Guide to Italy 2026: all cluster articles
Permesso: first issuance - Permesso renewal - Permanent residence and citizenship - Timelines at the questura - Codice Fiscale (tax code) - Digital Nomad visa
Cost of living - Forfettario 5% - Impatriati regime - INPS and pension - ISEE and benefits - Driver’s licenses - Driving and fines
Series of articles about permesso
Timelines at the questura by city
Permesso renewal
Residence permits in Italy: all types
Flights with a ricevuta
Contents
- What is a permesso di soggiorno
- Types of permesso di soggiorno in 2026
- Before arrival: Visa D and documents for the permesso
- The KIT by mail: how to apply for a permesso in Italy
- Fingerprints at the questura: how to get a permesso in Italy
- Ricevuta: what it grants and what it doesn’t
- Documents for the permesso: full list 2026
- Timelines: from sending the KIT to the card
- Collecting the plastic card
- Common problems and how to solve them
- Conclusions
In short: Permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) — a biometric plastic residence card. Application: KIT at the post office within 8 working days after entry, cost ~130 EUR. Fingerprints at the questura in 1–3 months. Card wait time: 2–12 months depending on the city. The ricevuta (receipt) grants the right to stay and work.
What is a permesso di soggiorno in 2026
Official source: Portale Immigrazione
This guide is about the permesso. For all types of residence permits see here.
What is a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit), how does it differ from a Visa D, and what is the document format?
Permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) is a type of residence authorization in Italy: a biometric plastic card that grants you the right to legally live, work and move in the Schengen area. If you are looking for information on how to obtain a permesso in Italy for the first time, this article is for you. It contains a full step-by-step guide: from preparing the documents for the permesso to receiving the physical card.
The most common question for newcomers: how does Visa D differ from the permesso di soggiorno? Visa D is an entry visa issued and affixed to your passport by the consulate; it allows entry to Italy. The permesso is the residence authorization issued in Italy — a separate card. The visa usually allows a stay of up to 90 days, during which you must submit the permesso application at the questura.
Visa D (visto d'ingresso)
Affixed in the passport
Issued by the consulate abroad
Valid up to 90 days
Grants the right to enter Italy
Permesso (permesso di soggiorno)
Plastic card with a chip
Issued by the questura in Italy
Valid 1–2 years (depends on the type)
Grants the right to reside and work
Since the 2020s, the permesso di soggiorno is issued only in electronic form — permesso elettronico. It is a bank-card-sized plastic card with a photo, a biometric chip and fingerprints. The old paper format (cartaceo) is no longer issued to new applicants — you will only encounter it among those who received their residence permit before the electronic transition.
Community member, Milan
“I received my first permesso for one year after 10 months in Italy. It had an error in the codice. I didn’t correct it because I already had to apply for renewal.”
Experience of first-time permesso di soggiorno issuance
The plastic card displays: your name, date of birth, citizenship, permesso type (motive — e.g., lavoro autonomo or studio), validity period, work rights and the code of the questura. The card contains a chip with fingerprint data — that’s why obtaining it includes a visit to the questura for fingerprinting (impronte digitali).
Elettronico vs cartaceo
In 2026 all initial permessi di soggiorno are issued electronically (permesso elettronico). The paper format (cartaceo) is only found in older documents. If someone you know talks about a paper permesso, they received it before the electronic format was introduced.
Types of permesso di soggiorno in 2026: which one fits you
Which types of permesso di soggiorno exist in 2026 and how do they differ?
The type of permesso is determined by the reason for residing in Italy. Each type has its own document requirements, timelines and rights. Here are the main types of permesso di soggiorno relevant in 2026:
Subordinate employment with an Italian employer. The most common type for labor migrants. The employer obtains a nulla osta, then you get Visa D and apply for the permesso.
- Duration: 1–2 years
- Work rights: only for the specified employer
Self-employment and entrepreneurship. Requires a nulla osta from the prefettura and an active Partita IVA (VAT number). Detailed instructions in the lavoro autonomo article.
- Duration: 1–2 years
- Work rights: self-employment
For remote workers with income from foreign clients or employers. Introduced in 2024. Details in the DN visa article.
- Duration: 1 year (renewable)
- Minimum income: three times the social allowance
For university, master’s or long-term language programs. Requires enrollment in an accredited institution.
- Duration: for the study period (usually 1 year)
- Work rights: up to 20 hours per week
Family reunification with a resident in Italy. Requires nulla osta from the questura and sufficient income from the main applicant. More in the family reunification article.
