As there have been some recent changes in the legislation covering enrty requirements to Italy, here is the link to the polizia di stato's website. The site is in Italian (the English version doesn't cover this topic!?).

http://www.poliziadistato.it/pds/cittadino/stranieri/stranier.htm

Good news for EU members is that you don't need a resident's permit any more, but you still have to register with your local comune.

As there have been some recent changes in the legislation covering enrty requirements to Italy, here is the link to the polizia di stato's website. The site is in Italian (the English version doesn't cover this topic!?).

http://www.poliziadistato.it/pds/cittadino/stranieri/stranier.htm

Good news for EU members is that you don't need a resident's permit any more, but you still have to register with your local comune.
At least the English section tells you about the Police Band!

My understanding is that if you intend to stay for more than 90 days, you still have to apply for a Residency Certificate. I was told I needed a work contract (there are other ways, but they are either time limited, or involve health insurance and proof of income), but after a lot of 'phone calls and help from friends of my mother-in-law, we finally spoke to someone senior at the "Anagrafe". She advised that as our marriage was registered in Italy, I would be eligible for residency - full stop. After 4 or so visits, and a written declaration from my wife that she would support me, they are now processing the application, and I'm just waiting for the Vigili to check I live here!

We'll see what happens...........................................

Just don't forget what the wise man said :
View all the bureaucracy as a challenge to be overcome (not an annoyance - you'll only get frustrated)...
:D

Easy to write "wise words", but Italian bureaucracy will try the patience of a Saint...........and Saint I'm not!!! (But I do like a challenge, and I'm slowly, very slowly, getting there!)

At least the English section tells you about the Police Band!

My understanding is that if you intend to stay for more than 90 days, you still have to apply for a Residency Certificate. I was told I needed a work contract (there are other ways, but they are either time limited, or involve health insurance and proof of income), but after a lot of 'phone calls and help from friends of my mother-in-law, we finally spoke to someone senior at the "Anagrafe". She advised that as our marriage was registered in Italy, I would be eligible for residency - full stop. After 4 or so visits, and a written declaration from my wife that she would support me, they are now processing the application, and I'm just waiting for the Vigili to check I live here!

We'll see what happens...........................................

New legislation that came into force in April no longer requires EU citizens to have a Permesso di Soggiorno, no matter how long you wish to say. Why do you need a work contract as I see from your profile you have moved here from the UK? When I registered with the local Commune all I did was go along to the Anagrafe office, show my permesso di soggiorno (which was required in 2004), my Codice Fiscale and my passport and that was it. When the Polizzia Municipale visit you all they want to see is that the people who registered are actually there.
Out of interest, did you bring your car over from the UK? Are you going to re-register it here? The Motorizzazione Civile are beyond belief when it comes to bureaucracy!

Hi sardoman!

The new legislation does indeed state EU nationals do not need the "soggiorno", however they do, for periods in excess of 90 days, need to write to the Anagrafe. What isn't stated on the summary is that these written applications for longer stays (i.e. for a residency certificate) need to be backed up with a contract of employment, or proof of income and health insurance. Those already in possesion of the "permesso di soggiorno" could do, as you did, if I understand correctly, effectively exchange that for the residency. For me, as a "newbie", the only way to legally stay after 90 days is the residency option. The local Police did say that they will not come chasing law abiding EU nationals after 90 days if they don't have residency, but it could effectively have put barriers in the way if I were to apply for citizenship, as a requirement for that, along with many others, is LEGAL residence in Italy.

It seems, however, after many 'phone calls, that spouses of Italian nationals are entitled to residency without any further requirements, provided the marriage is registered in Italy, and has lasted for a set period of time (longer if resident abroad, than if residing in Italy.

Please correct any points you feel are incorrect, but that is the advice I have been given. Other helpful sites are:-

http://www.poste.it/azienda/ufficipostali/eli2/soggiorno/

http://www.portaleimmigrazione.it/ImmigrazioneNET/

Both again are in Italian.

You had to mention the car didn't you!!! Yes, drove over in a - wait for it...............Japanese, 11 year old Toyota Celica, imported into the UK in 1998, now here and only street legal for the next four months - we'll see what ACI can do with that! (probably another post at least, or more like a website on its' own!!

Markymark

Yes you are completely correct about the requirements for residency in Italy. Just when you think Italian bureaucracy can't get any worse!!

