Italian Italian Residence Permit: Requirements, Costs & Processing Times Explained

June 10, 2025

What is Permesso di Soggiorno in Italy

The “residence permit” (pemesso si soggiorno) is an official document that authorizes foreign citizens not belonging to the European Union to legally reside in Italy. This document is issued following an administrative procedure, and allows foreign citizens to reside in Italy for the duration indicated in the permit, carrying out the activities for which it was issued.

You can also read our article How to Stay Legally in Italy, where we explain what is a residence document —known as a titolo di soggiorno. The residence permit /pemesso si soggiorno, is the most frequent one.

Who is a foreign citizen under Italian law?

A foreigner is someone who does not have Italian citizenship and can be:

EU citizen: when they hold citizenship of one of the European Union member states (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Hungary)

Third-country citizen, or non-EU citizen: when they hold citizenship of a country that does not belong to the European Union.

How to get a permesso di soggiorno/residence permit in Italy

To get an Italian residence permit (permesso di soggiorno), you must meet certain general requirements set by law:

Valid entry visa: You need to have an appropriate visa for entering Italy.
Legal entry: You must enter the country legally, following the standard requirements and conditions (as outlined in art. 4 Testo Unico Immigrazione, AKA T.U. Immigrazione or TUI).
Timely application: You must submit your residence permit application within 8 working days of arriving in Italy (according to Article 5, paragraph 2 TUI).

When is a foreign citizen’s entry into Italy considered legal?

A foreign citizen’s entry into Italy is considered legal when:

They enter through an official border crossing point.
They have a valid passport or equivalent travel document.
They can provide documentation explaining the purpose and conditions of their stay, and can show they have enough money to cover their expenses during the visit and for their return journey to their home country or onward travel to another country.
They are not listed as inadmissible, and are not considered a threat to public order or national security.
They have not been convicted (even with a non-final sentence, including plea bargains) of serious crimes listed in Article 380, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Criminal Procedure Code, or of crimes related to: drugs, sexual offenses, counterfeiting, trademark or copyright violations, facilitating illegal immigration into Italy or illegal emigration from Italy to other countries, recruiting people for prostitution, or recruiting minors for illegal activities.

Italian permesso di soggiorno visa free

Italian authorities may grant the following residence permits to individuals already present in Italian territory:

Abandoned minors: For minors in a state of abandonment without parental care

Social protection: For victims of violence, exploitation, or severe abuse requiring protection

Minor assistance: For individuals providing care and assistance to minors

Medical treatment: For foreign nationals requiring urgent or specialized medical care in Italy

Justice-related reasons: For individuals involved in judicial proceedings or cooperating with authorities

Humanitarian reasons/Subsidiary protection: For those facing serious harm or danger if returned to their country of origin

Asylum application/Political asylum: For individuals seeking refugee status or international protection

Emigration to another country: For those awaiting transfer to a third country

Pending citizenship: For applicants waiting for Italian citizenship approval

These exceptional provisions ensure protection and legal status for vulnerable individuals and special cases where obtaining an entry visa is impractical or impossible.

Note: Each category has specific eligibility requirements and documentation. Consult with immigration authorities or an immigration lawyer to determine which applies to your situation.

What are the reasons for the issuance of a residence permit?

A residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) is issued based on the reason stated in your entry visa, in accordance with current Italian immigration law. The permit’s duration matches the validity period of your entry visa, as outlined in Article 5, paragraphs 2 and 3 of the T.U. Immigrazione.

Main types of permesso di soggiorno in Italy

Italian authorities issue residence permits for various purposes. The main ones are:

Employment-Based Residence Permits

Employed Work (Lavoro Subordinato): For employees working in Italy. Applicants must secure entry through the quota system established by the Flussi Decree (Decreto Flussi)

Self-Employment (Lavoro Autonomo): For entrepreneurs, freelancers, and self-employed professional.

Family and Personal Reasons

Family Reunification: For joining family members legally residing in Italy

Study Purposes: For international students enrolled in Italian educational institutions

Religious Reasons: For religious workers and clergy members

Special Residence Permits

Sports Activities: For professional athletes and sports personnel
Medical Treatment: For individuals seeking medical care in Italy
Minor Assistance (Article 31): For guardians providing care to minors

Each permit type has specific requirements, documentation, and renewal procedures. Ensure you apply for the correct category that matches your circumstances.

Where and How to Apply for Permesso di Soggiorno- Residency Permit in Italy.

