Moving to Italy: All the administrative steps for a successful relocation

Key article points

• EU nationals do not need a visa, but must register with the Anagrafe after 3 months of residence.
• The Codice Fiscale is the first document to obtain: it is a prerequisite for all other procedures.
• The Permesso di Soggiorno applies to non-EU nationals and must be requested within 8 days.
• Registering with the registry of Italians abroad (AIRE) simplifies your relationship with France.
• Opening a bank account in Italy requires the Codice Fiscale and a local address.
• Appropriate health insurance is essential before or upon arrival in the country.
• Planning ahead for each step reduces delays and avoids costly mistakes during your relocation.

Every year, tens of thousands of French nationals choose Italy as their expat destination, drawn by the quality of life, cultural heritage, and a job market with opportunities in thriving sectors such as fashion, design, and gastronomy. But between the desire to settle in Milan, Rome, or Florence and the first morning in your Italian apartment, there is an administrative journey that many people underestimate.

The administrative procedures for moving to Italy are numerous, often interdependent, and their timelines can catch new arrivals off guard. A missed registration or forgotten document can block access to housing, employment, or social coverage for several weeks.

This guide is aimed at students, young professionals, and expats who want to build their relocation to Italy on solid foundations. You will find, in the correct order, every essential formality: from the Codice Fiscale to the Anagrafe, including the Permesso di Soggiorno, bank account, and health coverage. Planning ahead for these steps means saving time and arriving with peace of mind.

Do you need a visa to move to Italy?

The answer depends directly on your nationality. For European Union nationals, including French citizens, no visa is required to enter and reside in Italy.

• EU/EEA citizens: freedom of movement guaranteed by European treaties, unlimited stay.
• Non-EU nationals (less than 90 days): tourist stay possible without a visa in the Schengen area.
• Non-EU nationals (more than 90 days): long-stay visa mandatory before departure, to be requested from the Italian consulate in your country.
• Non-EU students: type D visa, category "studio", accompanied by an acceptance letter from a recognised institution.

As a French citizen, you can therefore leave without a visa. However, this freedom does not exempt you from local registration requirements, which become mandatory once your stay exceeds three months.

For a complete overview of visas and procedures based on your situation in 2026, consult the details by profile: student, employee, entrepreneur, or retiree.

The situation also varies depending on your life plans: settling as an employee, launching a self-employed activity, or studying each involves very different additional steps.

The Codice Fiscale: your first document to obtain

The Codice Fiscale is the Italian equivalent of the French tax identification number. It is the absolute key: without it, nothing works in Italy.

• Opening a bank account
• Signing an employment or rental contract
• Enrolling in a school or university
• Accessing public health services
• Taking out a phone or internet subscription

You can obtain it directly from the Agenzia delle Entrate (the Italian tax authority), at any local office. The process is quick: allow 20 to 30 minutes on-site, with your passport or identity card. The number is sometimes issued the same day as a provisional document.

It is also possible to request it through the Italian consulate in your country of residence before departure, which will save you valuable time upon arrival. This advance planning is strongly recommended if you need to sign a lease or contract within the first few days.

Registering with the Anagrafe: official residence in Italy

The Anagrafe is the municipal residents' register. Registering with it makes your address in Italy official. This step is mandatory for any stay exceeding three months, whether you are a European citizen or not.

To complete your registration, go to the town hall (Comune) of your chosen city with the following documents:

• Valid identity card or passport
• Proof of address (rental contract, utility bill)
• Codice Fiscale
• For employed individuals: employment contract or proof of activity
• For students: enrolment certificate from an institution

This comprehensive guide to living as an expat in Italy details the Anagrafe registration steps and variations by municipality, which may have specific forms.

Once registered, you receive a certificate of residence. This document grants EU nationals access to the Italian identity card and serves as proof of legal residence for all subsequent administrative procedures.

The deadline you must absolutely meet

Italian law requires a declaration of residence within 20 days of your move. After this deadline, the town hall may carry out an on-site verification. Do not postpone this formality.

The Permesso di Soggiorno for non-EU nationals

If you are not a European citizen, the Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) is the essential step in your relocation. It must be requested within 8 calendar days of entering Italian territory.

The process is handled through authorised post offices (Poste Italiane), which forward the file to the competent Questura (police prefecture). The following documents are generally required:

• Passport with a valid long-stay visa
• Duly completed application form (kit available at post offices)
• Financial documentation (bank statements, employment contract, or scholarship)
• Passport-sized photos
• Receipt of fee payment (approximately €70 to €200 depending on the type of permit)

This 2026 guide to living in Italy details the Permesso di Soggiorno process by profile (employee, student, family reunification).

Processing times range from a few weeks to several months depending on the region. Keep your application receipt safe: it serves as a provisional permit.

Renewal and validity period

The Permesso di Soggiorno has a limited duration depending on the reason for stay (1 year for studies, 2 years for work). Its renewal must be initiated at least 60 to 90 days before expiry.

Registering with the AIRE registry from France

The AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero) is not an Italian procedure, but a French one. It involves registering with the registry of French nationals living abroad, managed by the consulates.

This registration is strongly recommended, and even essential, in order to:

• Vote in French elections from abroad
• Receive your official French documents abroad
• Facilitate your dealings with the French administration (passport renewal, etc.)
• Maintain your social rights in France during your time abroad

The process is completed online on the service-public.fr portal or directly at the French consulate in Rome, Milan, or Naples. It is free of charge and generally takes less than a week.

Our complete pre-departure checklist reminds you of all these formalities in chronological order so you don't miss a thing.

