Required Documents For Non-EU Students Studying In Italy

It was just only a few weeks ago that I was informed that I'm finally gonna go to Florence to pursue my Master's Degree. For months I have waited my student visa application to arrive. I was starting to feel that me going to Italy was a blur because of the time it took for my passport to be returned. Finally, that day did come! It was only a few days that I got to prepare everything before I fly out to Italy, so I just made sure that I bring with me all of the things that are important, such as documents.

Here are some of the things that I brought with me that were used upon my arrival in Florence, Italy.

1. Passport/Visa (of course)

2. The copy of certificate of enrollment from your school, the one you sent to the

Italian Embassy. It should have the stamp from the embassy.

3. Bank statements

4. Health Insurance

5. Passport photos

I actually brought a lot, but those mentioned above were the only ones used. Again, just bring other documents just to be sure. So the next step is to process some papers needed for your stay as a student in Florence, Italy.

1. Permit to stay (Permesso di soggiorno)

This is the first step that you should do upon arriving. Well not exactly immediately when you land, but maybe the next day because you're probably jet lagged. You need to get a "permit to stay" form any post office within 8 working days upon your arrival. Fill up the "Modulo 1" form. Your school will help you out filling up the form because it's all in Italian. Be sure to prepare the following before submitting it back to the post office:

- Modulo 1 form

- passport/visa

- photocopy of your passport & visa

- bank statements/copy of your credit or debit cards

- 4 passport photos (they didn't take these on the first visit, but it's required on the next visit)

- Tax stamp "Marco da Bollo" (you can buy this one at any Tabbachi/Tobacco shop for 16 euros)

- Money around 150 euros (there are some fees that you need to pay at the post office)

Upon submitting all of these, they will give you a paper/receipt which serves as your permit to stay or "Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivo di Studio." It took me about 10 minutes for this to be done. Just go to the post office when it's not peak hours. They will contact you soon for the schedule of your appearance at the Questura(Police Headquarters). 

Your next schedule at the Questura will be 6 months after you've sent the Modulo 1 form. And then another month to have your finger prints again at the Questura. So a total of (atleast)7 months for you to receive the physical card. But for now, you're good with the permit they have given you. 

2. Fiscal Code (Codice Fiscale)

I didn't know that I needed this one, until my landlady asked me for one before I could move in into my new apartment. The Italian Fiscal Code is a tax code card in Italy. You need to get this one when you want to open a bank, or if you're renting an apartment for more than 30 days. You can get this one at an Italian tax office(Agenzia delle Entrate). I went to "Via Santa Caterina D'Alessandria, 23, 50129 Firenze FI" branch. All you need are:

- passport/visa

- copy of your passport & visa

- and a pen(I bought one in a store because I forgot to bring 1)

Applying for this one takes about 5-10 minutes. No sweat. Plus, it's for free!

So that's it! Those are the only 2 things that needed immediate action when you've arrived in Italy. It was such a hassle for me because I was all alone when I applied for these(I was late in my school because of my visa delay), and I wasn't able to do it with my classmates. After applying these documents, I was able to relax a bit. I hope this post will help to those upcoming students here in Italy.

Ciao! :)