- Duration: matches the main applicant’s permesso
- Work rights: full
For financially independent foreigners without work in Italy. Requires proof of sufficient passive income or savings and proof of housing.
- Duration: 1–2 years
- Work rights: none
International protection (asylum). Separate procedure via the territorial commission, not through the standard KIT. Processing times are significantly longer.
- Duration: 5 years (if granted)
- Work rights: full
Waiting for employment — if you lost your job but want to stay in Italy. Issued for 1 year, during which you must find new employment.
- Duration: 1 year
- Work rights: yes, you must find an employer
Which type of permesso should you choose?
The type of permesso di soggiorno depends on the basis for your Visa D. You cannot freely "choose" — the type is determined by what you declared when applying for the visa at the consulate. If you obtained a Visa D for subordinate work you will apply for lavoro subordinato; if for study — for studio. A detailed overview of all residence permit types is in the separate article.
Before arrival: Visa D and preparing documents for the permesso
What must you do before arriving in Italy to ensure the permesso process goes smoothly?
How to obtain a permesso in Italy — the process begins well before arrival. The first step is obtaining Visa D from the Italian consulate in your country. Without Visa D you generally cannot apply for a permesso di soggiorno (except EU citizens, who do not need a permesso).
Obtaining Visa D at the consulate
Documents for the permesso start being gathered already at the visa stage. Many of them will be used twice: at the consulate and at the questura. The document list depends on the visa type (lavoro, studio, famiglia, etc.), but the basic set is the same.
Book an appointment at the consulate
Book via the Prenota Online system. Wait times for appointments vary from 2 weeks to 3 months depending on the consulate. Some consulates release slots once a week.
Collect documents for Visa D
Passport (valid at least 18 months), completed application form, photos, proof of basis (contract, enrollment, nulla osta), financial guarantees, insurance.
Apostille and sworn translation
Documents issued outside Italy require an apostille and a sworn translation (traduzione giurata). The apostille is applied in the country of issuance. The sworn translation must be done by a translator registered with an Italian court.
Obtain the visa and enter Italy
After Visa D approval you have 90 days to enter Italy. A more important deadline is the 8 working days after entry to submit the KIT at the post office (explained below).
Immigration consultant
“The most common mistake is people arriving in Italy and relaxing. They have 8 working days to send the KIT. In that time you must find housing, buy the envelope, fill it out and send it. If you miss the deadline — technically you broke the law.”
On the first days after arrival in Italy
8 working days — a strict deadline
By law (TU Immigrazione, art. 5), a foreigner must submit the permesso di soggiorno application within 8 working days after entering Italy. In practice small delays are usually tolerated, but it’s best to comply — the questura may raise questions at submission.
KIT by mail: the first step to obtaining a permesso in Italy
How to apply for a permesso via the post office — what is the KIT, where to buy the envelope, and how to fill it out correctly?
The KIT (Kit giallo) is a special yellow postal envelope sold only at Poste Italiane branches. The application for the permesso di soggiorno is submitted through it. This is the first practical step in the procedure; you cannot proceed further without it.
Where to buy it and how much it costs
The KIT is sold at Poste Italiane branches that operate the “Sportello Amico” service. Not all branches provide this service — look for larger offices. The envelope itself is free, but when sending you must pay:
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✓Marca da bollo elettronica – 16 EUR
Revenue stamp, paid at the post office
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✓Bollettino postale (fee) – from 40 to 100 EUR
Depends on the permesso type. For initial issuance usually about 70–100 EUR. For student permesso — 40 EUR
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✓Postal service fee – 30 EUR
Processing and mailing fee via Sportello Amico
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✓Total: from 86 to 146 EUR
Plus photos (4 pcs) – from 5 EUR in a photobooth
How to fill out the KIT
Inside the envelope you will find an instruction booklet and forms to complete. Fill them out in block letters with a black pen.
Module 1 – personal details
Name, surname, date of birth, citizenship, passport number. All data must match the passport exactly — any mistake can cause delays.
Module 2 – reason for stay
Indicate the type of permesso you are applying for: lavoro subordinato, lavoro autonomo, studio, motivi familiari etc. The motive code is listed in the KIT instructions.
Module 3 – residential address
The address in Italy where you will be registered. It must match the lease contract or dichiarazione di ospitalità.
Enclose documents
Copies of passport, Visa D, contract, insurance and all supporting documents. Originals will be required at the fingerprint appointment at the questura — do not enclose them in the envelope.
