Residence permit for Elective Residence for Italy

Information gathering at institutional portals

Before beginning the application process, it is essential to understand the requirements and conditions necessary to obtain an entry visa for elective residence in Italy. This information is available online at any search engine. At the same time, given the nature of the information and subsequent inquiry, Welcome Association Italy recommends visiting the following institutional channels:

• Visa for Italy: portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. By filling in four simple fields, it is possible to find out the documentation required to obtain a visa as well as the information about the locations, in the country of origin, of Italian diplomatic-consular authorities;
• Visa section of the Italian Embassy website in the country of origin.

At this point, the applicant has all the necessary information on the documents to apply for an entry visa for elective residence.

Collection of Necessary Documents

Gathering the required documents is a crucial step. To apply, all required documents must be submitted, which may include:

• Entry visa application form;
• Photocards;
• Travel document (passport);
• Financial documentation proving your ability to support yourself in Italy;
• Document proving the reason for elective residence in Italy (e.g., rental contract or real estate ownership).

It should be reported that diplomatic-consular authorities are free to request additional documents depending on the country of origin and peculiarities of the applicant. For this reason, it is suggested to pay close attention to the documentation to be attached.

Definition of “ample and regular economic resources”

Among the documents required for an entry visa for elective residence, the Visa for Italy portal mentions:

“documented and ample autonomous, stable and regular economic resources, the continuity of which can reasonably be assumed over time, from sources other than employment activities”

This requirement is essential to ensure that the applicant has the financial ability to support himself and, possibly, his family during his stay in the country. There are several reasons for requesting these availabilities:

• Financial Sustainability: The presence of stable and regular economic resources ensures that the applicant has the necessary means to cover his or her daily expenses, including housing, food, transportation, health care and other essential needs without depending on Italian public resources.
• Absence of Burden on the Social Welfare System: Having independent financial resources reduces the risk of the applicant becoming a burden on the Italian social welfare system, as he or she will not have to depend on public subsidies or assistance for his or her livelihood.
• Positive Contribution to the Local Economy: Possessing significant economic resources can contribute positively to the local economy through spending on goods and services, investing in businesses, or purchasing real estate.
• Guarantee of Continuity: Requiring continuous economic resources over time ensures that the applicant will be able to maintain an adequate standard of living throughout his or her stay in Italy, avoiding situations of financial hardship in the future.

Having ascertained why these funds are required, it becomes necessary to understand how much they should amount to. The indications in the institutional portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation do not express any value in quantitative terms, but still provide useful information to define the amount. The minimum amount required by the authorities for the issuance of a Visa, and consequently a residence permit for elective residence, shall not be less than three times the annual amount stipulated in Table A of the Directive of the Minister of the Interior of March 1, 2000. This is the table that defines the means of subsistence for the entry and stay of foreigners in the territory of the state.

 

 

 

Classes of travel duration	A participant	Two or more participants
From 1-5 days: overall fixed fee	€ 269,60	€ 212,81
From 6-10 days: fee per person per day	€ 44,93	€ 26,33
11 to 20 days: fixed fee	€ 51,64	€ 25,82
Daily fee per person	€ 36,67	€ 22,21
Over 20 days: fixed fee	€ 206,58	€ 118,79
Daily fee per person	€ 27,89	–
Source Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

 

How to calculate the minimum required amount?

The calculation is very simple, just multiply the daily fee per person “over 20 days” (€27.89) by the days of the year (365) + the fixed fee (206.58)

€27.89 x 365(days) = €10,179.85
€10,179.85 + €206.58 (fixed fee) = €10,386.43

This figure is representative of the cost for a foreign national in Italy to stay a year in Italy. To apply for a visa and residence permit for elective residence in Italy, the Consolidated Immigration Act requires an amount equal to or greater than 3 times the amount calculated above:

€10.386,43 x 3= €31.159,29

In conclusion, the minimum income required to obtain an elective residence visa is €31,159.29.

Submission of Application

After filling out the application form and providing all the documentation to the relevant authorities at the Italian embassy or consulate in the country of origin, all that remains is to wait for the outcome. This process may take some time, depending on the workload of the diplomatic offices, so it is advisable to be patient and to stay in touch with the authorities for any updates on your request. Among the risks in which it is possible to incur is visa denial. This document, issued by the Italian representations in the country of origin, testifies to the authorities’ refusal to grant permission to the applicant. This eventuality may occur if the documentation submitted is inconsistent, or if false documentation is submitted.

Residence Permit

After obtaining an entry visa for elective residence, the applicant can enter Italy. At this point, the applicant has 8 days from entering the country to apply for a residence permit for elective residence. The procedure is very simple, the applicant will have to go to the Poste Italiane Sportello Amico, request the postal kit, fill it out and forward it.

Among the documents to be submitted in the postal kit, the applicant should attach:

• Application form. It is among the documents contained in the kit, there are many facsimiles online, and filling out should be done by following the directions in the form.
• Passport.
• Recent photographs of the applicant.
• Financial documentation covered in step (3).
• Housing certificate. A rental agreement or declaration of hospitality from a resident.
• Additional documents. Other documents may be required such as:
  • Documentation on the reason for the stay
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Payment of taxes
• Health insurance. A health insurance policy covering medical expenses while in the country that complies with the regulations of the Consolidated Immigration Act.

Health insurance is among the key documents for applying for a residence permit for elective residence. The applicant can choose between two alternatives, voluntary membership in the National Health System (NHS) or the purchase of private health coverage. In this regard, it is necessary to mention that with the legislative change introduced by the Budget Law 2024, the applicant interested in voluntary membership will have to bear a minimum outlay of €2,000.00, incremental according to income.

Once the postal kit is forwarded, the applicant will receive a receipt. This document is extremely important:

• It is assimilated to an identification document until the actual residence permit is delivered;
• Contains access codes to the Immigration Portal to assess the status of the file;
• Contains summons for appointment at police headquarters for fingerprinting.

It is suggested to keep the document very carefully to stay calm until the physical permit arrives.

Fulfillments of the applicant in Italy

In addition to the permit application process, there are other documents that the applicant must apply for once in Italy. The main, and functional, ones to the residence permit for elective residence are:

• Application for a tax identification number at the Agenzia delle Entrate;
• Declaration of residence at the municipal registry office;
• Opening an Italian bank account, if necessary.

All documents are aimed at regularizing the applicant’s stay in Italy. Through tax code, the permit holder makes it traceable to the Tax Registry the control of the fiscal data. With residency, on the other hand, the applicant transfers his or her taxation to Italy, as well as indicating a city and address in which to reside.

Having obtained these documents, all that is missing is the summons to police headquarters. The timeline for this appointment aimed at fingerprinting could be very long. There are cases where the appointment may be assigned six months after the mailing kit is sent, that’s the reason behind the paramount importance of the receipt of payment from Poste Italiane’s Sportello Amico This step having been taken, the permit holder only has to wait for the physical document to be issued and will be free to stay in Italy.

Duration, renewal and conversion of residence permit for elective residence

The duration of the residence permit for elective residence cannot be less than 12 months, after which the permit can be the permit. The renewal procedure involves submitting the mail kit enclosing the updated documents required when applying for the permit. It is advisable to start the renewal process two months before the title expires so that it can be implemented within 30 days after the expiration. The residence permit for elective residence can also be applied for by non-EU citizens who hold a residence permit for work, whether self-employed or employed. Two conditions must be met for conversion:

• the non-EU citizen is no longer a worker;
• Compliance with the financial requirements of step (3).

If the conditions are met, a non-EU citizen holding a residence permit for work, whether self-employed or employed, can apply for its conversion to a permit for elective residence.