FAQ – Italian Bureaucracy Made Easy
Italian Visas
1. What is a visa?
A visa is an authorization issued by Italian diplomatic or consular offices abroad that allows foreign citizens from non-Schengen countries to enter Italy. Visas are required unless exempt and regulate:
The duration of the stay;
The purpose of entry (study, work, tourism, etc.);
The number of entries allowed.
2. What are the main features of visas?
Visas can be short-term (up to 90 days), limited territorial validity, or national/long-term (over 90 days).
Applications must be submitted to the competent Italian embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of origin or residence.
Issuance depends on meeting the requirements of Italian and European law, and visas can be refused if there is a threat to public order or other legal reasons.
There are 21 types of visas, including adoption, business, medical treatment, diplomatic, family reasons, sports competitions, invitation, self-employment, employment, mission, religious reasons, re-entry, elective residence, research, study, airport transit, transit, transport, tourism, working holiday, and volunteering.
3. Who must apply for a visa?
Citizens of 105 countries must obtain a visa for short stays (up to 90 days within 180 days) in the 26 Schengen countries. Citizens of other countries do not require a visa for stays shorter than 90 days.
4. How long does it take to process a visa?
Processing times vary. For long-stay visas (e.g., study), it may take up to 90 days; some work visas may have different timelines.
5. Can a visa be denied?
Yes, visas can be refused if requirements are not met or if there are public security concerns.
Residence Permits
1. What is a residence permit?
A residence permit is a document issued in Italy by the competent police headquarters (questure) that allows foreign citizens to legally stay in the country. It regulates:
The duration of the stay;
The allowed activities (study, work, research, etc.);
Possible renewals or conversions from one type of permit to another.
2. Difference between a visa and a residence permit
Visa: issued before entering Italy, required to enter the country.
Residence permit: issued after entering Italy, required to legally remain and carry out activities compatible with the visa type.
3. Key rules for residence permits
Apply within 8 working days of entering Italy.
Duration usually corresponds to that of the visa for which it was issued.
Some permits can be converted to other types (e.g., study → work) if legal requirements are met.
Codice Fiscale (Italian Tax Code)
1. What is a Codice Fiscale?
The Codice Fiscale is an alphanumeric code issued to all residents and foreigners in Italy, similar to a tax identification number or social security number.
2. What is the purpose of the Codice Fiscale?
It is required for:
Opening a bank account;
Signing rental contracts;
Accessing healthcare (SSN);
Enrolling in university;
Signing employment contracts;
Other fiscal or administrative procedures.
3. Where and how can I obtain a Codice Fiscale?
Foreign citizens can request it at:
Agenzia delle Entrate offices in Italy;
Italian Citizenship
1. What is Italian citizenship?
Italian citizenship (cittadinanza italiana) grants the rights and duties of an Italian national, including access to healthcare, education, employment, and the ability to vote in Italian elections.
2. How can one acquire Italian citizenship?
By descent (jure sanguinis): if one or both parents are Italian;
By marriage: after a certain period of marriage to an Italian citizen;
By naturalization: after legally residing in Italy for a specified period (usually 10 years, less for EU citizens or descendants of Italians).
Access to italian national health system
Access to the Italian National Health System (SSN – Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) for non-Italians depends on residency status and the type of stay. Below is a concise, practical outline.
Who can access the SSN:
1) EU citizens
You can access the SSN if you:
Are registered as a resident in Italy, and
Are working, self-employed, family member of a worker, or
Have permanent residency, or
Register voluntarily (paid enrollment) if not otherwise eligible
2) Non-EU citizens
You can access the SSN if you:
Hold a valid residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) for:
Work
Family reunification
Asylum / protection
Or voluntarily enroll (paid) if you hold permits such as:
Study
Elective residence
Religious reasons
Tourists cannot enroll.
Costs:
Free enrollment: employees, self-employed, family members, refugees
Paid enrollment (voluntary): typically €700–€2,000/year, depending on status
Most services involve small co-payments (ticket)
What SSN coverage includes:
General practitioner and referrals
Hospital care and emergencies
Specialist visits
Diagnostics and lab tests
Maternity and pediatric care
Subsidized medications
What SSN does NOT cover:
Private healthcare
Dental care (mostly private)
Non-essential or cosmetic treatments
What does taking a residency in Italy mean?
Italian residency (“residenza”) means officially registering with an Italian municipality (Comune) that Italy is your primary place of living.
Taking residency in Italy is a formal declaration that Italy is where you live, with legal, administrative, and often tax implications.
What is residency?
It is an administrative status, not citizenship.
You must have a legal right to stay (EU citizen or valid long-stay visa/permit).
You need a real address in Italy.
The Comune registers you and usually verifies you live there.
Residency allows you to:
Obtain a Codice Fiscale
Access public healthcare (if eligible)
Open bank accounts and sign long-term contracts
Use public services (schools, civil acts, etc.)
Key consequence:
If you live in Italy most of the year, you may become an Italian tax resident, meaning potential taxation on worldwide income.
Important tip: In Italy, the years that count toward eligibility for citizenship are the years of legal residency (residenza anagrafica), not the years of holding a Permesso di Soggiorno alone.
What is italian identity card?
For non-Italians, the Italian Identity Card (Carta d’Identità) is an official local ID issued by the Italian municipality (Comune) only after you become a registered resident in Italy.
In simple terms it is:
A local identification document
Proof of identity and registered address
Used inside Italy only
It is not:
A passport
A residence permit
A citizenship document
A travel document
Who can get it:
Foreign citizens can obtain it only if they:
Are legally resident in Italy
Are registered with the Comune (residenza)
Hold a valid residence permit (if non-EU)
Tourists and short-term visitors cannot get it.
What foreigners need it for:
Daily identification in Italy (banks, post office, police, notaries)
Administrative procedures with the Comune
Signing long-term contracts (rent, utilities, phone plans)
Picking up registered mail
Accessing Italian public and digital services (SPID / e-government)
Important limitations for non-Italians:
Not valid for travel — you must use your passport
Does not replace a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno)
Does not grant residency or legal stay
Validity:
Usually valid only until your residence permit expires
What do DIB services include?
Full guidance and consultation about the process: steps, timeline, outcomes and future possibilities of renewal or conversion.
Preparing all the necessary documentation
Filling out the forms, filing application on your behalf and getting an appointment at the immigration office.
Accompanying to the Immigration Office on the day of your appointment
Following up with the development of the case (status check)
Multi-language assistance (English, French, Russian and Italian)
DIBureau Services & Contact
How can I book a consultation?
You can schedule a call directly through our website using the “Book a Call” button. During the consultation, we assess your situation and provide a personalized roadmap.
Where is your office located?
Our office is in Florence, at Viale Belfiore 55 (inside The Social Hub). We also provide online consultations for clients worldwide.