Family cohesion in Italy: the 90-day rule
Family cohesion in Italy: the 90-day rule A recent ruling by the Italian Supreme Court has clarified an important deadline for non-EU citizens who enter Italy without a visa and wish to apply for a residence permit for family reasons while already in the country. Family cohesion under Italian law Article 30, paragraph 1(c), of Legislative Decree no. 286/1998 allows a foreign family member who is legally staying in Italy and meets the requirements for family reunification to obtain a residence permit for family reasons. This can be particularly relevant where the family member is already in Italy and would otherwise need to leave the country and start a family reunification procedure from abroad. The Supreme Court: apply within the period of legal stay With judgment no. 8306 of 3 April 2026, the First Civil Section of the Italian Supreme Court clarified the position of non-EU nationals who enter Italy under a visa-exemption regime. According to the Court, a person who enters Ital...