The Italian legal system has regulated de facto cohabitations through Law no. 76/2016 and the Prime Ministerial Decree n. 144/2016. This institution attributes certain rights and faculties to couples of Italian citizens regardless of their gender, who permanently cohabit.
This cohabitation must be characterized by the existence of emotional bonds between the couple which distinguish it from simple cohabitation. For further information, please visit the specific page on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Citizens residing in this consular district About us – Consolato d’Italia a Manchester (esteri.it) can declare their de facto cohabitation to the Consulate if they are both Italian citizens, both resident at the same address and both registered in the same AIRE Municipality. The Consulate will be responsible for transmitting the request to the indicated AIRE Municipality, which will then be able to issue a certification of institution of registered family.
Interested parties can report their de facto cohabitation with the appropriate form Modulistica – Consolato d’Italia a Manchester (esteri.it), accompanied by a copy of valid identity documents of the two cohabitants. The documents must be completed and signed, and sent to:
Italian Consulate in Manchester – Registry Office
58 Spring Gardens
M2 1EW Manchester
Please note that all changes to the de facto cohabitation that may occur after its establishment, including its dissolution, must be reported to this Consulate for subsequent transmission to the Italian Municipality. The dissolution, in particular, occurs in the event of termination of the cohabitation and/or co-residence or in the case of marriage and civil union of one or both of them. The dissolution can also be registered ex officio.