Entry Visa and stay in Italy
Before leaving home, all students must find out about the Italian laws on residence in Italy. The Visa for study shall not be requested to students of the European Union (EU) and of other countries (consult the detailed list): who plan to stay in Italy for up to a maximum of 90 days.
Students with EU citizenship
» Exchange students
There are no specific requirements for exchange students (Erasmus+ or other programmes) who will be staying in Italy temporarily for a maximum of 3 months: they only need to have an identity document valid for travelling abroad.
» Exchange students staying in Italy for a period longer than 90 days
The EU Exchange student who stays in Italy for more than 90 days is required to register as temporary population (Popolazione temporanea) with the Registry Office (Ufficio Anagrafe) of the municipality where he/she intends to live. Currently, there is an online procedure both for Modena and Reggio Emilia.
» Students enrolling in degree programmes or single course units
Students enrolling in degree programmes and staying in Italy for a period longer than 90 days are invited to apply for the residence (residenza) and regular stay with the Registry Office (Ufficio Anagrafe) at the city hall where they intend to reside.
During the first 3 months of your stay, the Hosting country cannot force you to move your residence from your home country.
After the first 3 months of your stay, the Hosting country can require you to move your residence and to prove that you meet the needed requirements.
The complete regulation is available on the government website
Students with non-EU citizenship
» Exchange students intending to stay in Italy for less than 90 days
Exchange students who will be staying in Italy temporarily for periods up to 3 months can stay in Italy with the declaration of presence submitted to Police station (Questura), please check the declaration of presence requirements and exemption.
» Exchange students, Students enrolling in degree programmes or single course units intending to stay in Italy for more than 90 days
Non-EU students intending to stay in Italy for periods longer than 3 months must apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within 8 working days following their arrival in Italy. To apply for the Residence Permit, you need to get the paper kit from post office. The paper kit is an envelope containing the forms and instructions on how to fill them in.
After properly completing and signing the forms, you must go to a post office and deliver:
- - The forms in an unsealed envelope;
- - A stamp duty of € 16;
- - Copy of your passport (the pages containing your personal details and the entry visa and stamp and any other pages with visas and entry and exit stamps);
- - Copy of your registration with the Italian National Health Service (SSN) or health insurance policy**;
- - Copy of the documents proving you have the funds needed to cover living cost in Italy (for 2021 the benchmarks are: minimum € 467.65 per month or € 6,079.45 per year). You can submit the same documents you provided for the visa application or a bank account statement or, if you have been assigned a scholarship, an official letter detailing its amount, duration and issuing body;
- - Documents proving your accommodation in Italy.
Moreover, when delivering the application to the post office, you must pay € 102.26 for:
- - the Electronic Residence Permit (PSE) (€ 30.46);
- - the Residence Permit fee (€ 40);
- - the service charge for submitting the application via registered mail (€ 30);
- - the fee due to the post office (€1.80).
Upon delivering the kit to the post office, you will be given an appointment at the Immigration Office (Ufficio Immigrazione) of the Police station (Questura) for photographic identification. DO NOT MISS this appointment.
The duration of the residence permit for study purposes is a maximum of one year. A shorter duration of the residence permit may be due to several factors, including the duration of health coverage.
You must keep the receipt given by the post office: in case of police checks, it proves that you have applied for the residence permit. You should also send a copy of the receipt by e-mail to your Registrar’s Office.
Once you have collected your residence permit, you must send a copy to the Registrar’s Office by e-mail.
**: To apply for a residence permit in Italy, students must register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN) or have a health insurance (covering the risk of illness, accident, maternity) valid in Italy.
Registration with the Italian National Health Service (SSN)
If you apply for a residence permit for study purposes, you can register with the Italian National Health Insurance (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale - SSN) at a cost of € 149.77 per year (from 1 January until 31 December). By registering with the Italian SSN you will be entitled to all services offered to Italian citizens.
Health insurance policy
As an alternative to registering with the Italian SSN, you can prove to have a health insurance policy (covering the risk of illness, accident, maternity) valid in Italy.
Any health insurance policy must be in your name. You can purchase a health insurance policy from various private companies, such as the Health Insurance WAI ITALY (www.waitaly.net/en/): fee is € 74.00 for 6 months of coverage or € 125.00 for 12 months of coverage.
ATTENTION!! If you want to change Bachelor’s/ Master’s degree course, University or if you want to quit your student career, you are strongly invited to check all the Residence Permit rules.
Support & Guidance
If you are a non-EU citizen, please refer to the International Welcome Desk of UNIMORE to receive guidance and full details on how to apply for the residence permit and register with the SSN both in Modena and Reggio Emilia. If you are an EU citizen, you can contact the International Welcome Desk for further information on the residence permit application.
You can contact the International Welcome Desk:
- - By email: internationalwelcomedesk@unimore.it
- - By Whatsapp: +39 320 922 2848