Eligibility quiz
Are you a citizen of a country outside the EU, with no citizenship of an EU country?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Italy
You can live in Italy for as long as your residence permit is valid.
You can register where you live and use ordinary identity and administrative services.
You can leave and return to Italy while your passport and permit are valid.
Visit Schengen countries
With a valid passport and residence permit, you can visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period outside Italy.
Have a home
You can rent or own a home in Italy.
Use public healthcare
You can join public healthcare voluntarily or have private health insurance, which can also cover dependent family members.
You qualify for free public healthcare if your work or family permit was converted after you were granted an Italian disability pension.
How to apply
From outside ItalyFrom outside Italy
Find your consulate
Find the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you live lawfully.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Italian consulate covers your city for a residenza elettiva visa?”
Get the application form
Get the national visa application form from your consulate’s visa page.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the national visa application form for residenza elettiva at the Italian consulate for your city?”
Fill in the form
Complete and sign the national visa application form. For a child, both parents must sign as the consulate instructs.
See how to applySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in Italy’s national visa application form for residenza elettiva?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate and the residence permit application.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Book a visa appointment using the method your consulate asks for. Create a Prenot@Mi account if your consulate uses it, and contact the consulate first if it requires that.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a residenza elettiva visa appointment at the Italian consulate for your city?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your signed form, passport and documents to the consulate, and give fingerprints or answer questions if asked. Pay the visa fee using the method your consulate specifies; for a child, attend with your child as the consulate instructs.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What do I bring and how do I pay for a residenza elettiva visa appointment at the Italian consulate for your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate’s decision and answer any requests for more information or documents.
See how long it takesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does an Italy residenza elettiva visa decision take at a consulate?”
Travel to Italy
Once your visa is issued, enter Italy while it is valid. For a child’s application, travel with your child as appropriate.
Plan your arrivalSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Italy with a residenza elettiva visa?”
Once in ItalyOnce in Italy
Find a post office
Find a participating Sportello Amico post office in the province where you plan to live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is a Sportello Amico post office near your city for an Italy residenza elettiva residence permit?”
Pick up the package
Get a residence permit application package with a yellow band from a participating post office. You can also get help completing it from an authorised support office or town hall.
Find the application packageSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get an Italy residenza elettiva residence permit application package?”
Fill in the forms
Complete and sign the forms in the package for residenza elettiva, permit code 21, using black pen and block capitals. For a child, complete the application for your child as instructed.
See how to completeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete the Italy residenza elettiva residence permit application package?”
Hand in your application
Within eight working days of entering Italy, take the signed package in an open envelope, your passport and the required copies to a participating Sportello Amico post office in your intended province of residence. Pay the applicable charges there, including the revenue stamp and the production charge and permit contribution using the postal payment slip; follow the office’s instructions for a child’s application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Where is a Sportello Amico post office near your city for an Italy residenza elettiva residence permit?”
Keep your receipt
Keep the receipt from the post office. You can use its codes to follow your residence permit application.
Follow your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check my Italy residenza elettiva residence permit application with my postal receipt?”
Go to your appointment
Go to the police immigration office appointment shown on your receipt for photographs, fingerprints and document checks; bring your passport, receipt, appointment notice and original documents. For a child, bring your child and any additional photographs the office asks for.
Prepare for your appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to my Italy residenza elettiva residence permit appointment at the Questura?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the police immigration office to decide on your permit and answer any requests for more information or documents.
Follow your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check my Italy residenza elettiva residence permit application with my postal receipt?”
Collect your permit
Collect your electronic residence permit when the police immigration office notifies you. It lets you live in Italy for the period shown, but not work there; renew it before it expires if you need to stay longer.
Find collection instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Italy residenza elettiva residence permit from the Questura?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates *
Get your birth certificate showing your parents’ names from the office that issued it. Ask your consulate what form of the certificate it needs.
* Only if you apply as a minor child of the person supporting you.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage certificates *
Get a recent copy of your marriage certificate from the office that issued it. Ask your consulate what form of the certificate it needs.
* Only if you apply as the spouse of the person supporting you.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationProof of family circumstances *
Provide evidence that you live with the person supporting you. If you are their adult child, also provide evidence that you depend on them financially.
* Only if you apply as the spouse or dependent adult child of the person supporting you.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Maintaining your residence
Keep your passport and permit valid, live in Italy, maintain independent means and health cover, and renew your permit before it expires.
Keep the police informed of relevant changes.
Work restrictions
This permit does not allow you to work in Italy, work for yourself, run a business as work or look for a job.
Your financial support must remain independent of work.
Residence can be lost
Your permit can end if it expires without renewal, or if renewal is refused or cancelled.
It can also be taken away if you no longer meet the requirements, or because of false documents or statements, serious public safety concerns, or an expulsion order that can be enforced.
A long absence can also prevent renewal where the rules say so.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Retired Expats in Italy
English Facebook group for people living in Italy interested in Italian visas
Request to joinItalian Elective Residence Visa EXPERTS
English Facebook group for people living in Italy interested in Italian visas
Join on FacebookRetirees in Italy • How to retire and move to Italy
English Facebook group for people living in Italy interested in Italian visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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