Immigrating to Italy implies applying for temporary or permanent residency, depending on how long a person wants to stay here. If you are interested in obtaining residency, our lawyers can guide you.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit types | – seasonal work, – self-employment, – study, – medical treatment, – family reunification, – refugee status, – humanitarian grounds, – elective residence |
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.) | up to three months |
Temporary residence permit validity | It depends on the reason of issuance and it varies from min. 6 months to max. 2 years |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence | – the temporary residence application form, – the passport, – the visa, – recent photographs, – proof of paying a fee of EUR 14.62, – document attesting the purpose of stay |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | The state authorities vary based on the type of permit needed; they can refer to: – local municipalities, – Patronati offices, – Prefectures, – post office |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder | No – not available for first-time applicants (those who renew their residency from Italy can bring their family members in certain situations) |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes | Yes, for certain categories of visas (investor program) |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | After 5 years of uninterrupted stay in Italy |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence | – passport or identity document, – copy of the income statement, – evidence on housing in Italy, – the current residence documents, – proof of payment of fees |
| Naturalization requirements | – permanent residency for 5 years, – overall stay in Italy of 10 years, – tax residency in Italy, – proof of having at least the minimum income established in Italy, – proof of knowing the Italian language, culture and history |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | One can apply for citizenship after 5 years of being a permanent resident. |
| Citizens that must apply for a residence permit | Citizens that arrive from non-EU/EEA (European Union/European Economic Area) must apply for a residence permit. EU nationals must declare their address in Italy and apply directly for a residence card. |
When is a person required to apply for a residence permit? | A residence permit is required for stays in Italy longer than 90 days. Those who are interested in how to obtain permanent residence in Italy must complete 5 years of stay in order to get this type of residency. |
Deadline to apply for a residence permit | A person must initiate the application in maximum 8 days after the arrival in the country. |
| Renewal possible (yes/no) | Yes |
| Deadline to apply for renewal of residence permit | – 90 days before the expiry – for residence permits valid for 2 years; – 60 days before the expiry – for residence permits valid for 1 year; – 30 days before the expiry – for all other types of residence permits. |
| Apply for a Codice Fiscale (yes/no) | Yes |
| When it is required to have a Codice Fiscale | A Codice Fiscale refers to the Italian Tax Identification Number issued for each citizen/resident. Foreigners will need the code for: – employment contracts, – freelance work, – access to Italian public healthcare, – opening a bank account, – payment of utility bills, – paying taxes, – renting, selling or buying property, etc. |
| Fees for the issuance of the residence card | – the issuance of the residence card costs EUR 30, – the mailing fee is EUR 30, – the application stamp costs EUR 16. |
| Fees for the residence permit renewal | The renewal of the residence permit costs around EUR 80 (it can vary between EUR 40 to EUR 100, depending on the type). |
| Law regulating the issuance of Italian residence permits | If you want to know how to obtain permanent residency in Italy or any type of residency you must observe the rules of the Legislative Decree 286/1998 (Article 5 of the Consolidated Immigration Act). |
| Does Italy apply penalties for expired permits? (yes/no) | Yes |
| When can Italy apply penalties for expired documents? | After 60 days since the expiry date of the document. |
| Application requirements for minors | Minors can apply for residency as long as their parents/legal guardians sign their application documents. |
| Health insurance requirements | Foreigners must have a private health insurance recognized in Italy. However, foreigners can also enrol in the Italian public health system by applying for a health insurance, renewable each calendar year. |
| What is the yellow kit? | The yellow kit is an application package (an envelope) that can be accessed at any postal office by foreigners interested in residency and how to obtain permanent residency in Italy. It is addressed to non-EU foreigners and it contains all the necessary paperwork required for the application. |
Table of Contents
How can your lawyers assist me in obtaining permanent residency in Italy in 2026?
Provided that you meet the requirements imposed by the law, you can rely on our immigration lawyers in Italy for assistance in preparing the documentation for applying for a permanent residence permit. Our team can:
- help during the entire application procedure;
- explain the rights and obligations attached to becoming an Italian permanent resident;
- assist in addressing local authorities;
- offer information on how to obtain citizenship in Italy (permanent residents have this right, provided that they meet all the legal requirements and initiate the application procedure).
What types of residence permits can I obtain in Italy?
There are two types of residence permits which can be obtained in Italy:
- the temporary residence permit;
- the permanent residence permit.
What categories of foreigners can apply for permanent residency in Italy in 2026?
Permanent residency (PR) is available for both EU and non-EU citizens who have lived in Italy for at least 5 years under the country’s Immigration Law.
