The Residence Permit

If you intend to stay in Italy for more than three months you must apply for a residence permit permesso.

The permit is valid for 5 years.

The issue of residence permits to EU citizens is governed by Articles 3 and 5 of Presidential Decree No 54 of 12 January 2002, published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale No 83 of 9 April 2002.

How to apply

Applications for a residence permit to be issued to EU citizens should be presented at the Police Headquarters Questura of the place where the person concerned is located, where they should complete the appropriate form with the assistance of the counter staff.

The application must contain:

Name and address, in full of the applicant
Information contained in the passport
Reasons for residence
Date of entry to Italy
Duration of residence
Place of residence in Italy
Family members or other dependants for whom the person concerned is entitled to apply for a residence document

If the application is made for work purposes it must also be accompanied by:

A copy of a valid passport or identification document
One of the following: authorisation to work independently, a certificate of employment, a declaration of employment from the employer or a copy of the contract of employment
Four photographs

What is the Codice Fiscale

The Codice Fiscale is a unique identity code devised from an individual's name, date and place of birth used for tax identification number and in all interaction with government agencies and public administration in Italy. It is similar to the National Insurance number (NI) in the UK .

The Codice Fiscale is issued by the Agenzia dell' Entrate of the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Italy. It is a plastic credit card-sized card with the unique 16 alphanumeric digit code.

How to Apply for a Codice Fiscale

Application must be made at the local office of Agenzie dell'Entrate.

You will require a valid passport or stay permit Permeso di Soggiorno.

On making an application a number will be issued and the card will be sent by post at a later time.

New born babies must be issued with a Codice Fiscale within 60 days of birth. A parent must make application and supply the birth certificate.

Applying from outside Italy

A Codice Fiscale can also be issued by an Italian Embassy in an applicant's home country.