Contents
- Why study in Italy in 2026
- Top universities in Italy for international students
- Studying in Italy for free — is it realistic?
- Applying to an Italian university: step by step
- Student visa to Italy 2026
- Language programs and Italian courses
- Working while studying in Italy
- Student expenses: realistic 2026 budget
- University for Foreigners of Perugia
- Conclusions
Why study in Italy: studying in Italy as a path to a residence permit and a degree
Why is studying in Italy in 2026 one of the most accessible ways to obtain a European degree and a residence permit?
Studying in Italy is more than just getting a diploma. It is a real route to legal residence in Europe, access to free education and the opportunity to stay, live and work after graduation. A university in Italy for many Russian-speaking students becomes the first step toward a new life.
From community discussions
“Free or low-cost education at public universities in Italy and the benefits in other EU countries — that’s what makes dealing with all the bureaucracy worth it. We spent half a year on the paperwork, but the result was worth it.”
Experience of a student from the Russian-speaking immigrant community
Studying in Italy for free is not a myth or a marketing trick. Public universities really exempt low-income students from fees, and DSU scholarships cover housing and meals. According to current 2026 data, about 40% of international students in Italian universities pay nothing for tuition.
Studying in Italy — 5 main advantages
1. Free tuition with a low ISEE (up to €26,000)
- Student residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) with the right to work 20 hours per week
- Path to a work residence permit and Italian citizenship
- A European diploma recognized across the EU
- DSU scholarships: up to €6,000 per year + dormitory
It is worth noting separately that a university in Italy provides a stable legal basis for residence. The student permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) is issued for the entire duration of study (usually 1–2 years with the possibility of renewal), and after graduation it can be converted into a work residence permit.
Top universities in Italy for international students: where to apply in 2026
Which university in Italy is best suited for international students and what are the strengths of each?
Choosing a university is the first serious step. Not all institutions are equally welcoming to international students, and not all offer programs in English. Here are the universities most often chosen by Russian-speaking students in 2026.
The University for Foreigners of Perugia (Universita per Stranieri di Perugia) is the only institution in Italy originally created specifically for international students. Italian language courses, bachelor’s and master’s programs. Ideal as a starting point.
- Cost: from €400/year
- Language of instruction: Italian
- Strengths: linguistics, cultural studies, international relations
The oldest university in Europe (founded in 1088). Ranks in the global top 200. Many English-taught programs at master’s level.
- Cost: €0–4,000/year (depends on ISEE)
- Language of instruction: Italian + English
- Strengths: law, economics, engineering, political science
One of Italy’s best research universities. Ranks in QS top 250. Strong support for international students.
- Cost: €0–3,500/year
- Language of instruction: Italian + English
- Strengths: medicine, engineering, natural sciences, psychology
The top technical university in Italy. Ranked in the world top 150 for engineering and design. Most master’s programs are in English.
- Cost: €0–3,900/year
- Language of instruction: English (master’s), Italian (bachelor’s)
- Strengths: engineering, architecture, design, IT
The largest university in Europe — more than 100,000 students. The widest range of programs. Relatively affordable cost of living for a capital city.
- Cost: €0–2,900/year
- Language of instruction: Italian + English
- Strengths: medicine, classical studies, archaeology, physics
Advice from the experienced
“Applying to an Italian university is not an easy process, but it is doable. The main thing is not to be afraid of bureaucracy. We started preparing documents in October, applied in February, and by September we were already in Padua. The hardest part is the dichiarazione di valore; the rest follows the instructions.”
Experience of a student admitted to Universita di Padova
What to look at when choosing a university
Rank is not the only important factor. Check whether there are programs in your language of instruction, the size of the DSU scholarship in that region (usually higher in northern regions), the cost of living in the city, availability of dormitories for international students, and whether there is a Russian-speaking student community — this helps a lot at the beginning.
Studying in Italy for free: ISEE, DSU scholarships and Erasmus
How can you realistically study in Italy for free and which scholarships are available to international students in 2026?
Studying in Italy for free is a reality for most international students who prepare their documents correctly. The system works through ISEE — an indicator of the family’s economic situation that determines the amount of tuition fees.
