Has the thought of leaving everything behind and moving to a lovely European town ever crossed your mind? Have you ever dreamt of moving to Italy and enjoying its lifestyle, culture, fresh Mediterranean cuisine and gorgeous weather? So why not look into the possibility of moving abroad and making Italy your new “home away from home”?
This article will provide you with a few useful tips to help you plan your trip to Italy so that once you arrive, you can travel around the country and discover its hidden gems, enjoy its natural landscapes and taste its delicious regional and unique foods without having to worry about travel restrictions and time limitations. So how can you enter Italy and stay there for as long as you want?
Some people might qualify for Italian citizenship by descent and thus be able to obtain an Italian passport and be allowed to stay in Italy for as long as they wish. However, they will be required to register as residents in a municipality if they decide to settle there for longer than three months. This also applies to EU citizens, who do not need a visa to relocate to Italy.
Registering as a resident is a pre-requisite to access most of the services offered by the Italian government (among these is registering with the national health care system and applying for an ID card). Finally, most non-EU citizens can travel to Italy for tourism without the need to apply for a visa, but they will only be allowed to stay in Italy for 90 days.
Therefore, if you are a non-EU citizen and you do not have Italian ancestry (or you are not married to an Italian citizen), the only available option for you to enter Italy and reside in the country for longer than 90 day is to apply for a visa.
What is a visa?
A visa is a legal document issued by a country’s government, which allows a person to enter that country for a given period of time.
In addition to the work visa and the family reunification visa, Italy offers four different types of visas that allow an individual to stay in Italy for longer than 90 days, namely, the Elective Residency Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, the Student Visa and the Golden Visa.
Elective Residency Visa
Also known as the Retirement Visa, this visa is not related to age, however, it is designed for retirees. It is one of the easiest and most appealing visas the Italian government offers as the applicant only needs to meet two requirements and provide:
- proof of suitable accommodation;
- proof of monetary support.
Firstly, the government requires that the applicant has secured suitable accommodation, such as rented accommodation or a purchased property. Airbnb and any other form of temporary accommodation are not accepted.
The applicant will also need to prove that they have the financial means to move to Italy, and that any income deriving from an investment or a pension scheme is stable and sufficient to cover all the expenses while the individual is residing in Italy. This type of visa can also be extended to immediate family members. To learn more about the Elective Residency Visa click here.
Digital Nomad Visa
This visa is designed for individuals who work remotely. The Italian government has announced that it will introduce this visa, but it has not yet specified its requirements and the measures regarding taxation, which are currently under review. Nevertheless, the government has declared that the Digital Nomad Visa has been designed in order to attract and facilitate the mobilization of highly skilled individuals within the European Union.
Student Visa
A Student Visa allows an individual to access secondary education in Italy, be it a school, a college or a university. In order to apply for the visa you must have a letter of invitation issued by the institution where you will be studying.
This visa also allows you to work while you are studying, provided that the total number of hours worked does not exceed the amount you are allowed by the institution.
Finally, the date of expiration on your visa is dependent on how many years you will be enrolled as a student.
Golden Visa
Also known as the Investors Visa, the Golden Visa requires applicants to invest a minimum amount of €500,000 to €2 million euros in an Italian company. More detailed information about the visa is discussed in the following podcast: The Investor Visa for Italy – AKA Italy’s ‘Golden’ Visa
Visa in hand, what’s next?
There is just one more step you need to take care of before you can sit back and relax in your new home in Italy. In fact, once you land in Italy, a visa alone will not be sufficient for you to stay in the country. In other words, you will need to apply for a permit. Firstly, you will need to go to the local police headquarters (Questura) within eight days from your arrival to declare your presence in the country. You will then need to establish residency in the municipality where you intend to reside. Establishing residency entails submitting a form stating your address to the registry office in the municipality’s town hall. The local police will then verify your address and register your details. Once your residency status has been confirmed, you will be able to apply for a permesso di soggiorno, or residence permit. Your permit can be renewed every year provided that you meet the requirements.
Therefore, even if you do not qualify for Italian citizenship by descent, depending on your personal circumstances and needs, you may apply for one of the visas listed above and spend time in Italy beyond the 90-day period. Please note that after ten years of legal residency in Italy you can apply for Italian citizenship by residency.
Italian Citizenship Assistance can help you move to Italy and settle into Italy. If you are ready to take the next step towards your Italian dream and would like to learn more about applying for citizenship or moving to Italy, do not hesitate to contact us at info@italiancitizneshipassistance.com.