Visa Types

Italy Travel FAQs: Ultimate Comprehensive Guide

Visit the database Visa for Italy to see whether you require a visa to enter Italy. for Italy, a visa.
You may find out if you need a visa to enter Italy by clicking on the question “Do you need a visa?” and then choosing your nationality, the country where you have registered residency, the intended length of stay, and the purpose for your trip. All visa kinds provide a list of the necessary paperwork.

The Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence's visa office is where you must submit your visa application. The contact information for the office where you must submit your visa application may be found by going online to the "Visa for Italy" page. Simply choose your home nation and press the "Confirm" button.
Please have a look at the Visa Jurisdiction page for further details.
The list of Italian diplomatic and consular missions may be found here.

The foreign national is the one who needs to submit the visa application for Italy. The Italian Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over the applicant's country of permanent residence must receive the visa application. The contact information for the office where the visa application must be presented may be found by linking to the "Visa for Italy" Visa Database. Simply choose your home nation and press the "Confirm" button.

You can go to the Visa issuance procedure page for further details.

The list of Italian diplomatic and consular missions may be found here.

Visit the webpage for "Visa for Italy" You may obtain information on the required papers for each type of visa by identifying your citizenship, your place of permanent residence, the length of your stay in Italy, and the reason you are there. The Visa Office may at any time require additional papers in connection with the visa application in addition to those listed. We suggest getting in touch with the appropriate visa office immediately.

The list of Italian diplomatic and consular missions may be found here.

The place After the list of needed papers, the visa for Italy details the cost for each type of visa at the bottom of the page with the answers.

The length of time that must pass varies depending on the kind of visa. 15 days are needed for Schengen visas (short-term visas), which can be extended up to 60 days in the anticipated circumstances. (Visa Code, Article 23).
The diplomatic-consular Mission provides the visa within 90 days of the request for national visas (i.e., for lengthy stays) if the application is considered acceptable and following the anticipated checks (30 days for subordinate labour, 120 days for self-employment).
Visit the Visa Issuance Terms page for more details.

Each entrance visa expresses two time values:

The length is the actual time frame for the maximum stay permitted; the validity is the window of opportunity for using the visa.
A visa's validity, which specifies when it may be used and for how long, is often longer than its term. The foreigner must depart the Schengen region within that time frame or else his stay will be irregular. The visa expires on the last day designated by its validity.

For instance, if a Schengen visa is valid for 90 days from today and has a 30 day length, I can use it at any time in the following three months to go to the Schengen region for up to 30 days.
Visit the Entry and Stay for Italy section for more details.

Visas for one, two, or numerous entries may be given for both short-stay and long-stay travellers.
The number of approved entries is noted on the visa with the term MULT in the case of more than two entries and the indication 01 or 02 in the case of one or two entries. When there are multiple entries, the bearer of the visa is permitted one or more stays, commencing from the date of the initial entry into the Schengen region, as long as the total length of those stays does not exceed the term permitted by the visa. A multiple-entry visa with a validity length of between six months and five years is an option, but only in exceptional circumstances and in relation to the standard Schengen visa.
Nevertheless, the terms outlined in Article 24, Paragraph 2 of the Visa Code.

Visit the page Conditions of entry into Italy for more details.

You can visit the visa office of the consulate where your visa application was lodged to find out the status of your application.
The list of Italian diplomatic and consular missions may be found here.

If you have a short-stay visa (also known as a uniform Schengen visa), you are permitted to stay in Italy or any other Schengen country for a period of time that does not exceed the duration of the stay allowed by the visa, with the exception of situations where leaving the country is impossible or other exceptional circumstances that are properly justified (such as a business visa, the extension of business negotiations, contacts with suppliers, etc.).

The local Police Headquarters is the appropriate decision-making entity in these situations to address the request for a stay extension.
If you have a long-term national visa, it only grants you permission to enter Italy. The only document that enables you to legitimately remain in Italy after crossing the border is a residence permit, which you must apply for once you arrive.

Visit the State Police website to learn more about how to apply for it and if it may be extended.

A single "legitimate interest" suffices to qualify for a visa in most cases; there is no such thing as a "right" to one.
If you are denied a Schengen visa or a national visa that you did not obtain for family reasons, you have 60 days from the day the rejection was announced to submit an appeal with the Lazio Regional Administrative Court, assisted by a lawyer.
If a national visa is denied for familial grounds, you may file an appeal with the Ordinary Court through a lawyer without time restrictions.

