must bear an apostille and legalization, be officially translated into Italian, and have the translation notarized in Italy.
🧾 What is dichiarazione di sostentamento?
It is a written declaration by the hosting family member guaranteeing financial support (housing, food, essential expenses) for the applicant requesting the permesso familiare.
It is usually required when:
- The family member arrives in Italy for family reunification;
- The applicant has no personal income in Italy;
- Actual financial dependence is proven (convivenza e mantenimento).
💶 Minimum income thresholds
These are established annually based on the Assegno Sociale.
In 2025, the Assegno Sociale amount is:
€583.58 per month → €7,002.97 per year.
| Number of Dependents | Minimum Annual Income |
| 1 person | €7,002.97 |
| 1 person + 1 family member | €10,504.45 |
| 1 person + 2 family members | €14,005.00 |
🏠 Housing
The application must include proof of suitable housing (idoneità abitativa).
What is the idoneità abitativa certificate?
It certifies that the housing meets the minimum health and technical standards required for residence.
Where to obtain it:
At the Ufficio Tecnico or Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione at the Comune of residence.
Main criteria verified:
- Housing area (minimum 14 m² per person);
- Availability of heating, water, ventilation, windows, sanitary facilities;
- No more than two persons per room (recommended).
Regional authorities may establish different minimum space standards..
5. Validity period
The Permesso is issued:
- For the same duration as the family member’s residence permit (usually 1 or 2 years);
- Renewable at the same time as theirs.
Costs
Postal fee — €30.00 (fixed)
Marca da bollo — €16.00
Application fee — €70.46 to €100.46 (depending on duration — 1–2 years)
Electronic card — €30.46
Total ≈ €140–160
7. Rights
- No nulla osta required for employment.
- The holder may work without converting the permesso to a work type.
- Access to healthcare, education, and social assistance.
8. Main reasons for refusal and common mistakes
❌ Reasons for refusal
- Missing documents proving family relationship;
- Insufficient income of the sponsor;
- Inadequate or non-compliant housing;
- Forged or untranslated documents;
- Late submission;
- Failure to confirm convivenza (cohabitation).
⚠️ Common mistakes
- Choosing the wrong application type (e.g., conversion instead of first issuance);
- Submitting an incomplete document set;
- Missing renewal deadlines;
- Failure to show the ricevuta at the Questura;
Missing the fingerprint appointment.
9. Conversion from other types of Permesso and status change
Who can apply
- Foreign nationals with another permesso (study, lavoro, etc.) within 1 year after expiry;
- Spouses, children, or parents of Italian, EU, or non-EU citizens with a valid permesso;
- Parents of a minor Italian citizen;
- Refugees and their relatives.
📋 Conditions for conversion
- Documented family relationship;
- Proof of housing (idoneità abitativa certificate);
- Sufficient income of the sponsor;
- Valid dichiarazione di sostentamento.
🧠 10. Tips and important information
- Seek help from a Patronato or an immigration lawyer when applying.
- Always obtain and keep the ricevuta — it confirms legal status.
- If the family relationship ends, the permesso is not immediately revoked.
- Autocertificazione (self-declaration) is often accepted when official documents are temporarily unavailable.
- It is best if the sponsor has stable employment and an official income declaration (CUD or dichiarazione dei redditi).
- Never miss your Questura appointment — failure to appear may lead to case closure.
Useful links
- https://questure.poliziadistato.it/
- www.portaleimmigrazione.it
- www.poste.it
- www.interno.gov.it/it/temi/immigrazione-e-asilo/ricongiungimento-familiare
- https://www.inps.it
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who can apply for the Permesso familiare?
🔹 Close relatives of Italian, EU, or non-EU citizens holding a valid permesso: spouse, children, parents, and parents of minor Italian citizens.
2. Which documents prove family relationship?
🔹 Birth or marriage certificates, or an official declaration (autocertificazione).
Foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Italian.
3. Is housing and income required?
🔹 Yes. The hosting family member must provide proof of housing (rental contract or ospitalità) and income above the minimum threshold.
4. How much income is required for family reunification?
🔹 At least €6,542.51 per year for one dependent, increasing with the number of family members.
5. Must the application be submitted through Poste?
🔹 In most cases, yes — through kit Poste (Modulo 1) → Questura.
In some cases, it can be filed directly at the Questura.
6. Can I work with this permesso?
🔹 Yes. The Permesso familiare allows both employed (lavoro subordinato) and self-employed (lavoro autonomo) work without conversion.
7. How long is this permesso valid?
🔹 Usually for the same period as that of the family member being reunited with (1–2 years), and renewable together.
8. What happens in case of divorce or death of the relative?
🔹 Within one year, the holder may convert the permesso to another type — for work, study, or job search.
9. Can I apply for Italian citizenship with this permesso?
🔹 Yes, but only after 10 years of legal residence in Italy (or 2 years if married to an Italian citizen).
10. How long does it take to receive the permesso after submission?
🔹 By law — up to 60 days. In practice — 2 to 6 months, depending on the region.
We have prepared for you a detailed PDF Guide: it includes all the steps and procedures for obtaining the Permesso di soggiorno per motivi familiari.
Download and use it as a ready-to-go manual!