Talking about cars, I drove my Fiat Punto here when I moved here. This is what I had to do to get my car registered here.

I had to get translations of the vehicle export document (obtained from the DVLA) and MOT certificate. These had to be done by a court approved translator and registered at the local tribunale. Then because the Italian Carta di Circulazzione contains vehicle specific technical details which are not included on the British documents I had to request these from Fiat in Turin. I also had to provide confirmation of mileage and ownership, confirmed by a Notaio.

The whole process took about 3 months, so don't leave it to the last minute or you could be left without transport.

Whatever you do don't be tempted to keep it on British plates with insurance in the UK while keeping it here. Your insurance will be invalidated and you would be committing an offence.

Good luck, and keep the forum updated with your progress.

Thanks sardoman - I am going to see if I get my residency sorted, then see what to do about the car - your advice will be invaluable. The choices I have are to register (or try to register!) it here, but I think I may have trouble because of the age, and the fact that it was originally Japanese, then imported and adapted for the UK - the authorities here will probably have a field day! I may just drive back to England and sell / leave it there. To think we left my wife's Punto in England (the Celica had a bigger boot, and more room for the cat!) - I guess the Punto would have a been an easier bet to transfer, but hindsight is a wonderful thing!

Incidentally, getting a Codice Fiscale was very easy. Now if I was a cynic, I might read something into that..............

(You don't want to buy a nice red sports car do you??? - no, I thought not!!)

Thanks again for your advice

Thanks for the offer of the car, but with 2 cars to run as it is I think that's more than enough! :D

Keep the forum updated with your residency request, I have an English friend who's moving here in the spring and is following your saga!!

I'm sure you got the Codice Fiscale simply because of the highly efficient financial system that exists here!:p (not!!!!)

Still waiting for the visit from the Vigili.........

Some things that have helped us over here, from the perspective of a Brit married to an Italian citizen, originally living outside Italy, and may be of use to others :-

Do register your marriage with your home comune in Italy (it may make things quicker/easier for the non-Italian spouse).

Do register the birth of any children as above (there is no longer National Service in Italy, so the kids are quite safe - we had to apply for special dispensation for our eldest).

Registering whilst abroad will involve a trip to the consulate, and certainly in the case of adding children to a passport, may require the prescence of both parents.

Do (in the case of Italian ladies) keep as much documentation as you can in your maiden name if you intend returning, and ensure the name is in an identical format on everything. (my wife has had problems, as her passport has the initial "P" instead of "Paola" for one of her middle names).

Codice Fiscale can be obtained whilst abroad just by writing to the consulate, with appropriate copy documents.

Italy now allows dual nationality (it didn't when we were first married).

If you're going to the Italian Consulate in London, do remember to take a book, sandwiches, drinks, sleeping bags and every bit of paperwork you can find, but be prepared to be sent home for some obscure document you've missed!:)

Markymark,

Really good advice.

When I had to renew my passport last year I looked into doing it here. The cost was about 125 Euros and involved me sending it to Rome. Instead I got a friend to get me the forms in the UK and post them to me here. I completed them, included a new photo and sent them back to him, and he then posted them to the passport agency from London, using his address (proof of address isn't required if it is a renewal). About 3 weeks later he forwarded on my new passport. Total cost was about half of what it would have costed me to do it here.
:p

Break open a bottle of Asti!!

Having waited for several weeks for the Vigili to arrive, we decided to call them today to see if they had received the request to check that I was living here. Yes they had, and had visited one day whilst we were out, and it was "all sorted". ( I can only guess that as the Municipal Police here are husband and wife, that they remembered seeing a short Englishman, who spoke in "pigeon Italian" when they came for my wife's residency, and decided, or rather hoped and prayed, that there was only one of those in their Comune).

A call to the Anagrafe confirmed all was in order, so we set off to collect my Residency Certificate, still fearing some form of hiccup. No, all was OK, and I now have not one, but four, original copies of my certificate (all without charge which was a pleasant surprise), and I'm now legal!

Next stop will be for an I.D. card, then the dreaded car!!:rolleyes:

Good news!

I'm really pleased that you have got everything in order. Actually your post reminds me that I should get an ID card. It's about time, I've been here nearly four years, although I have never had the need for one so far.

