How to apply for long-term residency in Italy
Applying for long-term residency in Italy (Carta di Soggiorno) requires meeting certain conditions and following the prescribed procedures. The following are detailed steps and precautions:
1、 Conditions for applying for long-term residency
Legal residence time
Have resided legally in Italy continuously for at least 5 years (based on the residence permit).
During this period, the duration of leaving Italy shall not exceed 6 months at a time, and the cumulative duration shall not exceed 10 months.
Income requirements
Provide proof of stable economic income, typically requiring an amount no less than the Italian Social Allowance (Assegno Sociale) (approximately 6000 euros per year in 2023).
Housing conditions
Provide proof of housing, such as a rental contract or property certificate, to ensure that the housing meets local health and safety standards.
Language ability
Prove basic language communication skills by passing the Italian Proficiency Test (A2 level).
no criminal record
Provide a certificate of no criminal record (Casellario Giudiziale).
medical insurance
Having effective medical insurance (such as registering with the Italian National Health Service System SSN).
2、 The process of applying for long-term residency
- Prepare materials
Valid passport and photocopy.
**Residence permit (Permit di Soggiorno) * * and its photocopy.
**Tax ID (Coding Fiscale) * * and a copy.
Proof of Housing: Rental Agreement or Property Certificate.
Proof of income: Proof of income from the past year (such as payroll, tax declaration form, etc.).
Language certificate: A2 level Italian proficiency certificate.
Certificate of no criminal record: obtained from the Italian judiciary.
Medical insurance certificate: such as SSN registration certificate.
Marca da Bollo: A stamp tax invoice for 16 euros.
Application form: Fill in the Modello 209 form.
- Submit application
Go to the local immigration office (Questura) or post office (Posta Italiana) to submit your application.
Collect the Kit per il Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit application package) from the post office, fill out the relevant forms and attach the required documents.
Payment application fee:
Electronic residence permit fee: 30.46 euros.
Mailing fee: 30 euros.
Long term residence card fee: 100 euros.
- Press fingerprint
After submitting the application, you will receive an appointment notification for fingerprinting (Ricevuta).
Go to the immigration office at the scheduled time to have your fingerprints taken and submit the original documents.
- Waiting for review
The review process usually takes 3-6 months, during which one can legally reside through a Ricevuta residence permit. - Obtain a long-term residency card
After the review is approved, you will receive a text message or email notification to go to the immigration office to collect your long-term residency card (Carta di Soggiorno).
3、 Precautions
language test
If you do not have an A2 level language certificate, you can register for an Italian language exam (such as CELI or CILS).
Income Certificate
If the income is insufficient, proof of income from the spouse or family members can be provided.
Certificate of No Criminal Record
If you have resided in other EU countries, you may need to provide a certificate of no criminal record from that country.
Update long-term residency
The long-term residence card is valid for 10 years and needs to be renewed after expiration.
If leaving Italy for more than 6 consecutive years, long-term residency may be cancelled.
Family reunion
After holding a long-term residence card, one can apply for family reunion for their spouse, children, or parents.
4、 Frequently Asked Questions
The difference between long-term residency and permanent residency
Long term residency (Carta di Soggiorno) is a form of permanent residency, but it may expire after leaving Italy for more than 6 years.
The right to long-term residency
You can work, study, and live freely in Italy.
Enjoy the same social welfare as Italian citizens, such as healthcare and education.
What should I do if my application is rejected
If the application is rejected, an appeal can be filed within 30 days after receiving notification.
