Waiting for an Italian residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) can be a frustrating experience. In 2026, administrative delays and high demand across Italian Questure (Immigration Offices) have made processing times more unpredictable than ever.
This guide provides an updated analysis of current waiting times, from the initial postal kit submission to the final collection of your electronic card.
How long does it take permesso di soggiorno in Italy?
Article 5, par 9 of the Italian Immigration Law – Testo Unico Immigrazione provides that standard residency permits must be issued or renewed within 60 days of application, provided all requirements are met ( for example Family, Work, Medical, Study, etc.
Whereas:
- EU Family Member Residence Card: Must be issued within 90 days of the application.
- EU Long-Term Residence Permit (formerly known as Carta di Soggiorno): Must be issued within 90 days of the application.
With judgment no. 3578 of May 9, 2022, the Council of State (Consiglio di Stato- the higher administrative court) clarified that immigration proceedings are subject to a 180-day window. This is due to the extreme complexity and the high volume of applications handled by the administration..
New to the process? If you haven’t submitted your application yet and need to know how to start, read our Complete Guide to the Italian Permesso di Soggiorno before checking the waiting times below.
Average waiting times in 2026: an overview
While Italian law, as previously said, theoretically sets a deadline of 60 or 90 days for the issuance of the permit, the reality is quite different. Depending on the city and the type of permit (for example, work, family, or elective residence), the total process can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months.
| Phase of Application | Estimated Duration (2026) |
| Postal Kit to Fingerprinting Appointment | 2 – 6 Months |
| Fingerprinting to “Ready for Collection” | 2 – 5 Months |
| Total Estimated Time | 4 – 11 Months |
How long after fingerprints? (the “second phase”)
One of the most frequent questions for applicants is: “How long does it take to get the permesso di soggiorno after fingerprints?” Once your fingerprints are taken at the Questura, your file undergoes a final police check and is sent to the State Printing Office for the production of the electronic card.
- Standard cases: Usually 45 to 90 days after the appointment.
- High-volume Questure (Rome, Milan, Florence): Expect 1 to 4 months.
- Missing Documents: If the Questura requests additional integration, the “clock” resets until the documents are provided.
Why is my residence permit taking so long?
Several factors influence the permesso di soggiorno processing time in 2026:
- The Questura Location: Larger cities have massive backlogs compared to smaller provincial offices.
- Type of Permit: Permits requiring extensive background checks (like Family Reunification) often take longer than renewals for employment.
- Administrative Factors: Staff shortages and technical issues in the IT systems of the Ministry of Interior often contribute to significant delays.
How to check your status online
You don’t need to visit the Questura to know if your permit is ready. You can track your application using:
- The Polizia di Stato Website: Enter your file number (numero assicurata) from your postal receipt.
- The Portale Immigrazione: Log in using the User ID and Password found on your receipt.
Legal Tip: If your application has exceeded the legal limits and is causing you significant professional or personal hardship, it is possible to send a formal notice (Diffida) via an immigration lawyer to expedite the process.
Traveling while waiting: is it possible?
The permesso di soggiorno receipt (ricevuta) has full legal value. It certifies that there is an ongoing administrative procedure and allows the foreign national to stay legally in Italy while waiting for the final document.
Can I travel? If you have your postal receipt, you can generally travel to your home country and back to Italy, provided you:
- Travel via a direct flight (do not have layovers in the Schengen Area).
- Carry your expired permit (if it’s a renewal) and the original ricevuta.
Read our related article Can you travel with a permesso di soggiorno receipt? Rules and risks
Can I expedite the appointment?
Generally, it is not possible to move your appointment to an earlier date. Questure schedule appointments based on staff availability. However, an earlier date may be requested in proven cases of:
- Urgent Work: If you need the permit to start a specific contract.
- Health Reasons: If you require urgent medical treatment in Italy.
- Urgent Travel: For documented family or professional emergencies.
An immigration lawyer can assist in contacting the Questura to request an expedited appointment based on these specific grounds.
What to do if the immigration office (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.
Summary: how long does the process take?
In short, while the law mentions 60 days, in 2026 you should expect the process to be completed within 180 days for standard cases, though it can extend up to a year in overcrowded provinces. After 180 days of silence from the administration, you may have legal grounds to take action against the delay.
Are you experiencing excessive delays with your residency permit? If your application has been “under processing” for over 6 months, contact Legally Italy for a legal assessment of your case.