Opening a bank account in Italy

A local bank account is essential for paying rent, receiving a salary, or settling your regular bills. Italian banks systematically require the Codice Fiscale, which is why this step comes second.

The main banks operating in the country are Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, Banco BPM, and Fineco. Neobanks such as Revolut or N26 can also be a useful stopgap while waiting to open a local account.

To open an account, you will need:

• Passport or identity card
• Codice Fiscale
• Proof of address in Italy (lease or accommodation certificate)
• Sometimes: employment contract or proof of studies

Account maintenance fees vary significantly between institutions. Compare offers for students, which are often more advantageous.

Health coverage: Servizio Sanitario Nazionale and supplementary insurance

Italy has a universal public healthcare system, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). European nationals can access it under certain conditions after registering with the Anagrafe.

To be covered by the SSN:

• Be registered with the Anagrafe (confirmed official residence)
• Choose an approved general practitioner (medico di base) through the ASL (Agenzia Sanitaria Locale) in your area
• Present your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in the first instance

For non-EU nationals, joining the SSN is possible but subject to conditions. In any case, a supplementary expat health insurance policy is strongly recommended to cover expenses not reimbursed by the system.

Discover the essential coverage options to check before signing an expat insurance policy to avoid being left without cover in the event of an unexpected medical situation.

This checklist of 10 administrative steps for Italy also covers the specifics of health coverage according to your status.

Finding accommodation in Italy: rental procedures

Finding an apartment is often the most stressful part of relocating. The rental market in major cities such as Milan, Rome, and Florence is tight and competitive.

The most widely used platforms are Idealista, Immobiliare.it, and Subito.it for private listings. Be wary of scams, which are particularly common in listings with abnormally low prices or requests for a bank transfer before a viewing.

Our guide on rental scams abroad will give you the essential reflexes to secure your property search in Italy.

To sign a lease in Italy, you will need:

• Codice Fiscale
• Passport or identity card
• Proof of income or funding (scholarship, parental support)
• Sometimes: a guarantor (fideiussore) or bank security deposit (often equivalent to 2–3 months' rent)

Types of rental contracts in Italy

Two contracts dominate the rental market:

• Contratto 4+4: standard 4-year contract renewable for 4 years, with a freely agreed rent.
• Contratto a canone concordato (3+2): rent set according to local scales, often more advantageous from a tax perspective.

For a student stay, a transitional contract (6 to 18 months) is often the most suitable option.

Tax and social formalities to plan ahead for

Once settled, your tax situation will change. If you remain in Italy for more than 183 days in a calendar year, you become an Italian tax resident and must declare your income in Italy.

The main tax obligations to be aware of:

• Dichiarazione dei redditi: annual income tax return (form 730 or Redditi PF depending on your status)
• INPS: social security contributions for employees and self-employed individuals
• Partita IVA: VAT number required for any self-employed activity in Italy

For students receiving a scholarship or external funding, consult a tax advisor (commercialista) regarding your filing obligations.

This comprehensive guide to administrative procedures for living in Italy details tax obligations according to different residency statuses.

Common mistakes to avoid when relocating

The experience of hundreds of expats shows that certain mistakes come up repeatedly. Anticipating them will save you weeks of hold-ups.

• Waiting until you arrive to get the Codice Fiscale: request it from the consulate before you leave.
• Not declaring your address within 20 days: the town hall may refuse a late registration.
• Underestimating the Permesso di Soggiorno timelines: plan for several months without this document.
• Signing a lease without reading the contract in full: seek assistance from a professional if needed.
• Leaving without health insurance: the EHIC does not cover everything and expires if you leave the French system.
• Neglecting consular registration (AIRE): you risk losing important entitlements.

Read our full article on mistakes to avoid when moving abroad to go further on these critical points.

The Expat.com guide to living in Italy as an expat also documents the most complex situations encountered by new arrivals on the ground.

Resources and support for moving to Italy

Going through the Italian administrative procedures alone is possible, but time-consuming. Resources exist to help you at every stage.

Here are the key contacts to identify as soon as you arrive:

• Agenzia delle Entrate: Codice Fiscale and tax returns
• Comune (town hall): Anagrafe registration, certificates of residence
• Questura: Permesso di Soggiorno
• ASL: registration with the public health system
• French Consulate: consular registration, renewal of French documents
• CAF (Centro di Assistenza Fiscale): free assistance with tax returns

For students and young expats, SafexPAT support packages offer a structured solution for managing accommodation, insurance, and administrative procedures all in one place.

According to statistics from the International Organization for Migration, Italy records a net positive migration every year, a sign that the country continues to attract skilled professionals and students from around the world.

Conclusion: Plan your move to Italy step by step

Successfully settling in Italy is not something you can improvise, but it is entirely achievable when you know the right order for completing the procedures.

The fundamental steps remain the same for the majority of profiles: obtain the Codice Fiscale from the outset, register with the Anagrafe within 20 days, manage the Permesso di Soggiorno if required, open a bank account, register with the health system, and secure your accommodation with a compliant contract. Each step is a prerequisite for the next: following the chronological order is the key to avoiding hold-ups and unnecessary delays.

Italy is a welcoming country for expats, with well-established procedures. The real challenge is planning ahead. The more thoroughly you prepare your paperwork from home before leaving, the smoother your arrival will be. Explore our dedicated guide to Milan to discover the specifics of Italy's economic capital, and let the administrative procedures for moving to Italy become a simple checklist to tick off rather than an obstacle.

‍