Permanent residence status in Italy is granted to those who have lived in the country for five years or more with a temporary residence permit of the immigration type. Permanent residency is issued indefinitely: periodic re-issuance requires only the document itself. You move to the country with a residence permit, opened for long-term purposes, extend it approximately every 1-2 years until the period of sedentary (inhabitancy). To request permanent residency status, you must also prove your wealth, law-abidingness and knowledge of the national language at the A2 level.

The Italian Republic is a member of the European Union, so with a local residence permit you can travel to Schengen countries without opening a visa, do business internationally, officially work in an economically developed state with a well-established system of social protection. Moving to Italy for permanent residence will give you the opportunity to study in local universities on the rights of citizens, open personal and corporate bank accounts, receive various benefits from the state and participate in public life.

It is possible to obtain residency rights without a five-year waiting period through a simplified procedure. To do this, you will not have to look for a reason, keep it for five years, learn the national language and provide a certificate of income. More information on this issue is provided by Immigrantinlaw's specialized experts at a free consultation.

Pros and cons of moving to Italy

The advantages of immigration to Italy include living in an economically developed country of the European Union, located in the center of the Mediterranean. The quality of life index in the republic, according to Numbeo, is 150 points, which is high. Also among the country's strengths are a good level of purchasing power of the population, developed health care and education systems, excellent environmental and climatic conditions. Businessmen can find here promising niches in different directions, from tourism to high technology.

The disadvantages of living in Italy include the average level of salaries, if compared with other EU countries - about 2200 EUR before taxes (per month). In large cities like Turin and Milan crimes are frequent. The country has expensive real estate - from 2500-3500 EUR per square meter, which often does not correspond to the income level of the population. Taxes are high: for example, income tax is calculated at a progressive rate (depends on the size of the salary) and reaches 23-43% of the total amount. Another disadvantage is slow service in government agencies, including very long lunch breaks.

Ways to immigrate to Italy in 2024

To move to Italy permanently, you need to open a residence permit of the immigration type. Examples of grounds are doing business, contributing to the economy, family reasons, working. Permanent residence is not granted to holders of a residence permit open for:

• education;
• professional training (internship);
• scientific research;
• temporary protection (for Ukrainians);
• short-term reasons (tourism, business purposes);
• diplomats and consuls.

Theoretically, you can get, for example, a student residence permit in Italy, complete your studies and get a job to stay in the country. But the period of residence with a residence permit for study will not be taken into account when applying for a permanent residence.

Investment program

It is possible to move to Italy if you are ready to invest from 250 thousand to 2 million EUR. The areas of investments are startups, government bonds, charity funds, shares of local companies. There are no privileges for accelerated registration of permanent residence in the country even for sponsorship in especially large amounts.

Business immigration

Those who start a business in Italy or plan to work as a self-employed person can immigrate. To do this, it is necessary to register with the Chamber of Commerce and obtain a permit for self-employment from the specialized body. The amount of start-up capital when opening a company is not established by law.

Employment

If you get a job in an Italian company, you can officially move with the prospect of permanent residence. The application for residency is submitted by the inviting party through the prefecture. It is difficult to get a job in the Republic: there is an excess of employees on the job market, and foreigners are invited only within quotas, provided that the offers were not responded to by local workers.

Marriage

If you are the husband/wife of an Italian resident or citizen, you can move to the Republic provided that your spouse has a rented or owned property to live in together and is able to support you financially. When immigrating to the holder of a residence permit, it is important that he or she has previously lived in the country for at least a year. Spouses of local citizens receive a passport in an accelerated procedure - after 2 years of cohabitation (12 months if there is a common child).

La carta blu UE

You can get a highly qualified specialist card if you have a specialized education and a work contract with an Italian company. The contract must be for at least one year and the salary must be one and a half times the national average, i.e., about 5000 EUR per month as of 2024. Quotas do not apply in this case. The holder of La carta blu UE can immediately move to Italy with his family.

Choice of residence

Italy grants the right of residence to those who have the resources to support themselves and do not plan to work in the Republic. The income must not come from wage employment but, for example, from dividends from a foreign business/shares/real estate or social benefits (pension). You demonstrate that you have regular cash income of at least the Italian annual social security allowance, rent or purchase a home in the country.

