Ah, the dreaded permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) process. It is a love/hate relationship – while it is a cumbersome task, the benefit means you are legally living in Italy! Keep reading to find out all of the steps you need to complete and exactly how to apply for your permesso di soggiorno in Italy.

Important: If you are a non-EU citizen and will stay in Italy longer than 90-days, you MUST complete the permesso di soggiorno application within your first 8 days of arrival in Italy. Remember this is different than the visa in your passport.

Pick-Up the Kit at The Post Office

The first step for applying for your permesso di soggiorno is to go to Poste Italiane to pick-up the kit. Make sure the Poste Italiane offers the Sportello Amico service.

Once at the Post Office, take a number from the machine and wait until it is called. Ask for the “kit giallo” (they provide it free of charge at this stage) and you can be on your way! The application kit is a large envelope with a yellow mark along the front side with all of the forms you need included inside. You don’t fill out anything yet.

Don’t worry if the office is out of kits. Just head to another location to try.

Buy a Marca da Bollo

Now, find a Tabaccheria nearby and ask for the €16 marca da bollo. You will attach this to the front page of your permesso application.

Tabacchi are easy to spot as they have a large “T” sign outside the front doors. This is the location where you can also buy lottery tickets, cigarettes, etc. (you may need them for this long processof the permesso di soggiorno application).

Fill Out the Kit

Your school or work should be able to help filling out the form or there is a helpful reference here. It needs to be filled out using black pen, so ask for assistance if any portion is confusing. Make sure to hold on to copies for your own records.

Wait to sign and date the front page until you submit it through the Post Office.

You also want to ensure copies of the following documents will be included for your permesso di soggiorno application:

• Photocopy of your Passport (the photo page/personal details, the visa page, and the page with your entry stamps)
• Photocopy of your Codice Fiscale
• Photocopy of Proof of Domicile (This can include any of the following: Residency Certificate, Rental Contract, Declaration of Hospitality from Landlord, Declaration of Residency from University)
• Photocopy of Admission Letter and Enrollment Certificates (if studying) or Photocopy of Work Contract (if working)
• Photocopy of Document Proving Financial Means (if studying – it is recommended that this needs to be on your bank’s letterhead and signed by someone at your bank)
• Photocopy of Health Insurance (if studying)
• Photocopy of valid

Submit the Kit at the Post Office

Once the kit is filled out, you can head back to the same Poste Italiane (or any others offering the Sportello Amico service) to send the kit. Use the same process as before; check-in at the front and wait for your number to be called. Bring your physical passport along with your filled out application forms and all of the photocopies mentioned above.

At the post office, you pay the €70.46 processing fee along with a €30 mailing fee. The postal worker will then provide you with a very important receipt and paper!

The receipt includes a small slip of paper (with a small holographic square in the corner) that allows you to track you kit, if desired.

The paper is your Questura appointment. It states the date, time, and location of your interview at the Police Station, the next step in the process. The appointment wait time can range from a few weeks to months depending on the Italian city.

Note: This appointment date is not negotiable! You must go to that specific location on that specific date/time.

This receipt acts as your temporary permesso card and proof of your legal residency before you receive the physical card, so keep it on you at all times. You are now finished with the first half of items required for how to apply for your permesso di soggiorno.

Police Interview

On the date of your appointment, check-in at your Questura by showing your receipt/letter mentioned in the step above. You will likely wait in their immigration office until the officer is ready for you.

Once ready, the officer will have you double-check your personal data, take your fingerprints, and perhaps ask a few more clarifying questions. Note: it is not guaranteed your officer will speak English. If you have changed your address or any other personal information, bring certified forms of proof to the interview.

You should also bring the following documents:

• Passport
• Photocopy of Passport
• Permesso Application Kit Receipt
• Photocopies of Permesso Application Forms
• 2 Passport Size Photos (You can usually find photobooths at certain metro stations to process these)
• Health Insurance Copy (if studying)
• Proof of Financial Means (if studying)
• Proof of Domocile

Note: In general, I recommend a large file to store all of your documents and photocopies needed for Italian beurarcracy. I tend to bring this for all of my appointments given you never know which form could be asked for and better safe than sorry!

Unfortunately, the application for the permesso di soggiorno is still not over. Now, you have to wait another month or two until the physical card will be ready. You will receive an SMS notification when the card is ready for pick-up, but sometimes you won’t receive one. In this case, you can double-check your Residence Permit status on the Police website.

Pick Up Your Residence Card

One the card is ready, you can pick it up in-person back at your Questura. Bring your passport and the original application receipt so the officer can deliver your card. There you go! Officially finished (for now). If you are studying or working beyond the validity of your permesso, you will need to repeat these steps before its expiration.

I recommended celebrating with a large spritz. I understand this was a long journey requiring a lot of patience and organization, but you did it!

Congrats! You conquered the treatuorous journey of how to apply for the permesso di soggiorno in Italy! Although it is a daunting journey, you are now LEGALLY LIVING IN ITALY!

You may also be interested in the following how-to guides:

• How to Receive Your Codice Fiscale (Tax Code) in Italy
• How to Get a Carta d’Identità (ID Card) in Italy

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