You may also want to learn how to obtain residency in Italy. Every year counts towards getting one step closer to citizenship; if that is your final goal, the sooner you complete this, the better. Once you are finished with your application for your permesso di soggioro, you can apply for residency if you plan to live in Italy longer than 3 months. Check out this step-by-step guide on how to apply for residency in Italy.
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Fill Out the Application
Depending on which Italian city you live in, you can either apply for residency in Italy online or in-person at your local Anagrafe.
For instance, if you live in Milan you can complete all of this online through the Comune di Milano website through this link. See screenshot below.
You will need to upload a variety of forms and documents, so make sure copies are scanned onto your computer to upload if applying online. Plan to have at least the following:
- Passport or EU ID Card
- Codice Fiscale
- Lease Contract
If you apply for your residency in Italy through your city’s online platform, you receive an email receipt of registration confirmation. After an officer reviews, there may be follow-up questions or errors to be corrected. Correct these as soon as possible.
The day you complete this registration (whether online or in-person) is the day your residence will start.
Almost there! However, there are still a couple more tasks to complete.
Police Check
The next step in how to apply for residency in Italy involves a police check at your home to confirm your presence and address. However, this may take up to 45 days to complete after you file the registration. There is no guarantee to know the day they will show up at your residence. If you are not home, you will receive a notice and likely need to reschedule a visit.
They may ask you several confirmation questions such as “Why are you living in Italy?” or “What do you do here (study/work/etc)?” There is nothing to be nervous about as this is a routine check simply to verify you are on-file living at the correct address.
For example, I was not home when the police came to verify my address. However, my building receptionist vouched for me that I truly live at my address. Nonetheless, she couldn’t remember if I was working or studying. The police left a phone number with her, we dialed together, and I gave them information on living in Italy while attending an Italian Language School.
They gave me confirmation on the phone that my residency in Italy is complete as of the date I sent the application through the online portal.
Next Steps/Eligibility
Once you have completed your residency, you should head to your Anagrafe to request your official Residency Certificate. Be sure to make additional copies for your files.
With your residency in Italy you are also now eligible for other benefits such as:
- Parking Permits
When to Update Your Residency
Once you have completed the Italian residency application, you only need to update it if you move again. If you move within Italy, you should update your residency within the first 20 days. This can be completed in-person at your Anagrafe or online here.
That sums up how to apply for residency in Italy! Moving to Italy requires a lot of paperwork. You may be interested in my other how-to guides:
- How to Apply for Your Permesso di Soggiorno (Residence Permit) in Italy
- How to Get a Carta d’Identità (ID Card) in Italy
- How to Receive Your Codice Fiscale (Tax Code) in Italy
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