Do I need a residency permit in Italy, Permesso di Soggiorno?

Thinking about moving to Milan, Italy? The first step on your relocation journey is to learn about the permesso di soggiorno, the Italian residency permit, one of the most important documents you will need for your time here. So this is all you need to know about it before moving!

What is a Residency Permit or a Permesso di Soggiorno?

A residency permit, called a permesso di soggiorno, is a legal document required for foreign nationals enabling them to inhabit Italy for a given period of time. The permit is only applicable to you if you are not an EU citizen. The permit allows non-EU citizens to stay in Italy for a period of more than 8 days or more than 90 days if they already possess a European travel visa, such as the Schengen visa.

Who Needs a Permesso di Soggiorno? 

You only need a permesso di soggiorno as a Non-EU citizen, with the exception of UK nationals who have been living in Italy since before January 2021. Under the Withdrawal Agreement, UK nationals need only apply for a carta di soggiorno, which permits them to stay indefinitely in Italy. It differs from the permesso di soggiorno as there is no expiry date, and they reap the same benefits as those who possess a long-term permesso di soggiorno, also called the permesso a lungo periodo previously also called a carta di soggiorno but as per new regulations, it now has a 10 year validity instead of being unlimited.  For more information as a UK national living in Italy, click here 

For EU citizens, they can  book an appointment at the police headquarters in Questura or the post office; and arrange a biometric fingerprint scan, after which they will be issued a residency card (carta di soggiorno). For more information about booking your appointment, click here.

A permesso di soggiorno is requisite for residency and not tourism in Italy. If you visit Italy as a tourist and do not intend to stay for longer than 90 days, you do not need to apply for this permit. Your EU visa only acts as a gateway into getting a permit, but if your intention is to reside in Italy, it is not sufficient. Upon entry, it is imperative to apply for it within 8 days of your entry.

The benefits of the Italian residency permit: Permesso di Soggiorno

After getting a permit, there are so many advantages you can relish! You can travel to other EU countries without an additional visa, you can legally earn money and work in Italy; you are subject to taxation if you earn taxable income; and you can use public services. 

Types of residency permits in Italy

The period of your permit varies depending on the reasons for your residency. It often coincides with the duration of certain contracts; for example,

Your permit can last as long as your:

-employment contract in Italy,

-your studies,

-or you can get a permesso di soggiorno for familial reasons, like reuniting with your family.

To view a comprehensive list of all the different types, click here.

In most cases, each party will receive a short-term permit lasting 2 years. After a period of 5 years of living in Italy, you can apply for a long-term permesso di soggiorno, which is valid for 10 years or 5 if you are a minor.

You can only apply for a permesso di soggiorno in person, not virtually. So you must wait until you are physically in the country to apply. Good luck!

Article by Asmita Thareja for Easy Milano