ID Cards, Permits, Visas (Information for Researchers and Fellows)

Visas | Non-EU/EEA Nationals

Non-EU/EEA researchers and fellows (staying for at least 12 months) who will be admitted in September and require a Visa to travel to Italy, should file their request for a special Visa (Type D - Mission) with the relevant Italian Embassy/Consulate. The EUI assists researchers and fellows providing them with complete information and issuing special letters of visa support and additional documentation to be presented to the Italian Embassy/Consulate. Non-EU/EEA dependents accompanying researchers or fellows during their stay at the EUI can also receive a letter of visa support from the EUI.

• Ph.D.and LL.M. Researchers, Jean Monnet and Max Weber Fellows, & Families should contact: [email protected], Admissions Officer.
• Fernand Braudel Fellows, Visiting Fellows & Families should contact: [email protected], Welcome Unit

A visa entitles you to enter the Italian territory but NOT to reside in Italy. After arriving in Italy, there are further procedures to complete in order to settle residence obligations.

Please see:

• MAE Card -  Special ID Card issued by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) or
• Normal Residence Permit for Non-EU citizens (Permesso di soggiorno or Dichiarazione di Presenza)

Important: To obtain the MAE ID card, non-EU researchers and fellows must hold a ‘Visto di Tipo D, per Missione di lunga durata’.

Further information on Visas for Italy are also available on the website of the Italian ministry of Foreign Affairs (Visas Section) and on the EUI Life In Florence - Information Guide (PDF).

Special ID Card issued by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE Card) | Information for Researchers and Fellows  

Who can obtain the MAE card and how?

• The special Identity Card issued by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE Card) for members of international intergovernmental organisations is provided to non-Italian registered EUI Ph.D. and LL.M Researchers and Postdoctoral Fellows (staying at least 12 months). It is issued shortly after your arrival: all procedures are directly managed by the EUI Admissions Office in coordination with the Italian Ministry of F.A..
• Family members of researchers and fellows, visiting researchers or fellows, and all members registered at the EUI for less than one year are not eligible for the special Ministry card. They subsequently must obtain a Normal Permit of Stay. 

What are the purposes and use of the MAE Card?

• Proves that the holder is a member of an international intergovernmental organisation, such as the EUI.
• Exempts the holder from having to register his/her residence with the local authorities (Registrazione della Residenza Anagrafica with the Comune) - Please note that you cannot register your residence if you hold a MAE Card.
• Exempts Non-EU/EEA nationals from applying for a permit of stay (Permesso di Soggiorno) with the Italian authorities. Furthermore, the card - together with a valid passport – entitles non-EU/EEA holders to enter the territory of any Schengen state.
• The MAE Card can been shown as proof of identity to the police or to other Italian authorities if the need arises.

How to Travel in the Schengen Area with the MAE Card 

As reported on the reverse side of the document itself, the card - together with a valid passport – entitles the bearer to enter the territory of any Schengen state

In EU countries covered by the Schengen Agreement, the MAE ID card means that you will normally not need a visa for short stays or when in transit. However, we advise you to check with the relevant Embassy/Consulate in Italy before travelling.  Non-EU/EEA nationals, who need to travel in EU countries after they have registered as a researcher/fellow are advised to ask for a declaration from the EUI in Italian, French, German, English or Spanish to clarify that the MAE ID Card substitutes the normal ‘permesso di soggiorno’. This declaration can be shown, along with your IMAE ID card and your valid passport, if you are requested to provide proof of your Italian residence (soggiorno).

The MAE Card cannot be used as a travel document without a valid passport.

For additional information and assistance please contact the Admissions Officer: [email protected].

Permit of Stay for Non-EU citizens (Permesso di soggiorno or Dichiarazione di Presenza)

Permit of Stay/Declaration of Presence are obligatory for:

• non-EU/EEA researchers and fellows who are not in possess of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) Card
• non-EU/EEA partner or dependent of a researcher or fellow
• non-EU/EEA visiting/exchange student or visiting fellow

Foreign citizens staying in Italy up to 90 days must submit a ‘dichiarazione di presenza' (declaration of presence) within 8 working days after their arrival in Italy. For Non-EU citizens coming from countries that do not apply the Schengen Convention the obligation to make a declaration of presence is satisfied through application of the USV sticker on the travel document at the moment of border control.

Non-EU citizens staying in Italy for more than 90 days must apply for a ‘permesso di soggiorno’ (permit of stay) within 8 working days after their arrival in Italy.  

How to get a 'dichiarazione di presenza' or a 'permesso di soggiorno':

The EUI offers assistance to members and dependents that need to apply for a Permit of Stay or submit a Declaration of Presence. This service is sponsored by the Institute and implemented by an external provider, Eduservices, and includes:

• Assistance in the submission of the application (either first application or renewal if applicable)
• Assistance during the first appointment with the relevant Italian authority (Questura di Firenze): applicants will be accompanied by an English and Italian-speaking Eduservices’ representative.

Fees and taxes due to the Italian State are at the expenses of the applicant as well as any additional services provided by Eduservices (if required). Additional costs related to no-shows or severe delays caused by applicants might be charged by Eduservices to applicants.

If you wish to request assistance, please contact directly Eduservices:

• http://www.eduassistance.org/ -  [email protected]

To speed up procedures, we also strongly advise you to register with Eduservices before you arrive in Italy:

• https://secure.edu-services.org/EUI/POS (if you are applying for the Permit of Stay)
• https://secure.edu-services.org/EUI/DOP (if you are applying for the Declaration of Presence)

For further information please contact:

• [email protected], Exchange and Visiting students
• [email protected] Family members of Ph.D. and LL.M. Researchers, Postdoctoral Fellows; Fellows staying for less than 12 months. 

Residence Registration - Registrazione della Residenza Anagrafica

EU citizens and non-EU citizens who are not holding a Special ID Card issued by the Italian Ministry of F.A (MAE Card) and are staying in Italy for more than 3 months may register their residence with their local town hall registry office (Comune, Ufficio Anagrafe).

• For additional information and assistance with the application procedure please contact the Welcome Unit

If you intend to import your vehicle to Florence, please carefully consult: Imports, Customs, Vehicles.