Italy · Spouse visas
Italy Spouse of a citizen
First stay: 5 yrs
Family-reasons visa and residence permit for the foreign spouse or registered partner of an Italian citizen
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Spouse of a citizen is a spouse visas route for Italy. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Government fees
- €30.46 ≈ $34
- Processing
- Up to 90 days
- First stay
- 5 yrs
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee €30.46 ≈ $34; decision: up to 90 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees€30.46 ≈ $34
- EUR 30.46 (≈ $34)Cost of the electronic residence permit card for a permit longer than 90 days; a contribution of EUR 40, (≈ $45) 50 or 100 depending on permit duration or type and a EUR 16 (≈ $18) tax stamp are also payable.
RenewalRenewable
The family-reasons permit is valid five years and can be renewed.
Permanent residenceAfter 5 years of residence
The EU long-term residence permit needs five years on a valid residence permit, income at least the annual social allowance, and an Italian language test; it is issued within 90 days.
CitizenshipAfter 2 years of marriage
A spouse can apply after two years of legal residence following the marriage, or three years after marriage if living abroad; both periods are halved if the couple has children.
ProcessingUp to 90 days
A residence permit must be issued, renewed or converted within 90 days of the application when requirements are met (Art. 5(9)).
Where to applyFrom abroad
Apply for the national D visa for family reasons at the Italian consulate, then request the permit within 8 working days of arrival.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate General of Italy in Paris
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Applications are made from outside Italy, not after arriving
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports
What you'll need
Who can apply2
- Applicant is the spouse of an Italian citizen, or the partner in a registered union that Italian law treats as marriage.
- The Italian citizen lives permanently in Italy or is about to move there.
What you must show1
- The national D visa for family reasons is issued free of charge.
Documents4
- Medical insurance and a flight reservation are not required for this visa.
- Long-stay visa application form, passport valid three months beyond the stay, and a passport photo.
- Invitation letter from the Italian spouse stating the intention to live together, with an identity document.
- Marriage certificate registered in Italy, or proof that its Italian registration has been started.
Steps2
- Apply for the national D visa for family reasons at the Italian consulate; no employment clearance (nulla osta) is needed.
- Within 8 working days of arrival, request the family-reasons residence permit through the post office kit.
After you arrive2
- The family-reasons residence permit is valid for five years and can be renewed.
- Spouses who used EU free movement instead request the 5-year family member residence card at the police headquarters after three months.
What happens at day 183
How Italy decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
5 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 183 days in a tax year (184 days in leap years)A person who for most of the year (at least 183 days, 184 in leap years) satisfies at least one residence condition is resident in Italy for income tax.
- Foreign-source income
Flat lump sum EUR 300,000
Optional annual lump sum replacing Italian tax on foreign-source income: EUR300,000 (≈ $335,000) for people transferring residence from 1 January 2026 (Law 199/2025), EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000) for transfers between 11 August 2024 and 31 December 2025, EUR100,000 (≈ $112,000) for earlier transfers; the effect ends after fifteen years.
- Special regime
Substitute tax for new residents on foreign-source income · Tax relief
All tax rules for Italy Tax records checked
What you need to arrange
- Health insurance
Medical insurance and a flight reservation are not required for this visa
- Police certificate and civil documents
Marriage certificate registered in Italy, or proof that its Italian registration has been started
Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.
Full official text
For the non-EU spouse or registered civil partner of an Italian citizen living in Italy. It gives a free national entry visa and a five-year family-reasons residence permit with full work rights. 1 2 3 4
What you must show and pay
- A fee of EUR 30.46 (≈ $34) · Cost of the electronic residence permit card for a permit longer than 90 days; a contribution of EUR 40, (≈ $45) 50 or 100 depending on permit duration or type and a EUR 16 (≈ $18) tax stamp are also payable. 4
Requirements
- Applicant is the spouse of an Italian citizen, or the partner in a registered union that Italian law treats as marriage. 1
- The Italian citizen lives permanently in Italy or is about to move there. 2
- The national D visa for family reasons is issued free of charge. 3
- Medical insurance and a flight reservation are not required for this visa. 3
- Long-stay visa application form, passport valid three months beyond the stay, and a passport photo. 3
- Invitation letter from the Italian spouse stating the intention to live together, with an identity document. 2
- Marriage certificate registered in Italy, or proof that its Italian registration has been started. 3
- Apply for the national D visa for family reasons at the Italian consulate; no employment clearance (nulla osta) is needed. 2
- Within 8 working days of arrival, request the family-reasons residence permit through the post office kit. 2
- The family-reasons residence permit is valid for five years and can be renewed. 1
- Spouses who used EU free movement instead request the 5-year family member residence card at the police headquarters after three months. 1
Stay
- Family-reasons residence permit valid five years, renewable, and convertible to a work permit. Applies to spouses of Italian citizens who have not used EU free movement; those who did get the EU family residence card valid five years.
- Initial permitted stay: 60 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.
Nationality
Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.
Work
Employment and self-employment allowed; the permit can be converted into a work permit.
Family
Direct descendants under 21 or dependent, and dependent parents of the citizen or spouse, are also covered.
