Contents
- Why study in Italy in 2026
- Top universities in Italy for international students
- Studying in Italy for free — is it realistic?
- Admission to an Italian university: step by step
- Student visa to Italy 2026
- Language programs and Italian courses
- Working while studying in Italy
- Student expenses: real 2026 budget
- University for Foreigners of Perugia
- Conclusions
Why study in Italy: studying in Italy as a path to a residence permit and a diploma
Navigation across all guides - knowledge base.
Why is studying in Italy in 2026 one of the most affordable ways to get a European diploma and a residence permit?
Studying in Italy is not just about getting a diploma. It is a real path to legal residence in Europe, access to free education and the opportunity to stay, live and work after graduation. For many Russian-speaking students, a university in Italy 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 paperwork, but the result was worth it."
Experience of a student from a Russian-speaking immigration community
Studying in Italy for free is not a myth or marketing trick. Public universities really exempt low-income students from tuition, and DSU scholarships cover housing and food. According to 2026 data, about 40% of international students at Italian universities do not pay tuition at all.
Studying in Italy — 5 main advantages
1. Free education with a low ISEE (up to €26,000)
- Student residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) with the right to work 20 hours/week
- A 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 whole duration of studies (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 each one's strengths?
Choosing a university is the first serious step. Not all institutions are equally welcoming to foreigners, 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 — the only university 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). Ranked among the top 200 worldwide. Many English-taught master’s programs.
- Cost: €0–4,000/year (depends on ISEE)
- Language of instruction: Italian + English
- Strengths: law, economics, engineering, political science
One of Italy’s top research universities. Ranked in QS top 250 worldwide. Strong support for international students.
- Cost: €0–3,500/year
- Language of instruction: Italian + English
- Strengths: medicine, engineering, natural sciences, psychology
The best technical university in Italy. Ranked among the world’s 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 — over 100,000 students. Extremely wide choice 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
"Admission to an Italian university is not simple, but it’s feasible. The main thing is not to fear the bureaucracy. We started preparing documents in October, applied in February, and were in Padua by September. 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 for when choosing a university
Ranking 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 (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 — it helps a lot at first.
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 correctly prepare their paperwork. The system works through ISEE — an indicator of family economic situation that determines the tuition fee amount.
How fee exemptions work
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 a partial exemption. For international students who have recently arrived, an ISEE Parificato is issued 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 queue |
| over €26,000 | €1,500–4,000/year | Not available | General queue |
Exact thresholds depend on the specific university and region. Northern regions (Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna) usually have more generous scholarships.
From community experience
"Many schools offer individual support and a cultural-linguistic mediator for foreigners. When we applied for DSU, everything was explained to us 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 dormitory place (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 get ISEE and what benefits it opens — see our article ISEE and benefits in Italy 2026.
Erasmus and other exchange programs
Erasmus+ is available to students of Italian universities for a semester of study 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.
Admission to a university in Italy: documents and deadlines 2026
How to apply to an Italian university from abroad and what documents are needed in 2026?
Admission 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 a program and university (October–December)
Study program catalogs on the Universitaly portal (universitaly.it). Check language requirements, availability of reserved places for foreigners (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 the 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 legalized with an apostille. Diploma, certificate, transcript — everything must be translated.
Entrance exam or test (April–July)
For some fields (medicine, architecture, engineering) an entrance exam is required. For others — an interview or portfolio is sufficient. An Italian language test is usually required at B1–B2 level.
Enrollment and visa application (July–August)
After receiving the admission letter (lettera di ammissione) 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 proficiency certificate (Italian B1–B2 or English B2–C1)
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✓Passport valid at least until the end of the academic year
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✓Photos passport format
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✓Application on Universitaly (pre-iscrizione online)
Don’t miss the Dichiarazione di Valore deadline
This is the most problematic document in the admission process. Italian consulates may process the request in 2–3 months. Start arranging it right after New Year’s, no later than January. You cannot enroll without this document.
Student visa to Italy 2026: documents and financial guarantees
What documents are required for a student visa to Italy and how much money must be shown on the account?
After receiving the admission confirmation (lettera di ammissione) the next step is applying for a type D student visa. For non-EU citizens, study in Italy always begins with this visa.
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✓Lettera di ammissione — confirmation of enrollment from the university
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✓Financial guarantees — minimum €6,197 for the first year (as of 2026)
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✓Health insurance — coverage for the entire study period
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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 period
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✓Consular fee payment — about €50
About financial guarantees
"You need to show roughly €6,000 in your account for one 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 application experiences
Permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio
After arrival 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 study period, usually for 1 year with the option to renew.
