Special adoption in Italy
Adoption in special cases, such as special adoption for foreigners residing in Italy, aims to safeguard the relationship that exists between the minor and the family unit with which they have already developed affective bonds previously, or those minors who are in particular circumstances of distress.
This case responds, therefore, to specific needs provided by law, so much so that the hypotheses in which it is possible to resort to this institution are mandatorily contemplated, as we shall see further on.
What is special adoption or adoption in special cases
Special adoption, also known as “adoption in special cases”, is an important opportunity that can occur in all those cases in which the prerequisites legitimating full adoption do not arise.
The cases identified by the legislator provide for this possibility for:
- persons united with the minor by kinship up to the sixth degree, or by a stable and lasting relationship, matured over a long period of fostering when the minor is orphaned both of father and of mother;
- the spouse, in the case in which the minor is a child already adopted by the other spouse;
- minors with physical, psychic or sensory impairments such as to compromise learning, relationships, to the point of determining a social disadvantage or marginalisation;
- impossibility of proceeding with pre-adoptive fostering.
For foreign citizens residing in Italy, special adoption represents a legal way to assume rights and duties towards the minor, while maintaining a relationship with the biological family.
Indeed, this institution can prove particularly useful when the bond between the minor and their natural parents cannot be entirely dissolved, as in the case of adoption by the foreign spouse or by a family member.
Finally, also single persons can access adoption in special cases, save for recalling that the Corte Costituzionale, with judgment n. 33 of 21 March 2025, recognised to them the right to access international adoption, undergoing the same process of suitability assessment provided for couples.
What is the difference between special adoption and full adoption?
The main difference between special adoption (or in special cases) and full adoption lies in the nature of the legal relationship between the minor and the family of origin.
Indeed, in full adoption the child becomes for all purposes the child of the adopting couple, and the bond with the biological family is entirely interrupted. From this derives the assumption, on the part of the minor, of the surname of their new family, and their full integration for all legal purposes, including in the inheritance line.
In the different case of special adoption, instead, the bond with the biological family is not entirely severed. The minor maintains their own surname and, in some cases, can even retain relationships with members of the family of origin.
Adoption in special cases, therefore, is less definitive than full adoption, applying for humanitarian reasons or particular urgency.
From a legal point of view, both procedures, full adoption and special adoption, offer significant protection to the minor, but special adoption is more concerned with responding to those situations in which family rights and relationships should not be entirely eliminated.
If you find yourself in a particular situation, relying on Boschetti Studio Legale is the right choice to consciously understand which type of adoption is most suitable for the circumstances of your family.
Requirements for adoption in special cases
To be able to access adoption in special cases in Italy, both Italian citizens and foreign residents must meet some requirements provided by law.
One of the first fundamental requirements is that the person, or the adopting couple, must be able to ensure to the minor a peaceful, harmonious and safe environment.
In this special adoption is a particular adoption, because it is characterised by greater flexibility compared to full adoption, with particular regard to the prerequisites of age and the duration of the relationship with the minor.
A peculiar case that deserves attention is special adoption by a foreign spouse who adopts the child of their partner. In this case, the requirement of stable residence in Italy is fundamental, as is the demonstration of an already consolidated affective bond with the minor.
Other requirements subject to investigation concern the ability to take care of the minor in an adequate and continuous manner, and this is first assessed by social services and, subsequently, approved by the Juvenile Court.
Typical scenarios / Case studies
The typical scenarios have been developed by combining the most significant family law cases that the firm routinely handles, with the aim of creating a structured and complex case study to help readers navigate the handling of their own personal cases. The case studies, on the other hand, illustrate individual cases that have actually been handled by the firm, with data and details anonymised to ensure client confidentiality.
Registrazione del contratto di convivenza e regolarizzazione del partner straniero
Coppia residente a Roma: cittadino italiano e compagna straniera priva di documenti di soggiorno. Ricorso cautelare ex art. 700 c.p.c. per tutela della convivenza, seguito da pratica per carta di soggiorno familiare UE.
Adozione di maggiorenne per riconoscere un rapporto familiare di fatto
Cittadino statunitense residente a Roma con legame affettivo stabile con lo zio acquisito. Procedimento per adozione di persona maggiorenne ex artt. 291 e ss. del Codice Civile per formalizzare il rapporto familiare.
Contratto di convivenza per coppia italo-brasiliana: tutela patrimonio e permesso di soggiorno
Imprenditore italiano e compagna brasiliana conviventi da tre anni a Milano. Tre vulnerabilità interconnesse: migratoria, patrimoniale e successoria, risolte con un intervento coordinato su tre fronti paralleli.
Adozione in Colombia: coppia italiana realizza il sogno dopo 3 anni di percorso
Una coppia sposata da otto anni intraprende l’adozione internazionale con la Colombia. Un percorso attraverso due ordinamenti, tre istituzioni italiane e l’autorità centrale colombiana.
Successione con eredi in 4 paesi diversi: coordinamento Italia-USA-UK-Svizzera
Un imprenditore italiano lascia un patrimonio distribuito tra Italia, Stati Uniti e Svizzera, con quattro eredi in altrettanti paesi. Quattro ordinamenti, quattro sistemi fiscali da coordinare in parallelo.
Adozione maggiorenne figlio del partner: riconoscimento legame affettivo ventennale
Un uomo di cinquantotto anni chiede di adottare il figlio trentenne della moglie, cresciuto insieme da vent’anni. Un legame reale che la legge non riconosceva, con implicazioni successorie per i figli biologici.
