Residence permit in Italy in 2026

A residence permit in Italy is an official document that allows a foreigner to legally reside in the country for a certain period. It can be provided for various reasons: for work, study, investment, family reunification, or for other reasons. A residence permit grants the right to use social services and opens up the possibility of later obtaining permanent residence or citizenship.

Schengen visa to Italy

Italy is included in the list of countries in the Schengen area, so you need to obtain a visa to enter its territory. You should apply for an Italian visa at visa application centers. The standard visa processing period is from 4 working days, and in high season it reaches 2 weeks.

Types of visas by validity period

Type A visa

A transit visa, which is obtained by crossing the Italian border once, while not leaving the international area of the airport. Its validity period is 48 hours.

Type B visa

A transit visa that allows you to stay in Italy for up to 5 days. However, this visa was no longer issued after the entry into force of the EU Visa Code of 2010, and now it is necessary to apply for a transit visa instead.

Type C visa

A short-term visa for tourism or business, you can stay in Italy for no more than 90 days per half year. The C visa can be single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry (multi visa). A single—entry visa allows you to enter Italy once, and a double-entry visa allows you to enter Italy twice. With a multi visa, you can cross the Schengen border an unlimited number of times. These types of visas include: tourist, business, sports, and transport visas.

Type D visa

A long-term visa that allows you to live in the country for more than 90 days per half year. This is a national visa for those who are going to Italy for a long time. It allows you to cross the borders of other Schengen countries. This type of visa can be extended.

Residence permit

A residence permit, or Permesso (Permesso di soggiorno), grants the right to legally reside in Italy for more than 90 days per half-year. A residence permit is a plastic card with a chip containing the owner’s data.

Knowledge of the Italian language is not required to obtain or extend a residence permit. In order to extend the permit and legally live in Italy, foreigners must receive at least 6,000 euros per year, the minimum amount of social security benefits (assegno sociale). For each dependent family member — another 3,000 euros per year. You can monitor the status of the application for a residence permit on the Questura website (the police department where the immigration service is located).

How to get a residence permit in Italy

When obtaining a residence permit in Italy, it is extremely important to follow a step-by-step procedure and apply exclusively through official authorities. This approach guarantees the legality of the process, minimizes the risks of rejection and errors when submitting documents, and ensures timely receipt of all necessary permits.

Registration procedure:

1. First, you need to obtain a national D visa at the Italian Consulate in your country.
2. A residence permit can only be obtained in Italy. You must apply for a residence permit within 8 days after arrival in the country. Depending on the basis of the residence permit, you need to send the documents by mail or directly contact the Italian police Questura located at your place of residence.
3. After submitting the documents, submitting biometrics and interviewing at the Questura, it will take about 60 days to wait for the issuance of a residence permit.

Documents for obtaining a residence permit

• Application for a residence permit.
• The original and a copy of the passport with the entry visa.
• 4 photos.
• Documents confirming the basis for issuing a residence permit.
• Receipt of payment of the state fee.
• Certificate of non-criminal record.
• Documents confirming the place of residence — own or rented housing for a long time.
• Postage stamp (Marca da bollo).
• Confirmation of the purpose of the stay (for example, an employment contract, a letter from the university, proof of investment).
• Proof of financial viability (bank statement, income statement).
• Medical insurance valid in Italy.

The cost of obtaining an Italian residence permit

The cost of obtaining a residence permit in Italy in 2025 varies depending on the type of permit and its duration. The average total cost is 116.46 euros. This amount includes:

• 70.46 euros — for the plastic residence permit card itself.;
• 16 euros — stamp duty;
• 30 euros is the postal fee for submitting an application through the post office.

For minors under the age of 14, the cost is 30.46 euros, plus an additional fee for including a parent’s residence permit.

When applying for a long-term residence permit, for example, for investors, additional expenses may be required.

