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/cit...i/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)...

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!)

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!

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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/ufficipo...li2/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.

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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!

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! (not!!!!)

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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!