Visit the Visa Rejection page for more details.

The issuance of the visa is not guaranteed even when all necessary documents are presented.
A consistent form that may be found in the Visa Code is used to notify the applicant of the decision to deny a Schengen visa as well as the grounds for the denial.
In the case that a long-stay visa application is denied, the applicant is given informed of the reasons why.
If you are denied a Schengen visa or a national visa that you did not obtain for family reasons, you have 60 days from the day the rejection was announced to file an appeal with the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) of Lazio, assisted by a lawyer.
If a national visa is denied for familial grounds, you may file an unrestricted appeal to the Ordinary Court with the help of a lawyer.
Please visit the Visa Denial page for further details.

No, the refusal decision is final and cannot be reversed because it pertains to that particular visa application. If your application for a visa is denied, you have two options: reapply or appeal to the appropriate authorities.

To apply for a visa, you need to submit some documents including a visa application form, a recent photograph, a valid travel document, a declaration made by the citizen of the EU or of the European Economic Area, civil status documents or suitable administrative documentation and, in case of minor children, consent from the other parent. Check the "Visa for Italy" database for more information.

To enter the Schengen area, you need to have enough money to support yourself during your stay. Having a bank guarantee does not guarantee that you will get a visa. For more information, check the Entry to Italy/Financial Means page. For detailed information, contact the visa office of the closest Italian representation. You can find a list of Italian diplomatic and consular offices abroad at the link provided.

 

People from countries that don't require a short-stay visa can stay in Italy and other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. This means you should count back 180 days from your planned entry date to see if you've already spent 90 days in the Schengen area during that time. To make it easier, use the calculator on the official website of the European Union.
https://ec.europa.eu/dgs/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/borders-and-visas/border-crossing/index_en.htm
If you need help, here is a guide on how to use the calculator:
For more information on this topic, please refer to the Borders Code.

Please note that Italian law does not have a specific visa category for marriage. Therefore, if you plan to come to Italy to get married to an Italian citizen, you will need to apply for a tourist visa. Apart from the regular requirements for obtaining a tourist visa, such as those listed in the visa database, it is also advisable to provide a certificate of publications to demonstrate the purpose of your trip is to marry an Italian citizen.

Foreign nationals from non-EU countries who wish to work in Italy as non-seasonal employees, seasonal employees, or self-employed persons may be subject to entry quotas established by the "flow decree." If you're an Italian or foreign employer living in Italy, you must first apply for a 'nulla osta al lavoro' (work permit) at the Immigration Desk of the Prefecture in the area where the worker will be living or working. Once you have obtained the work permit, you can contact the nearest Italian diplomatic-consular mission to apply for an entry visa to Italy. The types of workers who can enter Italy outside the quota established by the flow decrees are specified in art. 27 of the consolidated text on immigration. For more information, please check the visa page, as well as the websites of the Ministry of the Interior and the State Police.

The Italian Government offers scholarships every year to foreign nationals and Italian citizens residing abroad who wish to pursue formal studies or participate in bilateral or multilateral study or research programs in Italy. Information about the scholarship program, including the list of eligible countries, application calls, and the online application platform, can be found on the webpage "Scholarships granted by the Italian Government to Foreigners and Nationals living abroad." You can also find more information on the "Scholarships" section of the new "Study in Italy" portal.

Each year, the Ministry for Education, University and Research (MIUR) publishes guidelines for foreign students seeking to enroll in university courses in Italy. For more information, visit the MIUR website's "Foreign Students" section, which provides detailed information on enrollment procedures and deadlines for Italian universities, fine arts academies, music conservatories, non-medical specialization schools, and other courses. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has also developed a web portal that outlines the various steps of the enrollment process, with information available in English.

It's important to note that foreign qualifications are not automatically recognized in Italy. If you're seeking to have your qualifications recognized in Italy, you can find information on how to obtain recognition on the website of the Information Center on Mobility and Academic Equivalence (CIMEA). Additionally, you can check whether Italy has established agreements with the country where your qualifications were obtained by visiting this page on the Ministry's website. If you plan to study or work in Italy, it's strongly recommended that you complete the procedure for the equivalence of your education or professional qualification before moving to Italy, as the process involves foreign authorities and Italian consular offices abroad.

