Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Family EU (Free)Verified 2026-04-20Italy Family EU Reunion C — Spouse/Civil Union/Children/Dependent Parents/In-Laws
Free-of-charge Schengen C visa under Directive 2004/38/EC + Article 5 of Legislative Decree 30/2007 for family members of EU/Italian citizens. Family members include: Spouse (registered marriage), Direct descendants under age 21 (or dependent descendants), Dependent direct ascendants (including spouse/partner's). All applications decided by Visa Section of Italian Embassy — VFS staff does NOT have authority to assess or decide.
Heads up — Italy Visa Checklists Vary by Jurisdiction
The info below is per the Embassy of Italy, New Delhi (North Jurisdiction).
Italy splits visa decisions across 4 Indian consulates — New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru — each with slightly different document checklists, fees rounding, and processing nuances. The requirements listed on this page match the New Delhi (North) jurisdiction.
New Delhi (North) jurisdiction covers
SureshotVisa helps Indian applicants across all states (and Indian citizens abroad) — not just New Delhi. If you reside in a Mumbai / Kolkata / Bengaluru jurisdiction state (or outside India), reach out and we'll confirm the exact checklist and steps that apply to your consulate.
Processing
15 working days from submission at VFS (extendable up to 45 days)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Starting Fee
FREE
Apply At
13 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Italy visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1North jurisdiction — Applications from residents of New Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Chandigarh are decided by the Embassy of Italy, New Delhi. Place of passport issue does NOT determine jurisdiction — residence does. Applications from other jurisdictions go to Mumbai / Kolkata / Bengaluru consulates with slightly different checklists.
- 2Applicant MUST mention their OWN working phone number on the application form and at the counter — not the agent's or representative's number. The Embassy reserves the right to verify, and non-compliant applications may be judged incomplete.
- 3Visa applications must be submitted in the country where the applicant has continuously lived for the last 6 months — proof of residence required. The Embassy cannot process applications from visitors to India (even Indian nationals abroad).
- 4Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond intended stay, issued within the last 10 years, with at least 2 blank pages. For Short-term visas, 6 months validity from travel date is required.
- 5Travel medical insurance is mandatory for ALL Schengen visa applicants — minimum €30,000 coverage, valid throughout Schengen territory, covering the entire stay (or repatriation for multi-entry). Only approved Indian Travel Insurance companies are accepted (see VFS Italy site for the current list); alternatively, policies from countries where claims are recoverable in Schengen States.
- 6Polio vaccination certificate required IF applicant is from / stayed >4 weeks in: Afghanistan, Kenya, DRC, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Syrian Arab Republic (vaccination must be 4 weeks to 12 months before travel).
- 7Photo specs: 3.5 cm × 4.5 cm, light/white background, color, ≤6 months old, 80% face zoom, non-smiling, no sunglasses/hat (unless religious). Stick (don't staple) on the application form.
- 8The Embassy reserves the right to ask for additional documents or a personal interview even if not mentioned on the official checklist.
- 9Visa fee, VFS service charges, and value-added service fees are NON-REFUNDABLE if the application is refused or withdrawn while under processing.
- 10VISA FEES ARE NOT APPLICABLE. Visas for EU citizens' family members in listed categories are issued free of charge per Article 5 of Legislative Decree 30/2007. Only ₹631 VFS service charge applies.
- 11Certificates issued by the Italian Municipality will be verified by the Embassy with the competent Authority in Italy — for this reason, visa processing time can be extended up to 45 days.
Who Can Apply
- Spouse of EU/Italian citizen (registered marriage per Member State legislation)
- Direct descendants under 21 OR dependent descendants
- Dependent direct ascendants (of EU citizen or spouse/partner)
- Registered civil partners (if legislation of hosting Member State considers registered marriage equivalent)
Not eligible under this visa:
- Non-dependent siblings, cousins, non-dependent adult children — apply under Visit Visa
- Friends — apply under Visit Visa
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Embassy Visa Fee — Family EU | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹631 |
Visa fee is GRATIS / FREE for this category. However, the VFS Service Charge of ₹631 (per applicant, inclusive of all taxes) still applies. Optional value-added services (courier, courier assurance, premium lounge) are available at extra cost. Visa fee and service charges are non-refundable if the application is refused by the Embassy of Italy or withdrawn while under processing.
Documents Required
Core Documents
- !Schengen Visa application form
- !Valid passport
≥3 months validity beyond Schengen departure, 2 empty pages, issued ≤10 years.
- !Passport copy of the EU/Italian national
- !Invitation letter from EU/Italian national (issued ≤6 months before submission)
Proof of Family Relationship
- !Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Stato civile, Stato di famiglia
Italian certificates MUST be requested online via Italian ANPR Portal with QR code. EU citizens use eIDAS for digital identity.
