With this guide, we would like to help you understand the conditions of immigration to Italy, in line with the active Italian immigration laws. By the end, you will know more about the state of immigration in Italy, conditions of legal entry to the Italian territory and how you can stay in the Country by registering your presence to the Authorities.
State of the Immigration in Italy
According to Istat, the Italian National Institute of Statistics, as of 1 January 2026, foreign nationals residing in Italy numbered approximately 5.6 million, representing 9.4% of the total resident population.
Is Italy hard to immigrate to?
In order to assess the complexity of an immigration case to Italy, it is important to take into account the different procedures in place for EU and non-EU citizens.
First of all, Italy is part of the Schengen area, a border-free area among all of its State Members. The Schengen Area, in fact, allows free movement to anyone that is legally present in the European Union. Most European Countries are part of the Schengen Area.
The Schengen Area currently comprises 29 European countries.
Furthermore, there are also non-EU countries that are part of the convention, such as Norway and Switzerland.
Some countries that are not part of the Schengen Area have signed Visa waiver agreements with Italy. The goal is to facilitate citizens entering the Country without a Visa, but only for specific purposes.
Based on your nationality and purpose of your visit, you may be granted access to Italy without a Visa. You can check if you qualify directly on the official website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Travellers that do not fall within the above categories need to apply for an Italian Visa. Applying for an Italian Visa will make the whole immigration process longer and more complex.
It is not possible to give the exact timeline or required documents to immigrate to Italy without first knowing your case.
As a matter of fact, Consulates worldwide may request different documents to obtain different visas. This makes it difficult to give the exact timeline or requirements without first knowing the specific case of the applicant.
What are the immigration laws in Italy?
Based on Italian immigration laws, the most important aspects to consider when planning to enter Italy are:
- whether travellers need to apply for an Italian Visa;
- whether the quota system is relevant to the applicant’s case;
- how long it is possible to stay in Italy;
- obtainment procedure of the Italian residence permit.
Who does not need an Italian visa?
All citizens of Schengen countries can enter Italy without a visa.
Non-EU citizens and nationals of countries that signed visa waiver agreements can stay in Italy without a visa for 90 days. The 90-days period applies exclusively within a timeframe of 180 days.
Please note that the ETIAS travel authorisation system is not yet operational, and no start date has been announced. Once implemented, visa-exempt non-EU nationals travelling to the Schengen Area will need to obtain an ETIAS travel authorisation before travelling.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational at the external borders of the Schengen Area.
Since 10 April 2026, te system has replaced traditional passport stamping for non-EU nationals travelling for short says of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
When entering or leaving the Schengen Area, travellers covered by the system have their passport details, facial image, fingerprints, and entry and exit information electronically recorded. The system also helps border authorities monitor the authorised duration of stay and identify overstays.
Travellers do not need to apply for the EES in advance. Registration takes place at the external Schengen border when the traveller enters or exits the area.
What happens if you stay in Italy for more than 90 days?
Overstaying in Italy equals expulsion from the country. However, the Italian immigration law also establishes that the following categories are exempt from expulsion even after the 90 days period:
- foreign nationals under the age of 18;
- foreign citizens who have obtained the residence permit;
- foreign nationals who cohabitate with relatives within the second degree of kinship or with the Italian spouse;
- pregnant women or women who have given birth within the last 6 months.
Who does need an Italian visa?
All non-EU citizens, whose Countries have not yet signed visa waiver agreements, need a visa to enter Italy.
Depending on the necessity, applicants can opt for a short-term or long-term Italian Visa.
How many immigrants does Italy accept each year?
The yearly quota for non-EU nationals allowed to enter Italy for employment purposes is established by the Italian Government through the Flow Decree (Decreto Flussi). The current 2026–2028 Flow Decree establishes the quotas for the three-year period and regulates certain entries for seasonal and non-seasonal employment, as well as certain conversions of residence permits.
Learn more about the 2026–2028 Flow Decree and its quota system in our Guide to Italian Flow Decree visas 2026–2028.
The Italian residence permit
The Italian residence permit is a document issued to non-EU citizens that meet the necessary requirements (authorization and/or visa). The permit is for those who intend to stay in Italy for longer than 90 days.
The Italian residence permit is generally issued within 60–90 days, with a legal term of 90 days, and must be applied for within 8 working days from arrival in Italy.
Based on the purpose of your stay, you might need a specific type of residence permit. For instance, there are Italian permits to work, study and more.
In Italy there are different types of residence permits based on the purpose of the stay in the country. For instance, there are permits for non-EU nationals that are in Italy to work, study, etc.
How can I get the residency in Italy?
The Italian immigration law requires EU and non-EU citizens to obtain a residency registration for a permanent stay in Italy.
Foreigners can apply for the Italian residence only in case of:
- possession of Italian residence permit valid for more than 3 months;
- long-term housing in Italy.
For EU citizens, obtaining the residency registration means acquiring a stay permit that will allow them to legally stay in Italy.
The application for the Italian residency registration is available online. Documents to include with the application may vary based on factors like applicant’s nationality and work status.
It is possible to request simultaneously the residency registration for a main applicant along with dependant family members. In this case, it is necessary to attach to the application certificates that can prove the family relations.
How long does it take to have the Italian residency?
After filing the request, applicants receive a “Comunicazione di avvio del procedimento anagrafico”. This is a confirmation that the registration process has correctly begun.
For the procedure to be officially complete, the police will go to the address notified in the application to check that the applicant actually lives there.
The police will check the notified address in the application within 45 days from the receipt of the confirmation.
Once the Authorities successfully check the address, the residency registration will be complete.
Become an Italian citizen with the Italian Citizenship
With the Italian Citizenship, you will have more rights than with an Italian residence permit. Indeed, the Italian citizenship grants the same rights as if you were born and raised in Italy.
You can acquire Italian citizenship through different routes, including marriage, legal residence and, in certain cases, by descent. However, the rules on citizenship by descent were amended by Decree-Law No. 36/2025, converted into Law No. 74/2025, introducing additional requirements and limitations for certain individuals born abroad and holding another citizenship. Italy also recognizes dual citizenship.