Difference between family reunification and family cohesion: which is the better option for Non-EU family members?

When discussing immigration in Italy, two concepts often confused yet profoundly different are family reunification and family cohesion. Both are essential tools for protecting the right to family unity, but each follows its own administrative path, depending mainly on the situation of the family member already living in Italy and the status of the person who wishes to join them.

Family reunification is the procedure intended for non-EU citizens who wish to move to Italy to live with a non-EU family member who is already legally residing in the country. It is a structured process that begins with an application for a nulla osta (authorization) from the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione at the Prefecture with territorial jurisdiction. Only after obtaining this document can the applicant request a family reunification visa from the Italian consulate in their country of origin. Once in Italy, the final step is to apply for a residence permit at the competent Questura (police headquarters), which formalizes their legal stay for family reasons.

Family cohesion, on the other hand, applies to non-EU citizens who are already on Italian territory — for example, with a Schengen visa or under visa-free entry rules for short stays — and who wish to regularize their status in order to live with a legally resident non-EU family member. In this case, the procedure is more straightforward: there is no need to apply for a nulla osta or an entry visa, since the residence permit application can be submitted directly within Italy.

The main difference between the two procedures lies in the timing and conditions of entry into Italian territory. Family reunification presupposes that the family member still lives abroad and requires a visa to enter legally; moreover, the family member already residing in Italy must have been legally present for at least two years (except in the case of reunification with minor children or holders of specific types of residence permits such as the EU Blue Card or the EU ICT permit). Family cohesion, by contrast, concerns those who are already in Italy and wish to regularize their stay on the basis of family ties.

In both cases, the final outcome is the granting of a residence permit for family reasons, which allows the holder to work, access the national health system, and renew the permit indefinitely, provided the conditions that justified its issuance continue to exist. However, it is crucial to carefully assess which of the two procedures applies to one’s situation, as the requirements and processing times may vary depending on personal circumstances and the status of the resident family member.

Understanding the distinction between reunification and cohesion is therefore not merely a matter of terminology, but a fundamental step in correctly undertaking the path toward legal status and family stability in Italy.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.