How to obtain a long-term residence permit in Italy? A 2026 updated legal guide on the requirements for a Permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo (5-year residence permit), income, A2 Italian language skills, family applications, costs, rejection and renewal processes.

Entrance

In Italy, a long-term residence permit is an important legal institution that enables non-EU citizens to obtain a more secure, permanent, and privileged residency status in Italy. This permit “permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo” . It replaces the old status known as “carta di soggiorno” and was introduced as part of the harmonization with the European Union regulations concerning long-term residence for third-country nationals. In Italy, the legal framework for this status was established through the implementation of EU Directive 2003/109/CE and the amendment of Article 9 of the Migration Law, with D.Lgs. n. 3/2007.

This residence permit differs from classic temporary residence permits. Foreigners in Italy for work, education, family reunification, investment, optional residence, or other reasons usually hold temporary residence cards. These cards are renewed at specific intervals and depend on the continuation of the person's primary reason for application, such as work, education, family, or investment. A long-term EU residence permit, on the other hand, is a stronger status that recognizes the person's stable, regular, and long-term settlement in Italy.

However, this permit is not granted automatically. The individual must have a valid residence permit in Italy for at least 5 years, demonstrate sufficient income, meet the housing requirements in some cases, not pose a risk to public order or state security, and prove a certain level of Italian language proficiency. According to the official immigration portal, a long-term EU residence permit can be granted to a foreigner who has had a valid residence permit for at least 5 years and demonstrates a minimum income not less than the annual social assistance payment.

What is an Italian Long-Term Residence Permit?

An Italian long-term residence permit is a special residency status granted to non-EU citizens, recognizing their stable settlement in Italy. Holders of this status enjoy broader rights than those with regular temporary residence permits. These include visa-free entry to Italy, the right to work, access to social benefits, access to healthcare and education services, participation in certain public services, and the right to apply for some public competitions. According to official statements, long-term residence permit holders can enter Italy without a visa, engage in dependent or independent work activities (except in areas reserved exclusively for citizens or prohibited for foreigners), and access certain social, healthcare, school, and public services.

This permit is sometimes referred to as "indefinite leave to remain" among the public. However, technically, it is necessary to distinguish between the two concepts. Long-term residency status is permanent; however, the physical residence card indicating this status has a specific validity period. With the amendment in 2021, it was clarified that this card is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for those under 18, and is automatically renewed at the end of the period by applying with new photos.

Therefore, this authorization does not mean "no further transactions will be made." The individual retains their status; however, they are still required to complete necessary administrative procedures such as updating the document, renewing the card when it expires, or changing their address, marital status, or passport.

Who can apply for a long-term residence permit in Italy?

Applications for long-term residence permits in Italy can be made by foreigners who are not citizens of the European Union and who reside regularly in Italy. Turkish citizens are also considered third-country nationals within this scope and, if they meet the requirements, can apply for a long-term EU residence permit.

To apply, the applicant must first possess a valid residence permit in Italy. This permit may be based on work, family, optional residence, religious reasons, protection status, or another suitable category. However, not every type of residence permit results in the same outcome for a long-term residence application. Official sources state that in some cases, such as student or vocational training, humanitarian reasons, short-term residence permits, and diplomatic/consular status, a long-term residence permit may not be granted directly.

There is an important distinction here: some periods may be taken into account in the 5-year calculation; however, the individual must be in a status eligible for a long-term residence permit at the time of application. For example, someone with only a student residence permit may not be able to directly obtain a long-term EU residence permit. However, if the applicant has switched to a work or family residence permit after their student residence permit, how the previous legal residence periods will be assessed must be examined on a case-by-case basis.

First Requirement: At Least 5 Years of Legal Residency

The fundamental requirement for a long-term residence permit in Italy is that the applicant has held a valid residence permit in Italy for at least five years . This period refers not only to physical presence in Italy but also to legally and verifiably residing there. The official immigration portal explicitly states that the applicant must have held a valid residence permit for at least five years.

Interruptions are crucial in calculating the five-year period. Spending extended periods outside Italy can prevent the required residency period from being met. According to official statements, more than six months continuously or more than ten months will invalidate the application period, except in cases of military service or serious, documented reasons.

Therefore, a Turkish citizen aiming for long-term residency should carefully monitor their departures from Italy during their years in the country. Periods spent outside Italy for holidays, business trips, family visits in Türkiye, health reasons, or commercial reasons can be evaluated together with passport records, flight documents, and residence permit validity periods. During the application process, the administration may look not only at the validity period of the residence permit but also at the actual continuity of residence.