Grounds for obtaining a residence permit

Investments (Investitori)

The investor and his family receive a residence permit in Italy for their significant contribution to the country’s economy. Holders of an investment residence permit have the right to work or conduct business in Italy. The application for a residence permit is considered for 90-120 days.

Investment options

• 250 thousand euros to Italian innovative startups;
• 500 thousand euros — to the assets of Italian companies;
• 2 million euros — in Italian government bonds;
• 1 million euros is a charitable contribution to socially significant projects in Italy.

All investments are placed for at least two years. The full amount of investments must be invested within three months after entering Italy on an investor’s visa.

A residence permit is issued for 2 years and extended for another 3 years, subject to continued investment. Investors are not required to permanently reside in the country, but they should not leave Italy for more than 365 days. A residence permit through investment allows you to request permanent residence after 5 years. You can apply for citizenship on a general basis after living in the country for 10 years. Detailed information about obtaining an investor’s residence permit and submitting an online application can be found on the website of the Italian Ministry of Economic Development.

Chosen place of residence (Residenza elettiva)

The chosen place of residence is obtained on the basis of the purchase of real estate or the conclusion of a long-term lease agreement and a high passive income outside Italy. A residence permit is issued without the right to work, run a business, or receive social benefits.

Financially independent applicants who have a stable income of at least 31,000 euros per year from rental of real estate, interest on deposits, securities, pensions, etc. receive such a residence permit. The profit from the employment is not taken into account. If the applicant also requests a residence permit for his spouse, the minimum amount is increased by 20%. An additional 5% is added for each child included in the application.

Business immigration or independent work (Lavoro autonomo)

Foreign businessmen who open their business in Italy or are co-founders of an Italian company receive a residence permit for entrepreneurship. In order to engage in independent work, you need to obtain the right to professional activity in some field: commerce, trade, sports, art, etc.

To obtain this residence permit, you need to prove your financial viability. Confirm your place of residence — rent or buy a property in Italy. And also get a Nulla osta, an official permit issued by the Questura.

Employment (Lavoro subordinato)

An employee who has signed an employment contract with an employer in Italy receives a residence permit for employment. The applicant needs to get a quota, and the employer must have a work permit for a foreign worker (Nulla Osta).

The Italian Ministry of Labor and the Ministry of Economy set the number of quotas for seasonal work and employment. The Decree on the distribution of work quotas (Decreto flussi immigratori) is published in January of each year. It specifies the maximum number of non-EU citizens who can come to Italy for employment.

For seasonal work, a residence permit is issued for a period of no more than 9 months. For work for a limited period (a tempo determinato), the duration of a residence permit is no more than a year. To work for an unlimited period (a tempo indeterminato), a residence permit is issued for a maximum of 2 years.

The EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE)

This is a residence permit for highly qualified specialists. Employees and managers of Italian companies and their family members can apply for a blue Card. The minimum wage before taxes should be 32,000 euros per year.

The Carta Blu UE is a special immigration document that entitles a foreign professional to legally reside in the EU for a long time. Based on the received blue card, he is granted a residence permit in Italy. More detailed information about the programme can be found on the Questura website.

Work for special categories of specialists (Lavoro casi particulari previsti)

Special categories of specialists have the right to work outside quotas in Italy. Among them are managers and highly qualified employees of companies, university professors and professors, researchers, translators, officially accredited journalists, nurses, athletes, sailors, artists, dancers, artists and musicians.

Awaiting employment (Attesa occupazione)

A foreigner who has lost his job in Italy has the right to obtain a residence permit for the duration of employment. He needs to register as unemployed at the municipality’s employment center, and then apply for a new residence permit at the Questura. The residence permit on this basis is valid for 1 year and cannot be extended. If a foreigner has not found a job or opened a new business in Italy in a year, he is obliged to leave the country.