From community experience
“At the post office the operator checks only completeness — not content. If photos or the stamp are missing, they’ll turn you away. But if you made a mistake in your passport number, that will surface at the questura months later.”
Community member, Turin
Sending the KIT
After filling out and checking the KIT, the post office operator accepts the envelope, issues the ricevuta (receipt) with the practice number and schedules the fingerprint appointment (appuntamento). In some cities the date is sent later by SMS; in others it is given immediately at the post office.
Submission deadline – 8 working days
The KIT must be sent within 8 working days after entry into Italy. Only working days are counted — weekends and holidays are excluded. In practice a small delay (up to 2 weeks) usually does not cause problems, but it’s better not to take the risk.
Fingerprints at the questura: how to obtain a permesso di soggiorno in practice
What happens at the fingerprint appointment at the questura, what to bring, and how long to wait for the appuntamento?
After sending the KIT comes the waiting period. The questura assigns you an appuntamento — a date to attend for fingerprinting (impronte digitali). This is the key stage in obtaining the permesso di soggiorno — here they check your documents and collect biometric data.
How long to wait for the appuntamento
Waiting times depend on the city and the questura’s workload. In 2026 the variation is large:
| City | Waiting time for fingerprints | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pescara | 20 days | Record among large cities |
| Asti | ~50 days | Small city, fast |
| Bresso (Milan suburb) | 4–5 months | Suburbs are also overloaded |
| Milan | 1–6 months | Depends on the questura (Via Falck is faster) |
| Genoa | 4–5 months | Consistently long |
| Turin | 5–6 months | Long queue |
| Rome | 5–6 months | Depends on the district questura |
See the full table for all cities with real community cases in the article on questura timelines.
What to bring to the fingerprint appointment
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✓Passport
Original + copy of all relevant pages, including Visa D
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✓Ricevuta from the post office
The yellow Poste Italiane receipt you received when sending the KIT
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✓Codice fiscale
Original plastic card. More details - article on codice fiscale
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✓Photos — 4 pcs
Passport format, recent
-
✓Lease contract or dichiarazione di ospitalità
Proof of residence
-
✓Health insurance or SSN
Private policy with coverage of €30,000 or registration with the SSN. More - article on healthcare in Italy
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✓Documents related to the motive
Work contract, enrollment certificate, nulla osta etc. — depends on permesso type
What happens at the fingerprint appointment
The procedure usually takes from 10 minutes to an hour. Previously fingerprints were taken in a separate room for all fingers, but the process has been simplified.
From community experience
“I gave my fingerprints today — they don’t take everyone into a separate room anymore, they often only take index finger prints at the window. It all took 10 minutes.”
Community member, 2026
At the appointment the questura officer checks your documents, cross-checks data with the KIT, records fingerprints and takes a photo. After that you receive an updated ricevuta or confirmation that the application has been accepted. From that moment on it’s just waiting for the card to be produced.
Can they ask for additional documents?
Yes. At the appointment the officer may request additional papers that were not included in the KIT. This is common — especially for lavoro autonomo and Digital Nomad cases, where questure in 2026 often ask for an active Partita IVA and proof of income on the spot.
Ricevuta: what it grants and what it doesn’t while waiting for the permesso di soggiorno
Can you work and travel with the ricevuta while waiting for the permesso di soggiorno?
The ricevuta is the receipt given by the post office when you send the KIT. This document confirms that you filed an application for the permesso di soggiorno and that you are legally in Italy. The ricevuta is your main document during the whole waiting period, which can last months.
What the ricevuta grants
- Legal stay — you are legally in Italy
- Right to work — you can be hired by an employer (with some limitations)
- Access to the SSN — you can register with the national health system
- Opening a bank account — most banks accept the ricevuta
- Signing a lease — for official accommodation
What the ricevuta DOES NOT grant
- Free travel within the Schengen area — with a ricevuta you cannot freely travel the Schengen zone
- Guaranteed return to Italy from abroad — if you leave, re-entry is not guaranteed
- Passport replacement — some consulates require a valid permesso
From experience with flights
“For the record: yesterday a Yerevan–Milan flight had a passenger with an expired residence permit. They showed a ricevuta and an A4 paper. In Italy there were no issues.”
Community member, flight experience
Flights with a ricevuta — a risk zone
Formally you can exit Italy with a ricevuta, but return is not guaranteed. Airlines and border officers interpret the rules differently. Detailed analysis in the article on flights with a ricevuta.
Validity of the ricevuta
Important nuance
“The ricevuta is valid only for 9 months and must be renewed if the residence permit hasn’t been issued within that time.”
