For non-EU citizens, getting your visa to relocate to Italy can be a lengthy and complex process - so when you finally get your passport returned with that visa page inside, you'll want to take a moment to celebrate.
But before you put up your feet and get too comfortable, you'll need to start preparing for the next stage: setting yourself up as a resident once you arrive.
Here are the main steps you'll need to complete in order to start your new life in Italy.
Get your residency permit
EU nationals don't need a residency permit to stay in Italy. But if you're a non-EU national, one of the first things you'll need to do after arriving in the country is applying for your permesso di soggiorno, which connects your visa and passport to your biometric data, place of residence and legal grounds for remaining in Italy.
You're supposed to do this within just eight days of entering Italy by going to the nearest post office with a sportello amico (literally, 'friendly desk') and asking for an application kit (kit giallo).
Please note: not all Italian post offices have a sportello amico, so you'll need to track down one that does by running an online search.
The permesso application form is around eight pages long and in Italian, so you probably won't want to fill it out at the post office.
If you're struggling to understand the questions, you can get help from a qualified immigration expert or a patronato - a government-funded organisation that provides free assistance with bureaucratic tasks, including residency permit applications. Find a full list on this official website.
Once you've filled out the form and included the required supporting documentation, you'll need to return to the sportello amico desk to submit your application (and pay the application fee).
After you've done all this, the post office will give you a small ricevuta (receipt slip) proving that you've applied. It's very important to hold on to this slip, as it acts as proof of your right to stay in Italy until your residency permit is issued.
The post office worker should also give you a date and time for an appointment at the Questura police headquarters - though in recent months many of The Local's readers have said they have had to wait to receive details of their appointment via post or text message.
Be warned that, as things currently stand, you may face a long wait for this initial appointment at the Questura. International residents, including readers of The Local, have recently reported waits of several months for their appointment.
READ ALSO: How to check the status of your Italian residency permit application
When your appointment at the Questura arrives, you'll be called to a counter where an official will review your documents and process your fingerprints. Once your fingerprints have been taken, you'll be given an alphanumeric reference code you can use to check the status of your application online.
In theory, Questura authorities are supposed to issue your permit within 60 days of your appointment. However, with current delays, be prepared for a much longer wait before you can finally collect your permesso.
Get a tax code
An Italian tax code or codice fiscale is a 16-digit personal identification number similar to a Social Security number in the US or a National Insurance number in the UK.
Italy's tax code is not just used for employment or paying taxes. You'll need it to do complete several public administration tasks, as well as a number of other processes – from opening a bank account to buying property.
In some cases, you'll even need the code to make some online purchases.
READ ALSO: Codice fiscale: How to get your Italian tax code (and why you need one)
Fortunately, the codice fiscale is relatively straightforward to obtain – and you can even get it outside of Italy by going to the nearest Italian embassy or consulate.
If you're an EU national in Italy, you can get your tax code by going to your local Agenzia delle Entrate (Revenue Agency) office. If you're a non-EU national, the process depends on your personal situation: you might need to go to the immigration desk at your local Prefettura (prefecture) or your Questura.
You should be assigned your code immediately at the office if you're applying in person.
You can also ask for a plastic card (tesserino) carrying the code to be posted to the address you gave on the application form.
Register as a resident with your town hall
Anyone planning to stay in Italy for more than 90 days must register with the Ufficio Anagrafe (registry office) of the town they're living in in a process known as an iscrizione anagrafica.
The iscrizione anagrafica is required to get an Italian ID card (carta d’identità) and a residency certificate (certificato di residenza), which are necessary to complete most bureaucratic tasks in Italy.
Registration is also important if you later intend to apply for Italian citizenship through marriage or residency.
READ ALSO: How to register as a resident in Italy
The registration process varies from town to town.
Some comuni will require you to attend an in-person appointment, whereas others will allow you to apply online or via email. It's advisable to check your town hall's website for further information.
To register, you'll need to provide a number of documents, including your residency permit (if you're a non-EU citizen), your tax code, a declaration of your address (dichiarazione di residenza) and proof of healthcare coverage.
For full details regarding the documentation required of both EU and non-EU nationals, see our separate guide.
Sign up for healthcare
Whether it's a private insurance policy or registration with the national health service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, or SSN), having adequate health insurance is a requirement for foreign nationals who become Italian residents.
For many international residents, signing up with the SNN is the default option, as it's generally cheaper than taking out private coverage (even though registration comes at a fee in some cases – see below).
Registering with the SSN gives you access to the same healthcare services available to Italian citizens – and under the same conditions (basic services such as doctor's visits are free of charge, whereas more complex forms of care and diagnostic tests are provided under a co-pay system).
READ ALSO: SSN: Who can register for national healthcare in Italy?
While registration is free of charge for some international residents, it involves the payment of an annual fee (from a minimum of €2,000 to a maximum of €2,788,87) for others.
Find out which category you're likely to fall into here.
The registration process varies from city to city depending on the guidelines and instructions set out by your Azienda Sanitaria Locale or ASL (local health authority).
In most cases, you'll need to make at least one trip to your nearest ASL office to register.
Once registered, you'll receive a tessera sanitaria (health card) that shows you're entitled to public healthcare. You can use your tessera sanitaria to register with a medico di base (GP) and register your children with a paediatrician – visits are free of charge in both cases.
Get an Italian SIM card
If you're relocating permanently to Italy, you'll want to get an Italian SIM card early on to avoid racking up roaming fees with your home country carrier.
You'll need to go to the shop in person with a valid photo ID (preferably a passport) and your codice fiscale, as many providers require this information before they can issue you with a card.
READ ALSO: Where can I use my Italian mobile phone without paying roaming fees?
Bear in mind you'll only be able to use an Italian SIM card if your phone is unlocked, so you'll want to make sure you sort this out before you leave your home country.
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