Italy Guide: Visas & Permits

Which documents do you need when going to Italy? What are the regulations on visas and residence permits? Our legal guide will help you understand the paperwork you need to complete before moving to Italy.

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  Italian visas

  Who needs a visa and documentation required

  Whether or not you need a visa to enter Italy depends on what citizenship you hold, your country of long-term residence and the duration and reasons for your stay in Italy.

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  Residence permits & permits to stay

  Declaration of presence & permanent residence cards

  Anyone planning to stay in Italy for more than 90 days is considered a resident. Whether you are a student or seasonal worker, if your stay exceeds this amount you must make sure you are in possession of the required documents since failing to acquire these can lead to expulsion from Italy.

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  Bureaucracy

  How to survive Italian bureaucracy

  Although Dante didn’t know it at the time, he perfectly described the labyrinth of Italian government offices and bureaucracy when he wrote ‘Abandon hope all who enter here’.

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  Applications

  How to apply for permits to stay

  Applications for permits to stay can be made at the local police headquarters (questura), or by using the "yellow kit" at a post office. The validity of permits varies from a minimum of six months to indefinite and they may or may not be renewable, depending on the original purpose.

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  Visitors

  Who doesn't need a visa to visit Italy?

  European Union (EU) nationals don’t require a visa for stays of up to 90 days.

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  Citizenship in Italy

  How to obtain Italian nationality

  The following laws currently (as of 2014) apply to Italian citizenship, but you should check whether these have been amended before making any important decisions.

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