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Moving to Italy: Guidelines for Residency in Italy

The following guidelines are ONLY guidelines , not legal advice. We are not lawyers . All information on this site is believed to be accurate, and we strive to correct errors and keep our information up-to-date. Please notify us if you believe any information to be incorrect or out-of-date. However, we disclaim liability for any errors or omissions, and we will not be held responsible for any direct, indirect, or consequential damages resulting from anyone's reliance on or use of the information on this web site.

Sojourner's Permit - Permit to Stay ( Permesso di soggiorno) / Residency:

Procedure for obtaining residency in Italy for non EU Citizens:

1. From the consulate/or Italian Embassy, ask for residency visa (un visto per dimora). You will need : copy of acquisition or rental contract - proof of financial security in Italy (example: a bank statement with at least 5000 Euros) - copy of your passport - Copy of Codice Fiscale (e.g. (in US) social security code, see our description above).

2. You will need to acquire a 'permesso di soggiorno' (residency permit) from the Italian police headquarters: copy of acquisition (rental) deed - copy of passport - proof of financial security in Italy (example a bank statement with at least 5000 Euros - Copy of Codice Fiscale (e.g. (in US) social security code, see our description above).

3. Go to the town hall (comune) and ask for a residency permit. You will need: 'permesso di soggiorno' (residency permit from step 2) - copy of passport - original birth certificate (translated and legalized by an Italian consulate or Embassy) - copy of deed for the acquisition of a house in Italy - Codice Fiscale (e.g. (in US) social security code, see our description above).

You can reside in Italy if:

1) you have a passport or an equivalent document;

2) you have an entry visa;

3) you entered the country legally through a border crossing;

4) you have a permit of stay or a residency card (these are the two documents that prove legal residency in Italy) issued by the relevant Italian authority, or a permit of stay or equivalent issued and authorised by a member State of the European Union.

Important: in general, while in Italy, one should always be able to demonstrate, with valid documents, the following three things:

1) the reasons for and conditions relevant to residency;

2) the means of financial support;

3) that such financial means are sufficient for the length of your stay and for the return in one's home country.

For this reason, it is appropriate that you carry with you at all times your passport and your permit of stay or card, so that you can furnish them should you be asked to do so by the Police or any other public authority.

Furthermore, if you have a permit of stay and reside in Italy, you can enrol in the General Registry Office and obtain an identity card that is valid for the length of the permit of stay. You can also obtain your tax identification number. This tax identification number is alphanumeric, that is, it contains alphabetical letters and numbers, with which the Ministry of Finance identifies you. Everyone has his/her own tax identification number.

After obtaining your permit of stay you must apply for your tax identification number at any local office of the Ministry of Finance - Internal Revenue Office.

With your tax number, you can:

- enroll in the National Health Service;
- be hired for dependent work;
- begin your own self-employed activity;
- sign any type of contract (e.g. house rental, sale etc.);
- open up a bank account;
- and much more.

What you need to do to obtain your first permit of stay:

1) You must apply to the Head of Police of the Province in which you find yourself, within 8 working days of your arrival into Italy;

2) your application must include the following documents:

  •  a photocopy of your passport, both inside and cover and the original passport (after the Police have examined your passport it will be immediately returned);
  •  three passport-sized photographs;
  •  a 10 Euro ( Check for the latest fee) revenue stamp;
  •  a certificate or statement giving your home address;

3) you must retain the receipt of your application.

What you need to do to renew your permit of stay:

You need to renew your permit of stay at least 30 days prior to its expiration date. The authorities will evaluate compliance with the conditions for its re-issue.
As a rule, the permit of stay is renewed for a length of stay no more than double that established for the first permit of stay.

In general, the application includes the following documents (besides those necessary for the specific type of permit of stay: tourism, work, reuniting a family etc.):

  • The expiring permit and your passport;
  • Three passport-sized photographs;
  • A 10 Euro ( Check for the latest fee) revenue stamp;
  • Certification stating home address;
  • Certification attesting to your financial means of support;
  • Certification attesting that such financial means are sufficient for the length of your stay and for the return in one's home country.

PLEASE NOTE: If your stay outside of Italy was for more than 6 months your permit of stay of two years or less cannot be renewed or extended; if you have been outside Italy for half or more of the period stated in your permit of stay which has a minimum of two years, this also cannot be renewed or extended. INSTEAD, your permit of stay will be always renewed if you left Italy to do military service, or for other proven serious matters.

The different kinds of permit of stay:

You may request a permit of stay for the following reasons: tourism, medical treatment, reuniting a family, contracted work, seasonal work, theatrical or artist work, free-lance work, political refugees, business, missions, vocational studies, religious and social protection.

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