On May 7, 2018, with immediate effect, the Italian Ministry of Labour clarified that applicants for residence permits for family reasons can start work as soon as they have submitted the application.

Applicants should keep the postal receipt (ricevuta postale) to prove that the application has been submitted.

Until now, family permit applicants have had to wait several months for the issuance of their residence permits before being allowed to start work.

The residence permit for family reasons allows employment or self-employment without the need for a subordinate work permit.

Employers seeking to hire family residence permit holders can plan to do so as soon as their residence permit has been submitted.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.