Ukrainians can obtain a visa for stays of up to 90 days, or visas that allow living in Italy for a period of minimum 90 days. Our Law Firm can assist Ukrainian citizens gain residency in Italy.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visas for short-term relocation (up to 90 days) from Ukraine to Italy | Ukrainian nationals can enter visa-free in Italy provided that they hold an Ukrainian biometric passport. In all other cases, immigration formalities are imposed. |
Visas for long-term immigration (over 90 days) from Ukraine to Italy | In order to immigrate to Italy from Ukraine on a long-term basis, it is mandatory to obtain a suitable visa (the D visa, which can be issued for study, employment, family reunification, etc.). |
Visa exemptions | Visa exemptions are granted only for short-term stays (of up to 90 days) only to Ukrainians that hold a biometric passport. |
| Electronic visas available | Not applicable |
| Main reasons to immigrate from Ukraine to Italy | Work, study, family reunification, asylum (Ukrainian nationals benefit from a temporary protection regime, available until 2027, as a consequence of the war between Russia and Ukraine.) |
| Institution in charge with the issuance of the visa | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Fee system available for the processing of the visa (yes/no) | Yes |
| Fees charged for the issuance of short/long-term visas | Schengen visa – $39.7 (reduced fee from the standard $101.9, applicable for certain nationals, Ukrainian included), D visa for study – $56.6, D visa for other purposes – $131.3 |
| Special rules for citizens of Ukraine | Ukrainians who immigrate to Italy from Ukraine benefit from the EU’s temporary protection regime (applicable in all EU states), which provides the right to residency, employment, medical services, education for children and social welfare. |
| The procedure for permanent residency in Italy | It can be initiated after 5 years of legal residency in Italy. |
| Documents required for permanent residency application | – 5 years of documented stay in Italy; – a clean criminal record; – proof of proficiency in Italian (at least A2 level); – proof of having a stable income |
| Reasons for which permanent residency can be granted in Italy | investment/business, study, employment, family reunification |
| Right to permanent residency for refugees/asylum seekers (yes/no) | Yes |
| Immigration pathways for highly skilled persons | The EU Blue Card |
| Legal pathways to citizenship | Many of those who immigrate to Italy from Ukraine can become citizens by naturalization, based on the years of residency. Other options are: – citizenship by marriage to an Italian national; – citizenship by descent; – citizenship through adoption; – citizenship by birth; – citizenship by special merit. |
However, in the context of the war currently taking place in Ukraine, Ukrainians benefit from a straightforward method that helps them immigrate here as refugees.
Table of Contents
What is the current law for Ukrainians moving to Italy?
Most of the persons who immigrate to Italy from Ukraine arrive here as a consequence of the war in their home country. Because of this, the Italian authorities, along with the authorities of the European Union (EU), enacted urgent immigration procedures that allow a simple access to the EU territory to Ukrainians, who arrive here as refugees.
Each EU member state has created specific immigration procedures and has provided different types of assistance to Ukrainians, but all member states follow the protocols of the 2001 Temporary Protection Directive. The Directive was adopted at an EU level on 4th of March 2022, shortly after the beginning of the war in Ukraine, which started on 24th of February 2022.
Consequently, the law on immigration to Italy was modified in order to apply the conditions prescribed by the Directive, which is created especially for exceptional migration situations. According to the European Commission, one of the most important rights offered to foreigners who are in an exceptional situation is the right to a residence permit, for a period of minimum 1 year to maximum 3 years.
For Ukrainians who immigrate to Italy from Ukraine, the Italian authorities have decided to directly issue a residence permit, without the need to apply for a visa, for a period of 1 year.
Our immigration lawyers in Italy can present more details on any of the current immigration procedures. Ukrainians benefit from additional rights, as per the rules of immigration to Italy, which implement the EU law. Some of the basic rights are:
- access to the asylum protection procedures applicable in Italy;
- the right to work in Italy and to obtain the same work benefits available for local citizens;
- access to medical care, accommodation and housing;
- the right to enter the education system for children and minors with an age below 18 years old;
- the right to reunite with other family members;
- the right to move to other EU member states, etc.
Our immigration lawyers can also help you if you want to get permanent residency in Italy after moving there. Below, we present our infographic on the main immigration rules for Ukrainians in Italy:
What are the conditions created for Ukrainian refugees in Italy?
Persons who arrive as refugees in Italy can automatically obtain certain benefits, that were enforced by the Italian authorities after the beginning of the war. Below, persons interested in this can find some of the benefits granted under the Italian immigration law:
- at the end of March 2022, the Italian Department for Civil Protection established that each individual from Ukraine will receive financial assistance of EUR 300;
- this help shall be granted on a monthly basis, for a period of 3 months since the arrival in Italy;
- additionally, persons who arrive here with minors under the age of 18 years old will receive a bonus of EUR 150 per each dependent child;
- all persons who will immigrate to Italy from Ukraine as refugees will be issued with a residence permit with a validity of 1 year, at the end of which, if necessary, it can be renewed;
- by 29th of March 2022, there were more than 71,000 Ukrainians who relocated to Italy as refugees – more than 37,000 were women, 28,000 were minors and approximately 6,000, men.
Is it possible to enter the Italian territory without a passport?
As a third party foreign national, it is generally not possible to immigrate to Italywithout a travel document that attests the identity of the person who arrives on the Italian territory. However, in certain situations, such as a war, a person may enter the EU/Italian territory without a passport or an Identity Document (ID).
This can happen only as long as the Ukrainian consulate issues a temporary consular certificate which presents the person’s identity; we strongly recommend you to get in touch with our immigration lawyers in Italy for assistance on the applicable rules and laws, in order to be sure that your arrival will not have any impediments.
Upon arrival in Italy, it is mandatory to inform the Italian authorities working under the Ministry of Internal Affairs on the fact that you do not hold a passport.
For this, it is necessary to contact the local police station in a period of maximum 8 days since the arrival in the country. It is required to meet in person with the representatives of the competent police station and present them the current documentation you hold.
When you move to Italy, if you will live in the household of other family members or friends, it is mandatory to inform the police on the residency arrangements you made. Upon your arrival, the person who provides you with accommodation must go in person to the police station and complete a form (declaration of hospitality) in maximum 2 days since you arrived in the country.
The Entry/Exit System, in force starting with 12 October 2025
Beginning 12 October, the EU enforces a new system concerning the registration of third-party foreigners arriving in EU/EEA countries. The Entry/Exist System (EEA) has the purpose of replacing the standard visa border formalities for all non-EU nationals arriving at any EU/EEA border.
Through this, the EU authorities will apply an electronic system that gathers travel data on persons crossing the border, on matters such as:
- the place where the person first arrived;
- the date and time;
- the passport data;
- the photo of the individual;
- their fingerprints.
While the system addresses to persons who arrive for short stays (up to 90 days), Ukrainians who immigrate to Italy from Ukraine for the first time will also have to go through this procedure, given that they are third-party nationals.
If you need more information, we invite you to contact our immigration lawyers in Italy for legal advice and assistance. In case you need assistance on the citizenship routes, such as citizenship by descent, you can also contact our team, who can represent you in the process of acquiring citizenship in Italy.
You can also rely on us if you want to obtain the golden visa in Italy (Ukrainians can also obtain this immigration document, provided that they arrive here for investment purposes and meet the required visa conditions).