How can I obtain residency as an EU citizen in Italy?
It is very easy for EU citizens to apply for a residence permit in Italy, as they only need their valid IDs or passports when entering the country. In their case, the following steps must be followed:
- complete a simple declaration of presence with the police station of the city they live in;
- the declaration must be filed within 8 days from entering Italy.
How can I obtain residency in Italy as a non-EU foreigner?
Non-EU citizens must also complete the immigration formalities applicable to EU citizens upon the arrival in Italy. However, prior to this, they need to apply for visas suitable for the purpose of the relocation (work, business, study, etc.) and then apply for residency permit. After living in Italy for at least 5 years, the individual is entitled to apply for permanent residency.
Which of my family members can obtain residency in Italy?
The residence permit can also be acquired by:
- the spouse of the applicant;
- the parents;
- the minor children;
- children above the age of 18 if they can support themselves.
Is it possible to become a permanent resident through family reunification programs?
Yes, the legislation on immigration in Italy prescribes that foreigners can become eligible for permanent residency if they have arrived here as family members of other foreigners who have become Italian residents or of EU citizens. You can read more on the main criteria here.
You can also read about the benefits of permanent residence in Italy in the scheme below:
What are the documents required for an Italian permanent residence permit in 2026?
The following documents must be filed by individuals applying for a permanent residence permit in Italy:
- proof that the foreign citizen has lived in Italy for 5 years (the temporary residence permit);
- the registration certificate issued by the local police force upon entering Italy;
- proof of having a legal address in Italy (a rental contract or a recent utility bill);
- proof of means of self-sustenance (bank statements, tax returns, payslips issued by the employer);
- the criminal record and the application form issued by the Italian authorities.
How can I obtain permanent residency through work or investments in Italy?
There are several ways in which the Italian permanent residency can be obtained in this case:
- based on a work permit which entitles the applicant to live and work in Italyprior to applying for permanent residency;
- based on a residence permit for entrepreneurs which allows foreign citizens to start their own businesses here;
- based on an investment in a specific domain of interest acknowledged by the Italian government;
- based on a self-employment visa which allows the foreigner to act as a sole trader in Italy.
What conditions must I meet to be eligible for permanent residency through investments?
Investors who plan to obtain Italian permanent residency through investments can apply for the golden visa in Italy. The basic financial requirements available in 2026 are presented below:
- minimum EUR 250,000 to be invested in a start-up business;
- an investment of minimum EUR 500,000 in a listed or unlisted company incorporated in Italy;
- minimum EUR 1 million if the investment is made under the form of a philanthropic donation;
- minimum EUR 2 million invested in government bonds.
Can I retire to Italy and become a permanent resident?
Yes. Foreign citizens who want to retire and live permanently in Italy can apply for an elective visa. This type of residence permit represents one of the simplest ways of immigrating to Italy.
How long does it take to obtain a visa and/or a residence permit?
Here is a brief comparison between the ways in which you can complete your immigration obligations based on the time, complexity of the procedure and the possibility of obtaining residency:
| Moving to Italy | Timeframe | Complexity | Residency |
| By employment | A few months | Relatively low | Yes |
| As a businessman | A few months | Relatively low | Yes |
| By investment | Up to one year | Complex | Yes |
| By retirement | A few months | Relatively low | Yes |
| By marriage | A few weeks | Relatively low | Yes |
What is the longest period of absence from Italy prior to applying for permanent residency?
During the time in which a foreigner is a temporary resident, he/she can leave Italy for vacations or other reasons. However, the maximum duration of the absence can’t be longer than 10 months in the 5 years of temporary residency. Also, in that time frame, the person can’t be absent for more than 6 months in a row.
Do I need to learn Italian in order to become a permanent resident?
Yes, the law on immigration to Italy requires, among others, to pass an Italian language test (A2 level) in order to obtain the permanent residency card. There are certain exemptions from this rule:
- minors under the age of 14;
- individuals who have learning disabilities due to age, illnesses, etc;
- those who have already been issued with an Italian language certificate (recognized by the Italian authorities), etc.
Is it possible to renew my Italian temporary residence permit?
Depending on the type of residence permit, foreign citizens are required to renew their temporary permits on a regular basis. Foreign citizens living in Italy are required to apply for renewal as it follows:
- 90 days before expiry, if the residence permit has a two-year validity period,
- 60 days before expiry, if the residence permit has a one-year validity period,
- 30 days before expiry in other cases.
For full information on how to obtain a permanent residence permit or immigration to Italy, please contact us.