Immigration consultant
Legally the ricevuta is valid for 60 days, but in practice its validity is automatically extended while the application is being processed. However, some organizations (banks, employers) may refuse it if the ricevuta is older than a certain threshold. In such cases you must contact the questura for an update (rinnovo ricevuta). The procedure usually requires 1–2 visits. In some questure showing the original ricevuta and your passport is sufficient.
How to renew the ricevuta
If the ricevuta is considered "outdated" and organizations refuse it — contact the questura to request an update (rinnovo ricevuta). The procedure usually involves 1–2 visits. In some questure it’s enough to show the original ricevuta and passport.
Documents for the permesso: full list by residence permit type in 2026
What documents are required for the permesso in 2026 — and does the list differ by permit type?
The required documents depend on the permesso type, but the basic package is the same for everyone. Below is a full checklist broken down by motives.
Basic package (for all permesso types)
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✓Passport
Valid, with validity at least until the end of the requested permesso. Copy of all data pages and stamps
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✓Visa D
Copy of the Visa D in the passport. Visa type must match the requested permesso motive
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✓Photos — 4 pcs
Passport-size (35x45 mm), white background, recent
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✓Marca da bollo — 16 EUR
Revenue stamp, purchased at the post office or tobacco shop
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✓Codice fiscale
Tax code. Can be obtained at the Agenzia delle Entrate — details in article on codice fiscale
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✓Health insurance or SSN
Private insurance with at least €30,000 coverage or registration with the national SSN
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✓Proof of housing
Registered lease contract, dichiarazione di ospitalità or property document
-
✓Proof of income
Bank statement, contract, income declaration — depends on permesso type
Additional documents by permesso type
| Permesso type | Additional documents | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lavoro subordinato | Nulla osta, employment contract, comunicazione obbligatoria | Employer provides most documents |
| Lavoro autonomo | Nulla osta from the prefettura, Partita IVA, business plan, proof of income | Minimum income depends on the province |
| Digital Nomad | Contract with foreign employer/clients, proof of income (3x social allowance) | Relatively new category; requirements are being clarified |
| Studio | Enrollment certificate, proof of tuition payment, financial guarantees (~€6,000+) | For language courses — minimum 20 hours/week |
| Motivi familiari | Nulla osta from the questura, marriage/birth certificates (apostille + sworn translation), income of main applicant | Minimum income depends on family size |
| Residenza elettiva | Proof of passive income or savings, property/lease contract | Minimum ~€31,000/year per person |
The exact document list depends on the questura — some cities request additional papers. Always bring all available documents to the fingerprint appointment.
Practical tip
“Bring every document you have to the appointment. Really everything: lease contract, insurance, codice fiscale, bank statement, declaration, Partita IVA if you have one. The officer may ask for anything — better to have it than to return a second time.”
Community member, Genoa
Timelines for obtaining a permesso di soggiorno in 2026: from KIT to the card
How long does it take to get a permesso di soggiorno in 2026 — and which cities are faster?
Overall waiting time from sending the KIT at the post office to receiving the plastic card in 2026 ranges from 2 to 12 months. The variation is huge and mainly depends on the city.
| City | KIT – fingerprints | Fingerprints – card | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pescara | 20 days | 2–3 months | ~3 months |
| Asti | ~50 days | 1–2 months | ~3–4 months |
| Milan (Via Falck) | 1–2 months | ~1 month | ~2–3 months |
| Milan (main) | 3–6 months | 2–6 months | 5–12 months |
| Genoa | 4–5 months | 2–3 months | 6–8 months |
| Turin | 5–6 months | 1–2 months | 6–8 months |
| Rome | 5–6 months | 1–2 months | 6–8 months |
In smaller cities (Pescara, Asti, provinces) the process is significantly faster. Milan is a lottery: from 2 months (Via Falck) to a year or more. Real cases by city are in the detailed timelines article.
Renewal after the first permesso
“They renewed me for 1 year from the expiry of the first permit. We paid for a 2-year receipt — didn’t work. Milan.”
Community member, Milan
Milan vs a small city
Choosing where to live directly affects permesso speed. If you have flexibility, consider smaller cities.
Small cities (Pescara, Asti, provinces)
KIT to card: 2–4 months
Fingerprints in 2–4 weeks
Fewer queues
More lenient officers
Large cities (Milan, Rome, Turin)
KIT to card: 5–12 months
Fingerprints in 3–6 months
Overloaded questure
May request more documents
How to speed up the process
The only legal way to speed up getting a permesso di soggiorno is to choose the city wisely. Moving to a small city to use a faster questura is a common strategy. Another option is to apply via a suburban questura (e.g., Bresso instead of central Milan), but that isn’t always faster.
