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 validity.
Quick answer
The EU long-term residence permit can be requested after at least five years of legal, continuous residence in Italy, with adequate income, no social-danger findings and knowledge of Italian at least at A2 level. It is a stable permit, and the document itself must be updated periodically.
This permit is designed for people with stable residence in Italy: it is not tied to a single employment relationship or course of study, so changing activity is simpler.
The requirements are cumulative: residence, income, language and the absence of obstacles are checked by the Questura, which decides on each case.
Who this guide is for
People who have lived legally in Italy for at least five years with a stable, documentable stay.
What you need
- Valid residence permit with at least five years of legal residence
- Evidence of adequate income (tax returns, income certificate, payslips)
- Proof of Italian at A2 level, where required
- Historical residence certificate and family status certificate
- Housing suitability certificate, where required by the office
Step-by-step process
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1. Verify your five years of residence
Request a historical residence certificate: significant interruptions must be assessed with the office.
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2. Prepare income documents
Adequate, stable income is required: tax returns, income certificates and payslips for the relevant period.
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3. Demonstrate Italian language knowledge
Where required, attach an A2 (or higher) certificate or an equivalent qualification.
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4. File with the postal kit
Mark the kit as an application for the EU long-term permit and attach the complete documentation.
Documents
- — Valid passport and residence permit
- — Historical residence certificate and family status certificate
- — Latest tax return / income certificate
- — Payslips or evidence of adequate income
- — A2 language certificate or equivalent, where required
- — Housing suitability certificate, where required
- — Criminal record certificate or self-declarations, where required
- — Revenue stamp, payment receipts and postal kit
Indicative costs
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue stamp | €16.00 | |
| Postal fee | €30.00 | |
| Electronic permit + contribution | €130.46 | Amount indicated by official sources for the EU long-term permit (€100 contribution + €30.46 document cost). |
Amounts are those published by official sources on the review date and may change: always check the current amount before paying.
What happens next
- Keep your anagrafe registration updated: it is the evidence of continuous residence.
- Keep each year’s income documents.
- Check the requirements for Italian citizenship by residence, which generally requires ten years.
Common mistakes
Mistake: Applying without proof of adequate, stable income.
Better approach: Collect tax returns and payslips covering the required period.
Mistake: Forgetting to keep your anagrafe registration current over the years.
Better approach: Keep your registration updated and request historical certificates before applying.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the long-term permit expire?
- The document has a technical validity and must be updated with a new photograph and biometric data; the right of residence does not lapse because of that. Check the official source for the update procedure.
Related guides
Renewing your residence permit: the procedure
Renewal is requested from the Questore of the province where you live: file the application at least 60 days before expiry (in pra…
Income documents
Income is usually documented with the annual income certificate (modello CU), tax returns, payslips and contribution statements. T…
Italian citizenship by residence
Citizenship by residence (naturalisation) generally requires ten years of legal, continuous residence in Italy for non-EU citizens…
Anagrafe registration with the Comune
You declare your residence to the Comune where you habitually live, normally within 20 days of moving, with an identity document, …
Permit type finder
Suggests the permit category that may be relevant to your situation.
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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Questure — Immigration Office: procedures and documents (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
Polizia di Stato — Questure · in italiano
Documento ufficiale di sintesi sulle procedure dell’Ufficio Immigrazione: documenti per tipologia di permesso, contributi e conversioni.
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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.
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.
Link last verified:
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Integration of Migrants Portal (opens in a new tab)
Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali — Ministero dell’Interno · in italiano
Portale interistituzionale con guide multilingue su permessi, ricongiungimento familiare, cittadinanza e integrazione.
Link last verified:
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.
- Last reviewed
- Content owner
- ItalyDocsHub Editorial Team