The status of family member of a European Union citizen grants the holder a particularly favorable treatment for the related requests for Entry Visas for European countries.

EU countries refer to the countries that are part of the European Union (including those that do not adhere to the Schengen Treaty), to which Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein are added, and Switzerland is excluded. Great Britain was treated similarly, but since October 2019, it has completely withdrawn from the agreements.

Specific provisions in this regard are contained in national legislation (Legislative Decree no. 30/2007, issued in implementation of Directive 2004/38/EC) and in European Union legislation (Article 2, paragraph 2, letters a) and b) of the Visa Code and the entire Part III of the Practical Manual).

The family members identified by Article 2 of Legislative Decree no. 30/2007 are:

  • Spouse;
  • The partner who has entered into a registered partnership with the EU citizen under the legislation of a Member State;
  • Direct ascendants who are dependent and those of the spouse or partner;
  • Direct descendants under the age of 21 or dependent and those of the spouse or partner;

Who accompany or join an EU citizen are entitled to obtain the Entry Visa on a priority basis compared to other requests and free of charge.

It should be noted that the documentation to be submitted for family members of EU citizens, as referred to in Article 2, is different (it is not necessary to present health insurance and proof of socio-economic status).

Other family members, referred to in Article 3 of Legislative Decree no. 30/2007, include:

  • Any other family member (siblings, relatives) if they are dependent or cohabit, in the country of origin, with the EU citizen or if serious health reasons require the EU citizen’s personal assistance;
  • The partner with whom the EU citizen has a duly attested stable relationship.

They may enter with a tourist visa, so health insurance must be provided; upon arrival, if accompanying or joining the EU citizen, proof of socio-economic status and “dependent” status and cohabitation in the country of origin and documents proving the family relationship must be provided.

Any requests for visas from foreign family members of EU citizens for trips that are not directly related to the movements of the EU citizen (i.e., not accompanying or joining the EU family member) should be treated as regular visa requests, to be issued if the requirements and conditions specified by the specific type of entry requested are met.

For visa-required applicants, once their status as EU family members has been verified, a visa for crossing external borders must be issued.

The visa issued may be of the tourist type with an indication of the relationship with the EU family member.

If their citizenship is among those of the countries listed in Annex I to Regulation 539/2001, exempt from the Schengen visa requirement, they can travel without any visa requirement.

Within three months of entering national territory, interested parties may apply to the competent Police Headquarters for the issuance of a Residence Card for family members of EU citizens, by submitting the documents required by Article 10 of Legislative Decree no. 30/2007:

  • Valid ordinary passport;
  • Passport-sized photograph;
  • Registration certificate of the EU citizen family member or identity card if they are Italian citizens;
  • Documentation proving the family relationship: if produced abroad, it must be translated into Italian, or multilingual, and legalized by the Italian Embassy or Consulate or apostilled if coming from a country that adheres to the Hague Convention;
  • Any documentation proving the dependency of the regular resident in Italy and income.

For further information and details, please visit the page:

http://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/entryexit/non-eu-family/index_it.htm.