Collecting the plastic permesso di soggiorno card
How do you know the permesso is ready, and what should you check when collecting the card?
When the card is ready, the questura sends an SMS to the phone number given in the KIT. In some cases a letter is sent by mail. In about 30% of cases no notification arrives at all — you must check yourself.
How to check readiness
- SMS — arrives in ~70% of cases. Typical text: “Il suo permesso di soggiorno è pronto per il ritiro.”
- Polizia di Stato website — questure.poliziadistato.it, status check by practice number
- In-person visit — you can go to the questura and ask. Some questure allow this without an appointment
What to check when receiving the card
When you collect the plastic card, check all details on the spot:
-
✓Name and surname
Must match the passport — check transliteration
-
✓Date of birth
Errors are more common than you’d think
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✓Citizenship code (135 or 154)
For former USSR citizens: code 154 (USSR) can cause issues. The correct code for Russia is 135
-
✓Permesso type (motive)
Must match your Visa D type
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✓Validity period
Usually 1 or 2 years from the visa issuance date (not from the card collection date)
-
✓Work rights
The "Lavoro" field must contain the correct authorization
Issue with citizenship code
“In a Rome municipality the database changed — code SUN for USSR appeared. When the questura sees 154 it blocks issuing the permesso and asks the municipality to update it to the correct code.”
Community member, Rome
Code 135 vs 154 — a common problem
Code 154 corresponds to the USSR in some municipal databases. If the municipality registered you with code 154 the questura may block issuing the permesso di soggiorno until it’s corrected to code 135 (Russia) or the appropriate code for your country. Check the code when registering at the comune.
Common problems when obtaining the permesso di soggiorno and how to fix them
What problems most often arise when applying for the first permesso di soggiorno and how to resolve them?
The permesso process rarely goes perfectly. Here are the most frequent problems from community experience in 2026.
The questura takes fingerprints but the data is not saved in the system. You are called again — sometimes twice. Solution: record the date and time of each visit and keep all papers and receipts.
Transliteration differences from the passport, wrong citizenship code, incorrect date of birth. Often only discovered when receiving the card.
Fingerprints submitted but the card isn’t ready for months. There’s no official way to speed it up — you can send a PEC letter to the questura or hire a lawyer to file a diffida.
Rare for initial issuance but possible — for example, if the basis for your visa ceased to exist (lost job, expelled from studies). A refusal can be appealed to the TAR within 60 days.
The officer asks you to bring additional documents, come back, wait. Some complete the process in 1–2 visits, others go 5–8 times.
Experience of multiple visits
“My wife received her family reunification permesso without issues. I had to go to the questura 8 times.”
Community member, family reunification experience
How to appeal a refusal
If the questura refuses to issue the permesso di soggiorno, you have two options:
Via TAR (administrative court)
Deadline: 60 days from receipt of the refusal
Requires a lawyer (avvocato)
Cost: from ~1,500 EUR
Hearing time: 3–12 months
More — article on appeals
Via diffida
Pre-litigation PEC letter
You can write it yourself or with a lawyer
Cost: from 0 EUR (self) to ~500 EUR (with lawyer)
Sometimes helps speed things up
Does not replace court action
What to do if the card has an error
If the plastic permesso di soggiorno contains an error — contact the questura to request a replacement. The procedure is free but may take several months. Some prefer not to replace a non-critical error if they will soon apply for renewal. It’s your decision — but citizenship code and permesso type are worth correcting immediately.
Conclusions: how to get a permesso in Italy in 2026
What are the main takeaways about getting a permesso di soggiorno in 2026?
Apostilles, translations, insurance — best done in your country of residence. In Italy you’ll be busy — you have only 8 working days to send the KIT.
The difference between Pescara (~3 months) and Milan (up to 12 months) is huge. If you have a choice, consider smaller cities.
With it you can work, get SSN, open a bank account. But travel outside Italy is at your own risk. Keep the ricevuta with you at all times.
The officer may ask for anything. Better to have extra papers than to return to the questura multiple times.
Errors in name, citizenship code (135/154), or motive occur frequently. They can be fixed later but it may take months. Better to correct them immediately.
Some get the permesso in 2 months, others in 12. But if your documents are in order — refusals are rare. Patience is key.
The information in this article is based on community experience and public sources. This is not legal advice. For your specific situation consult a licensed specialist.