Residency in Italy

Italian residency is your official registration as a resident of Italy. It confirms that you live in the country long-term and are recorded in your local municipality’s register (Anagrafe). This status allows you to access local services such as healthcare (at a cost), enrol in education, and, if you are an EU citizen, vote in local elections.

The process depends on your nationality. EU citizens can register directly with their local comune by providing proof of address, valid ID, and a tax code (codice fiscale). Non-EU citizens, including UK nationals post-Brexit, must first secure the appropriate visa, then register their address and apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno).

Typical requirements include a valid passport, the correct visa (if you are a non-EU citizen), proof of accommodation in Italy, an Italian tax code, proof of sufficient financial resources, and health insurance. Some residency types, like work or study permits, may have additional requirements.

UK citizens now need a visa before moving to Italy. Many retirees choose the Elective Residency Visa, which requires proof of income from pensions or investments and self-funded healthcare. Once in Italy, you must register with the local comune and apply for a residence permit within eight days of arrival.

A residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) is a legal document allowing non-EU citizens to stay in Italy for a set period, based on the type of visa they hold. Residency is the formal registration of your address in Italy, which is required for tax purposes, healthcare access, and other administrative benefits.

If you have the correct visa and documents, registering residency can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months, depending on your local comune. Delays are possible if additional checks are needed or if there is a backlog. It might take several months to get your actual residency permit, though.

Yes. Non-EU citizens can usually apply for a long-term EU residence permit after five years of continuous legal residence. This gives you many of the same rights as Italian citizens, including freedom of movement in other EU countries.

Yes, if your visa type allows it. For example, work, family reunification, digital nomad or student visas typically permit work, but the Elective Residency Visa does not. Always check the conditions attached to your specific visa.