Italia — Immigrazione & Citizenship
From citizenship by descent to EU Blue Cards, Digital Nomad visas and investor pathways — expert guidance from first assessment to permit in hand.
2025 Reform — D.L. 36/2025: Jure sanguinis applications or Prenot@mi appointments confirmed by 27 March 2025 continue under the previous rules. New applications limited to two generations. Check eligibility →
Nine distinct immigration routes — each with its own eligibility, procedure and timeline. Select the one that matches your situation.
Claim Italian citizenship through an Italian ancestor. The 2025 reform limits new applications to two generations, but transitional provisions protect many existing claims.
For highly qualified non-EU professionals with a qualifying job offer. Merit-based, outside Decreto Flussi quotas. Entry from abroad requires three phases through three separate Italian authorities.
Italy’s annual work quota system. Quotas exhaust within minutes of the click-day. Complete dossier preparation months in advance is essential — there is no second chance until next year.
For non-EU nationals working remotely for foreign clients or employers. In force since April 2024. No Nulla Osta, no quota. Minimum income ~€28,000/year. Only two phases.
Per pensionati e titolari di reddito passivo che desiderano vivere in Italia senza lavorare. Min. €31.000/anno da fonti non lavorative. Popular with Americans, Britons and South Americans post-citizenship. 7% pensioner flat tax available.
Residency through a qualifying investment: €250k in innovative startups, €500k in Italian companies, €1M philanthropy or €2M government bonds. No minimum stay. €300k/year flat tax on all foreign income.
Three distinct routes: non-EU permit holders (Art. 29), families of Italian static citizens (Permesso FamIT) and families of EU citizens (Carta di Soggiorno). The correct route depends entirely on the sponsor’s status.
Intra-company transfers, contract workers from foreign companies and ex-employees of Italian firms abroad. All outside Decreto Flussi quotas — no click-day, no annual cap.
Four routes to Italian citizenship: marriage (2 yrs), 10 years residence, birth in Italy, special cases. B1 Italian language certificate required. We manage the full dossier from document collection to citizenship decree.
Non-EU nationals studying in Italy for more than 90 days must obtain a national study visa (tipo D, motivi di studio) before arrival, then convert it into a residence permit within 8 days of entry.
Non-EU nationals enrolling in Italian universities, language schools, or other courses lasting more than 90 days. EU nationals have free movement and do not need a visa.
Following the Decreto Cutro (Law 50/2023), study permit holders who find a job in Italy can convert their permit to a work permit without waiting for the next Decreto Flussi — one of the most direct paths to long-term residence.
Confirmation from an Italian university or recognised institution, specifying course, duration and start date.
IstitutoBank statements, scholarship letters or family support documentation covering tuition, accommodation and living expenses.
RichiedenteRental contract or university accommodation confirmation, plus comprehensive health insurance valid in Italy for the study period.
RichiedenteApply at the Italian consulate in your country of residence with the complete dossier. Processing typically 2–4 weeks. We prepare and review the dossier before submission.
Kit postale submitted within 8 days of entry. Valid for course duration, renewed annually for multi-year programmes. Work permitted up to 20 hours/week.
Renewals should be filed 60–90 days before expiry. The post office receipt issued at submission serves as proof of continued legal residence while the application is processed — you are not considered irregular during this period.
Most Italian residence permits are renewable: work, study, family, elective residence, digital nomad, Blue Card and long-stay permits. We assess renewability and any changes in requirements since original issuance.
Some permits can be converted to a different type — for example, a study permit to a work permit, or a seasonal permit to a subordinate work permit. We identify the best option at renewal time.
Updated income documents, employment records and any requirements specific to the permit type.
Renewal kit submitted at a designated post office. Receipt = proof of legal stay during processing.
Questura schedules appointment and issues the renewed permit. We follow up until it is in your hands.
Seleziona la tua nazionalità per scoprire subito se è richiesto un visto Schengen, se puoi viaggiare senza visto (ETIAS dal Q4 2026), o se si applica la libera circolazione UE.
