Guide to Residency in Italy

Obtaining a residency visa in Italy is not always easy, but our Guide to Residency in Italy gives newcomers an overview of the steps involved and advice from others who have already navigated the process.

• Check Eligibility for Residency
  • Verify if you need a visa to enter Italy by checking the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: Visa for Italy.
  • Understand the type of visa you need based on your purpose of stay (e.g., work, study, family reasons).
  • Ensure you have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining before expiration.
• Obtain an Italian Visa (if required)
  • Complete the visa application form available on the Italian consulate or embassy website in your home country.
  • Gather required documents, such as proof of accommodation, sufficient financial means, return ticket, and insurance.
  • Book an appointment and submit your visa application at the nearest Italian consulate or embassy.
  • Wait for the processing of your visa application and collect your visa when it's ready.
• Enter Italy
  • Travel to Italy with your valid passport and visa (if applicable).
  • Keep all travel and entry documents ready for presentation to border authorities.
• Apply for a Tax Number (Codice Fiscale)
  • Visit the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) website: Agenzia delle Entrate.
  • Download and fill out the application form for a Codice Fiscale.
  • Prepare a photocopy of your passport and visa (if applicable).
  • Go to the nearest Agenzia delle Entrate office or Italian consulate to submit your application.
• Register with the National Health Service (SSN)
  • Go to the local health authority office (ASL - Azienda Sanitaria Locale).
  • Provide your Codice Fiscale, passport, and residency permit (if applicable).
  • Fill out the necessary forms and pay the registration fee, if required.
• Apply for Residency
  • Go to the local town hall (Comune) or municipal police (Polizia Municipale) within 8 days of arrival if you're a non-EU citizen, or within 90 days if you're an EU citizen.
  • Complete the declaration of presence (dichiarazione di presenza) for non-EU citizens or the registration form (iscrizione anagrafica) for EU citizens.
  • Provide proof of accommodation, Codice Fiscale, passport, and visa or permit of stay.
  • Submit any additional documents required, such as a work contract or proof of enrollment in an educational institution.
• Obtain a Permit of Stay (Permesso di Soggiorno) - for non-EU citizens
  • Go to the local post office (Poste Italiane) to get a Permesso di Soggiorno kit.
  • Fill out the forms in the kit and gather necessary documents, such as passport photos and copies of your passport and visa.
  • Submit the kit and documents at the post office and pay the application fee.
  • Attend the appointment at the local immigration office (Questura) when notified.
  • Provide biometric data and any additional documents requested at the Questura.
  • Wait for the processing and issuance of your Permesso di Soggiorno.
• Open a Bank Account
  • Choose an Italian bank and visit a local branch.
  • Present your passport, Codice Fiscale, and proof of address (e.g., utility bill or rental agreement).
  • Fill out the application forms and provide any additional information required by the bank.
• Enroll in the Registry of Residents (Anagrafe)
  • Once you have your Permit of Stay, go back to the Comune to register as a resident.
  • Provide your Permit of Stay, Codice Fiscale, proof of accommodation, and any other documents they may require.
  • Wait for the confirmation of your registration as an official resident.

Please note that the process and required documents may vary depending on your specific circumstances and the local regulations in the area of Italy where you are applying. It is always best to check with the relevant Italian authorities or seek legal advice to ensure you have the most accurate and up-to-date information.

What tips do expats have about residency and visas in Italy?

"I have 3 Italian lawyers in the family and they will be the first ones to tell you how difficult it is to deal with the government. The website says one thing; the checklist provided by the consulate says another, etc. And then ALL of it is subject to interpretation! My cousins tried to help my brother with his citizenship paperwork to no avail. Eventually he found a specialist in Bologna and he became a citizen 3 years ago. I am using her now and even with a lawyer I have found the same problems you have experienced: conflicting information, the attitude, etc. My interview (which I attended alone but was prepped by my lawyer via Skype) was very difficult. As soon as I left, I burst into tears. Now I'm waiting for the 'verdict.' They say it could take a year for a decision," mentioned one expat living in Italy.

"In order to obtain a visa for Italy, foreigners must contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their own country to obtain the appropriate visa form and find out the necessary document requirements, such as a valid passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate and proof of income. Applicants must then complete the form and make an appointment to submit the form and documentary evidence to the Embassy at the designated time. To apply for residency in Italy, applicants must first obtain a visa that is valid for at least 90 days and then register at their local police station. They must provide proof of where they will be living in Italy, proof of income and a valid passport with all relevant documents, such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate, to the police station. Upon receipt of the documents and proof of accommodation, the police station will issue the foreigner a residency permit that must be renewed every five years," said an expat in Italy.