What Is Town Hall Registration In Italy And Why Do You Need It
Regardless of whether you are an EU or a non-EU citizen, if you are planning on living in Italy full-time, you will need to register at the Town Hall as a resident where you live. This is a vital step in your Italian immigration process and is required to keep you compliant while living here.
How to Register:
Depending on where you live, you may need to make an appointment to register, or in other cases, you can simply show up in person with all the required documents. Some town halls will also allow EU and non-EU citizens to register remotely by sending all the necessary documentation by email or PEC email.
List of Required Documents:
Before going to register at the Town Hall, it is a good idea to call or write in advance and ask them for the list of documents that you will need to bring with you. Even though Italy has national immigration laws, these can be interpreted differently from city to city and even from office to office. Therefore, it will behoove you to get the list of documents in advance that your town hall requires to register someone.
The following is the list of documents that the Town Hall normally requires to register a foreigner:
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- Passport for each family member, along with photocopies of the ID pages.
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- Support Letter on headed notepaper issued by the worker’s company and signed by the local Human Resources manager; a copy of his or her ID may also be requested.
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- Proof of funds. If you are not employed or have filed tax returns if you are self-employed, sometimes the Town Hall will accept a self-declaration that you have enough funds to support yourself and/or your family. However, they may also ask to see bank statements to show sufficient funds to be able to live in Italy.
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- Copy of Work Permit and Permit of Stay (This applies only to non-EU).
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- Copy of the lease contract and its registration receipt from the Italian tax office or a signed letter of hospitality from a relative or friend.
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- Copies of the main applicant’s last two pay slips
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- Italian Tax Code for each family member
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- S1 form for EU citizens (if required)— this must be obtained before coming to Italy.
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- Certified and legalized copies of any other documents required, such as marriage or birth certificates.
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- If required, proof of medical insurance that covers you in Italy should be issued by the carrier on their letterhead. Ideally, this letter should be in Italian. Again, please note that this list may vary from one Town Hall to another. In the case of applicants who are not employees, self-employed, or retirees, the Town Hall has the right to ask for proof of economic self-sufficiency.
Why do you need to register at the Town Hall?
Apart from the fact that it is needed for compliance, registering at the Town Hall is also mandatory to be able to carry out the following:
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- Health Care Registration (SSN): You cannot register for the Italian Health Care Service until you are registered as a resident in Italy.
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- Car Purchase and Registration or Importation— Neither can be completed until you are a resident.
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- Bank Account: You can only get a fully functioning bank account once you have become an Italian resident.
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- Italian ID Card: This can only be applied for once you are registered at the Town Hall.
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- Driving License: You cannot exchange your license or get an Italian one until you are a resident.
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- Utilities: As a resident, you get better rates.
If you would like to book a premium consultation for case-specific information, please feel free to contact me.
