EU long-term residence permit

What it is and who can apply

The EU long-term residence permit (formerly the carta di soggiorno) is valid indefinitely and can be used as a personal identity document; every 5 years the photo and details must be updated. It can also be requested for family members who have been legally resident in Italy for at least 5 years:

• a spouse aged at least 18 who is not legally separated;
• minor children;
• dependent adult children with total disability;
• dependent parents who have no other children in their country of origin or, if over 65, whose other children cannot support them for serious and documented health reasons.

Requirements

Foreign nationals can apply for themselves and their family members if they:

• have been legally resident in Italy for at least 5 years;
• hold a valid residence permit (for example for work, family, subsidiary protection, asylum, elective residence, religious reasons);
• have enough income to support themselves and their family members;
• show that their accommodation is suitable (not required for holders of refugee status or subsidiary protection);
• have no relevant criminal record;
• know Italian at least at level A2 of the Common European Framework of Reference (not required for refugees and holders of subsidiary protection).

To prove your knowledge of the language you can book the Italian test and apply for the residence permit at the nearest CCL office. The following are exempt from the test:

• children under 14;
• foreign nationals with serious limitations in language learning, certified by a doctor;
• those who already have an A2 Italian certificate issued by a recognised certification body, or have attended courses at the Provincial Adult Education Centres (CPIA) obtaining an A2 qualification;
• those with an Italian lower or upper secondary school diploma, or certificates of attendance of university courses, masters or PhDs;
• those who entered Italy as managers or highly skilled staff, university professors teaching in Italy, translators and interpreters and accredited journalists.

For more information and assistance, contact your nearest CCL office.