Second Requirement: Having a Valid Residence Permit

The applicant must possess a valid residence permit at the time of application. Applying for a long-term residence permit based on an expired, unrenewed, cancelled, or legally invalidated permit carries a significant risk of refusal.

Therefore, before applying, the type, validity, renewal status of the existing residence permit, and the applicant's status in Italy should be checked. For example, if a work permit holder has lost their job and has not applied for renewal, if a family permit holder's family ties have ended, or if a student permit holder has completed their educational program but has not changed their status, a long-term residence permit application may become problematic.

A long-term residence permit is a status that demonstrates a person's stable settlement in Italy. Therefore, the authorities can assess whether the applicant's current residence complies with the law, not only formally but also in practice.

Third Condition: Sufficient Income

One of the most important requirements for applying for a long-term residence permit in Italy is sufficient income. The applicant must demonstrate that they have an income no less than the annual social assistance amount. The official immigration portal states that the minimum income for a long-term residence permit must not be less than the annual assegno sociale amount

The social security contribution amount announced by INPS for 2026 is €546.24 per month for 13 months, or €7,101.12 per year. This amount is considered as the basic reference in income adequacy assessments for single persons.

Income is examined not only in terms of amount but also in terms of the legality and continuity of the source. Income from employment, self-employment income, company income, retirement income, or other regular sources may be considered. The applicant must prove their income with tax returns, payslips, employment contracts, CUD/Certificazione Unica, tax statements, bank records, and accounting documents.

If long-term residency is requested for family members as well, the income requirement increases. In family applications, income is assessed in conjunction with family reunification parameters; in this case, additional amounts are added to the annual social assistance amount for each family member, and special thresholds may apply for two or more children under the age of 14. ASGI's 2024 guidance also states that for family member applications, income should be increased to half the social assistance amount for each family member, and for two or more children under the age of 14, the social assistance amount should be at least double.

Fourth Condition: Adequate Housing

If the application is for the applicant only, whether or not a housing suitability certificate is required in each case may be assessed in practice depending on the type of application and local administrative practices. However, if a long-term residence permit is also requested for family members, the suitability of housing becomes clearly important. According to the official immigration portal, if a long-term residence permit is requested for family members, the housing must meet the minimum standards set for regional public housing or be determined by the competent health authorities to meet hygiene and health conditions.

The suitability of the housing requirement is one of the most problematic areas, especially in family applications. A rental agreement or title deed alone may not always be sufficient. The size of the dwelling, the number of people, the number of rooms, hygiene conditions, municipal registration, occupancy permit, and local compliance documents can all become important factors.

For Turkish citizens, the important point to consider at this stage is that the rented or purchased property in Italy must not only be the actual place of residence but also be suitable and verifiable for administrative application purposes. Especially if applying on behalf of family members, it should be checked beforehand whether the necessary suitability certificate can be obtained from the municipality or relevant authority.

Fifth Requirement: A2 Level Italian Language Proficiency

Italy has a language requirement for long-term residence permit applications. Applicants must demonstrate at least an A2 level. According to the official immigration portal, the minimum Italian language level required for a long-term residence permit is A2, within the framework of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.

This requirement can be fulfilled in several ways. The applicant may submit an A2 level Italian language certificate issued by the relevant authorities. Official sources list recognized certification institutions such as the University for Foreigners in Perugia, the University for Foreigners in Siena, Roma Tre University, Società Dante Alighieri, and the Reggio Calabria “Dante Alighieri” University for Foreigners.

Alternatively, language proficiency can also be proven with educational documents such as middle school, high school, or university diplomas obtained in Italy. In some cases, it may also be acceptable for the applicant to be enrolled in a master's, doctoral, or academic program at a legally recognized university in Italy to fulfill the language requirement.

If the applicant does not have a certificate, they can apply for an Italian language test through Prefettura. According to the official statement, the test application is made through an electronic system; after the competent authority checks the application, it calls the person online to the test date and location. If the test is successful, the result is sent to Questura, and if other conditions are also met, a long-term residence permit can be issued.

Some individuals are exempt from the language requirement. Children under 14 years of age and individuals with severe learning disabilities documented by a medical report may not be required to take the test.

Sixth Condition: Absence of Obstacles in Terms of Public Order and Security

In Italy, for a long-term residence permit application, it is not enough to simply meet the requirements of duration, income, and language. The applicant must not be deemed a threat to public order or state security. Official sources state that long-term residence permits cannot be granted to foreigners deemed a threat to public order or state security.