Have you changed your driving licence yet, or are you going to do that with the car? I have a link on my other computer to the legislation that covers driving licences. Even though you should change your UK one for an Italian one, there is nothing they can do if you don't (It honestly says that in black and white in the law!!). I've kept my UK one and it works wonders when you get stopped by the old bill, and it's always a laugh when they automatically walk to the left side of the car and find an empty seat :D!

Hi

After 4.5yrs in italy, the ID card is basically useless. Normally, if u go to offically dept in italy, they want to see the permission of soggornio. ID is basically another piece of useless paper to carry ard.

So glad to here the great news!!!

This is all very interesting as I am currently searching for answers on how I may come to Italy and make a life for myself. My children are not so keen on the idea, but my goodness this is ITALY I’m talking about. I have spent 34 years doing things I guess others would say “I should be doing” child, wife, mother etc, I feel it is time I do something for me!!! If I want to live a life full of dull and dreary moments I suppose I could stay in my 8 to 5 job and wait for retirement, grandkids and the 100 cats some old women end up with. But no I’d rather live life and currently for me the draw is Italy. Don’t know what I’d do for money yet or where I’d live but I am researching and investigating the matter daily.
Cheers,
Gigi

Thanks sardoman - it's a relief to know I'm legal! The I.D. card as you and Amber rightly say, is not really required, but for me it's better than taking my passport whenever I.D. is needed (very rarely, despite what other sites say about Italy being a "police state") - I would just feel happier, or more "included" if you like, producing an Italian "Carta D'Indentita", than a UK passport.

The driving licence, for me, isn't a priority at present. Before leaving the UK, I changed my paper licence for a photo card, plus the obligatory paper supplement, so it has all the pretty blue bits with white stars, plus a photo,so is more easily accepted in mainland Europe.

Shame on you sardoman for winding up the "old Bill" over here!! As an ex-Bobby you should know better! (in any event, shouldn't that be "vecchio Guglielmo"??).

Incidentally, are you still using the RHD Punto? I have found it quite easy over here in a UK car, excepting overtaking on a non-dual carriageway - you either need a very long neck, a passenger with a will to live (who you trust, literally with your life) , or a hope and a prayer to get past anything other than an Ape!

Thank you Gigi - if it's any consolation, I still don't know what I'm going to do for money, and I've already made the move! Don't wait until you have 100 cats - bringing one over with us nearly broke the bank and our nerves!

Hi Markymark
Yes I still have the RHD Punto, and like you I haven't found too many problems driving it over here. The only thing I have to be careful of when driving around town is turning right out of a junction, and going round a roundabout. The Sardinians have no idea what they are supposed to do with them:confused:, and I'm not just talking about the drivers but also the town planners who design them. First of all they aren't central in the crossroads, then they make the middle bit enormous and to top it all they make the road around it too narrow. So much so that a lorry fell off the road recently because there was enough room for it to negotiate the turn!

I suppose it's all because they didn't have any roundabouts 5 years ago and now they are putting them in everywhere.

Markymark now u remind me of the british program done up by BBC...living in overseas. U can try to film yr life in italy for 1 yr n try to sell to bbc to air in the program *Joke*. Anyway, i enjoy watching BBC program showing the british relocating to new place to change their lifestyle.

As for workelse...i sure u can find something for it.

Hi Markymark
Yes I still have the RHD Punto, and like you I haven't found too many problems driving it over here. The only thing I have to be careful of when driving around town is turning right out of a junction, and going round a roundabout. The Sardinians have no idea what they are supposed to do with them:confused:, and I'm not just talking about the drivers but also the town planners who design them. First of all they aren't central in the crossroads, then they make the middle bit enormous and to top it all they make the road around it too narrow. So much so that a lorry fell off the road recently because there was enough room for it to negotiate the turn!

I suppose it's all because they didn't have any roundabouts 5 years ago and now they are putting them in everywhere.

ha! My side....countryside of Bologna...Now the italians govt is crazy over doing big circle (rotanda)in small narrow road. I hate it, my car got scratch on the paviment trying to measure the curb. :mad:

I was surprised at the number of roundabouts - I always thought it was an English obsession to find a perfectly working junction, and replace the traffic lights with a roundabout!

Amber - I'll try the BBC :D - Although I think a year following me around would probably qualify as a comedy rather than a documentary!!

Have you changed your driving licence yet, or are you going to do that with the car? I have a link on my other computer to the legislation that covers driving licences. Even though you should change your UK one for an Italian one, there is nothing they can do if you don't (It honestly says that in black and white in the law!!). I've kept my UK one and it works wonders when you get stopped by the old bill, and it's always a laugh when they automatically walk to the left side of the car and find an empty seat :D!