The certificate of equivalence of a foreign qualification is an important document that certifies the authenticity and value of the qualification in the foreign country's legal system. It is recommended to obtain this certificate before moving to Italy and to submit the original diploma or degree to the Italian consular authorities. If the procedure is completed after arrival in Italy, there may be additional costs and risks of loss. The MIUR and CIMEA websites provide further information on the recognition and equivalence of foreign qualifications in Italy.

That's correct. Nationals of countries that are exempt from a Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days can enter Italy and the Schengen area for short-term study programs, provided that their stay does not exceed 90 days. However, if their study program lasts longer than 90 days, they will need to apply for a study visa before their arrival in Italy. It is important to note that the specific visa requirements may vary depending on the country of origin, so it is always advisable to consult with the Italian consulate or embassy in the home country for detailed and up-to-date information.

The Italian study visa has several types, including:
Study visa for university enrollment
Study visa for attending a single university course
Study visa for post-graduate studies
Study visa for participating in an exchange and mobility program
Study visa for traineeship and apprenticeship
Study visa for vocational training
Each type of visa has different requirements, and interested applicants are advised to check the Visa for Italy database for more information.
What financial resources shall I prove to have so as obtain a study visa?
You must show you have a minimum of 5,889 euros in financial resources every year, specifically for the academic year 2018–2019, if you apply for a visa to study at an Italian university. This amount is calculated using the yearly "social allowance" amount. You just need to provide proof for the first year if your studies are spread out across several years. To determine the amount of financial resources needed for all other study visa categories, please refer to Table A of the Directive published by the Ministry for Internal Affairs on March 1, 2000, which specifies a set sum and a daily amount. As a result, the total fee fluctuates depending on how long you remain to study.

Bank guarantees or insurance policies are not accepted as proof of financial resources for study visa applications in Italy. Personal or family guarantees and financial guarantees provided by Italian institutions, organizations, local governments, or foreign institutions deemed reliable by the Italian diplomatic mission are required instead. For more information, you can refer to the MIUR website's page on foreign students.

In order to obtain a student visa to enroll in an Italian university, the applicant must demonstrate that their family has sufficient financial means to support them while they study in Italy. While it is a positive factor, the support of someone who is not a family member, such as an association, friend, or relative living in Italy, through a declaration of hospitality and written commitment is not decisive for obtaining the visa. The obligation to provide financial support remains with the family, and no private individual can be called upon to replace them. Ultimately, the decision on the visa application will be made by the local visa office.

Please note that the stay permit is also known as the "permesso di soggiorno" in Italian. It is a document that allows foreign nationals to legally stay in Italy for a specific period of time and for a specific purpose, such as study, work, or family reasons. The stay permit must be renewed before it expires, and failure to do so may result in fines, penalties, or even deportation. Therefore, it is important to keep track of the expiration date and apply for renewal in a timely manner.

In addition to what I previously mentioned, it is also possible to study Italian language courses in Italy as a beginner if the course is recognized by the Italian government or by the relevant education institutions. In this case, you will need to demonstrate that you have the financial resources to cover the cost of the course and your stay in Italy. It is advisable to contact the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence to get more information on the specific requirements and procedures for obtaining a study visa for Italian language courses.

As a holder of a long-term stay permit in Italy, you are allowed to travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any half-year period without the need for a visa. However, it's important to note that not all European countries are part of the Schengen Area, so you should check the list of Schengen countries before traveling to ensure that you do not need a separate visa for your trip.

International students who hold a valid study permit are allowed to work part-time up to a maximum of 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during the holidays. The total working hours per year cannot exceed 1,040 hours.

If your study permit is still valid, you can enter into a contract of stay for work purposes with your future employer at the One-Stop Immigration Desk (SUI). It's important to note that the duration of the contract cannot exceed the validity of your study permit. Additionally, if you have graduated or obtained a postgraduate degree, you may be eligible for a stay permit for employment outside of the quota system for migrant flows. The Immigration Offices of the Italian Police Headquarters can provide more information and guidance on these matters.

