So, now you’re feeling confident that you are ready to get started on making your dreams a reality by moving to Italy, right? So, now what?
How long are you really going to reside in Italy?
Deciding how long you realistically want to be in Italy is an important decision as it does affect whether or not you really need a visa and then for which one you should submit an application.
First, if you want to avoid the bureaucratic process as you may not be ready to reside in country full-time, then you might want to play with the tourist visa calendar. Just remember that there are complicated rules and maths to consider to ensure that you don’t ruin your chances of visiting regularly in the long-term.
Alternatively, you can go for one of the visas. In brief, these are the visas that you can possibly obtain.
Visa Type | Length of Visa | Renewable |
Work Visa | Length of contract up to 2 years | up to 5 years |
Elective Residency Visa | 1 or 2 years initially | upon 5 years eligible for permanent residency; upon 10 years with permanent residency (total 15 years) eligible for citizenship |
Study Visa | 1 year initially | duration of your course of study based on the passing of all exams |
Self Employment Visa | 2 years initially | application must be made within 60 days of expiry |
Working Holiday Visa | up to 1 year |
Should I use a company/lawyer or do it myself?
If you are comfortable with Italian, then I would say go for it on your own. It’ll be a lot cheaper and as long as you channel the patience of a Zen monk, you’ll find it to be a more rewarding process. Plus, you’ll save yourself some pennies that you can spend on delicious food and drink.
However, if your language and patience are a little less than stated, I recommend getting some local help whether that is through a reputable company, a recommended lawyer, or contact with some foreigner-friendly organizations that offer services to help out.
Whatever you choose, you can find more information in Umbria on a Whim: Volume 1 The Basics – an Insider’s Guide for Moving to Umbria.