Italy’s long-term EU residence permit: requirements

After years of renewals, queues at the Questura and receipts to keep safe comes an important milestone: the EU long-term residence permit (permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo), formerly the carta di soggiorno. It is a permanent permit that brings more stability and more rights, governed by Article 9 of the Immigration Act.

Requirements

1. Five years of lawful, continuous residence in Italy on a valid permit.
2. A minimum income, at least the annual amount of the social allowance (assegno sociale), higher if family members are included.
3. Suitable housing, documented, where the application includes family members.
4. Passing an Italian language test at A2 level, unless exempt (for example children under 14, or people with recognised qualifications or certificates).
5. No threat to public order or security.

Not all permits count equally: study permits count only in part, while some, such as permits for medical treatment or short stays, do not lead to this permit at all.

Time spent outside Italy

Absences do not break the five years if each one is shorter than six consecutive months and they total no more than ten months over the five years, unless there are documented serious reasons (military service, serious illness, maternity).

How to apply

You apply using the postal kit at authorised post offices, with:

• copies of your passport and current permit;
• proof of income (tax returns, payslips, CU certificates);
• housing documents, if required;
• the Italian test certificate or the qualification that exempts you;
• criminal record certificates, where requested.

You will then be called to the Questura for fingerprints and collection.

What changes once you have it

• No more renewals of your status: the card itself is only updated periodically;
• full access to employment and self-employment;
• access to many social benefits;
• stronger protection against expulsion;
• under certain conditions, the right to move to another EU country for work or study.

When it can be lost

The permit can be lost after more than 12 consecutive months outside the EU, more than six years outside Italy, or for serious security reasons. If you have been refused, see residence permit refused: how to appeal; for many, the next step is Italian citizenship by residence.

I assist families and workers in English, Italian and Albanian. More on immigration law, including in Pistoia, Prato and Florence.

Avv. Ada Alia

A member of the Pistoia Bar since 2020, she handles criminal, family, immigration and personal injury matters. She meets clients in Italian, English and Albanian.

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