To summarize, in order to have an Italian qualification recognized abroad, you should contact the foreign institute where you plan to continue your studies and the consular authorities of that country in Italy to learn about their specific procedures. Most likely, you will need to legalize your Italian qualification and provide a translation in the language of the country where you want to have it recognized. You may also need to obtain a certificate from the consulate of that country in Italy. The legalization of administrative deeds in Italy, such as diplomas, degrees, and qualifications, is the responsibility of the local Government Representative Office. You can find lists of certified translators from Italian courts, and the Information Center on Mobility and Academic Equivalence (CIMEA) website has a section specifically dedicated to the recognition of Italian qualifications abroad.

If you are the spouse of an Italian citizen and live abroad, you can apply for Italian citizenship through marriage after three years of marriage. If you have children together, this time is reduced to 1.5 years. To start the application process, you must register on the Ministry of Interior's website called ALI.
Once the foreign-born spouse of an Italian citizen residing abroad meets the eligibility criteria, they can apply for Italian citizenship through marriage. They need to register on the Ministry of Interior's online portal called ALI and fill out the application form. The diplomatic or consular delegation in the area where the applicant lives will review the documents uploaded online before accepting the application. After acceptance, the applicant will be asked to appear in person at the office to provide the original documents for verification and submit any additional necessary documents. For more information, please refer to the "Citizenship" page on the relevant government website.

The Ministry of the Interior is responsible for defining the process for granting Italian citizenship. Once the application is accepted, the applicant will be assigned an identification code (K10/C – followed by a number), which can be used to access an online service to track the status of the application. This can be done by logging into the ALI portal with the credentials provided during the application registration process.

To acquire Italian citizenship, being born on the Italian territory is not sufficient. According to the Italian law on citizenship (Law 91/1992), in addition to being born on the Italian territory, the acquisition of Italian citizenship is subject to the legal and continuous residence in Italy from the person's birth until they come of age.

This means that in order to be recognized as an Italian citizen, the applicant must provide evidence that their direct ancestors maintained and passed down their Italian citizenship. For more information on this process, the applicant can consult the "Citizenship" page or contact the appropriate authority. If the applicant resides abroad, they should contact the Italian Consular Office listed on the website. If they reside in Italy, they should contact their Town Hall.

a photocopy of the passport will not be accepted as a valid form of identification. The applicant must submit an original, valid passport as proof of their identity.

The visa fee for the Italian visa application must be paid by money order or cashier check made payable to the Consulate General of Italy. Personal checks are not accepted. The fee must be paid at the time of the application and is non-refundable, regardless of whether the visa is issued or not.

To prove your identity or address, you can show either your driver's license or your federal/state income tax return.

To receive the passport with the visa by mail, the applicant needs to provide a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with a photocopy of it. However, special services requests such as Confirmation Requested or special services cannot be accepted. The applicant should note that the Visa Office will not be responsible for lost or stolen passports during transit. If the applicant chooses to pick up the passport in person, the Visa Office hours for retrieval are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 12.00 pm to 1.00 pm.
The applicant can receive their passport directly or authorize someone to receive it on their behalf by providing a written authorization and a receipt. If they prefer to receive their passport by mail, they must fill out a declaration accepting responsibility for any potential loss or theft during transit.

 

The processing time for a visa application can vary from 3 to 21 days depending on the applicant's nationality. The visa officers cannot speed up the process as it is regulated by law, so applicants should not try to negotiate the issuance date. Rush fees are not applicable. During busy months like May, June, July, August, November, and December, it's recommended to apply at least three weeks in advance. However, applications cannot be processed earlier than three months before the planned departure date.

visa offices typically do not provide updates on the status of visa applications. Applicants are advised to wait for the visa processing time to be completed and to check the status of their application through the appropriate channels, such as online portals or through contacting the embassy or consulate directly.

If a minor applicant (under 18 years) is applying for a visa, the following documents and certifications are required:

A letter from both parents granting permission for the minor to travel and assuming financial responsibility for the entire trip. Both parents must sign this authorization, and they should either appear in person at the Philadelphia Consulate or have their signatures notarized by the competent Italian Consulate Office where they reside.

The minor's original or a notarized copy of their birth certificate. If the document is in a language other than English, it must be translated into English and the translation must be legalized by the competent consulate.

The minor must follow the standard tourist visa requirements, which can be found on the consulate's website or by contacting the consulate directly.

The issuance of a visa does not guarantee entry into the country. Border control officers may conduct additional checks and deny entry. It is recommended that travelers carry copies of all the documents submitted with their visa application and present them to the border control officers if requested.