The permesso di soggiorno /residency permit is issued by the local Police Headquarters (Questura) responsible for the applicant’s place of residence.

Most applications start at the Post Office, where applicants submit their forms and documents in a sealed envelope (AKA kit postale) which is then mailed to the Questura for processing.

The application must be made in person, except in limited cases such as minors in humanitarian reception projects or applicants in care facilities.

Which Residence Permit Applications Are Submitted at Poste Italiane Using the Postal Kit (Yellow Envelope)?

Most applications for initial issuance, renewal, conversion, or updates of the main residence permit types must be submitted through Poste Italiane offices marked with the “Sportello Amico” logo, using a special postal kit for residence permits (yellow envelope) available at these post offices.

READ ALSO “Postal Kit for Italian Residence Permit: What Is It and How to Complete it”

The registered mail receipt confirms the application has been filed and allows the foreign national to enjoy the same rights granted to holders of valid residence permits. For example, they can work and apply for family reunification.

When mailing the postal kit, the foreign citizen who submitted the residence permit application immediately receives notification of the scheduled date and time for their appointment at the Immigration Office to complete fingerprinting and photo procedures.

At the scheduled appointment, the applicant must bring 4 passport-size photos with a white background, original documents already attached when submitting the application, and if their legal status has changed since filing the application, they must also provide all updated documentation certifying their new status.

Which Residence Permits Require Direct Application at the Questura Immigration Office?

For certain residence permit types, applications for issuance, renewal, duplicate copies, or updates must be submitted directly through an appointment at the Questura – Immigration Office.

Electronic format residence permits:

Minor assistance
Pending stateless status recognition

Paper format residence permits:

Medical treatment
Medical treatment with visa obtained abroad
Minor integration
Minor age
Justice-related reasons
Acquisition of citizenship or stateless status, except when the foreign national previously held an asylum application permit
Political asylum application – within 60 days from filing the international protection request
Natural disaster/calamity

Application procedure

The application must be submitted in person by the applicant, who will be identified during acceptance (with passport and, for renewals, updates, or conversions, also the expiring permit). The applicant receives a slip with a photograph and the Questura’s date stamp.

The slip with photograph and Questura stamp allows the foreign national to enjoy the same rights granted to holders of valid residence permits, provided they meet the required conditions.

Residence permit: when to apply – deadline

Non-EU citizens must apply for their residence permit within 8 working days of entering Italy to the Questura of the province of residence

For family reunification with non EU citizens residing in Italy or for work permits, an additional step involves the Sportello Unico Immigrazione (Prefecture) .After completing its duties, this office prints the residence permit application form that the foreigner will send to the Questura (Police Headquarters) . In this case, the 8-day deadline is met if, within that date, the foreigner goes to or makes an appointment with the Sportello Unico.

Permesso di soggiorno: application requirements

The application form must be:

Signed by the applicant
Accompanied by four recent passport-size photos, generally handed to the Questura the day fingerprints are taken

Documents required for permesso di soggiorno/residence permit first issue and renewal

The documents required vary depending on the type of permit, but generally include:

Copy of a valid passport
Proof of accommodation
Proof of sufficient financial means
Permesso di soggiorno- if you are renewing it

The other documents needed for the application vary according to the type of residence permit.

For example, proof of sufficient means of subsistence, proportionate to the reasons and duration of stay, or availability of other resources or accommodation may be required

As mentioned, in case of family reunification to non Eu citizens resident in Italy or entry for work, the foreigner must, within eight days, go to the Sportello Unico Immigrazione: but the Questura still remains competent for issuing the residence permit.

In this case, the Sportello Unico Immigrazione is limited to:

Verifying the visa issued by the consular authority and the foreigner’s personal data
Delivering the tax code attribution certificate
Signing the pre-filled residence permit application form (which will be mailed by the applicant to the competent Police Headquarters)
Forwarding data for residence permit issuance to the competent Police Headquarters through electronic procedures.

Italian residence permit: cost and fees

A so called “contribution fee” is required for residence permit applications or issuance

a) €40.00 for residence permits lasting more than three months and up to one year

b) €50.00 for residence permits lasting more than one year and up to two years

c) €100.00 for issuing certain residence permits, such as EU residence permits for long-term residents, and for executives and workers

Other cost to be added the contribution fee is the cost of electronic residence permit cost (€30.46).

Residence permit fee exemptions

The contribution fee does not need to be paid by foreign citizens who are:

Minors (under 18 years old)
Medical treatment patients and their accompanying person
Victims of domestic violence or labor exploitation
Asylum seekers and holders of international protection
Applicants for duplicates or updates of valid passports

Additional costs to be considered.