Study (Studio)

You can get a residence permit based on studying at a school, college, university or Italian language courses if the duration of your studies exceeds three months. A residence permit is issued for a year, but it can be extended throughout the entire academic period. A residence permit for study allows you to work in Italy for no more than 20 hours per week. A student residence permit is valid only for the duration of university studies, but can then be transferred to a working residence permit and 5 years later to permanent residence status. This type of residence permit is considered one of the easiest to obtain.

Family reunion (Ricongiungimento familiare)

Close relatives of an Italian citizen or a holder of a residence permit in the country have the right to obtain a residence permit on the basis of «family reunification». A permit is issued for a period of up to 2 years. To obtain a residence permit, you need to confirm the degree of kinship up to the 2nd stage — spouses, children, parents. An Italian resident who invites relatives to the country must have his own or rented housing, suitable in size, and sufficient income to support the family. Relatives are first issued a D visa to enter Italy, and then a residence permit is issued. This residence permit allows you to work, run a business and study at a university in Italy.

Treatment (Cure Mediche)

Foreign patients can obtain a residence permit to undergo long-term treatment in a public or private clinic in Italy. To do this, you will need to provide a medical certificate, a contract with the clinic, a bank statement, and a deposit for treatment in the amount of 30% of the total cost.

Religion (Motivi Religiosi)

A residence permit is issued to foreigners who are in Italy for the purpose of preaching or missionary work.

Political asylum and humanitarian protection (Asilo politico, Motivi Umanitari)

Such a residence permit is granted to refugees who are at risk of harm to health and life or personal persecution in their homeland.

Taxes

If you spend more than 183 days a year in Italy, you become a tax resident of the country. This means that you will have tax obligations on an equal basis with Italians, even if your income is received outside its territory.

Integration Agreement

In Italy, an Integration Agreement (Contratto di Integrazione) is a mandatory document for foreign citizens over the age of 16 who apply for a residence permit for a period of one year or more. This agreement is concluded between the foreigner and the State, confirming the obligations of both parties to integrate into Italian society.

The Agreement includes:

• Civic integration courses: teaching the basics of Italian culture, the rights and duties of citizens, as well as knowledge of the Italian language.
• Credit system: A foreign citizen starts with 16 credits and can earn additional credits for participating in courses and events.
• Validity period: The agreement is valid for two years and can be extended for one year if necessary.
• Loss of credits: Credits may be lost due to violations of laws or public order.
• A set of necessary credits: to successfully fulfill the agreement, it is necessary to collect a certain number of credits, which is confirmed by the relevant documents.

The process of concluding an agreement

The agreement is signed at the local prefectural office (Prefettura) or the police department (Questura). After signing, the foreign citizen undertakes to fulfill the terms of the agreement within the prescribed time.

Extension and preservation of residence permit status

The extension and preservation of a residence permit in Italy requires timely compliance with certain procedures and conditions. Usually, a residence permit is issued for a period of 1 to 2 years and requires an extension before the expiration date.

To extend the residence permit, you must submit an application to the local police department (Questura) no later than 60 days before the end of the current permit. The package of documents includes: a valid passport, proof of residence, proof of financial viability, insurance and grounds for stay (for example, an employment contract or proof of study).

In order to maintain the residence permit status, it is also recommended to regularly inform the migration services about any changes related to the address of residence, marital status or type of activity in Italy.

Rights and obligations of a residence permit holder

The holder of a residence permit in Italy receives certain rights and assumes a number of responsibilities necessary for legal residence in the country and integration into Italian society.

The rights of a residence permit holder in Italy

• The right to legal residence in Italy during the period of validity of the residence permit.
• Access to the healthcare system through the National Health Service (SSN).
• The right to work or study, if this is provided for by the type of residence permit.
• Access to social services and benefits within the framework of Italian legislation.
• Free movement in the countries of the Schengen area for up to 90 days per six months.
• The right to participate in integration, language learning, and cultural adaptation programmes.