How fee exemption works
Each public university in Italy sets ISEE thresholds at which a student pays less or nothing at all. With ISEE up to €13,000 tuition is practically free everywhere. With ISEE from €13,000 to €26,000 there is partial exemption. For international students who have recently arrived, an ISEE Parificato is calculated based on income from the country of origin.
| ISEE | Tuition fee | DSU scholarship | Dormitory |
|---|---|---|---|
| up to €13,000 | €0 (free) | up to €6,200/year | Priority |
| €13,000 – €20,000 | €200–800/year | up to €4,000/year | Subject to availability |
| €20,000 – €26,000 | €800–1,500/year | Not available | General waiting list |
| over €26,000 | €1,500–4,000/year | Not available | General waiting list |
Exact thresholds depend on the specific university and region. Northern regions (Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna) generally have more generous scholarships.
From community experience
“Many schools offer individual support and cultural-linguistic mediators for foreigners. When we applied for DSU, everything was explained at the university’s diritto allo studio office — free and in English.”
Experience of a family applying for a scholarship in Bologna
DSU scholarships (Diritto allo Studio Universitario)
DSU is a regional scholarship that covers tuition, accommodation and meals. Each Italian region has its own DSU agency (for example, ER.GO in Emilia-Romagna, EDISU in Piedmont). Applications are usually submitted in July–September for the next academic year.
What the DSU scholarship covers:
- full tuition exemption
- cash payment: €2,000–€6,200 per year
- a place in a dormitory (if available)
- free or subsidized meals in the student canteen (mensa)
Important: ISEE for international students
If you have just arrived in Italy, you need an ISEE Parificato. It is calculated based on your family’s income in your country of origin. Read more about how to obtain ISEE and what benefits it opens up in our article ISEE and benefits in Italy 2026.
Erasmus and other exchange programs
Erasmus+ is available to students of Italian universities for a semester abroad in another EU country. The grant is €250–700 per month depending on the destination country. This is an additional opportunity to gain international experience while studying in Italy.
Applying to a university in Italy: documents and deadlines 2026
How to apply to an Italian university from abroad and what documents are required in 2026?
Applying to an Italian university for international students consists of several stages. The process starts 6–9 months before the start of the academic year. The autumn semester begins in September–October, so you should start preparing documents in January.
Choosing program and university (October–December)
Study the program catalog on the Universitaly website (universitaly.it). Check language requirements, availability of reserved places for international students (posti riservati), and application deadlines.
Pre-enrolment via Universitaly (January–March)
Registration on the Universitaly portal is a mandatory step for all non-EU foreigners. Here you submit your application, upload documents and choose up to 3 programs.
Dichiarazione di Valore (in parallel)
Request a Dichiarazione di Valore from the Italian consulate in your country — a document confirming the equivalence of your education to the Italian system. This is the longest stage — it may take 1–3 months.
Translation and legalization of documents
All educational documents must be translated into Italian by a sworn translator (traduzione giurata) and apostilled. Certificate, diploma, transcript — everything must be translated.
Entrance exam or test (April–July)
Some fields (medicine, architecture, engineering) require an entrance exam. For others, an interview or portfolio is sufficient. An Italian language test is usually required at B1–B2 level.
Enrollment and visa processing (July–August)
After receiving admission confirmation (lettera di ammissione) you submit documents for a student visa at the Italian consulate.
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✓Certificate or diploma with apostille and translation into Italian
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✓Dichiarazione di Valore from the Italian consulate
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✓Transcript (pagella/transcript) with translation
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✓Language certificate (Italian B1–B2 or English B2–C1)
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✓Passport valid at least through the end of the academic year
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✓Photo passport-style
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✓Application on Universitaly (online pre-enrolment)
Don’t miss the Dichiarazione di Valore deadline
This is the most problematic document in the application process. Italian consulates can take 2–3 months to process the request. Start arranging it right after New Year’s, no later than January. You cannot apply without this document.
Student visa to Italy 2026: documents and financial guarantees
What documents are needed for a student visa to Italy and how much money must be shown in the account?
After receiving admission confirmation (lettera di ammissione) the next step is to obtain a type D student visa. Studying in Italy for non-EU citizens always begins with this visa.
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✓Lettera di ammissione — admission confirmation from the university
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✓Financial guarantees — at least €6,197 for the first year (as of 2026)
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✓Health insurance — coverage for the entire period of study
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✓Proof of accommodation — rental contract, dorm reservation or invitation
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✓Passport with validity at least one year longer than the visa
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✓Payment of the consular fee — about €50
About financial guarantees
“You need to show about €6,000 in the account for a year. This is the official requirement. In practice it’s better to have more — consulates sometimes refuse if the amount is exactly the minimum. We showed €8,000 and everything went smoothly.”
