This article will explore what happens once you have gained Italian citizenship and plan to live in Italy. It will discuss the process of registering as a resident in Italy and will outline the benefits you can access once you become a resident in Italy. The focus of this article is how to establish residency as an Italian citizen, but we will also touch upon the rules and expectations for EU and non-EU citizens, as there are some similarities in the process and requirements.
Becoming a resident in the Italian municipality where you plan to live is important because your address will be used for official purposes. It will also allow you to access essential local and national services.
Benefits of being a Resident
Being a resident and having an identity card is essential to be able to access some fundamental national services, such as: opening a bank account, purchasing a car, converting a foreign driving license into a local one, better offers for utility bills, applying and renewing your Italian ID, access to social and health services, and voting in local and national elections.
Becoming an Italian resident also brings certain tax benefits. For example, it can mean a reduced payment of 2% tax on the purchase of your home. Furthermore, Italy offers several appealing tax incentives for new Italian residents. With that said, it is always important to consult a tax specialist for specific advice about the several programs offered by the Italian government.
Italian residents can access the Italian health service. This means you will be allocated a general practitioner and be given an Italian health card (tessera sanitaria), which enables you to utilize different services including: medical examinations in clinics, specialist medical appointments and hospitalization.
In terms of opening a bank account in Italy, the single euro payments area means you can make cashless euro payments via credit transfer and direct debit to 36 European countries, including some countries that are not part of the EU, in a convenient and efficient way.
You will need to apply for an Italian tax code (codice fiscale), which is an alphanumerical code similar to the social security number in the U.S. The codice fiscale is used to identify citizens living in Italy, and is necessary to open a bank account, earn a salary and enter a tenancy agreement. It is free to apply for a codice fiscale at the revenue agency office (agenzie delle entrate).
Process of establishing residency in Italy
If you plan to live in Italy then you must be in Italy in order to register for residency. You cannot do it from the U.S. or via a Consulate. You will need to file a residency application with the local municipality (comune) at the local registry office (anagrafe) where you intend to live.
Registering at the local anagrafe and undertaking the procedure of registration (iscrizione anagrafica) is a necessary and important step in order to obtain a residency certificate (certificato di residenza), an identity card (carta d’identità), and an Italian health card (tessera sanitaria).
Applications can be made in person or via email (some comuni use PEC email which is secure and certified), but it is always advised to look at the specific procedure of your local comune for exact guidelines. Additionally, some have their own online form to apply for residency, so always check the instructions of the municipality that is relevant to you.
If you submit by email, the anagrafe will proceed with the registration within 2 working days. If you submit in person, however, the effects are immediate, which means you can request your certificate of residence (certificato di residenza) and identity card (carta di identità) following your registration.
If your Italian residency application is complete and accurate, your residency will be recorded starting from the date of your application. However, the anagrafe office has 45 days to complete the required checks.
The next stage will be a municipal police check in order to verify the residency address that you self-declared. This should happen within 45 days from when you submitted the application, but of course timescales may vary and are dependent on the municipality. Important to note is that if you are not present at the given address when the police visit, after multiple attempts are made to try to contact you, a cancellation due to unavailability (cancellazione per irreperibilità) could be issued, and this may result in a rejection of your residency request.
Following a successful inspection by the police, you will be able to apply for an Italian photo id (una carta di identita) and health insurance card (tessara sanitaria) which show your Italian residency address. You will then be entitled to access the benefits that come with being a resident, as outlined above.
How long does it take to issue the Italian Identity Card?
It can take approximately 6 days for your identity card to be mailed by the ministry of Interior in Rome to your residency address. The validity of the identity card depends on the age of the applicant: 10 years for people of adult age (18+), 5 years for minors between 3 and 18 years old, and 3 years for minors who are younger than 3 years old.
Documents to present
If you have Italian citizenship, you will need to submit a declaration of residence form (dichiarazione di residenza), and a valid identity card/proof of citizenship (passport). With that said, there may be variations between each municipality, and so it is encouraged that you refer to the specific requirements of the comune where you will establish residency.
Non-EU and EU citizens
All non-EU citizens with a permit allowing stay are required to register with the municipality where they plan to establish their residence. EU citizens who stay for longer than three months in Italy are also required to apply for a residence certificate.
For non-EU citizens an immigration card (permesso di soggiorno) is required. EU and non-EU citizens are also required to show evidence of medical insurance, as well as evidence that shows means of accommodation, for example a lease agreement or letter of hospitality.
Cost
In general, there are no fees to pay to the comune, however it is recommended to check the guidance as there may be variations between regions. If you are relocating with your family, you can list all family members on one application. For residency applications regarding minors (under 18), both parents must sign, and all those listed on the residency application should have an Italian tax code (codice fiscale).
AIRE
If you were previously registered with the AIRE (Italian Citizens Residing Abroad), you will be de-registered as soon as you become a resident in Italy. Also remember that if you relocate abroad from Italy you will need to re-register with the AIRE via the Italian consulate that covers the jurisdiction into which you relocate.
Conclusion
This article has outlined the steps involved in registering residency in Italy once you have acquired Italian citizenship, and the benefits afforded to being a resident. It has also touched upon the requirements for EU and non-EU citizens and highlighted some of the similarities and differences.
If you have any other questions, or would like further information, then we are always happy to help at ICA. You can contact us at [email protected] or via telephone at 1-323-892-0861. Our main website is italiancitizenshipassistance.com.
