Documents

If you have decided to come to Como for a certain period of time or just for a few days we will try to give you all the necessary information regarding the procedures to be followed whether you are a European citizen or a Non-European citizen. Please remember that you are allowed to remain in Italy for three months only, after which time you are obliged to comply with all the formalities described below.

EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS

The Permesso di Soggiorno is a special residence permit that the Questura (Police Headquarters) will issue if you are a citizen of the European Union and you decide that you would like to remain in Italy.

How to obtain your Permesso di Soggiorno

• If you are only on holiday in Italy and you are a citizen of the European Union then you do not need any sort of visa. You will however need some form of identification and this must be shown upon request by a public official. As a tourist you are allowed to stay in Italy for 3 months.
• If you are a foreign citizen and you would like to remain in Italy, then within eight days of your arrival you must go to the Questura and apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno that will remain valid for 3 months. In order to apply, you will need the following:
  
  A photocopy of your Passport or Identity Card.
  2 photographs
• If you are a European citizen and you would like to continue your studies in Italy then you too must go to the Questura and follow the same procedure. There are various student exchange programs regulated and sponsored by the European Union (Erasmus, Leonardo, etc.)
• If you are a citizen of the European Union and you have found employment in Italy you do not need a visa; you do however need a declaration from your future employer. The Questura will issue you with a Permesso di Soggiorno valid for five years. It must be renewed upon expiry if you intend to stay in Italy.
• If you are self-employed, a trader or are involved in the service industry and if you are a citizen of the European Union and you would like to remain in Italy then you can apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno which will be valid for 5 years, once you have submitted the relevant documents.
• If you are a foreign citizen married to an Italian citizen then you should be aware of the fact that once you are married and can prove that you have lived together for 3 years, your will become definitive.
• If you are pensioner then you are free to live in any of the European Union countries. You must be able to prove that you have some sort of pension: invalid, old age or for infirmity and you must have some form of medical insurance. You will obtain a 5-year permit that can be renewed upon expiry.
  
• If you are not in any of these categories and require a permit you must demonstrate that you have some form of insurance. You will receive a 5-year permit that can be renewed if you intend to remain in Italy.

Now HERE is where you can obtain these documents and any further information you may require:
Questura: Viale Roosevelt no.7 - 22100 - PH. +39 031 3171
Open: Mondays to Fridays 8.30/13.30 - (Details for afternoon: PH. +39 031 317599)

Comune of Como: Municipio (Palazzo Cernezzi) - via Vittorio Emanuele II, 97 - PH. +39 031 2521

HOW TO BECOME A RESIDENT

If you would like to become a resident then you will have to demonstrate that you have a permanent abode in the Municipality of your choice.
If you are from a foreign country you will need:

a) A passport or Identity Card and a photocopy of it
b) A Permesso di Soggiorno (from the Questura) and 1 photocopy of it.
c) A declaration from your Consulate containing all your personal details (only upon request)

If your documents are in your native language then your Consulate, your Foreign Embassy or an official translator have to translate them. Only certificates on International forms will be accepted.

Now HERE is where you can obtain the necessary documents and useful information:
Comune of Como: Municipio (Palazzo Cernezzi) - via Vittorio Emanuele II, 97 - PH. +39 031 2521

HOW TO BECOME AN ITALIAN CITIZEN

If you are a citizen of the European Union you must be aware that once you obtain your Italian citizenship you will consequently have the same rights and obligations as any other Italian citizen.

This is HOW you can obtain your Italian citizenship

You must submit your request to the relative Prefettura (Prefecture) in the town where you are resident. The Citizens' Bureau (L'Ufficio Cittadinanza) of the Prefettura will give you all the information you need regarding all the necessary documents.

You may apply if you are:
- A foreign citizen or a stateless citizen married to an Italian citizen
- Foreign but either your mother or your father was born in Italy or if you yourself were born in Italy.
In both cases you need to have been resident in Italy for at least 3 years before you can apply.
- A citizen of the European Union and have been legally resident in Italy for a least 4 years.
Now, HERE is where you can apply and where you can obtain any information you may require:
Prefettura di Como - via Volta, 50 - PH. +39 031 3171

NON-EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CITIZENS

If you are a non-European Community citizen then within 8 days of your arrival in Italy you must apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno from the Questura. You must apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno that corresponds exactly to the reason for your stay as declared on your visa.

If you are in Italy as a tourist then you can obtain a permit for 3 months. This permit cannot be changed into any other type of permit. Any subsequent renewal periods cannot exceed a total of one calendar year.
You will need the following documents:
- 2 photographs
- The form that you will find in the Questura duly compiled
- A €10.33 official tax stamp (available from tobacconist shops)
- A photocopy of your passport or of the document specifying the reason for your stay.
It is however also possible to make use of the system of self-certification.

If you are in Italy to study then your Permesso di Soggiorno will be valid for the length of your course (generally one year) and can be subsequently renewed.
You will need the following documents:
- 2 photographs
- A € 10.33 official tax stamp
- A photocopy of your passport and visa
- A Certificate from the school or university attesting that you are in fact enrolled there
- Medical insurance guaranteeing cover in the event of emergencies.

If you are here because you have found employment or you are going to be employed as a domestic-help then your future employer must submit a request to the Labour Office (Ufficio del Lavoro) of the appropriate province that will then issue a work permit.
Your future employer should submit this work permit to the Questura and then send it to you, to enable you to obtain a "work visa" from the Italian Consulate before you leave your country. To obtain a Permesso di Soggiorno you will have to go to the Questura with two photographs, a photocopy of your passport and your visa, the work permit and an official Italian tax stamp of € 10.33. Remember that your permit will be valid for two years.

If you are self-employed you can ask for a visa from the Consulate once you have presented the documents stating that you have no criminal records.
Upon your arrival in Italy the relevant Questura will issue a temporary Permesso di Soggiorno to enable you to register with one of the professional associations or with the Chamber of Commerce. Then you should go to the Questura with 2 photographs, an official € 10.33 tax stamp, a photocopy of your passport, your visa and the certificate stating that you are a member of the Chambers of Commerce.

This is WHERE you can obtain the permits and any further information you may require:
Questura : Viale Roosevelt no.7 - 22100 - PH. +39 03 13171
Open: Mondays to Fridays 8.30/13.30 - (Details for afternoon: 031 317599)