From students’ visa experiences
Permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio
After arriving in Italy you have 8 days to apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) at the questura. The student permesso is issued for the period of study, usually for 1 year with the possibility of renewal.
What the student residence permit provides
Permesso di soggiorno per studio grants the right to: legally reside in Italy, work up to 20 hours per week, access the national health system (SSN), and travel freely within the Schengen area (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). More about permesso in our article Permesso di soggiorno 2026.
Language programs: Italian courses at universities
Do you need to know Italian to study in Italy and where can you learn the language?
Knowledge of Italian is one of the key questions for those planning to study in Italy. For bachelor’s programs almost all courses are taught in Italian and require a B1–B2 level. The situation is better for master’s programs — many are entirely in English.
Basic Italian for everyday survival. Enough for submitting documents and basic communication. Learning time: 3–6 months with intensive classes.
Minimum for studying in Italian. Most universities require B2 for admission. Certificates: CILS, CELI, PLIDA. Time: 9–12 months.
Full proficiency. Needed for master’s programs in Italian and for working after graduation. Gives a competitive advantage in the job market.
Where to learn Italian
- University for Foreigners of Perugia — specialized courses for foreigners, A1 to C2, semester and intensive courses
- University for Foreigners of Siena (Universita per Stranieri di Siena) — similar programs, issues CILS certificate
- CLA at universities — language centers (Centro Linguistico di Ateneo), free courses for enrolled students
- Dante Alighieri — international network of Italian language schools
- Preparatory year courses — some universities offer a Foundation Year for internationals
Language learning experience
“Children of migrants have the full right to attend school regardless of status. For adults — every university has a language center. I arrived with zero Italian and reached B2 in a year at university courses. The main thing is to speak with Italians every day and not isolate in a Russian-speaking group.”
Experience of a student who arrived without knowing the language
Programs in English
If Italian is not an option yet — more than 500 master’s programs in Italy are taught entirely in English. Many are at Politecnico di Milano, Bocconi, Bologna and Padua. For admission you typically need IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80–90. Even in an English program we strongly recommend learning Italian — it’s essential for everyday life and work.
Working while studying in Italy: 20 hours per week
Can you work with a student residence permit in Italy and how to later convert it to a work permit?
Working while studying in Italy is an important issue for most students. The student residence permit allows work, but with restrictions.
Rules for students working
“A student residence permit allows you to work officially up to 20 hours per week. This is a maximum of 1,040 hours per year. The contract must be official, via comunicazione obbligatoria. You cannot work full-time on a student residence permit.”
Clarification from an immigration consultant
Allowed with a student residence permit
- Work up to 20 hours/week
- Part-time contract (lavoro subordinato)
- Internships (tirocinio) through the university
- Freelance with Partita IVA (up to 1,040 hours/year)
- Seasonal work during holidays
Not allowed with a student residence permit
Detailed guide on the topic
- Working more than 20 hours/week
- Full-time contract (except during conversion)
- Working without a contract (illegally)
- Opening a business without hour restrictions
Converting a student residence permit to a work permit
After graduation (or during studies if you receive a job offer) you can convert a student residence permit into a work permit. This is one of the main advantages of studying in Italy.
About permit conversion
“Registering a full-time employment contract longer than 6 months when a study permit is in the renewal phase — in theory there is no straightforward path. You need to wait for the new permesso and apply for conversion. In practice, questure interpret the rules differently.”
From discussion in the immigration community
Conversion: what you need to know
To convert a student residence permit to a work permit you need: a valid employment contract, compliance with the decreto flussi (quota) requirements or exemption from quotas (there are benefits for graduates of Italian universities). More on permit conversion in the article Conversion DN to LA 2026.
Student expenses in Italy 2026: realistic budget
How much does student life in Italy actually cost in 2026 and where can you save?
Studying in Italy can be free, but you still need money to live. Expenses vary greatly by city — Milan and Rome are more expensive, while Perugia, Padua or Bologna are noticeably cheaper.
| Expense item | North (Milan, Turin) | Center (Bologna, Rome) | South and small towns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room rent | €450–700/month | €350–550/month | €200–400/month |
| Dormitory | €200–350/month | €150–300/month | €100–200/month |
| Food | €200–350/month | €180–300/month | €150–250/month |
| Transport | €35–50/month | €30–40/month | €20–30/month |
| Study materials | €30–50/month | €30–50/month | €20–40/month |
| Phone and internet | €10–15/month | €10–15/month | €10–15/month |
| Total | €925–1,515/month | €750–1,255/month | €500–935/month |
The realistic average student budget in Italy in 2026 is €800–1,200 per month. In small towns you can manage with €600–700.