Duties of a residence permit holder in Italy

• Compliance with Italian laws and public order.
• Compliance with the conditions of the residence permit is the maintenance of the activity on the basis of which the permit was issued (work, study, investment, etc.).
• Timely extension of the residence permit is the submission of an application for extension no later than 60 days before the expiration date.
• Informing migration services about any changes in personal data, residential address or marital status.
• Participation in integration programmes (for example, fulfilling the terms of an Integration Agreement, attending language courses).
• Payment of taxes and contributions if the residence permit holder works or conducts business in Italy.

Real estate in Italy for obtaining a residence permit

Real estate in Italy is often considered by foreigners as an effective way to obtain a residence permit. The purchase of housing in the country does not guarantee the automatic right to a residence permit, however, it serves as an important confirmation of permanent residence, which is one of the requirements for obtaining a residence permit.

Investing in real estate, especially when combined with financial soundness, can greatly facilitate the process of obtaining a residence permit, as well as open up access to long-term visas for investors and entrepreneurs. In addition, owning real estate allows you to participate in regional support and integration programs, increasing the chances of successfully obtaining and extending a residence permit.

Our experts in Italy will help you choose a property for any investment purpose.

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Permanent residence and Italian citizenship

Permanent residence (permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo) is obtained after 5 years of legal residence in Italy with a residence permit. At the same time, it is allowed to be absent from the country for no more than 6 months in a row and no more than 10 months in total during a five-year period.

Requirements for obtaining permanent residence

• To live in Italy and have a residence permit for 5 years.
• Prove that you have earned enough income to support yourself and your family.
• Confirm the availability of housing that meets all necessary standards.
• Take the Italian language proficiency exam at A2 level.

Permanent residence, in fact, is an indefinite residence permit in Italy. A permanent residence permit gives a foreigner the same rights that Italian citizens have, except for electoral rights. You will be able to live and work in the country, receive education and medical care. More detailed information about obtaining permanent residence can be found on the Questura website.

Citizenship

A foreigner has the right to obtain Italian citizenship after living in the country for more than 10 years. To do this, he must confirm his knowledge of the Italian language at the B1 level, income for the last three years, availability of housing and no criminal record. The minimum annual income for one applicant is 8,300 euros, and an additional 500 euros per dependent is required.

Since 2015, citizenship applications have been submitted online. To do this, register on the website of the Italian Ministry of the Interior. The period for obtaining Italian citizenship usually takes from 24 to 48 months.

Full information on the grounds for obtaining Italian citizenship and the necessary documents is available on the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Advantages and disadvantages of living in Italy

Advantages

• Rich cultural heritage and history. Italy is a country with unique architectural monuments, museums, art and gastronomy, which makes life rich and inspiring.
• High quality of life. Clean air, picturesque landscapes, mild Mediterranean climate and healthy eating traditions contribute to well-being.
• A well-developed healthcare system. The National Health Service (SSN) provides a wide range of medical services at affordable prices.
• Moderate property prices. Compared to other Western European countries, housing in Italy is often cheaper, especially in the southern regions.
• Travel opportunities. The convenient geographical location makes it easy to visit other European countries and explore the diverse Italian regions.

Disadvantages

• Bureaucracy and slow administrative processes. Paperwork, including visas and residence permits, can take a long time and requires patience.
• High taxes and fees. Especially for workers and entrepreneurs, the tax burden is sometimes perceived as excessive.
• Differences in living standards between the north and the south. The north of Italy is more developed, while the south faces problems with infrastructure and social services.
• The language barrier. Knowledge of the Italian language is required for a comfortable life and work, which can become an obstacle for new residents.

When choosing the best way to obtain a residence permit in Italy, it is important to take into account personal goals, financial opportunities and plans for the future. Investment, employment, training, or family reunification — each path has its own advantages and requirements. It is recommended to carefully study all options, consult with professionals and act in stages through official authorities.

More reads

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• Residence permit in Italy for financially independent individuals
• Business visa for Italy