Residence permit
What a permesso di soggiorno is, first applications, permit categories, duplicates and the electronic card: practical guides with official sources.
The permesso di soggiorno is the document that connects almost every procedure for people living in Italy: your work, registry registration, healthcare and — further down the line — citizenship all depend on it.
This section explains what the permit is, how the first application works, which categories exist, and what to do when the document is lost, damaged or needs updating to the electronic format.
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What is a permesso di soggiorno?
A permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) is the document that allows a non-EU citizen to stay in Italy for more than 90 days. It states the reason f…
First residence permit application
After entering Italy with a visa for stays longer than 90 days, you must file the first permit application within 8 working days, normally using the p…
Residence permit for subordinate employment
A permit for subordinate employment is based on an employment relationship with an employer in Italy: entering the country requires a work clearance (…
The electronic residence permit
In recent years the Questura has issued residence permits in electronic format: a microchip card with a digital photograph that is more secure and har…
Guides in this section
What is a permesso di soggiorno?
A permesso di soggiorno lets non-EU citizens stay in Italy beyond 90 days: what it contains, how long it lasts, who issues it and what to do…
First residence permit application
How to apply for your first permesso di soggiorno in Italy: deadlines after entry, the postal kit, documents per reason for stay, costs and …
Renewing your residence permit: the procedure
How to renew a permesso di soggiorno in Italy: deadlines, postal kit, documents per permit type, the receipt, costs, the Questura appointmen…
Lost, stolen or damaged residence permit
What to do if your permesso di soggiorno is lost or stolen: police report, duplicate application with the postal kit, required documents and…
The electronic residence permit
The electronic permesso di soggiorno is a microchip card: differences from the old paper format, updating paper residence cards and the prod…
Residence permit for subordinate employment
How to obtain and renew an Italian work permit for subordinate employment: nulla osta, residence contract, permit duration, documents and in…
Residence permit for study
Italian study residence permit: enrolment at a university or course, duration, renewal, how much students may work and conversion to a work …
Residence permit for family reasons
Residence permit for family reasons in Italy: when it is issued, duration, documents (family status, marriage or birth records), renewal and…
EU long-term residence permit
Requirements for the EU long-term residence permit in Italy: five years of residence, minimum income, A2 Italian, documents, costs and valid…
Useful tools
Official sources
This page is based on the official sources listed below. Open them to check the most recent information directly with the competent authority.
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Polizia di Stato — Immigration Office (police headquarters online) (opens in a new tab)
Polizia di Stato · in italiano
Pagina delle Questure con le informazioni sui titoli di soggiorno, i moduli e la verifica dello stato delle pratiche.
Link last verified:
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Immigration Consolidation Act — Legislative Decree 286/1998 (in force) (opens in a new tab)
Normattiva — Presidenza del Consiglio dei Ministri · in italiano
Testo unico delle disposizioni concernenti la disciplina dell’immigrazione e norme sulla condizione dello straniero.
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Ministry of the Interior — Immigration and asylum (opens in a new tab)
Ministero dell’Interno · in italiano
Sezione istituzionale del Ministero dell’Interno dedicata a immigrazione, asilo, cittadinanza e titoli di soggiorno.
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Portale Immigrazione (Immigration Portal) (opens in a new tab)
Ministero dell’Interno · in italiano
Il portale telematico del Ministero dell’Interno per la gestione delle istanze di soggiorno (kit postale, nulla osta, sportello unico).
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Questure — Documents to include in the postal kit (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Polizia di Stato — Questure · in italiano
Documento ufficiale con l’elenco dei documenti da inserire nel kit postale per le principali tipologie di permesso di soggiorno.
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Polizia di Stato — How, where and how much it costs (opens in a new tab)
Polizia di Stato · in italiano
Scheda ufficiale su dove presentare la domanda e sui costi: marca da bollo, spese postali, costo del permesso elettronico e contributo di rilascio.
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Important notice
The information published on ItalyDocsHub is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Procedures and requirements may change. For current information and advice regarding your specific situation, always consult the relevant official authority or a qualified professional.
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