Yes, that is correct. A Schengen Visa allows for travel within the Schengen Area, which includes 26 European countries, including Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the end of your intended stay in the Schengen area. This requirement applies to all types of Schengen visas, including tourist visas, business visas, and other short-term visas. If your passport expires before the end of this three-month period, you may be refused entry into the Schengen area. It is therefore important to check your passport's expiration date before applying for a Schengen visa and to renew it if necessary.

If you are applying for a Schengen visa and planning to stay with a family member or friend in one of the Schengen countries, you will need a host's declaration form completed by your host. The form should include their contact details, address, and the dates of your stay, as well as their declaration of financial responsibility for your trip.

Additionally, your host should provide a copy of their ID (or a permit of stay for non-European Union citizens) along with the completed form. The host's declaration and ID copy can be faxed directly to you, and you should submit them along with your visa application.

To support your visa application, you can submit your business registration documents, your most recent tax return, and a recent bank statement for your company. These documents will help demonstrate your financial stability and the purpose of your visit to the consulate or embassy. It's important to make sure that all documents are current and accurate before submitting them with your application.

Your parents can complete an affidavit of financial support form to provide evidence of their financial support for you during your stay. They should also provide a recent bank statement or a bank letter confirming their financial good standing. This documentation can be included as part of your visa application.

To support your visa application, you can submit documents that demonstrate your spouse's employment status, such as an employment letter or pay stubs, as well as joint income tax returns and an affidavit of financial support (form). You should also include your most recent bank statements to show proof of sufficient funds for your trip. These documents can help establish your financial stability and ties to your home country, which can increase your chances of being approved for a visa.

The Schengn regulations require applicants to have health insurance coverage before departing to Italy or any other Schengen country. This is important in case the applicant has an accident or falls ill during their stay in Italy. It is recommended to carefully check if their current medical insurance policy covers medical treatment abroad. If it does not, the applicant needs to purchase a health insurance policy that covers their entire stay in Europe.

If your passport has a misspelled name, you can either bring it in person or mail it back to have the correction made. Along with the passport, you should include a cover letter specifying which name has been misspelled and a prepaid express mail envelope for the mailing of the corrected passport.

Visit http://www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp to find out all the criteria for your visa.

You can send an email to the visa office at IF YOUR QUESTION HAS NOT BEEN ANSWERED.
email sent to visti.filadelfia@esteri.it.

Yes, one of the marrying couple generally needs to have residency in the consular jurisdiction. However, the head of the consular mission has the right to refuse to perform the marriage ceremony if local laws do not permit it. For more information, please refer to the Wedding section.

If you were married in a foreign country, you can register your marriage in Italy by bringing the foreign marriage certificate, which has been translated into Italian and legalized by the relevant local authorities, to the Italian Consulate with jurisdiction over the place where the marriage took place or over your place of residence. The consulate will transmit the certificate to your competent Italian Municipality for registration in the Registry of Marriages. Alternatively, you can ask the Municipality to register the certificate directly, but it must still be translated and legalized by the local authorities and, in countries that have not adhered to the 1961 Hague Convention, also by the Italian Consular Office competent over the place where the marriage was celebrated. You can find more information on the Marriage and Translation and Legalization of Documents pages.

To get married in Italy, foreign nationals, whether residing in Italy or not, need to provide a declaration stating that they have no impediments to getting married. This declaration should be issued by the authorities of their home country and submitted to the Italian municipality where they plan to get married. For more details, please refer to the Wedding page.

To have your certificate of attendance recognized in Italy, you should first contact the authorities of the country where the certificate was issued to learn how to legalize it. Once the certificate is legalized, you can then consult the Italian school system for information on how to have your period of study abroad recognized. It is important to note that all foreign documents must be translated into Italian. You can find information on translations and legalizations on this page: (insert link).

Visit CIMEA - (Centro Informazioni sulla Mobilità e le Equivalenze Accademiche) and Riconoscimento titoli di studio for further information.

Passports for Italian citizens can be obtained in Italy from the Police (Questura) and from Italian diplomatic missions abroad. The application should be made to the appropriate office based on the applicant's residency. However, Italian citizens can also apply for a passport at any issuing agency in Italy or abroad, provided that they obtain authorization from the Police (Questura) or Consulate in their place of residency. If you are abroad and need more information about obtaining an Italian passport, you can contact the Italian consulate with jurisdiction in your area of residence. For more information on passports, visit the Passports page.