Family reunification

Children and parents of Italian citizens and residents can move to the Republic with the prospect of naturalization. The inviting person must be able to support dependents and provide them with a place to stay. Sometimes the list of relatives is extended if, for example, they are unable to take care of themselves for medical reasons.

Popular ways to immigrate to Italy include obtaining citizenship of other EU countries under accelerated procedures. A second passport is issued within 4 months or less without demonstrating income and residency in the state before or after receiving the document. You can verify your eligibility for the simplified programs during a consultation with the help of Immigrantinlaw's specialized lawyers.

Requirements to the applicant for permanent residence and conditions for moving to Italy

The main condition for registration of permanent residence in Italy is prior residence on the territory of the Republic for five years. You need to stay here with a residence permit of immigration type (issued not for short-term or diplomatic purposes). During this period, you cannot leave the country for more than six months in a row, or more than ten months in total. Exceptions are based on documented proof of a valid reason - for example, you left the country to fulfill military duties in your home country or to undergo medical treatment abroad.

In addition to meeting the standards for length of residence, an Italian permanent resident must meet the following requirements:

• regular legal income for the last 12 months in the amount equal to or exceeding the annual social allowance (from 7000 EUR in 2024);
• the applicant does not pose a threat to public order or national security of the Republic;
• passing the Italian language proficiency test at A2 level according to the CERF Common European Framework of Reference or providing an equivalent supporting document.

The process of obtaining permanent residence

To successfully emigrate from your home country to Italy for permanent residence, you should follow these steps:

1. Determine your reason for relocation.
   Italian laws offer several options for legal immigration programs, mainly for labor, professional, investment and family reasons. It is worth studying their features, deciding on the best one based on your needs, and collecting the necessary documents.
2. Opening a visa with the D symbol.
   You visit the Italian consulate/embassy by appointment, submit an entry authorization dossier and leave your passport to travel abroad. Once your request is approved, your travel document with visa sticker is returned to you, allowing you to move to the Republic.
3. Obtaining a temporary resident card.
   The Italian visa allows you to immigrate and visit the territorial police station in the next eight days to apply for a residence permit. The document will be sent by postal service or you will pick it up in person by your choice.
4. Renewal of the residence permit within five years.
   The residence permit is a temporary document that must be renewed on average every 12 to 24 months if you still have a reason to live in Italy. To do this, you visit the same authorized body with the necessary dossier.
5. Applying for a permanent residence card.
   Once you have completed five years of continuous residence in Italy, you apply for permanent resident status. The application together with the dossier can be sent by mail or dropped off at the local municipality/patronate (it depends on the prefecture). You will also need to take a language test if you do not have any other proof of Italian. You will receive the finished residence permit card by post or in person.

Submission of documents

To apply for an Italian permanent resident card, you will need:

• an application filled out in person using a unified form in Italian;
• a copy of a valid passport or its equivalent;
• a tax declaration proving the receipt of a permanent income above the minimum annual income in Italy;
• proof of absence of criminal record and current criminal proceedings;
• proof of housing in the Republic - purchased or rented, provided that the request is submitted with family members;
• copies of payrolls for the 12 months preceding the date of submission of the request;
• a certificate confirming knowledge of the national language or its equivalent;
• civil status certificates (e.g., marriage certificate);
• receipts for payment of the prescribed administrative fees.

The application for a residence permit is sent through post offices, and in some Italian regions it is also accepted in municipalities and patronages. Usually, applications are processed within a period of up to two months, but it can be extended, for example in case of high workload of the immigration police, without any sanctions against public authorities.

Period of validity and extension of permanent residence

Permanent resident status is granted in Italy indefinitely. The permanent residence card itself is issued for 10 years for adult applicants and for 5 years for those under the age of 18. The document can be renewed by contacting the municipality or the relevant authorized body in your prefecture.

An Italian permanent residence is revoked if it is proven to have been fraudulently issued or if the holder is subject to deportation from the country (e.g., for committing a serious crime). The status is revoked if you leave the territory of the European Union for more than a year or stay outside Italy for at least 6 years.

