One of the requirements to be able to obtain the recognition of stable, lasting, and not occasional cohabitation is also that of registration. Apart from the cases that can be documented through the recent ruling of the Italian Supreme Court of Cassation, by which it is not essential to be a cohabitee to demonstrate cohabitation, registration with the registry office is one of the requirements for those non-EU nationals who wish to obtain a residence permit for de facto cohabitation with an Italian citizen.
Guide for non-EU citizens. The requirements for stable cohabitation
Non-EU nationals may register with the registry office of any of the municipalities of Italy under certain conditions. A non-EU national can file a personal application for registration with the registry office by going to the registry office of the municipality where he or she intends to reside if he or she has:
- A passport or other valid identification document and entry visa, if required, valid for a stay in Italy of more than 90 days
- Original and valid residence permit or valid long-term EU residence permit
- Certificate of the work activity carried out or to be carried out in Italy, issued by the Single Desk for Immigration, i.e., registered employment contract, in case of employment, or registration with a Chamber of Commerce or VAT registration number if the work activity to be carried out in Italy is on a self-employed basis.
- In the case of students and young workers looking for a job, it is necessary to produce a document attesting to enrolment in educational courses to be attended in Italy, or a document attesting to enrolment in a vocational training course, whether public or private, but recognized in Italy. In the former case, residence and registration are permitted for study purposes and in the latter case for training purposes
- Proof of financial sustenance for oneself and, where applicable, for family members
- Health insurance policy or other title suitable to cover all risks related to health in the national territory.
If the residence application filed with the registry office of an Italian municipality by a non-EU national also regards his or her family members, it is essential to produce also:
- Valid passport or identification document and entry visa for all members of the household
- Original residence permit valid for all members of the family
- Authentic document issued by the competent authorities of the country of origin, demonstrating the composition of the family
Registration with the registry office can also be requested for family reunification and for foreign minors awaiting adoption
In these cases, it is necessary to produce:
- Entry visa for family reunification
- Receipt issued by the Post Office where the application for a residence permit for reunification has been submitted;
- Photocopy of the authorization issued by the Single Desk of the Prefecture.
For foreign children awaiting adoption:
- Copy of the authorization of entry and permanent residence of the child issued by the Commission for International Adoptions;
- Copy of foreign measure of adoption
Obligations for foreign nationals entered in the population registry
The non-EU nationals who have obtained registration with the registry office of the Municipality are obliged to renew every year the declaration of habitual residence in the municipality of residence enclosing the residence permit at the registry office. Or they can renew their declaration of habitual residence in the municipality of residence, or require registration with the registry office of a municipality within 60 days of the application for renewal of the residence permit, producing a photocopy of the expired residence permit and pending renewal, accompanied by the receipt issued by the post office where the application was submitted. The registry officer will subsequently update the foreign national’s personal data, notifying the police department.
Fill out the form and immediately request a residence permit for cohabitation and family reunification with non-EU citizen
