Study in Italy: Visa and Residence Permit

Within 8 days of a student’s arrival in Italy, the first step is to apply for a Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno): this residence permit allows students to legally study and live in Italy for a specific timeframe.

Applying for an Italian Residence Permit is very simple:

Students need to go to a Post Office and ask for a “Permesso di Soggiorno Kit”, a white envelope with some forms. You will find there are two forms: international students will have to fill in only Modulo 1 and provide a copy of:

• passport (all pages),
• health insurance covering the period of stay (same provided during the Visa application)
• copy of enrolment letter
• Proof of financial support (you can submit the same document you used to obtain your visa)

Our Student Services Department will assist you to fill in the form and provide all the necessary information to ensure the submission is properly prepared.

Alternatively, students could also refer to the Sportello Amico a dedicated desk at the Post Office where they can receive assistance from the officer in charge.

Once completed these steps, the Post Office will issue the residence permit receipt along with a fingerprinting appointment letter.

Please note: receipt of residence permit application is the legal proof that the request is under process. Students must take the receipt with them and they are reminded that it is essential to attend the fingerprinting appointment at the Central Immigration Police Station (Rome , Florence, Milan).

Please be informed that Non-European citizens are not allowed to travel around Europe without a regular Residence Permit.

Of course, you can visit our country with the Residence Permit Receipt. You may leave Italy only to come back to your home country. According with the Polizia di Stato website, foreigners are allowed to leave and enter Italy with a Residence Permit receipt under the below conditions.

Students must:

• Carry their receipt;
• Bring their expired permesso di soggiorno card;
• Carry their valid passport;
• Leave and enter the Schengen Zone through Italy.

European citizens are allowed to travel around Europe showing their passport or ID Card.

If your country is a member of the Schengen Zone you can travel inside the Schengen Area or going outside it. If you already have your Residence Permit card, then you are free to travel where you want without restrictions on layovers in Europe, assuming that you are from a country that allows you to travel in Europe for up to 90 days without a visa.

According to Italian law, all the students abroad that want to take a course in Italy must have medical insurance, whether they are European or Non-European Citizens.

You can stay uninsured and pay out of pocket for any medical fees you incur during your time in Italy, only if you stay less than 90 days and come from a country that has visa-free entry.

Please be informed that without a regular Health Insurance you can obtain neither the Visa nor the Residence Permit.

Under Italian law, emergency medical treatment is provided to Italian nationals and foreign nationals alike, regardless of insurance coverage.  That said, any treatment received in Italian Emergency Rooms is subject to a fee. If follow-up care is required, the hospital will ask for proof of insurance. Policies on public hospital charges vary from region to region.

European Students

Students coming from the European Union can use their National Health Insurance in Italy. This gives you access to all public healthcare options.

Non-European Students 

Students coming from Non-European country must take out private health insurance to cover their entire stay in Italy. Private non-Italian medical insurances are accepted, we recommend bringing with you the insurance company’s letter, summarizing the conditions of your policy

Public health insurance for students in Italy is available if you register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN – Servizio Sanitario Nazionale). The registration is run through local offices called ASL, which provide information and assistance, please find HERE the office ASL closest to you.

The registration is valid for one calendar year (from January to December) and you can subscribe only if you have obtained your Residence Permit.

In order to subscribe, first you have to pay € 149,77 at any post office, by filling in the F24 form (MODELLO F24), then go to the ASL office bringing with you:

• your passport,
• the residence permit receipt,
• the paying-in slip receipt for MODELLO F24.

After registration is completed, the ASL issues the health booklet, so you can choose your general practitioner (for free appointments); if necessary, you can also use the hospital service free of charge.