Individual selection of immigration program

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What gives you the status of permanent resident in Italy

As a holder of a permanent residence permit in Italy you can:

• travel to Schengen states without a visa for 3 months in total out of half a year;
• work as an employee or self-employed person (except for government jobs);
• conduct commercial activities, sell goods and services on the Single Market of Europe;
• use services and benefits provided by the state, including social assistance or municipal housing for rent;
• expect comprehensive support from the country, protection of general civil rights, access to health care;
• study at private and public universities at reduced rates, which is not always available to foreigners;
• participate in local public life, with the exception of voting in elections and running for office;
• have accounts in reliable European banks with international fund transfer systems and popular financial instruments;
• invite close relatives to live together and obtain temporary residence for them.

Like Italian citizens, permanent residents are obliged to adhere to the norms of local legislation, not to carry out actions against the state, to pay taxes in a timely manner, to respect the rights and freedoms of the surrounding people.

Obtaining Italian citizenship

You can apply for Italian citizenship five years after the opening of permanent residence or after 10 years of total residence in the republic (including residence permit). It will be necessary to prove knowledge of the national language at the level of B1 and above, as well as have no criminal record and loyalty to the state. The application must be submitted to the prefecture where you are registered in the country. You should expect a response within 2 years, but sometimes this period is extended by another 12 months, for example, if there are insufficient documents or the authorities are overloaded with requests.

Once you become a citizen, you take part in a solemn oath ceremony, after which you receive the relevant document. You can then apply to the local municipality for an internal passport.

Immigration peculiarities

It is worth moving to Italy after learning the national language at least to an intermediate level: English is not understood by everyone there. Permanent residents have the right to use social support, for example, to receive unemployment benefits or maternity benefits.

The labor market in Italy cannot be called promising: there is not much work, the chances for profitable employment are only for qualified specialists. The average salary is about 1600 EUR “net” per month. At the same time, the expected expenses per person are equal to 900 EUR without taking into account the rent of real estate, so it will be difficult to earn a minimum income here.

Schools in Italy are compulsory for all children, including foreigners. There are private and public gardens, education everywhere is conducted in the national language. Italians calmly treat immigrants, but have a peculiar mentality: tactile, loud, emotional and not too hardworking.

The country has an excellent climate - predominantly Mediterranean, with warm, long summers and dry winters. Because of the good weather, proximity to the sea and good ecology, wealthy retirees often immigrate to the republic and formalize their choice of residency.

Documents processing cost and expenses for relocation

The total cost of immigrating to Italy includes administrative fees, organizing the move and transportation of stuff, buying plane tickets, and renting real estate. In addition, accompanying services such as lawyers and notaries are paid. The main categories of costs are summarized in the table below.

In total, when moving to Italy with a residence permit, you not only have to wait a long time for the status of permanent residence, but also to cover during this time your expenses, which costs thousands of euros. It can be cheaper and faster to immigrate with a passport of another EU country, issued with the support of specialized lawyers of the Immigrantinlaw in 4-14 months. Find out more at a consultation.

Feedback from those who have moved to Italy

In the reviews immigrants cite more pros than cons of living in Italy. To the positive sides of the move include a warm and sunny climate, proximity to the sea from many cities, friendliness of the population, a good level of medicine and education. Most note the loyalty of local laws, which allow you to open a residence permit on various grounds. Immigrants like delicious cuisine, local attitude to children and animals, leisurely lifestyle in society.

The disadvantages of immigration often include a long waiting period - from 5 years to obtain a permanent residence and from 10 years to obtain Italian citizenship. The labor market in the republic is limited, unemployment is growing. Real estate is expensive even in small towns, and prices for life in general are quite high. Italians are kind and friendly, but very temperamental and slow, which affects, among other things, the duration of immigration procedures.

Assistance in successful immigration to Italy

In order to move to Italy comfortably and without unnecessary worries, it is worth using the support of Immigrantinlaw migration specialists. Specialized lawyers will conduct a personal analysis of your request and recommend the best way of immigration with minimal costs and in a short period of time. Specialists will go through each stage with you, and many tasks will be performed independently, such as collecting documents and organizing visits to government agencies. Competent legal support is a guarantee of successful immigration in any situation.

About the author

Diana Weber

Lawyer of international law

Diane Weber is an international law specialist with 10 years of legal practice experience. Her portfolio includes successful stories of citizenship in different European Union countries under simplified procedures. Diana provides detailed advice and helps many people to achieve their immigration goals in a short period of time, including resolving visa issues, assisting in obtaining residence permits and citizenship in the EU countries. In her blog, Diana Weber enjoys providing readers with detailed information about the features of most popular programs for obtaining a second passport.