Official sources
- Legislative Decree 30/2007, Articles 2, 5, 10 and 23 (family members of Italian and EU citizens) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-10
- Family reasons visa: family of Italian or EU citizens, and family reunification with a foreign resident · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate General of Italy in Paris · checked 2026-10-10
- Family reasons visa information sheet for foreign family members of Italian and EU citizens · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Italy in Tunis · checked 2026-10-10
- How, where and how much: applying for a residence permit · State Police (Polizia di Stato) · checked 2026-10-11
- Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 9 (EU long-term resident permit) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11
- Law 91/1992, Art. 5 (citizenship by marriage) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11
- Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 5 (residence permit) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-11
Spouse of a citizen and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse of a citizen | – | 5 yr, renewable | Yes |
| Spouse of a resident | Needs income of €11k+ a year ≈ $12k | – | Yes |
| Spouse of a citizen Portugal | – | – | – |
| Spouse of a resident Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes |
| Spouse of a resident Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the Spouse of a citizen?
A fee of EUR 30.46 (≈ $34). Cost of the electronic residence permit card for a permit longer than 90 days; a contribution of EUR 40, (≈ $45) 50 or 100 depending on permit duration or type and a EUR 16 (≈ $18) tax stamp are also payable.
How long can I stay on the Spouse of a citizen?
Family-reasons residence permit valid five years, renewable, and convertible to a work permit.
How long does the Spouse of a citizen take to process?
A residence permit must be issued, renewed or converted within 90 days of the application when requirements are met (Art.
Can I work on the Spouse of a citizen?
Yes. Employment and self-employment allowed; the permit can be converted into a work permit.
Can I bring my family on the Spouse of a citizen?
Direct descendants under 21 or dependent, and dependent parents of the citizen or spouse, are also covered.
Who can apply for the Spouse of a citizen?
Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.
Does the Spouse of a citizen lead to permanent residence in Italy?
Time on the Spouse of a citizen counts toward permanent residence in Italy, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Spouse of a citizen counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 2 years of marriage.
Is there a tax break for Spouse of a citizen holders in Italy?
Substitute tax for new residents on foreign-source income (Art. 24-bis TUIR, flat tax): Optional annual lump sum replacing Italian tax on foreign-source income: EUR300,000 (≈ $335,000) for people transferring residence from 1 January 2026 (Law 199/2025), EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000) for transfers between 11 August 2024 and 31 December 2025, EUR100,000 (≈ $112,000) for earlier transfers; the effect ends after fifteen years. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.
Tax
Special regime
Substitute tax for new residents on foreign-source income (Art. 24-bis TUIR, flat tax)
Tax relief
Details
- Who: Not resident in Italy for at least nine of the ten tax periods before the option starts
- Limit: €300k/yr ≈ $335k
Optional annual lump sum replacing Italian tax on foreign-source income: EUR300,000 (≈ $335,000) for people transferring residence from 1 January 2026 (Law 199/2025), EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000) for transfers between 11 August 2024 and 31 December 2025, EUR100,000 (≈ $112,000) for earlier transfers; the effect ends after fifteen years.
Taxed on
Foreign-source income of eligible individuals who transfer residence to Italy; Italian-source income is taxed under ordinary rules.
Who it applies to
- Not resident in Italy for at least nine of the ten tax periods before the option starts.
- The option is made in the tax return for the transfer year or the next one; an advance ruling request (interpello) is possible.
- Family members who meet the same residence test can be added at EUR50,000 (≈ $55,900) each a year from 1 January 2026 (EUR25,000 (≈ $27,900) for earlier cohorts).
- The option can exclude chosen foreign states, whose income is then taxed under ordinary rules with a foreign tax credit.
Exclusions
- Italian-source income stays under ordinary taxation.
- Gains on substantial participations (Art. 67(1)(c) TUIR) realised in the first five option periods are outside the lump sum.
- Revocation or loss of the option (for example for non-payment) bars a new option.
Limits
- EUR 300,000 a year (≈ $335,000) · Main taxpayer: residence transferred from 1 January 2026 (Law 199/2025 art. 1 paras. 25-26 raised EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000) to EUR300,000 (≈ $335,000))
- EUR 50,000 a year (≈ $55,900) · Per family member, residence transferred from 1 January 2026
- EUR 200,000 a year (≈ $223,000) · Main taxpayer: residence transferred 11 August 2024 to 31 December 2025
- EUR 25,000 a year (≈ $27,900) · Per family member, transfers before 1 January 2026
- EUR 100,000 a year (≈ $112,000) · Main taxpayer: transfers before 11 August 2024
Tax residence
The cohort is set by the date residence is transferred to Italy. The lump sum is paid in one instalment by the balance-payment deadline, and the option lapses after fifteen tax periods.
Visas
No visa is needed for the election; it is a tax option.
Other taxes
Italian VAT, social contributions and local taxes are separate.
Checked against official sources on Change log
More in Italy
Spouse and partner visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 7 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Legislative Decree 30/2007, Articles 2, 5, 10 and 23 (family members of Italian and EU citizens) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-10
- Family reasons visa: family of Italian or EU citizens, and family reunification with a foreign resident · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate General of Italy in Paris · checked 2026-10-10
- Family reasons visa information sheet for foreign family members of Italian and EU citizens · Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Italy in Tunis · checked 2026-10-10
- How, where and how much: applying for a residence permit · State Police (Polizia di Stato) · checked 2026-10-11
- Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 9 (EU long-term resident permit) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11
- Law 91/1992, Art. 5 (citizenship by marriage) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11
- Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 5 (residence permit) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.