Revenue stamp (marca da bollo) = € 16
Postal Kit= € 30

How long is a permesso di soggiorno valid in Italy?

The duration of an Italian residence permit depends on the type of entry visa and cannot exceed the following limits:

Up to 3 months → for visits, business, or tourism.
Up to 9 months → for seasonal work.
Up to 1 year → for attending a certified study program or vocational training course. Annual renewal is possible for multi-year programs.
Up to 2 years → for self-employment, permanent employment contracts, or family reunification.
Variable duration → based on specific documented needs or other cases provided by Italian Immigration Law.

How long does it take permesso di soggiorno in Italy?

Article 5, par 9 of the Italian Immigration Law – Testo Unico Immigrazione provides that residency permits must be issued or renewed within 60 days of application, provided all requirements are met

The Council of State (Consiglio di Stato), with judgment no. 3578 of May 9, 2022, , has clarified that proceedings on immigration and citizenship are subject to 180 days given their complexity and the very high number of administrative proceedings activated.

Therefore, if the residence permit is not issued within 60 days, the applicant may submit a sollecito (formal notice) to the Police Headquarter (Questura). However, it is important to note that the Questura has up to 180 days to finalize the issuance of the permit.

What to do if the police deadquarters (Questura) exceeds the legal time limits

If the Questura (Police Headquarters) takes longer than the legal timeframe to issue your Italian residence permit, you are not powerless. Several legal tools and practical steps can help you speed up the process and protect your rights.

Below are the most effective actions to take if your residence permit in Italy is delayed

1. Contact the Immigration Office

Your first step should always be to communicate directly with the Immigration Office (Ufficio Immigrazione). Request clear information about the current status of your application.
In many cases, delays are due to administrative backlogs or missing documents. Maintaining open communication can help resolve issues without further legal steps.

**2. Send a Formal Sollecito or Notice to Comply**

If more than 60 days have passed without progress, you (or your immigration lawyer in Italy) can submit a sollecito — a formal written reminder urging the Questura to complete the procedure.
This legal notice demonstrates that you are aware of your rights and may prompt the administration to take action sooner.

3. Request the Intervention of a Higher Authority

When the Questura exceeds 180 days without issuing your residence permit, you can rely on Article 9-bis of Law No. 241/1990, which allows applicants to request the intervention of the superior administrative authority.
The contact details of this higher official should be available on the Questura’s official website.
Once the superior authority is activated, they must complete the process within 90 days, which is half of the standard administrative timeframe.

4. Consider Legal Action

If even the superior authority fails to act within the additional 90 days, you have the right to file an appeal before the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) or the competent Tribunal, assisted by an Italian immigration lawyer
Filing a legal appeal against the Questura’s delay can compel the administration to issue your residence permit and recognize your right to a timely decision.

5. Keep Records and Documentation

Always keep copies of all communications, emails, and documents exchanged with the Questura or Immigration Office.

Delays in issuing a residence permit in Italy are not uncommon — but the law provides several ways to act. Consulting an experienced immigration lawyer in Italy can make the difference between waiting indefinitely and successfully obtaining your document.

FAQ- Italian residence permit (permesso di soggiorno)

How to check residence permit status in Italy?

You can check the status of your permit using:

The Polizia di Stato tracking portal
The receipt number (postal code and password provided on the receipt)
SMS/email notifications if you provided contact details

If you applied through the post office, you will need to wait until you are summoned for fingerprinting (fotosegnalamento). After that appointment, the average waiting time is usually between one and three months.

Can I travel with just the receipt of my residence permit?

Yes, but with some limitations.

Within Italy: the receipt is valid proof of your legal stay.
Outside Italy: you can only travel directly between Italy and your home country. You cannot transit through other Schengen countries unless you hold a valid visa or permit.

Keep in mind that some airlines may refuse boarding without a physical visa or residence permit, even if Italian law allows travel in theory. It is always advisable to check with your airline before traveling.

READ ALSO: “Can I travel with the resident permit receipt?“

How long does a permesso di soggiorno take?

Officially, the process should take 60 days. In reality, the waiting time may vary considerably based on the region and the workload of the local Questura.

How long does it take to get the permesso di soggiorno after fingerprinting?

After your fingerprinting appointment, it may take a few weeks or several months before you receive your residence permit card. Until the card is issued, your receipt remains valid proof of your stay in Italy.