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 appointment and typical timelines.
Quick answer
Renewal is requested from the Questore of the province where you live: file the application at least 60 days before expiry (in practice it is accepted from 60 days before to 60 days after), normally with the postal kit at an enabled post office. The Questura checks that the conditions for your permit are still met.
Renewal is not automatic: the Questura verifies that the conditions for your permit type still apply, and the documents you attach are the evidence of those conditions.
If you file on time, the receipt proves your stay is regular while you wait; for employment there are specific rules, covered in the dedicated guide.
Who this guide is for
Anyone whose residence permit is expiring or has recently expired and needs to apply for renewal.
What you need
- Your expiring residence permit (original and copy)
- Valid passport (copy of the pages with details, visa and stamps)
- €16 revenue stamp
- Updated documents for your reason of stay (work, study, family, income)
- The postal kit from an enabled post office
Step-by-step process
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1. Check your expiry date
Note the expiry date and count back 60 days: that is the window official sources indicate for filing.
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2. Collect updated documents
You need evidence that the conditions still apply: contract or hiring communication, payslips and income, school enrolment, family status, or long-term residence requirements.
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3. Complete the postal kit
Form 1 is mandatory; form 2 covers income and employment. State the reason for renewal and attach the required photocopies.
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4. Pay and send
Revenue stamp on the form, postal fees, and payments for the electronic permit and the contribution. Send the envelope as insured mail and keep the receipt with your user code and password.
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5. Attend the appointment with originals
Bring originals, receipts and photographs: your photo and fingerprints will be taken if required.
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6. Wait for the checks and collect your permit
You can follow the file status online. You will be notified when the permit is ready for collection.
Documents
- — Expiring residence permit, original and copy
- — Copy of a valid passport
- — €16 revenue stamp
- — Payment receipts (electronic permit and contribution)
- — Updated documents for your reason of stay
- — Income and employment documents, where required
- — Residence or family status certificate, where required
- — Recent passport-style photographs, where required
Indicative costs
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue stamp | €16.00 | Required for every application. |
| Postal fee | €30.00 | For insured shipping. |
| Electronic permit cost | €30.46 | For permits valid longer than 90 days. |
| Issue contribution | €40 / €50 / €100 | Depends on the duration of the new permit. |
Amounts are those published by official sources on the review date and may change: always check the current amount before paying.
Timelines
| Stage | Typical timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Filing window | 60 days before to 60 days after expiry | Official sources indicate filing at least 60 days ahead. |
| Questura appointment | Weeks to months | Varies significantly by province. |
| New permit issued | Months | There are no guaranteed times; the receipt keeps your stay regular meanwhile. |
Timelines shown are typical ranges reported by official sources or observed in practice: they are not guaranteed.
What happens next
- Check your application status online.
- If your reason for stay is changing, look into converting your permit.
- Update related records: anagrafe registration, health card, and information for your employer.
Common mistakes
Mistake: Filing only after expiry.
Better approach: File from 60 days before: you avoid risk and have time to complete documents.
Mistake: Attaching stale documents from another period.
Better approach: Use documents covering the period required for your permit type.
Mistake: Losing the shipping receipt.
Better approach: Photograph and keep it — it proves you filed the application.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I work while waiting for the renewal?
- If your permit allows employment, the renewal receipt lets you keep working until the authorities notify you of any obstacles to renewal.
- What happens if the permit expires while I wait?
- With the receipt your stay is treated as regular while the decision is pending; travelling outside Italy, however, requires specific checks.
Related guides
When to renew your permit
Official sources indicate filing the renewal application at least 60 days before your permit expires. In practice the filing windo…
Expired residence permit: what to do
If your permit has expired, file the renewal application as soon as possible using the postal kit, attaching documents for your re…
Working while your renewal is pending
Yes: once you have filed the renewal application, the receipt gives you the same rights attached to the residence permit. In parti…
Income documents
Income is usually documented with the annual income certificate (modello CU), tax returns, payslips and contribution statements. T…
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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Polizia di Stato — Renewal of the residence permit (opens in a new tab)
Polizia di Stato · in italiano
Scheda ufficiale della Polizia di Stato su termini, verifica dei requisiti ed effetti della ricevuta durante il rinnovo.
Link last verified:
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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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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.
Link last verified:
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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).
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.
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- Content owner
- ItalyDocsHub Editorial Team