Residency in Italy

If you are planning on staying in Italy for more than 90 days you will need to apply for a visa before you leave for Italy. This needs to be done through the Italian consulates in the UK, and can typically take three months.

Types of Visa

There are a number of visas available, and you will need to make sure you choose the right type. You can do this by checking the Italian Foreign Ministry's website.

These types of visa available include:

• Long-stay visa (also known as the national visa/D-Visa), but on entry to Italy you also need to obtain an Italian residence permit, which is what authorises you to stay in Italy for longer than 90 days.
• Work visas
• Student visas
• Family visas
• Self-employed visas (for entrepreneurs who wish to open a business)
• Retirement visas
• Elective residency (an option for those with substantial assets of incomes) 

Some visas will require you to obtain an Italian residence permit when you arrive in Italy. If you’re staying more than three months, you must apply to your nearest town hall (Comune – Ufficio Anagrafe).