Permesso di soggiorno: the 8-working-day rule
Quick answer
Non-EU citizens staying over 90 days must apply for the permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days of arriving in Italy. You collect the 'yellow kit' from a Poste Italiane Sportello Amico, submit it with the fees, then attend a Questura appointment for fingerprinting before collecting the permit.
The permesso di soggiorno is the residence permit that non-EU citizens need to stay in Italy for more than 90 days. The critical rule: you must start the application within 8 working days of entering Italy. Miss it and you put your stay at risk.
Who needs one and when
Non-EU citizens staying longer than 90 days need a permesso di soggiorno matching the visa they entered on (work, study, family, elective residency, digital nomad, and so on). EU citizens do not need one; they register residence instead.
The 8-working-day clock starts the day you enter Italy. Weekends and public holidays do not count, but do not leave it late.
The process, step by step
Collect the application kit (the 'kit giallo', yellow kit) from a Poste Italiane branch with a Sportello Amico counter. Fill it in with your details and the required attachments, then submit it at the post office, where you pay the fees and receive a receipt (this receipt proves your application is pending).
You are then given an appointment at the Questura (police headquarters) for fingerprinting (fotosegnalamento). After processing, you return to collect the physical permit.
Costs
Expect a combination of charges: a marca da bollo (revenue stamp), the postal handling fee, the electronic-permit production fee, and a permit contribution that varies by permit type and duration. Budget roughly €100-160 in total; confirm current figures on the Polizia di Stato portal.
What you need
- ✓Passport with your entry visa
- ✓Copies of every used passport page
- ✓Marca da bollo (revenue stamp)
- ✓Proof supporting your permit type (work contract, enrolment, means, accommodation)
- ✓Passport photos
Get this pre-filled for your situation
Approdo builds your personalized checklist and pre-fills the official forms from your details — free to start.
Build my checklistFrequently asked questions
How long do I have to apply for the permesso di soggiorno?+
Within 8 working days of entering Italy. The application starts at a Poste Italiane Sportello Amico with the yellow kit.
What is the yellow kit (kit giallo)?+
It is the official permesso di soggiorno application pack you collect free from a post office with a Sportello Amico counter, fill in, and submit there.
Can I travel while my permesso is being processed?+
The post-office receipt shows your application is pending, but rules on re-entry vary; check with the Questura before travelling outside Italy.
Official sources
More guides
Approdo provides information, not legal or tax advice. Requirements and figures change; always confirm with the official sources linked above.