Moving to Italy is a great opportunity to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. The living costs here are also cheaper compared to other European countries, so if you decide to take this step, you would be in a win-win situation.

To do that, you need to obtain a residence permit, especially if you are a non-EU citizen. As an EU national, the formalities are much simpler, as you only need to register with the local municipality. This is why the article below focuses on the first scenario.

What are the main options that you have?

The most important thing to consider if you want to obtain a residence permit in Italy is the way you can do that, as you have plenty of options to choose from. Here they are:

• employment;
• elective residency, if you are a retiree or have a passive source of income that enables you to live here without employment;
• studentship – you can even work part-time with this type of visa in Italy;
• family reunification, if you have a close family member who is an Italian resident or citizen.

Each option comes with its own conditions, so you may want to check them with an immigration specialist before starting the application procedure, just to make sure you are on the right pathway.

Documents preparation

As already mentioned, each type of visa has its own requirements, and the most important is related to documentation. This means that you have to get it right from the first time if you want to move as quickly as possible.

The first step to take is to apply for the visa, which requires:

• your valid passport;
• a local living address;
• a valid health insurance;
• proof of reason for relocation, which is strictly related to the reason you apply for residency;
• a bank statement as proof of self-sufficiency.

Entry visas are usually issued in around a month, but if you apply directly for a national visa, you can expect to obtain it in as little as 3 months.

Applying for the residence card

Obtaining the entry visa only allows you to stay for a short while in Italy, so if you want to remain here for a longer period, you need to apply for a residence permit. The application must be submitted within 8 days of arrival.

This is not the only procedure you need to complete. You must also register with the local municipality (town hall). You can do that while you wait for the residence card application to be processed. During this time, you can expect a visit from the police to confirm your address.

Once you have completed these steps, you will have become an Italian resident officially.

These are the main steps and procedures to go through if you want to move to Italy and want to become a resident. As you can read above, they are not hard to complete, but you need to pay attention to aspects like documentation to make sure the process is a smooth one.