Italy · Spouse visas
Italy Spouse of a resident
Income needed: €11k+ a year ≈ $12k
Family reunification (nulla osta) and family-reasons permit for the spouse of a foreign resident, Articles 28-30 Legislative Decree 286/1998
First checked against official sources on Change log
Key facts
Spouse of a resident is a spouse visas route for Italy. Applicants need income of €11k+ a year ≈ $12k. You can work locally. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.
- Money needed
- €11k+ a year ≈ $12k
- Government fees
- €116 ≈ $130
- Processing
- Up to 150 days
Cost, time and long term
To apply: government fee €116 ≈ $130; income to show €11k+/yr ≈ $12k; decision: up to 150 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.
Government fees€116 ≈ $130
- EUR 116 (≈ $130)National visa fee paid when filing the visa application.
Shown, not spent€11k+/yr ≈ $12k
- EUR 10,651.68 a year (≈ $11,900)Sponsor income from lawful sources: annual assegno sociale (EUR7,101.12 (≈ $7,930) in 2026) plus half of it (EUR3,550.56 (≈ $3,970)) for the spouse; further family members add 50% each. Income of cohabiting family members counts.
RenewalRenewable
The family permit has the same duration as the sponsor's permit (at most two years at first) and is renewed together with it.
NormattivaMinistry of Foreign Affairs, Consulate General of Italy in Paris
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 10 years of residence
Naturalisation needs 10 years of legal residence (4 years for EU citizens) and Italian at level B1 or above.
ProcessingUp to 150 days
The family-reunification clearance (nulla osta) must be issued within 150 days of the request; the residence permit is then decided within 90 days.
Where to applyFrom abroad
The sponsor requests the clearance in Italy; the spouse then applies for the national D visa at the Italian consulate.
NormattivaMinistry 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 apply5
- Sponsor holds a residence card or a permit of at least one year for work, self-employment, study, religious or family reasons.
- Sponsor has had uninterrupted legal residence in Italy for at least two years, except holders of international protection.
- Applicant is a spouse (or civil partner) aged 18 or over and not legally separated.
- Reunification is refused if the spouse is already married to another legally resident foreigner in Italy or the marriage is for entry only.
- Sponsor has housing that meets hygiene and suitability standards certified by the municipality.
What you must show1
- Sponsor income from lawful sources is at least the annual assegno sociale plus 50% for the spouse.
Documents2
- Sponsor passport and Italian residence permit, and marriage certificate with the family composition certificate.
- Invitation letter from the sponsor with a municipal residence certificate showing the exact address.
Steps2
- The sponsor files the nulla osta request online with the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione at the prefecture; decision within 150 days.
- With the nulla osta (valid six months) the spouse applies for the national D visa at the Italian consulate.
After you arrive1
- Within 8 working days of arrival the spouse requests the family-reasons residence permit through the post office kit.
What happens at day 183
How Italy decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- 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
- Accommodation
Sponsor has housing that meets hygiene and suitability standards certified by the municipality
- Police certificate and civil documents
Sponsor passport and Italian residence permit, and marriage certificate with the family composition certificate
Taken from this route's requirements above. The authority's own list is the one that counts.
Full official text
For the spouse of a non-EU national who holds a residence permit of at least one year in Italy. It gives a family-reasons residence permit with the same length as the sponsor permit and full work rights. 1 2 3 4
What you must show and pay
- Income of at least EUR 10,651.68 a year (≈ $11,900) · Sponsor income from lawful sources: annual assegno sociale (EUR7,101.12 (≈ $7,930) in 2026) plus half of it (EUR3,550.56 (≈ $3,970)) for the spouse; further family members add 50% each. Income of cohabiting family members counts. 1 3
- A fee of EUR 116 (≈ $130) · National visa fee paid when filing the visa application. 2
Requirements
- Sponsor holds a residence card or a permit of at least one year for work, self-employment, study, religious or family reasons. 1 2
- Sponsor has had uninterrupted legal residence in Italy for at least two years, except holders of international protection. 4
- Applicant is a spouse (or civil partner) aged 18 or over and not legally separated. 1 2
- Reunification is refused if the spouse is already married to another legally resident foreigner in Italy or the marriage is for entry only. 1
- Sponsor has housing that meets hygiene and suitability standards certified by the municipality. 1
- Sponsor income from lawful sources is at least the annual assegno sociale plus 50% for the spouse. 1 3
- Sponsor passport and Italian residence permit, and marriage certificate with the family composition certificate. 2
- Invitation letter from the sponsor with a municipal residence certificate showing the exact address. 2
- The sponsor files the nulla osta request online with the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione at the prefecture; decision within 150 days. 1
- With the nulla osta (valid six months) the spouse applies for the national D visa at the Italian consulate. 2
- Within 8 working days of arrival the spouse requests the family-reasons residence permit through the post office kit. 2
Stay
- The family-reasons permit has the same duration as the sponsor permit and is renewed together with it.
- 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, subject to minimum working age.
Family
Minor children, dependent adult children with total invalidity, and dependent parents can be reunited under Article 29.
Official sources
- Legislative Decree 286/1998, Articles 28-30 (family reunification and family-reasons permit) · 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
- Assegno sociale 2026 amounts · INPS · checked 2026-10-10
- Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 28 (right to family unity) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-11
- Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 5 (residence permit) · Normattiva · 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
- Citizenship by residence, Art. 9 of Law 91/1992 · Ministero dell'Interno · checked 2026-10-11
- Law 91/1992, Art. 9.1 (Italian language level B1 for citizenship) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11
Spouse of a resident and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse of a resident | Needs income of €11k+ a year ≈ $12k | – | Yes |
| Spouse of a citizen | – | 5 yr, renewable | 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 resident?
Income of at least EUR 10,651.68 a year (≈ $11,900). Sponsor income from lawful sources: annual assegno sociale (EUR7,101.12 (≈ $7,930) in 2026) plus half of it (EUR3,550.56 (≈ $3,970)) for the spouse; further family members add 50% each. A fee of EUR 116 (≈ $130). National visa fee paid when filing the visa application.
How long can I stay on the Spouse of a resident?
The family-reasons permit has the same duration as the sponsor permit and is renewed together with it.
How long does the Spouse of a resident take to process?
The family-reunification clearance (nulla osta) must be issued within 150 days of the request; the residence permit is then decided within 90 days.
Can I work on the Spouse of a resident?
Yes. Employment and self-employment allowed, subject to minimum working age.
Can I bring my family on the Spouse of a resident?
Minor children, dependent adult children with total invalidity, and dependent parents can be reunited under Article 29.
Who can apply for the Spouse of a resident?
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 resident lead to permanent residence in Italy?
Time on the Spouse of a resident counts toward permanent residence in Italy, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Spouse of a resident counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.
Is there a tax break for Spouse of a resident 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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An AI assistant answers from the published records on this page and cites them. It can't assess your personal eligibility. Don't include personal details.
How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-11 against 8 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 286/1998, Articles 28-30 (family reunification and family-reasons permit) · 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
- Assegno sociale 2026 amounts · INPS · checked 2026-10-10
- Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 28 (right to family unity) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-11
- Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 5 (residence permit) · Normattiva · 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
- Citizenship by residence, Art. 9 of Law 91/1992 · Ministero dell'Interno · checked 2026-10-11
- Law 91/1992, Art. 9.1 (Italian language level B1 for citizenship) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · 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.