This assessment may examine the individual's criminal record, ongoing criminal investigations or convictions, whether they pose a risk to public safety, their status under preventive measures, and their personal circumstances. While some convictions may directly lead to the rejection of the application, in other cases the administration must conduct a proportionality and concrete risk assessment.

Therefore, prior to applying, the applicant's criminal record in the relevant countries, including Italy and Turkey, should be carefully checked. Long-term residency applications, in particular, should not be treated as a simple renewal process; the applicant's past legal history must be analyzed in terms of its impact on the case.

Required Documents for Application

The documents required for an Italian long-term residence permit application may vary depending on the individual's situation. However, the following documents are generally important:

Required documents include a valid passport, current residence permit, documents proving 5 years of legal residence in Italy, residence records, income documents, tax returns, payslips, employment contract, documents proving family ties (if applying for family members), proof of suitable housing, A2 Italian language certificate or test result, photograph, application form, postage stamp, and payment receipts.

According to the Portale Immigrazione cost table, a long-term EU residence permit application may incur costs of €16 for stamp duty, €30.46 for the production of the electronic residence permit card, €100 for the long-term residence permit contribution, and €30 for postage.

The documents must be current and consistent. There should be no discrepancies between the identity information in the applicant's passport and the information in their residence permit, municipal registration, tax documents, and employment contract. If applying for family members, documents such as population registration certificates, marriage certificates, and birth certificates obtained from Türkiye must be apostilled and translated into Italian separately.

Where and How to Apply?

Applications for long-term residence permits are generally processed through a postal kit and Questura process. The applicant completes the relevant forms, attaches documents, pays the required fees, and submits the application through the authorized post office. After the application, the applicant a ricevuta, or receipt of application. This receipt is an important document proving the application has been submitted until the residence permit card is issued.

The applicant is then called for an appointment by Questura for fingerprinting and document verification. They are asked to complete any missing documents. The language test result, income requirement, length of residence, housing suitability, and public safety review are all considered together. If the application is accepted, a long-term EU residence permit is issued.

According to official sources, the long-term residence permit is valid for 10 years for adults; while the status is permanent, an automatic renewal application with new photos is made at the end of the permit's validity period.

Rights Provided by Long-Term Residence Permit

An Italian long-term residence permit grants its holder stronger rights than temporary residence permits. Individuals with this status can enter Italy without a visa and enjoy the right to free movement within Italy. They also receive significant advantages regarding work permits.

According to the official statement, long-term residence permit holders can work independently or as employees in Italy, except for jobs legally reserved for Italian citizens or prohibited for foreigners. A separate "contratto di soggiorno" (settlement contract) is not required for dependent employment.

This status is also important in terms of access to social rights. Provided that the individual can prove their actual residence, they have a stronger legal position in areas such as social assistance, social security, health, education, public services, and access to publicly available goods and services. The official portal explicitly lists the rights of long-term residents to access social assistance, social security, health, education, and public services.

In addition, long-term residents may participate in certain public competitions. However, tasks involving the direct or indirect use of public power or relating to the protection of national interests are excluded from this scope.

Does a long-term residence permit grant citizenship?

An Italian long-term residence permit does not automatically grant citizenship. However, it can be considered an important step in the citizenship process, as it demonstrates that the individual has been living in Italy for an extended period in a regular and stable manner.

Italian citizenship also requires fulfilling the conditions stipulated in citizenship law. For non-EU citizens, naturalization generally requires long-term legal residency. A long-term residence permit is of practical and legal importance as it demonstrates the stability of this residency period. However, the citizenship application may also include an assessment of income, criminal record, Italian language proficiency, integration, and public order.

Therefore, long-term residence permits should not be confused with citizenship. A person may have permanent residency status in Italy; however, they are still considered a foreigner who retains their own citizenship. Rights such as the right to vote, an Italian passport, EU citizenship, and diplomatic protection only come into play upon acquiring citizenship.

Rejection of Long-Term Residence Permit Application

Applications may be rejected for reasons such as failure to meet the 5-year legal residency requirement, insufficient income, prolonged absence from Italy, lack of a valid residence permit, failure to meet the A2 language requirement, lack of a suitable housing certificate, public order risk, or document discrepancies.

