Greetings From Italy: Obtaining A Permit To Live In Italy
Author: Carolyn Peace
Carolyn Peace
Obtaining an Elective Residency Visa (permisso di soggiorno) must start by applying in your home country to the Italian Consulate. San Francisco is the location for Montana. We had to each apply by showing that we had adequate passive income. With this visa, you are not permitted to work. You must include two years of income tax returns, six months of bank statements, letters from your tax accountant and investment institutions to substantiate the income. You must include a housing contract valid for at least one year, and that you have health insurance. Medicare does not cover you overseas. An FBI background check is also required. It's advisable to include a letter stating why you have selected this particular place in Italy. Your passport, completed application, all required documents and fees must be sent via certified mail to the Consulate.
It can take at least three months to receive your passport with the approved visa. If approved, you are permitted to return to Italy and is good for one year. Now you are ready to start the second part of the process. Note: Traveling with a passport allows you to be in the European Union for 90 days and then you must be out of the Union for 181 days before you are permitted to return. Once in Italy, you must register with the local police within eight days. You then go to the post office and obtain an application kit. Complete the application, attach all requested documents, pay the fees (generally 40 euros each) and return the package to the post office. You will receive notice of the day and time for your interview and fingerprinting at the main police station/immigration office (for us it was in Bari). It took three trips to Bari before we received the visa. We arrived in Italy in September 2024 and obtained our visa in February 2025. It is good for one year. You must renew it by obtaining the renewal kit at the post office, complete the application, updating any information required (any address change or income change), photo and fees. You must do this for five years and then you can apply for a long-term visa.
We would have struggled to complete this long process without the assistance from our English-speaking friend and realtor. He handled all the contacts that we were required to do. We did try to reimburse him for his time, etc., but he refused to accept any payment.
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PhotoCredit: Carolyn Peace
Image 1 Caption: Trani Harbor
Photo Credit: Carolyn Peace
Image 2 Caption: Our Favorite Coffee Shop
Photo Credit: Carolyn Peace