What the student residence permit gives
Permesso di soggiorno per studio (residence permit for study) allows you to: legally reside in Italy, work up to 20 hours per week, use the national health system (SSN), and travel 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 degrees almost all programs are taught in Italian and require B1–B2 level. For master’s degrees the situation is better — many programs are entirely in English.
Basic Italian for everyday survival. Enough for applying and basic daily communication. Time to acquire: 3–6 months with intensive courses.
Minimum for studying in Italian. Most universities require B2 for enrollment. Certificates: CILS, CELI, PLIDA. Time: 9–12 months.
Fluent proficiency. Needed for master’s programs in Italian and for work after graduation. Gives a competitive edge in the job market.
Where to learn Italian
- University for Foreigners of Perugia — specialized courses for foreigners, A1 to C2, semester and intensive options
- University for Foreigners of Siena (Universita per Stranieri di Siena) — similar programs, issues CILS certificates
- CLA at universities — university language centers (Centro Linguistico di Ateneo), free courses for enrolled students
- Dante Alighieri — international network of Italian language schools
- Year-long preparatory courses — some universities offer a Foundation Year for foreigners
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 on university courses. The main thing is to speak with Italians every day and not stay only in Russian-speaking groups."
Experience of a student who arrived without language knowledge
English-taught programs
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 on an English program we strongly recommend learning Italian — it’s necessary for 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 convert it to a work permit later?
Working while studying in Italy is an important topic for most students. The student residence permit allows work but with restrictions.
Rules for student work
"The student residence permit allows officially working 20 hours per week. That’s a maximum of 1,040 hours per year. The contract must be official, through comunicazione obbligatoria. You cannot work full-time on a student 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) via the university
- Freelance with Partita IVA (up to 1,040 hours/year)
- Seasonal work during holidays
Not allowed with a student residence permit
- Working more than 20 hours/week
- Full-time contract (except during conversion)
- Working without a contract (illegally)
- Opening a business without hour limits
Converting a student residence permit to a work permit
After finishing studies (or during them, if you receive a job offer) you can convert the student residence permit into a work residence permit. This is one of the main advantages of studying in Italy.
On permit conversion
"Registering a full-time work contract longer than 6 months while the student permit is in renewal phase — in theory not allowed. You need to wait for the new permesso and then apply for conversion. In practice questure interpret this differently."
From discussions in an 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 of residence permits in Italy 2026.
Student expenses in Italy 2026: real budget
How much does a student actually spend in Italy 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 on €600–700.
How to save on living costs
1. Get a DSU scholarship — it covers dormitory and canteen
- Eat in the student canteen (mensa) — a meal costs €2–5 with ISEE
- Use a student transport pass (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
Actual expenses
"In Perugia you can find a room for €250–300. The university canteen — €3 for a full meal with ISEE. Monthly transport pass — €25. With DSU 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 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 universities among Russian-speaking students and how to get admitted?
The University for Foreigners of Perugia (Universita per Stranieri di Perugia) deserves special attention. It is the only university in Italy originally created specifically for international students. Founded in 1921, for over 100 years it has helped foreigners study the Italian language and culture.
Programs offered
The University for Foreigners of Perugia offers:
- Italian language courses — from 1 month to a year, all levels A1 to C2, with CELI certification
- 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 enroll in another Italian university
- Summer courses — intensive programs 3–8 weeks
How to apply to the University for Foreigners of Perugia
Choose a program on unistrapg.it
Review program catalogs and requirements. No prior Italian is required for language courses. For bachelor’s and master’s programs a B1–B2 certificate is needed.
Apply online
Register via the university portal. For bachelor’s and master’s programs — also via Universitaly. Deadlines are usually March–April.
Prepare documents
Standard package: certificate/diploma with apostille, Dichiarazione di Valore, translations, passport, photos. For language courses the package is minimal — passport and payment only.
Get a visa and come
Receive the lettera di ammissione, obtain a student visa, and upon arrival — the permesso di soggiorno. Book dorm accommodation in advance through ADISU Umbria.
Cost of study 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 close. The University for Foreigners is truly tailored to those who arrived from zero. There are buddies — Italian students who help with adaptation. And the cost of living is about half that 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 tuition.
Dichiarazione di Valore, translations, apostille — start preparing 6–9 months in advance. Pre-iscrizione via Universitaly usually closes in March.
The only university in Italy created specifically for foreigners. Affordable prices, language courses from zero, preparatory programs.
20 hours of work per week, conversion to a work residence permit after graduation, path to Italian citizenship through 10 years of residence.
In small cities (Perugia, Siena) you can realistically live on €600–800. In Milan and Rome — from €1,000. DSU scholarship significantly reduces expenses.