Stricter rules for family visas in Italy?
With the new draft law, the Government aims to strengthen the tools used to counter irregular migration and introduce tighter rules for the management of migration. The text is divided into two parts: a first section that will enter into force upon publication in the Official Gazette, and a second section that delegates to the Government a six‑month period to adopt the legislative decrees required to implement the EU directives and to align national law with the new regulations of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum of 14 May 2024.
Main Objectives of the Draft Law
Key points of the draft law:
- strengthens border-control measures to counter irregular migration,
- tightens the criteria for accessing family reunification,
- introduces changes to the reception system,
- and delegates the Government to implement the new EU Pact on asylum and migration.
Changes to Family Reunification Rules
Significant amendments are proposed to the rules on family reunification. The changes affect four key areas: the categories of residence permit holders exempted from demonstrating the two‑year residence requirement introduced in 2024 for having family members join, the financial thresholds, the requirements for marriage, and the categories of family members eligible for reunification.
Exemptions from the Two-Year Residence Requirement
The following no-quota categories will be exempt from the requirement of two years of continuous legal residence before applying for family reunification for their family members:
- intra‑company transferees for managers and executives (national ICT)
- university professors
- workers seconded to Italy under a service agreement
- workers who previously worked for Italian‑based companies for a defined period
- researchers
- EU Blue Card holders
- intra‑company transferees (ICT)
Financial requirements
- The minimum income threshold will be based on different criteria rather than on the social allowance and the amount will be higher
- Subordinate workers (Employees) will be required to demonstrate income from an open‑ended employment contract (no fixed term contract allowed)
- Self‑employed workers must show at least two years of tax returns.
Marriage
- The marriage must be formally registered in Italy.
Eligible family members
- The possibility to reunite with parents and adult disabled dependent children will be removed; only minor children (under 18) and the spouse (with marriage registered in Italy) will remain eligible.
This article refers to a draft law that is still subject to discussion and possible amendments. The information provided is not final and does not constitute official guidance or legal advice.
