Everything you need to know before arriving in Italy — a step-by-step toolkit for international students coming from outside the European Union.
Italy is part of the Schengen Area. Entry requirements and visa rules depend on both the applicant's nationality and the length of your stay. Use this guide to understand exactly what you need before you book your flight.
01 · Requirements by program type
Non-EU / Non-EEA students. Many nationalities — including citizens of countries with Schengen visa-waiver agreements — can enter Italy without a visa for stays up to 90 days. For longer Italian language courses (16 weeks or more), a National Study Visa (Visa D) is required and must be obtained before departure. Verify with your local Italian consulate for your specific passport.
Short courses (up to 90 days)
Citizens of countries with Schengen visa-waiver agreements do not need a visa for these programs. Standard passport entry to Italy applies.
- Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
- Proof of enrolment / acceptance letter
- Return flight booking
- Proof of sufficient funds
- Travel health insurance recommended
Long-term courses (16+ weeks)
A National Study Visa (Visto Nazionale — Type D) is required. You must apply at the Italian Consulate in your home country before departure.
- Accademia di Italiano official acceptance letter
- Valid passport (6+ months remaining)
- Proof of accommodation in Italy
- Proof of financial support
- Health insurance valid in Italy
- Completed visa application form
- Passport-size photos
02 · How to apply for a National Study Visa
For long-term course participants. The process happens at the Italian consulate in your home country.
Start early — allow at least 8–12 weeks
Consulate processing times vary and appointments can be limited. We strongly recommend beginning the visa process as soon as you receive your acceptance from Accademia di Italiano.
1. Receive your Accademia acceptance letter
Once admitted, we issue an official acceptance letter confirming your enrolment, program dates and institution details. This is a required document for your visa application.
2. Locate the right Italian consulate
Your application must be submitted to the Italian Consulate or Embassy that covers your home country and region. Use the official consulate finder below.
3. Book a consulate appointment
Most Italian consulates require an appointment. Book as early as possible — slots in major cities can fill up weeks in advance, especially in spring and summer.
4. Gather your documents
Prepare all required documents before your appointment. Each consulate may have slightly different requirements — always check the specific consulate's website for the most current list.
5. Attend your appointment
Bring original documents and copies. Pay the visa fee (typically €50). Processing takes 15–30 business days on average.
6. Collect your visa and travel to Italy
Your National Study Visa will be affixed to a passport page. Double-check the dates and your name before leaving the consulate.
03 · After arrival: Permesso di Soggiorno
If your stay exceeds 90 days, Italian law requires you to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi di Studio (residence permit for study purposes) within 8 working days of arriving in Italy.
Step by step
- Pick up the Kit Immigrazione envelope at any Italian Post Office (Poste Italiane) — it contains the application form
- Fill in the form and take it back to a Sportello Amico post office along with your documents
- You will receive a receipt — this serves as a temporary permit while your card is processed
- You will be called for a fingerprint appointment at the local Questura (police headquarters)
- Your residence permit card typically arrives within 2–4 months
Accademia orientation support
Accademia di Italiano staff assist all incoming international students with the Permesso di Soggiorno process during orientation week. You will not have to navigate Italian bureaucracy alone.
04 · Recommended timeline — Fall semester
February – March
Apply to Accademia di Italiano and receive your acceptance letter.
March – April
Book your consulate appointment; begin gathering documents.
May – June
Attend consulate appointment; submit visa application. Receive National Study Visa; confirm housing in Italy.
Late August / Early September
Arrive in Italy · Accademia orientation week · begin Permesso di Soggiorno process.
05 · Find your Italian consulate
Visa applications must be submitted in person at the Italian diplomatic mission (Embassy or Consulate General) with jurisdiction over your area of residence.
Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs — consulate finder
Use the official directory to locate the consulate or embassy serving your home country and region.
Consulate websites are the authoritative source for current document checklists, fee schedules and appointment booking. Requirements vary by country and can change — always verify directly with your consulate before submitting an application.
06 · Health insurance requirements
Italy has a public healthcare system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), but international students are not automatically enrolled. You will need:
For visa application
Health insurance policy valid in Italy covering your full stay, with minimum coverage of €30,000.
After arrival (optional but recommended)
Voluntary enrolment in the Italian national health system (iscrizione volontaria al SSN) — annual cost approximately €150, gives access to Italian public healthcare including your local doctor (medico di base).