Impugnazione testamento per lesione di legittima: recuperati 800.000 euro per gli eredi
Due figli ricevono 20.000 euro ciascuno da un testamento che lascia quasi tutto alla seconda moglie del padre. Un’azione di riduzione per lesione della quota di legittima risolta in mediazione.
Pianificazione successoria azienda familiare: passaggio generazionale da 3 milioni
Un imprenditore di sessantadue anni deve trasferire un’azienda da 50 dipendenti al figlio che la gestisce, tutelando la figlia che ha scelto un altro percorso. Patto di famiglia e holding per garantire continuità.
Adozione internazionale da parte di single: quando la legge apre una strada che pochi conoscono
Una donna single di quarantacinque anni intraprende l’adozione internazionale. Un percorso giuridicamente possibile ma poco conosciuto, che richiede una strategia legale specifica fin dal decreto di idoneità.
Eredità digitale: gestione criptovalute e asset digitali del defunto
Un professionista muore lasciando criptovalute per oltre 600.000 euro su wallet e exchange, senza istruzioni di accesso. Un patrimonio digitale che rischiava di andare perduto per sempre.
Rettifica del nome per persona transgender: documenti coerenti con la propria identità
Una professionista trentaduenne, in trattamento ormonale da otto anni, con documenti ancora al nome maschile di nascita. La discrepanza anagrafica generava outing forzati quotidiani in ambito lavorativo, bancario e amministrativo.
Attribuzione di sesso e aggiornamento di oltre 20 documenti: dalla sentenza alla nuova identità anagrafica
Un dirigente di 45 anni con sentenza di rettificazione già ottenuta si trova davanti al vero ostacolo: coordinare carta d’identità, patente, laurea, contratti di lavoro, mutuo e polizze assicurative presso enti con procedure non uniformate.
How we can help you
If you are looking for a lawyer for your special adoption, our team can support your noble cause by offering you personalised assistance.
The legal procedures concerning special adoption, as well as special adoption for foreign citizens residing in Italy, require profound knowledge of the matter, as well as of the legislation, and our objective is to ensure to you that every step is carried out correctly, taking care to safeguard at the same time both your rights and the well-being of the minor.
Relying on Boschetti Studio Legale for the management of these delicate matters means having solid and competent support.
Fill in the form to allow us to assess your case. We will contact you back within 48 working hours to inform you whether and how we can assist you.
This form is reserved for those who need legal assistance on a concrete situation. We do not provide free advice nor answers to generic queries by email. If you have a case that requires professional assessment, fill in the form: we will contact you back for a first exploratory meeting.
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What does special adoption mean?
Special adoption means activating an adoptive procedure that does not entail for the adopted minor the definitive interruption of their relationships with the biological family. This institution finds application only in specific cases predetermined and identified mandatorily by law. Among the cases in which it is possible to resort to this institution is that situation in which the minor is orphaned of both parents and can be adopted by relatives, or is orphaned and affected by significant disabilities, or the case in which the minor is adopted by the parent's partner, or in cases in which there is impossibility of pre-adoptive fostering.
What types of adoption are possible?
The types of adoption possible in Italy are mainly: full — or legitimating — adoption, special adoption — also called in special cases — and international adoption. Legitimating adoption creates a definitive bond between the minor and their new family, interrupting all legal ties with the family of origin. Adoption in special cases, instead, allows the maintenance of some bonds with the biological family, and finds application in specific cases. Alongside the first two forms of adoption mentioned, there is then the international one which allows the adoption of a child coming from another country, balancing national legislation with the foreign legislation of the minor's country of origin
What is adoption in special cases?
Adoption in special cases is a form of adoption provided for and governed in Italy that allows the adopted minor to maintain their legal ties with the family of origin. It is applied in specific situations including adoption of the spouse's child, orphan minors, children in particular distressed situations. It does not create a bond of kinship with the family of the adopters, but in any event guarantees protection and assistance to the minor.
What is full adoption?
Full adoption is the principal form of adoption provided for in Italy and guarantees full family integration. It entails the complete severance of legal ties between the minor and their biological family, creating a new relationship with the adoptive family. The child takes the surname of the adopters and enjoys all rights, including those of inheritance nature, as if they were a real biological child of the couple.
How does one become an Italian citizen by adoption?
One becomes an Italian citizen by adoption if the minor is foreign and is adopted by an Italian citizen. In such case the acquisition of citizenship occurs as of right. In the case in which the adoptee is an adult, instead, the interested party can request naturalisation after five years of legal residence in Italy following the adoption. If the adoption takes place abroad, it will be necessary to transcribe the adoption in Italy, taking care to verify compliance with Italian legislation on the acquisition of citizenship.
Where is it easier to adopt a child?
Special adoption is generally easier in countries that have flexible regulations regarding pre-existing family bonds, such as Italy. The Italian Juvenile Court, indeed, facilitates this type of adoption by virtue of consolidated affective or family bonds.
What is the maximum age to adopt a child?
The maximum age to adopt a child in Italy is not expressly indicated, but can be inferred from a reading of the requirements imposed by law, among which is the prerequisite by which between the adopter and the minor there must be an age difference of between 18 and 45 years. There are, however, also exceptions for couples already with children or who are in particular situations, as well as, in the same way, some international laws provide for peculiarities depending on the country from which one is adopting.
How much does an adoption deed cost?
An adoption deed can have a variable cost, on the basis of the complexity of the case and the type of adoption (national/international). Expenses can include legal advice, translations and contributions for authorised bodies. In general, the costs for a national adoption are lower than those required for an international adoption.
