Residence permit in Italy

A non-EU foreign national staying in Italy for more than three months must hold a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) corresponding to the purpose of the stay. The Firm assists the applicant with the application, renewal and conversion of the permit.

Application for the permit

• The application must be submitted to the Questore within eight working days of entry into Italy (art. 5 Legislative Decree 286/1998).
• For the ordinary categories the application is submitted by means of the postal kit at the authorised Poste Italiane offices, including with the assistance of town halls and patronati (welfare advice bureaux); in other cases directly at the Questura.
• The principal grounds of residence are employment and self-employment, family and study; the duration of the permit varies according to the grounds and, for employment, according to the contract.

Renewal

Since 22 May 2026 renewal must be applied for at least 90 days before expiry. The permit is issued, renewed or converted within 90 days of the application; while the renewal procedure is pending, the stay remains lawful.

EU long-term residence permit

• It presupposes holding a valid residence permit for at least five years.
• It requires an income not lower than the annual amount of the assegno sociale (state social allowance) and, if extended to family members, suitable accommodation.
• It requires passing an Italian language test, save in cases of exemption.
• The status is permanent; the document is renewed periodically.

Integration agreement

A foreign national entering Italy for the first time with a permit valid for not less than one year, for employment or family reasons, signs the integration agreement provided for by art. 4-bis of Legislative Decree 286/1998.

Costs

A contribution whose amount varies according to the duration of the permit, the cost of the electronic permit, stamp duty and postage costs are payable, save in cases of exemption. The Firm issues a detailed, no-obligation quote, stating the current amounts.

Immigration procedures in Italy

Sources: Legislative Decree 286/1998, arts. 4-bis, 5 and 9 · Legislative Decree 83/2026 · D.P.R. 179/2011 · Portale Integrazione Migranti, information sheets on the residence permit and on the EU long-term residence permit · Polizia di Stato, information sheets. Information only, updated September 2026.