- !Italian Municipality certificates — verified by Embassy with competent Italian Authority
- !Both original Italian (or EU) + Indian documentation, with Indian docs duly apostilled
For Minors
- ○If traveling with both parents: original + copy of birth certificate
- ○If travelling with one parent: original consent letter from other parent, legalized by Italian Embassy/Consulate/Municipality + minor's birth certificate (copy + original)
- ○If minor travels alone: both parents summoned to Embassy to sign consent
- ○If one parent deceased: death certificate (original + copy)
Travel + Dependence Proof
- !Flight Reservation OR statement indicating start date of visa validity
- !Dependent family members: documentary evidence that over last 12 months, EU citizen transferred money / borne expenses in sufficient quantity to assess effective financial dependence
Evidence by any appropriate means as long as dependency is genuine and structural.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
EU citizen requests Italian certificates via ANPR portal
Birth, Marriage, Stato civile, Stato di famiglia — with QR code.
Apostille Indian documents via MEA
Indian relationship documents duly apostilled.
EU/Italian citizen issues invitation letter
≤6 months before submission, stating intention to reunite with family member.
Arrange flight reservation + dependence proof (if applicable)
Money transfers / expense coverage evidence over last 12 months for dependents.
Submit at VFS + biometrics
FREE visa fee; only ₹631 VFS charge. Processing 15 working days (extendable to 45).
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen (C) Visa Application Form — English
Print back-to-back, fully completed and signed by the applicant. A separate form is required per applicant.
Schengen (C) Visa Application Form — Italian
Italian-language version of the same form.
National (D) Visa Application Form
For all long-stay (>90 days) Category D applications.
Declaration on Travel Health Insurance
Mandatory declaration confirming €30,000 minimum coverage from an approved Indian insurer (or approved Schengen alternative).
Processing Time (Waiver) Declaration
Waiver acknowledging standard processing time and the Embassy's right to extend it.
Data Protection Form
Privacy consent for data handled by VFS / Embassy.
DoV Application Form (for Study visas)
Declaration of Value required for study visas when CIMEA alternative not accepted by the Italian university.
Requisite documents for ACCOMPANYING OR JOINING FAMILY EU C VISA
VFS Application Centres
💡 Pro Tips
- Apply 3–4 weeks before travel — early enough to handle Embassy extension (up to 45 days), not so early that bookings become stale.
- Fill the application form online at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/ita/ BEFORE visiting VFS — most VFS centres have limited on-site PCs and filling there creates long queues.
- Italian-language documents are preferred for Business / Family Reunion invitation letters — if originals are in Italian, include an English translation only when required by the Embassy.
- Buy travel health insurance ONLY from the approved Indian insurers list (VFS Italy maintains the current list) — insurance from non-approved providers is rejected even with €30k+ coverage.
- Indian documents (birth/marriage/relationship certificates) need to be duly apostilled by MEA. Italian certificates are to be requested via the ANPR portal with QR code.
- Financial documents: last 6 months personal bank statements (not business accounts), stamped/signed by branch manager. Last 3 years ITR with barcode + Challan receipts strengthen the case.
- Italian citizens residing in India (Union Territories of Delhi/Chandigarh + States of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, J&K, HP, Uttarakhand, UP) enrolled in the Consular Register may contact the Consulate of Italy in Delhi to retrieve certificates.
- Italian certificates via Municipality will be verified with the competent Authority in Italy — this can extend processing to 45 days.
- For 'dependent' family members, documentary evidence of EU citizen's financial support over last 12 months is CRITICAL — money transfers, expense receipts, anything showing structural dependence.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Italian certificates not from ANPR portal with QR code
- 2.Indian documents not MEA-apostilled
- 3.Financial dependence not structurally demonstrated (for dependent parents/in-laws)
- 4.Invitation letter issued more than 6 months before submission
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this really free?+
My partner and I aren't married but have a registered civil partnership — do we qualify?+
My parents are dependent on me but I'm the EU citizen — they can apply?+
My child is 22 — not eligible?+
Can I use SDM-attested documents?+
How long does it take?+
Let us prepare your Italy Family EU Reunion C — Spouse/Civil Union/Children/Dependent Parents/In-Laws application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Italy Visa Types
Italy Tourist Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens travelling to Italy for tourism, sightseeing, and non-business leisure — up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
Italy Business Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay business visa for Indian professionals making conferences, negotiations, or exploratory business visits in Italy — up to 90 days.
Italy Visit Visa — Family & Friends (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian citizens visiting family members, relatives, or friends in Italy — up to 90 days. EU-national family members use a separate streamlined category.
Italy Research Visa — Short Term (Schengen Type C)
Free-of-charge Schengen short-stay research visa for Indian researchers visiting Italy for research activity (≤90 days) with a Host Agreement (Convenzione di accoglienza).
Italy Religious Visa (Schengen Type C — Short Stay)
Schengen short-stay visa for Indian religious workers (priests, pastors, preachers, teachers) travelling to Italy for up to 90 days for religious work.
Italy Study Visa — Short Term (Schengen Type C)
Free-of-charge Schengen short-stay study visa for Indian students undertaking courses ≤90 days in Italy, typically for entrance tests or short programs.
Italy Sports Visa (Schengen Type C)
Schengen short-stay visa for professional and amateur Indian sportspeople, judges, and adjudicators participating in sports events in Italy.
Italy Transit Visa (Schengen Type C) — Seafarers
Schengen transit visa for Indian applicants who have flight or ship connection in Italy — typically for seafarers joining/disembarking ships at Italian ports.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Italy website and Embassy of Italy. Last verified 2026-04-20. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.