From residence permits to SPID: everything you need to know to navigate documents and bureaucracy

Moving to Bologna for work, study, or new projects also means taking care of some essential administrative procedures.
Here you will find a concise guide to help you navigate documents, registrations, and procedures useful for living and working in the Metropolitan City of Bologna.

If you are relocating with your pet, you can find all the necessary information on the Ministry of Health website.

An entry visa is an official document issued by the Italian State that allows a foreign citizen to enter the country for a specific period of time and for specific purposes.

The type of visa required depends on the reason for your stay and its duration, and each visa requires specific supporting documents. Comprehensive information on the required documentation is available on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

For work purposes (whether as an employee, seasonal worker, or self-employed), the visa application process begins once a work authorization (nulla osta) has been issued.  This authorization must be requested by the employer through the dedicated portal of the Ministry of the Interior.

The nulla osta is essential for non-EU citizens in order to obtain an entry visa and subsequently apply for a residence permit. Once the nulla osta has been granted, the worker can apply for the entry visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in their country of origin or residence.

If you are not a citizen of the European Union and wish to stay in Italy for more than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit. This document authorizes you to legally reside in Italy for a extended periods.

The type of residence permit you need depends on the visa you obtained to enter the country, and it must correspond to the purpose of your stay (work, study, research, family reunification, etc.).

Your application must be submitted within 8 working days of your arrival in Italy. Depending on the type of permit, you can apply at the Post Office (Sportello Amico), the SUI – Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione (Single Immigration Desk) at the Prefecture of Bologna, or the Bologna Police Headquarters (Questura).

The residence permit allows you to carry out the activities specified on the document and to access services available to foreign citizens, including registration in the municipal registry and the subsequent issuance of an identity card and tax code.

For practical assistance with residence permit procedures, you can turn to local associations that provide dedicated support services for foreign citizens.

The codice fiscale is your personal identification number for all tax and administrative purposes in Italy. It is a 16-character alphanumeric code used when dealing with public authorities and institutions.

You will need it for essential activities such as registering with the National Health Service (SSN), accessing social benefits, signing any type of contract (employment, housing, internet and mobile services, etc.), or opening a bank account.

You can request a codice fiscale free of charge at any office of the Italian Revenue Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) by filling out the AA4/8 form and, for non-EU citizens, also the residence permit (or receipt of application). The application can be submitted at any Revenue Agency office in your area.

Your residence is the place of your habitual dwelling — your main home, where you live on a stable and lasting basis and where you must be reachable.

Being registered as a resident (residenza anagrafica) in the population register entitles you to obtain civil status and registry certificates, access demographic services, benefit from the legal and tax advantages available to residents of that municipality.

If you decide to live permanently in the area, you can register your residence at the Registry Office (Ufficio Anagrafe) of the municipality where you live.

Detailed instructions on how to apply, along with the required documents, can be found on the website of the relevant municipality.

The Electronic Identity Card (CIE) is Italy’s official electronic identity document.
It allows verification of the holder’s identity during administrative procedures at public offices or in any situation where proof of identity is required.

Thanks to its contactless microchip, the CIE enables Italian and foreign citizens to access online services of authorized Public Administrations, sign digital documents using an Advanced Electronic Signature (AES), both within public administration procedures and in private transactions.

You can request the CIE at the Registry Office (Ufficio Anagrafe), by appointment.
You will need to provide a passport-style photo, your tax code (codice fiscale), a valid identity document (and a residence permit if you are a non-EU citizen).

The Public Digital Identity System (SPID) allows you to access all online services of the Public Administration using a single digital identity. It can be used on a computer, tablet, or smartphone with a personal set of credentials (username and password).

SPID is free and can be activated by following the instructions on the dedicated website.

To obtain SPID, you must have an Electronic Identity Card (CIE).

The Italian driving license is an official authorization required to drive motor vehicles on public roads. Licenses are divided into categories depending on the type of vehicle the holder is authorized to drive.

The license conversion follows different procedures depending on the license held by the EU or non-EU citizen upon entering Italy.

Non-EU citizens holding a driving license issued by a country that does not have a reciprocity agreement with Italy must obtain a new license.

For all matters related to driving licenses, you should contact the Bologna Civil Motorization Office(Ufficio Motorizzazione Civile di Bologna).

If you bring a car from abroad and plan to use it in Italy for more than 12 months, you must register it with Italian number plates.

The registration procedure can be completed at the Civil Motorization Office (Ufficio Motorizzazione Civile) or through authorized vehicle registration agencies.

For all matters related to vehicle registration, you should contact the  Bologna Civil Motorization Office.