What do I need for Italy's long-term EU residence permit (permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo)?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Key facts

The requirements in the law

Article 9(1) of the Consolidated Immigration Act lets a foreigner who has held a valid residence permit for at least five years, and has income no lower than the yearly amount of the assegno sociale (Italy’s social allowance), ask the questore for the long-term EU residence permit, for themselves and for family members listed in article 29(1). For family members, the income must also meet article 29(3)(b) and you need housing that meets the regional public-housing standards or has a health-and-hygiene suitability check by the local health authority.

Article 9(2-bis) makes the permit conditional on passing an Italian language test. Article 9(4) bars people dangerous to public order or state security.

Article 9(3) says the rule doesn’t apply to people staying for study or vocational training, holders of short-stay permits, applicants for international protection still waiting for a final decision, people with temporary protection or medical-care permits, and holders of diplomatic status. Periods spent with a short-stay permit or diplomatic status don’t count toward the five years (art. 9(5)).

The income figure for 2026

INPS’s circular 153 of 19 December 2025 sets the assegno sociale from 1 January 2026 at EUR 546.24 a month, EUR 7,101.12 a year, labelled as provisional values. The Polizia di Stato’s guidance adds that with two or more children under 14, the minimum income is twice the yearly assegno sociale.

Documents the Polizia di Stato lists

• Copy of a valid passport or equivalent document
• Copy of the tax return (income above the yearly assegno sociale); domestic workers show INPS payment slips or an INPS contribution statement
• Criminal record certificate and certificate of pending criminal proceedings
• Documents on residence and family status
• Proof of suitable housing, if the application includes family
• Postal payment slip for the electronic permit (EUR 30.46)

The guidance says you apply through the post office, or without the kit at Comuni that offer the service or at Patronati.

What the permit gives you

Article 9(12) says holders can enter Italy without a visa, move freely within it, do any employed or self-employed work not reserved to citizens (without a residence contract for employment), and use social assistance, social security, health, education and public-housing services, subject to proof of actual residence.

Related questions

• How long you can be abroad before and after you get it: art. 9(6) and 9(7).
• Who is exempt from the language test: Ministry of the Interior guidance on the test.

This is general information, not legal advice, and Lumen is not a law firm. Rules change and offices differ: check the official sources above before you act. Found something wrong or out of date? Write to support@lumen.observer.