The most common risks, especially for Turkish citizens, are: interruption of the 5-year residency period due to prolonged stay in Türkiye, inability to present income documents compliant with the Italian tax system, expiration of the current residence permit at the time of application, failure to meet the income and housing requirements for family members, and failure to meet the language requirement.

In case of refusal, the applicant's administrative and judicial remedies should be evaluated according to the specific decision. The date of notification of the decision, the grounds for refusal, the competent court, the time limit, and the type of application are important. Therefore, the reason stated in the refusal decision should be carefully examined; it should be determined whether it is a situation that can be remedied with missing documents or whether it is a dispute of legal interpretation.

Cancellation or Loss of Long-Term Residence Permit

Long-term residence status is strong but not absolute. In some cases, it may be revoked or lost. Official sources state that a long-term residence permit can be revoked if it was obtained fraudulently, subsequently poses a danger to public order or security, if the holder leaves the territory of the European Union for 12 consecutive months, obtains a similar long-term residence permit in another EU country, or remains away from Italy for 6 years.

Furthermore, the deportation of long-term residents is subject to stricter conditions than for ordinary foreigners. According to official statements, these individuals can only be deported for serious reasons of public order or national security, or as part of specific preventive measures; the decision must take into account the person's age, length of stay in Italy, family and social ties, and ties to their country of origin.

Therefore, long-term residents should also maintain their ties with Italy, avoid leaving the country or the EU for extended periods, and not neglect administrative obligations such as renewing their cards and updating their addresses.

Pre-Application Legal Checklist

Before applying for long-term residency in Italy, the following questions should definitely be considered:

Has the applicant actually resided legally in Italy for 5 years? During this time, have they spent more than 6 months continuously or more than 10 months in total outside of Italy? Is their current residence permit valid? Is their current residence type suitable for long-term residency? Can they demonstrate income equivalent to at least the annual social welfare benefit amount by 2026? If applying for family members, are the income and housing requirements sufficient? Do they have an A2 Italian language certificate or test result? Do they have a criminal record or any situation that could pose a risk to public order? Are there any discrepancies in names, dates, addresses, or identities in the documents?

Clarifying these questions before applying significantly reduces the risk of rejection. A long-term residence application should not be treated like a routine card renewal. This application is a serious administrative process affecting a person's permanent status in Italy.

Special Assessment for Turkish Citizens

For Turkish citizens, a long-term residence permit in Italy not only strengthens the right to live in Italy but also contributes to achieving a more stable legal status within the European Union. This permit is of strategic importance, especially for Turkish citizens working in Italy, owning businesses, living under family reunification agreements, having children studying in Italy, or aiming for long-term citizenship.

However, for Turkish citizens, preparing income documents requires special attention. How income earned in Türkiye will be evaluated in the Italian application, whether it has been declared in Italy, tax residency, and bank records are separate matters to be examined. While payslips and tax documents provide more direct proof for those working in Italy, translation, apostille, tax declaration, and continuity assessment become more important for rental, company, pension, or investment income originating from Turkey.

Furthermore, since Turkish citizens frequently travel to Türkiye, their periods of stay outside the country during the 5-year residency period should be carefully monitored. Past travel records may be reviewed during the application process, and prolonged absences may be grounds for refusal.

Conclusion

In Italy, a long-term residence permit is one of the most important residency statuses for Turkish citizens and other non-EU citizens who wish to establish a permanent and secure life in Italy. This permit grants individuals broader rights than ordinary temporary residence permits; it provides a stronger position in areas such as employment, access to social services, healthcare, education, public services, and visa-free entry to Italy.

However, long-term residence permits are not granted automatically. The applicant must have legally and continuously resided in the area for at least 5 years, possess a valid residence permit, demonstrate sufficient income not less than the annual social assistance amount, meet the housing requirements for family applications, prove A2 level Italian language proficiency, and not have any circumstances that would pose an obstacle to public order.

As of 2026, the annual social assistance amount used as the basis for income assessment for a single person is €7,101.12. If applying for family members, the income threshold increases and housing availability becomes even more important. Regarding application costs, stamp duty, electronic card production fee, long-term residence permit contribution, and postage fees should be considered.

Long-term residence permits do not directly grant citizenship; however, they provide a strong foundation for citizenship, long-term residency, family settlement, and legal status in Europe. Therefore, before applying, the duration of residence, income documents, language requirements, housing availability, criminal record, and travel history should be thoroughly examined. A well-prepared application legally secures a permanent residence plan in Italy, while an incomplete or incorrectly prepared file can jeopardize the outcome of a residency process that can last for years.