How to save on living costs
1. Get a DSU scholarship — it will cover dormitory and canteen
- Eat in the student canteen (mensa) — lunch €2–5 with ISEE
- Use student transport passes (abbonamento studenti) — 30–50% discount
- Buy used textbooks via Facebook and Telegram groups
- Rent a room (posto letto) in a shared apartment instead of a whole flat
Real expenses
“In Perugia you can find a room for €250–300. The university canteen is €3 for a full meal with ISEE. Monthly transport pass — €25. With a DSU scholarship you can live on €400–500/month. It’s one of the cheapest student cities in Italy.”
Experience of a student in Perugia, 2025
For more detailed information on the cost of living by city in Italy see our article Cost of living in Italy 2026.
University for Foreigners of Perugia: all about the university, programs and admission
Why is the University for Foreigners of Perugia one of the most popular institutions among Russian-speaking students and how to get in?
The University for Foreigners of Perugia (Universita per Stranieri di Perugia) deserves special attention. It is the only university in Italy originally founded specifically for international students. Founded in 1921, it has been helping foreigners study Italian language and culture for over 100 years.
Programs offered
The University for Foreigners of Perugia offers:
- Italian language courses — from 1 month to 1 year, all levels A1 to C2, with CELI certificate issuance
- Bachelor’s — Comunicazione internazionale (International Communication), Lingua e cultura italiana (Italian Language and Culture)
- Master’s — Italian Studies, Promozione dell'Italia (Promotion of Italy), Digital Communication
- Preparatory courses — Foundation Year for those who want to later apply to other Italian universities
- Summer courses — intensive programs of 3–8 weeks
How to apply to the University for Foreigners of Perugia
Choose a program on unistrapg.it
Study the program catalog and requirements. No prior Italian is required for language courses. For bachelor’s and master’s — certificate B1–B2 is needed.
Submit an online application
Register via the university portal. For bachelor’s and master’s programs — also via Universitaly. Deadlines usually in March–April.
Prepare documents
Standard package: certificate/diploma with apostille, Dichiarazione di Valore, translations, passport, photo. For language courses the package is minimal — only passport and payment.
Obtain a visa and arrive
Get the lettera di ammissione, apply for a student visa, and upon arrival — permesso di soggiorno. Book dormitory accommodation in advance through ADISU Umbria.
Tuition fees at the University for Foreigners of Perugia
Language courses: €400–700 per semester. Bachelor’s: €800–1,500/year (with low ISEE — free). Master’s: €1,000–2,000/year. Summer intensives: €300–500 for 3–4 weeks. This is one of the most affordable universities in Italy.
Reviews about Perugia
“Perugia is a great city for students. Small, cozy, everything is nearby. The university for foreigners is really tailored to those who arrived from scratch. There are buddies — Italian students who help with adaptation. And the cost of living is about half of Milan.”
Review of a Russian-speaking student, 2025
Conclusions: studying in Italy 2026
With ISEE up to €13,000 tuition at public universities is free. DSU scholarship covers housing and meals. About 40% of international students do not pay for tuition.
Dichiarazione di Valore, translations, apostille — start preparing 6–9 months ahead. Pre-enrolment through Universitaly usually closes in March.
The only university in Italy created specifically for internationals. Affordable fees, language courses from zero, preparatory programs.
20 hours of work per week, conversion to a work permit after graduation, path to Italian citizenship after 10 years of residence.
In small cities (Perugia, Siena) you can realistically live on €600–800. In Milan and Rome — from €1,000. DSU scholarships significantly reduce expenses.
Detailed guide on the topic
Related articles on our forum
ISEE and benefits in Italy 2026 — how to obtain ISEE and what benefits it opens for students
Conversion of residence permits in Italy 2026 — how to switch from student to work permit
Permesso di soggiorno 2026 — all about residence permits, questure by cities
Cost of living in Italy 2026 — city-by-city expenses, real prices
Working in Italy 2026 — job search, contracts, rights
Codice Fiscale 2026 — how to get a tax code, required for university enrolment