Thanks again for that post sardoman! It has just helped in our visit to ACI to convert the car. They asked for all of the documentation which you said I would need, and then started on about the licences.

No problem - if I'm bothered I can get the UK one stamped, after paying for a doctors certificate and the appropriate bollo, or exchange it (for a different fee), for an Italian licence (I shall do neither, because as you rightly stated, EU law doesn't require either). My wife, however, has an old (26 year old) Italian licence, in addition to the UK one (she passed her test in both countries) - should be easier??? No way, as it's so old, they will require her to retake both the theory and practical exam again in Italy!!
After a quick discussion with the people at ACI, the copy they'd taken was returned to us, and the Italian licence (what Italian licence??) will be consigned to the back of a drawer! The UK licence is now the one and only document that will forever remain in her married name!!

Last year I got caught by a speed camera and had to pay a fine. I also had to provide a copy of my licence so it could be endorsed with 2 points. I duly obliged and sent them a copy of my UK licence, and I have no idea what happened to the points... I'm sure it will come back to haunt me, but for the moment it's nice to feel like I've had one over on the local police:D ... such terrible behaviour from an ex-bobby!

Thanks for the info...I was wondering about what to do when I return to Italy as I will of course require a car and now with this very useful info I don't have to get an Italian driving licence...cheers Sardoman!

Regards

Kate

Kate - if you have a UK licence, it is valid until you are 70. The Italian one is valid until 50, then renewable every 5 years - another good reason to keep the UK one!

Sardoman - has your UK Punto been converted to KM as opposed to miles? I know I'll have to change the headlights (currently on the stick-on converters), but nobody has mentioned the speedometer/mileometer. Thanks.

I still have deflector stickers on my headlights and have put my car through 2 "revisioni" with no problems. My speedometer is graduated in both Km and Miles, although the odometer is miles only. Again this hasn't been a problem as the mechanic just hand writes the mileage and crosses out the "K" on the service sticker.

One comment though about the UK photocard licence, although your ability to drive is valid until you are 70, the licence itself is valid for 10 years like a passport, after which time you need to renew it and update the photo.

One comment though about the UK photocard licence, although your ability to drive is valid until you are 70, the licence itself is valid for 10 years like a passport, after which time you need to renew it and update the photo.

Thanks sardoman - I hadn't realised that - the old style paper one just ran right through to 70. After checking the photo licence, I also checked the European Health Insurance Card - no 'photo on that, but it too is only valid for 10 years. The DVLA will now renew driving licences without the need for a new 'photo, provided you have a current, new, digital passport - they get the 'photo from the Identity and Passport Service, so it's worth renewing them close together.

Thanks sardoman - I hadn't realised that - the old style paper one just ran right through to 70. After checking the photo licence, I also checked the European Health Insurance Card - no 'photo on that, but it too is only valid for 10 years. The DVLA will now renew driving licences without the need for a new 'photo, provided you have a current, new, digital passport - they get the 'photo from the Identity and Passport Service, so it's worth renewing them close together.

I renewed my passport last year, how do I know if it is digital? I'll have to have a look at it! I've got another 4 years on my licence, so I've got a bit of time left!

I renewed my passport last year, how do I know if it is digital? I'll have to have a look at it! I've got another 4 years on my licence, so I've got a bit of time left!

Renewed mine March 2007 - so yours probably is the new version too - the "digital" (they may call them something else - I can't remember exactly) have the 'photo flush with the page (i.e. printed onto it, rather than a photograph stuck on), and also the last page (facing the inside of the back cover) has a small microchip inside a copper coloured credit card sized band.

It is good to see the various UK Authorities working together, and for once actually helping the public in the process - perhaps the Italian Authorities could learn something from the UK (Just the passport thing though - please, please, not the food, weather, drinking habits, dress sense etc. etc.)!:)

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I am Algerian citizens living in the UK since a while now but unfortunatly I can't see my daughter who is 5 years and she is Italian citizen with her mum who is italian too.

because I am still waiting since 3 years to be granted my Indefinite leave to remain in UK ( Mybe positive mybe negative) by the Home Office.

My question is: If I want to apply to join to settle with my daughter in Italy what are my chance ( Please bear in mind me and her mum we are not together and we are not going to get married ) ???????.