Currently, only Italian consulates in European Union countries, as well as those in Switzerland, Norway, the Principality of Monaco, San Marino, and the Holy See-Vatican City, are authorized to issue paper identity cards exclusively to Italian citizens residing in their consular jurisdiction and enrolled in AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero), the registry of Italians living abroad. For further information, you can visit the Identity Card page.

The tax number in Italy is called Codice Fiscale, and it is issued by the tax authority, Agenzia delle Entrate. Both Italian citizens and foreigners can request the tax number through the Italian consulate abroad. The Codice Fiscale is a unique alphanumeric code that identifies individuals in their relations with Italian public administration, and it is necessary for a variety of transactions, such as opening a bank account, signing a lease, or purchasing a property. For more information on how to obtain a Codice Fiscale, you can refer to the page on Tax Number.

To obtain power of attorney as an Italian citizen, you can go to an authorized diplomatic-consular mission, except for some European countries. If you're a foreign citizen, you can consult a local notary. However, if the power of attorney is issued by a local notary, it must be translated into Italian and legalized. For more information on translations and legalizations, see Translation and legalisation of documents. For more information on power of attorney, see Procure.

A certificate of conformity, also known as a certificate of authentication, can be obtained from an Italian consulate abroad. The document must be presented in its original language and a translation into Italian may also be required. Consulates usually have a list of official translators that they can recommend. For more information on translations and legalizations, please see the relevant section on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

You can see the section of Civil Status.

Please visit the INPS website for all information and support.

You may obtain the Guida alla notifica all'estero degli atti giudiziari ed extragiudiziari in materia civile e commerciale from the page Notifiche all'estero, which offers all the necessary details.

If you get divorced in another country and the divorce meets Italian legal requirements, it will be recognized in Italy. You need to register the foreign divorce decree with the relevant Italian Municipality. To do this, you can contact the Consular Office of the country where the divorce was obtained or your Italian Municipality. If the divorce was obtained in an EU country, different rules apply under Regulation (EC) 2201/2003. More information can be found on the Recognition of foreign divorce decrees page.

If your ex-husband or partner has taken your child abroad without your consent, there are special procedures you can follow under Italian and international law. You can find information on international adoptions on the Adozioni internazionali webpage. To address the situation of international child abduction, you can refer to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website's page on the international abduction of minors:
https://www.esteri.it/MAE/IT/servizi/italiani-all-estero/Minori/SottrazioneInternazionaleMinori.htm
It's also recommended that you read the brochure "Bambini Contesi. Guida per i genitori" carefully, which provides useful information for parents dealing with this painful phenomenon.

If your passport or other important documents have been stolen, you should first report the theft to the local police. In the EU, you can call the emergency number 112 for this purpose. Afterward, you may contact the local Italian Consulate to apply for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). This document is valid only for your return trip to Italy, within the foreign country where you reside, or in exceptional cases, for a different destination. For more information, please refer to the Loss or Theft of Documents page and the Financial Assistance Abroad page.

If you are in a country where there is no Italian embassy or consulate, you can request consular protection from the diplomatic mission of any European Union Member State. They will provide you with the necessary assistance and protection according to their own rules and procedures. For more information, please refer to the Consular Services page.

If you are arrested in a foreign country and you need assistance, you can refer to the Assistance to Detainees page to find out what a diplomatic mission can do to help you.

To locate the Italian embassy or consulate nearest to you, you can refer to the List of Italian Embassies and Consulates, which is available on the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. You can search for the embassy or consulate by country and city to find their contact details and information about their services.

Foreign educational credentials are not automatically recognized in Italy. To have them evaluated and recognized, you can refer to CIMEA (Centro Informazioni sulla Mobilità e le Equivalenze Accademiche). CIMEA is the Italian Information Centre on Academic Mobility and Equivalence. It provides information and assistance to individuals seeking recognition of foreign educational qualifications in Italy. For more information, please refer to the CIMEA website.

If you have lost your Italian identity card or it has been stolen, and you wish to retrieve it, you should contact the Italian consulate with jurisdiction in the place where it was lost or stolen. The consulate may be able to return the card to you directly or send it to you by mail upon request and at your expense. However, if the identity card is recovered and not claimed within one year, it will be automatically destroyed.