Moving Regulations – Italy

If you move to Italy and can afford to live there without working, you may apply for Elective Residency Visa. As a rule this type of visa is used by retired foreigners who can collect income from pension plan or a retirement. A foreigner must pay a certain fee in cash. This type of visa is given only to those who are planning to move to Italy. It does not permit the applicant to work.

It doesn’t matter what kind of visa you are traveling under, within eight days of your arrival in Italy you must go to the local police authority with your passport and visa in order to receive the Stay Permit, or Permesso di Soggiorno. This is the only legal document that legitimizes your stay in the country. Without it, you won't be able to join a library, let alone get your telephone hooked up and so on.

The following documents are required for the duty free moving of household goods and personal belongings into Italy:
• Clear photocopy of passport;
• Valid Visa;
• Italian Fiscal Code (Codice fiscale);
• Import licence “Nulla osta Ministero PP:TT:” for stereos, radios, TV;
• Original Residency Certificate or application receipt for same;
• Autocertification;
• Packing list and Original OBL.

Note that the autocertifcation can be filled out and signed by the importer here in Italy. Nulla Osta” is easily obtainable from the main post office, the “Poste e Telecomunicazioni” in Italy.