Residence Permit

What is a residence permit?

A residence permit is the official document issued to foreign nationals that gives them the right to stay in Italy for a specified period or indefinitely, in the case of the EU permit for long-term residents.

It allows the holder to carry out the activities permitted by law according to the reason for which the permit was issued.

Who is considered a foreign national under Italian law?

A foreign national is a person who does not hold Italian citizenship and may be:

1. an EU citizen, meaning a citizen of one of the Member States of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden;
2. a non-EU citizen, meaning a citizen of a country that is not a Member State of the European Union.

Requirements for obtaining a residence permit

A residence permit may be obtained by:

1. holding an entry visa for work, family, study or another recognised purpose and submitting the application within the time limits established by law;
2. taking part in a regularisation procedure available to undocumented migrants, when provided for by law.

Main reasons for obtaining a residence permit

The residence permit is normally issued for the same reason stated on the entry visa. The main categories include:

1. employed work;
2. self-employment;
3. family reasons;
4. study;
5. religious reasons;
6. sporting activities;
7. medical treatment;
8. assistance to a minor.

Residence permits without an entry visa

In exceptional circumstances, a residence permit may also be issued without a specific entry visa for reasons such as:

1. abandoned minors;
2. social protection;
3. assistance to a minor;
4. medical treatment;
5. judicial reasons;
6. humanitarian grounds or subsidiary protection;
7. asylum application or political asylum;
8. emigration to another country;
9. awaiting Italian citizenship.

Income required for a residence permit

Income is an important requirement for residence permits issued for employed work and self-employment. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient income both when obtaining and renewing the permit.

Permits exempt from the contribution

The contribution is not required for:

1. asylum, asylum applications, subsidiary protection and humanitarian grounds;
2. minors;
3. medical treatment, including accompanying persons;
4. updating or converting a valid residence permit;
5. the EU residence card for a non-EU family member of an Italian or EU citizen.

Documents required for issue or renewal

The documents generally required include:

1. a €16 revenue stamp;
2. a copy of the passport;
3. the current residence permit, in the case of renewal or conversion;
4. four passport photographs;
5. the tax identification number, if available;
6. documents concerning the applicant’s current accommodation.

Application procedure

The residence permit is issued by the Police Headquarters responsible for the place where the foreign national resides or is domiciled.

The application may be submitted through a postal application kit or during an appointment at the Police Headquarters.

Permits requested directly from the Police Headquarters

Some types of permits must be requested directly from the Police Headquarters, including those for:

1. assistance to a minor;
2. foster care;
3. stateless status;
4. medical treatment;
5. integration of a minor;
6. underage status;
7. judicial reasons;
8. acquisition of Italian citizenship;
9. political asylum applications;
10. natural disasters;
11. relatives of Italian citizens.

Permits requested using the postal application kit

Applications for the initial issue, renewal or conversion of the main types of residence permits are submitted through Poste Italiane using the special postal kit, commonly known as the “yellow envelope”.

The registered postal receipt proves that the application has been submitted.

Duration of the residence permit

The duration depends on the reason for the stay:

1. up to three months for short stays;
2. up to six months, renewable for one year, for social protection;
3. up to nine months for seasonal work, without renewal;
4. up to one year for study or training, renewable annually;
5. up to two years for self-employment, permanent employment and family reunification;
6. up to one year for fixed-term employment.

Renewal of the residence permit

The renewal application should be submitted at least 60 days before the permit expires.

If more than 60 days have passed since the expiry date without a renewal application, an expulsion order may be issued, unless the delay was caused by force majeure.

Restrictions on renewal

The permit may not be renewed if the foreign national has remained outside Italy for:

1. a continuous period of more than six months;
2. more than half of the permit’s validity period in the case of a two-year permit.

Working with the residence permit receipt

The law allows foreign nationals to begin working after applying for a residence permit for employed work or family reasons, using the application receipt.

Conversion of a residence permit

Conversion allows the holder to request a new residence permit for a reason different from the one stated on the current permit.

Electronic residence permit

Since December 2006, residence permits have been issued in electronic format. The permit consists of a smart card containing information such as:

1. personal details;
2. tax identification number;
3. photograph;
4. document type;
5. date of issue;
6. period of validity;
7. reason for the stay;
8. details of any children.

Integration agreement

Since 10 March 2012, non-EU citizens aged 16 or over who enter Italy for the first time and apply for a residence permit valid for at least one year must sign the integration agreement, also known as the “points-based residence permit”.

Exemptions from the integration agreement

The agreement does not have to be signed by:

1. unaccompanied minors or minors placed under legal guardianship;
2. victims of human trafficking, violence or serious exploitation;
3. foreign nationals with serious medical conditions or disabilities.

EU residence permit for long-term residents

This permit replaced the former residence card and authorises the holder to stay in Italy indefinitely. It allows the holder to:

1. enter Italy without a visa;
2. carry out almost any employed or self-employed activity, with certain exceptions;
3. access social assistance, social security, healthcare and educational services;
4. participate in local public life.

Requirements for the EU long-term residence permit

The main requirements are:

1. having held a valid residence permit for at least five years;
2. having an income equal to or higher than the annual social allowance, increased according to the number of dependent family members;
3. being registered as a resident in an Italian municipality;
4. having suitable accommodation;
5. having at least an A2 level of Italian;
6. not being considered a threat to public order.

Residence permit for family members of Italian or EU citizens

Non-EU family members of EU citizens may apply for an EU residence card as family members of an EU citizen.

Family members who live with an Italian citizen may be entitled to a residence permit for family reasons even when the required income is not available.

Checking the application online

The progress of the residence permit application may be checked online.

Withdrawal, annulment and refusal of the residence permit

1. Withdrawal: when the necessary requirements are no longer met after the permit has been issued.
2. Annulment: when it is established that the permit was issued unlawfully.
3. Refusal: mainly in cases involving criminal records or insufficient income.

Before the application is refused, the foreign national normally receives a notice of intended refusal and has 10 days to submit written observations and supporting documents.

This guide contains the main information for foreign nationals who wish to live legally in Italy.