When do I have to renew my Italian residence permit, and what if it has already expired?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Italian law says you must request renewal of your residence permit from the questore of the province where you live at least 90 days before it expires. A permit that expired more than 60 days ago without a renewal request is a ground for expulsion. Renewal checks the same conditions as the first issue.

Key facts

What	The law says	Source
When to apply	At least 90 days before the permit expires	D.Lgs. 286/1998, art. 5(4)
Where	To the questore of the province where you live	D.Lgs. 286/1998, art. 5(4)
What is checked	The conditions for issuing the permit, plus any other conditions in the Act	D.Lgs. 286/1998, art. 5(4)
Length of the renewed permit	No longer than the initial permit, unless other terms apply; renewals of permanent-contract work, self-employment and family-reunification permits can’t exceed 3 years	D.Lgs. 286/1998, art. 5(3-bis), (3-quater), (3-sexies), (4)
Biometrics	You are photographed and fingerprinted	D.Lgs. 286/1998, art. 5(4-bis)
Expired more than 60 days, no renewal requested	Ground for expulsion by the prefect	D.Lgs. 286/1998, art. 13(2)(b)
While you wait	You may stay legally and work temporarily, once you have the application receipt	D.Lgs. 286/1998, art. 5(9-bis)

The deadline

Article 5(4) of the Consolidated Immigration Act says the foreigner requests renewal from the questore of the province where they live at least ninety days before the expiry date. Normattiva marks the ninety-day term as amended by Legislative Decree 83 of 16 April 2026, which applies from 22 May 2026.

The renewal is subject to the same checks as the first issue. Unless the Act or its implementing regulation set other terms, the permit is renewed for no longer than the period of the initial permit. For work permits based on a permanent contract, self-employment permits and family-reunification permits, each renewal can’t exceed three years.

If your permit has already expired

Article 13(2)(b) lists, among the cases where the prefect orders expulsion, a permit that has expired for more than sixty days without a renewal request. The law also refuses renewal when the requirements are missing, unless new elements allow it or the problems are administrative irregularities that can be fixed (art. 5(5)).

How to file

The Polizia di Stato’s guidance says the post office kit is used for the issue or renewal of the permits on its list; others go directly to the Questura. Patronati and Comuni offering the service fill in the renewal application for free.

Sources

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

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.