Home-country insurance
Many students also maintain their home-country travel insurance alongside Italian coverage.
Recommended provider: Blue Assistance
We recommend Blue Assistance, offering student health insurance plans designed for international students in Italy. Plans meet the €30,000 minimum medical coverage required by Italian authorities, satisfy consulate requirements for the study visa and provide English-language support. Instructions on how to obtain a Blue Assistance policy are included in the enrolment documentation sent to accepted students.
Students are responsible for verifying that their chosen policy meets all current Italian consulate requirements for their country of residence. Enrolment in the Italian National Health System (SSN) is optional and not required for visa purposes. Students enrolled through partner institutions may alternatively use internationally recognized plans such as GeoBlue (Blue Cross Blue Shield), provided coverage meets Italian regulatory requirements.
07 · EU/EEA/Swiss citizens
You do not need a visa. You can enter Italy on your ID card or passport and start studying immediately. If your stay exceeds 90 days, you must register with the local town hall (anagrafe). We help you with this on arrival.
Required documents for anagrafe registration: passport or ID + copy, original codice fiscale + copy, University enrolment certificate in Italian, European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by your country of residence + copy.
08 · Costs and financial requirements (reference)
The figures below are the costs and thresholds Italian consulates and immigration offices typically expect from international students. They are indicative and may be updated by the relevant authorities — always verify on the official consulate / Questura websites before paying.
Financial proof for study visa
The Italian consulate expects evidence of sufficient funds for the duration of the stay — historically ~€910 per month of residence (scholarship certificate, bank statement, sponsor declaration, or equivalent). Exact figure may vary by consulate and year.
Course-hours requirement
For the study visa, the course must run for at least 80 lesson-hours per month. Our Standard format (20 hours/week × 4 = 80 hours/month) and Light format meet this threshold; the 16-week minimum applies for visa eligibility.
Residence permit fees — first application
Three payments at the post office:
- €16 — marca da bollo (revenue stamp, available at any tabaccheria with a "T" sign)
- €30 — application fee at submission
- €70,46 — Electronic Residence Permit card
Approximate total: ~€116.
Residence permit renewal
Roughly the same three-fee structure as the first application. Renewal also requires updated proof of financial means — bank statement, scholarship, or sponsor coverage of approximately €5.825 per academic year (consulate-dependent).
Health insurance — minimum coverage
Italian consulates require an insurance policy valid in Italy with minimum €30.000 medical coverage for the visa application. Indicative private student policies: ~€71 for a six-month policy, ~€121 for a 12-month policy. Recommended provider: Blue Assistance (see section 06).
SSN voluntary enrolment
Voluntary enrolment in the Italian national health system (iscrizione volontaria al SSN) — annual cost approximately €149,77 — gives full access to Italian public healthcare and a medico di base. Optional but recommended for stays beyond one academic year.
Work allowance during study
Holders of a valid study residence permit are allowed to work in Italy for up to 20 hours/week and a maximum 1.040 hours/year. To renew the permit, you must pass your course exams each year.
What you cannot do without a residence permit
Until the Permesso di Soggiorno is issued (post-receipt period), you cannot: open an Italian bank account, sign any rental or service contract (phone line included), or formally enrol in the SSN.
09 · Anagrafe offices — useful addresses
The Ufficio Anagrafe at the local Comune (town hall) is where you register your residence in Italy. Useful reference addresses for our four cities:
Milan
Anagrafe Comune di Milano. Registration by email at ServiziAlCittadino@postacert.comune.milano.it with subject "APR, Name, Surname". Attach codice fiscale + university enrolment certificate in Italian.
Florence
Anagrafe Città Metropolitana di Firenze, P.za della Libertà — 50129 Firenze.
Turin
Anagrafe Comune di Torino, Via della Consolata 23 — 10122 Torino.
Mantua
Anagrafe Comune di Mantova, Via Pietro Frattini 60 — 46100 Mantova.
Please confirm with your home country the implications of permanently transferring your residence to Italy.
Have questions? Contact admissions
Our admissions team is available to help guide you through the visa process and issue any documentation you need for your consulate application.
Disclaimer: visa and immigration regulations change frequently. This page provides general guidance and is not legal advice. Always verify current requirements directly with the Italian Consulate responsible for your area of residence before applying. Accademia di Italiano is not responsible for visa decisions made by consular authorities.
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