Complete guide to obtaining residence permit
for working holiday in Italy

The first step in obtaining a work vacation residence permit in Italy is to make sure that you are a citizen of the countries that have signed the appropriate bilateral agreements discussed in conditions (1). Having satisfied the conditions related to points (2 and 5), the applicant can seek information on the appropriate institutional channels:
Visa for Italy;
Integrating Migrants;
Immigration Portal;
Ministry of the Interior.

The standard process for applying for a residence permit in Italy involves applying for an entry visa in the country of origin. This procedure does not apply for applying for a work vacation residence permit because the 5 countries with which Italy has bilateral agreements are part of the larger list of countries whose citizens do not require a visa for Italy. The procedure in its initial stage, that is, when the applicant is still in the country of origin, involves a formal request to the Italian diplomatic-consular representations. This request can take the form of an interview or a telematic request with related submission of documentation. To date, there is no uniform procedure as the modalities and requirements vary depending on the bilateral agreement between the five participating countries and Italy.

Once consent has been obtained from the Italian diplomatic and consular representations in the country of origin, the applicant can enter Italy. As reiterated in the second step, citizens of these countries are not required to apply for an entry visa. This condition allows them to stay in Italy for up to 90 days. There are no special requirements, nor the demonstration of a reason for entry.

From entry into Italy, the applicant has eight days to initiate the application for a work holiday residence permit. At this stage, the process aligns with standard procedures for obtaining a residence permit. The applicant will need to go to the nearest relevant police headquarters and formally submit the application for a residence permit, attaching the following documents:

• health insurance for illness and accidents (photocopy of policy);
• act of hospitality (including photocopy of the declarant’s ID);
• Official communication of granting hospitality ( cessione di fabbricato form);
• Photocopy of passport pages with stamps and visas;
• Receipt for payment of the postal bulletin in the total amount of €70.46 (annual contribution of €40.00 + €16.00 revenue stamp);
• Four passport-size photographs with a light background.

N.B. Since this is a “sui generis” title that arises from specific bilateral agreements between countries, it is always advisable to delve into the requirements directly from the text of the agreements made on a country-by-country basis.

Among the required documents is health coverage in accordance with the Consolidated Immigration Act. A foreign national who intends to apply for a residence permit in Italy is free to:

Sign up for private health coverage.

subscribe to the italian National Health System (NHS);

During the appointment at the police headquarters, the applicant submits the above documentation and deposits the fingerprints required for the issuance of the work vacation residence permit. At this point the Italian authorities will analyze the documentation and reconvene the applicant for the issuance of the paper residence permit. The application processing process involves careful scrutiny of the documentation submitted by the applicant. In case one of the required documents is missing something, the Italian authorities may:

1. require supplementation,
2. Issue a denial of a residence permit.

The second case is very rare, and occurs when the applicant submits documentation that is false or inconsistent with the requested permit.

Timelines for issuing the permit vary depending on the workload of the police headquarters processing the applications. Once the bureaucratic-administrative checks are completed, the questura contacts the applicant to issue the physical residence permit. At this point, the holder of the work holiday residence permit is free from bureaucratic requirements and can enjoy the six or 12 months in Italy to the fullest. Please note, this document cannot be extended or converted into another type of permit, so it is important to carefully plan the duration and nature of the stay.

Considering that membership in the National Health System is one of two options for meeting the requirements of obtaining a residence permit, we need to inform foreigners of the legislative change in the Budget Law 2024. As of January 2024, new legislation came into effect that significantly increased the cost of voluntary membership in the National Health Service (NHS). This increase has a major impact on the overall economy of applicants. For international students with residence permits for study purposes, the fee increased from €149.77 to €700.00. For working holiday residence permit holders, the adhesion to NHS will start at €2,000.00, varying according to declared income. Given the significant cost increase, more and more citizens are turning to private coverage.

One of the first steps in integrating into life in Italy is definitely obtaining a tax code. The tax code for foreigners is a unique identifier required to access services in Italy. It is needed for interactions with the Public Administration, opening bank accounts, entering into contracts, and accessing the National Health Service. To obtain it, the foreigner can apply to the Questura or the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione, which can issue a provisional code that can then be converted into a definitive one at the Agenzia delle Entrate. Alternatively, it can be applied for directly at the Internal Revenue Service by submitting Form AA4/8, a valid ID and residence permit. It is of great importance for carrying out many daily and legal activities in Italy, such as paying taxes, receiving refunds, and accessing public services.

Once a residence permit has been obtained, the holder can spend the remaining time in Italy working, studying or visiting the Bel Paese. Normally, in order to work in Italy, a foreigner must follow a work permit procedure, obtain a Nulla Osta and fall within the quotas of the Flussi Decree. The latter is a far from trivial procedure. With the work vacation residence permit, however, the holder circumvents this procedure as long as he or she works for a maximum period of 6 months, 3 of which are with one employer and 3 with another.

Alternatively, the working holiday residence permit allows citizens of the five countries to peacefully spend 12 months in Italy exploring one of the most beautiful countries in the world, enjoying culinary delights and visiting cities rich in history and millennia-old culture.