Una pre-autorizzazione online per i cittadini esentati da visto. Similar to the US ESTA. Confirmed launch: Q4 2026. Fee: €20, valid 3 years or until passport expiry. A 6-month transitional period follows before it becomes strictly mandatory.
Qualsiasi sito web che venda “ETIAS” is a scam. ETIAS does not exist yet. Apply only at travel-europe.europa.eu/etias when it opens in Q4 2026.
Valido per almeno 3 mesi oltre la data di partenza, min. 2 pagine vuote. Modulo Schengen standard completato e firmato.
RichiedenteCopertura per emergenze mediche e rimpatrio, valida in tutto lo Spazio Schengen.
RichiedentePrenotazioni voli, prenotazioni hotel o lettera di invito. Estratti conto che dimostrino fondi sufficienti per il soggiorno.
RichiedenteNon-EU nationals engaged as language instructors (lettori di madrelingua) at Italian state or private universities. Governed by Art. 27, lett. b D.Lgs 286/98. Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. The Italian university is the sponsoring employer and initiates the Nulla Osta procedure at the SUI. Contract duration typically follows the academic year, renewable.
ProceduraThe Italian university submits the Nulla Osta at the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione. We prepare the institutional dossier.
Visa at Italian consulate, then contratto di soggiorno at SUI and permesso di soggiorno application within 8 days of entry.
Non-EU nationals engaged as university professors (professori universitari) at Italian state or private universities. Art. 27, lett. c D.Lgs 286/98. Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. No upper duration limit — professors may be engaged indefinitely and the permit is renewed as long as the appointment continues. The Italian university sponsors the Nulla Osta.
ProceduraItalian university files the application. We prepare the academic appointment documentation and employer declarations required since Dec 2025.
Visa at Italian consulate, then contratto di soggiorno at SUI and permesso application within 8 days of entry.
Non-EU nationals employed as family helpers (collaboratori familiari) by foreign nationals or Italian citizens who have relocated to Italy and require domestic staff. Governed by Art. 27, lett. e D.Lgs 286/98. Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. The employer must be a private household. Salary must meet CCNL thresholds for domestic workers. Permit duration follows the employment contract.
ProceduraHousehold employer submits Nulla Osta at the SUI with employment contract, proof of accommodation and income documentation. Mandatory employer declaration verification since Dec 2025.
Visa at Italian consulate, contratto di soggiorno at SUI and permesso application within 8 days of entry.
Non-EU nationals admitted for a tirocinio (internship or structured training period) in Italy with an Italian company or institution. Art. 27, lett. f D.Lgs 286/98. Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. The Italian host organisation sponsors the Nulla Osta. Duration typically up to 12 months. No employment contract — the trainee receives an allowance, not a salary. Mandatory employer declaration verification since Dec 2025 applies to the hosting institution.
ProceduraHosting company or institution submits the Nulla Osta with the tirocinio agreement, trainee's CV and qualifications, and the training programme. We prepare the full dossier.
Visa at Italian consulate, then contratto di soggiorno at SUI and permesso application within 8 days of entry.
Non-EU nationals employed as seafarers (gente di mare) on vessels flying the Italian flag. Governed by Art. 27, lett. h D.Lgs 286/98. Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. The Italian shipping company or vessel owner sponsors the Nulla Osta at the SUI. The permit is tied to the vessel and the employment contract. Roles covered include deck officers, engineers, ratings and other crew.
ProceduraItalian shipping company submits the Nulla Osta with employment contract, seafarer's certificates (STCW) and vessel documentation. Mandatory employer declaration verification applies.
Visa at Italian consulate, contratto di soggiorno at SUI and permesso application within 8 days of first entry into Italy.
Non-EU nationals admitted to Italy as au pairs or participants in bilateral cultural exchange programmes. Art. 27, lett. r D.Lgs 286/98. Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. Au pairs live with a host family and provide childcare in exchange for board, lodging and a weekly allowance. The programme must be structured within a recognised exchange framework. Duration typically up to 12 months. Age usually 18–30. The host family sponsors the application.
Requisiti principaliThe family must have children and demonstrate sufficient income to support the au pair. A formal au pair agreement (contratto au pair) detailing duties, working hours (max 30h/week), allowance and accommodation is required.
