Frequently Asked Questions
Fellows who are non-EU nationals should check thoroughly with their local Italian Consulate or Embassy for visa requirements before travelling to Florence.
For information about visas and visa types please refer to the Ministero degli Esteri website.
If you are staying in Italy for 12 months or longer, in order to get the special ID Card issued by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, you should apply for a Visto di tipo D per missione lunga durata for the duration of your EUI scholarship (i.e. initially for one academic year until 31 August). This is very important for the issuance of the Ministero degli Affari Estery card after arrival in Italy.
Fellows staying in Italy for 12 months or longer are entitled to apply for the special ID Card issued by the Italian Ministero degli Affari Esteri to non-Italian members of the EUI, i.e. researchers, fellows, administrative and teaching staff.
The EUI takes care of the application when you register at the EUI and the card will be issued by the Academic Service shortly after your arrival.
Non-EU citizens who obtain the Ministry ID card are exempt from having to apply for a Permit of Stay (Permesso di Soggiorno) with the local police headquarters.
Non-EU Fellows staying less than 12 months in Italy are NOT eligible for the Ministry ID Card and consequently have to comply with the standard Residence Permit procedure (Permesso di Soggiorno) within a week of arrival.
Non-EU citizens staying in Italy up to 90 days must submit a Dichiarazione di Presenza (Declaration of Presence) within 7 working days of arrival in Italy.
The EUI offers assistance to Fellows and family members who need to apply for a Residence Permit or a Declaration of Presence. This service is sponsored by the Institute and implemented by Edu-services. Assistance is given in English and will be free of charge (excluding the Residence Permit fees due to the Italian Government).
For more information please contact the Welcome Unit.
EU citizens and non-EU citizens staying in Italy for more than 3 months may register their legal residence in Florence at the town hall registry office (Comune, Ufficio Anagrafe), depending on the type of lease contract and in any case in accordance with their landlords.
Residence registration at the local town hall is useful for several practical purposes, such as purchasing a car, signing a contract for utilities, or apply for a driving licence.
If you plan to register your residence in Italy, it would be useful to obtain an international family book (libretto di famiglia) or an accurate translation of your marriage certificate before leaving your country of origin.
The Tax Code (Codice Fiscale) identifies a citizen in all dealings with the Italian Public Authorities and Administrations.
When living in Italy you will need a Codice Fiscale to:
- Open a bank account
- Buy a car or a motor scooter
- Re-register a vehicle
- Sign any official contract, e.g. the lease for a flat
- Take out an Italian insurance policy
- Sign contracts with gas, electric and telephone companies (including mobile phones)
You can obtain your Codice Fiscale either from the Italian Embassy or consulate in your home country, or apply as soon as you arrive in Florence at the following address:
Agenzia delle Entrate (Direzione Provinciale di Firenze) - Via Santa Caterina d'Alessandria 23
Monday to Friday: 8.40-12.40 / Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8.40-12.40 & 14.20-15.40
For further information please click here.
EUI researchers staying for not less than 1 year are entitled to apply for the special ID card issued by the Italian Ministero degli Affari Esteri to non-Italian members of the EUI, i.e. researchers, fellows, administrative and teaching staff.
If you are a non-EU citizen, this card exempts you from having to apply to the local police headquarters for a permesso di soggiorno (standard residence permit). The EUI deals with the application when you register at the Institute and the card will be issued shortly after your arrival.
If you are registered at the EUI for less than 1 year you are not entitled to this card and must obtain a standard residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) from the main Police Headquarters (Questura).
How do I get a Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno)?
Those not entitled to the special ID card issued by the Ministero degli Affari Esteri, e.g. visiting/exchange students/fellows staying for less than 1 year or partners and family members of researchers and fellows, can get this permit from the central Police Headquarters (Questura) in Florence.
If you need help making your application, contact the Welcome Unit at [email protected].
I am a non-EU citizen. Do I need a visa and how can I get one?
Researchers and Fellows who are non-EU nationals should check thoroughly with their local Italian Consulate or Embassy for visa requirements before travelling to Florence.
For information about visas go to: http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp
N.B. If you think you will need the special card issued by the Italian Foreign Ministry, you should apply for a ‘visto di tipo D per missione lunga durata’ for the duration of your EUI scholarship (i.e. initially for one academic year until 31 August). This is very important for the issue of the Ministero degli Affari Esteri card after arrival in Italy.
I am an EU citizen. How do I get residence in Italy?
As a general rule, EU citizens are exempted from applying for the Permesso di Soggiorno.
However, for stays over 3 months you must to register with the local town hall.
I am a non-EU citizen. How can I import my car?
Non-EU nationals can import a new or old car, duty-free on providing proof of ownership for over 1 year.
I am an EU citizen. How can I import my car?
EU nationals may import a car without paying duty, provided that it is over six months old and has done more than 6,000 km.
If you need to know more about importing and re-registering vehicles in Italy, contact [email protected], for info on who to contact.
Page last updated on 09 October 2020