Non-EU national aged 18–30, basic knowledge of Italian (or commitment to attend a language course), clean criminal record, valid health insurance.
Host family submits the application with the au pair agreement, income documentation, and accommodation proof.
Visa at Italian consulate, then contratto di soggiorno at SUI and permesso application within 8 days.
Italy has bilateral Working Holiday Agreements with a limited number of countries allowing young nationals (typically 18–30, up to 35 for some countries) to live and work in Italy for up to 12 months. The primary purpose must be holiday/travel; work is permitted to fund the stay. No Nulla Osta required — the visa is issued directly by the Italian consulate under the bilateral agreement. Countries currently with agreements include Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile and others.
Nationals of a country with a bilateral WHV agreement with Italy. Age 18–30 (35 for some agreements). Must not have previously used the scheme. Clean criminal record, health insurance, sufficient funds for initial period.
Live in Italy for up to 12 months, work in any sector (some agreements restrict work to cover costs only), travel freely within Schengen. Work with a single employer is usually limited to 3–6 months depending on the agreement.
Apply directly at the Italian consulate in your home country with passport, financial means documentation, health insurance and clean criminal record. No Nulla Osta or Italian employer required at this stage. We prepare and review the complete consular dossier.
Register with the Questura within 8 days of arrival in Italy. We guide you through the registration and permesso application process.
Non-EU nationals admitted to Italy to carry out unpaid voluntary activities with a recognised Italian non-profit, association, or voluntary organisation. Governed by Art. 27-bis D.Lgs 286/98. Outside Decreto Flussi quotas. The volunteer does not receive a salary but may receive reimbursement of expenses (vitto, alloggio, pocket money up to the legal threshold). The hosting organisation must be formally registered and act as sponsor.
Italian ODV (organizzazioni di volontariato), APS (associazioni di promozione sociale), ONLUS, foundations and other entities registered in the national voluntary register (Registro Unico del Terzo Settore).
Board and lodging provided by the organisation plus a pocket money allowance up to the legal threshold. No salary. Duration typically up to 12 months. Activity must be genuinely voluntary and in line with the organisation's social mission.
The hosting organisation submits the Nulla Osta. Dossier includes: hosting agreement, proof of registration, description of voluntary activity, accommodation and expense coverage documentation. Mandatory declaration verification since Dec 2025.
Visa at Italian consulate (tipo D, motivi di volontariato), then permesso application within 8 days of entry.
We evaluate eligibility, identify the optimal pathway and give you a clear timeline and cost estimate before any commitment.
We map every required document, guide retrieval from Italian and foreign registries, and coordinate apostilles and certified translations.
We prepare, review and submit — to the consulate, Comune, Questura, Sportello Unico or online portal, depending on your route.
We monitor progress, respond to authority requests and guide you through every remaining step until your status is confirmed.
“Those relocating to Italy don’t need a generic answer. They need someone who knows the path.”
ImmiLex è nata per offrire consulenza immigratoria di alta qualità — prima accessibile solo a grandi studi legali o a chi poteva permettersi tariffe elevate — a privati, famiglie e aziende di ogni dimensione che desiderano trasferirsi in Italia o regolarizzare la propria posizione.
Our goal is to be a single point of reference from first consultation to completed case, so clients never have to chase updates or navigate a complex system alone.
Every case is different. We work on a bespoke basis for each client’s specific situation, with no off-the-shelf solutions or standard answers.
Risposte rapide e aggiornamenti proattivi in ogni fase. Il cliente non deve mai inseguirci — siamo noi a tenerlo informato.
Seguiamo ogni aspetto della pratica: raccolta documenti, coordinamento con autorità italiane, apostille, traduzioni e presentazione dell'istanza.
Deep knowledge of Italian immigration law and continuous regulatory updates. Every dossier is handled with rigour and attention to detail.
Un'ora via Zoom con un esperto dedicato. Analizziamo la tua situazione, identifichiamo il percorso più efficace e ti diamo una roadmap concreta. A partire da € 150.
Timezone: Europe/Rome (CET/CEST) · Duration: 1 hour
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