Giorgio
Lawyer · Genoa, Italy
- 148 cases handled
- 11+ years in practice
- Speaks: Russian, English
- Law, University of Genoa
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5.00(5 reviews)
EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) in Italy
EU citizens who stay in Italy for more than three months register their residence with the town hall (anagrafe) and can then obtain the attestazione di regolare soggiorno, the certificate of their right to live there. English-speaking lawyers in Italy prepare the documents, deal with the comune and handle family members from outside the EU.
About EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) in Italy
The EU citizen registration certificate in Italy (also called the EU residency certificate or the registration of residence for EU citizens; in Italian attestazione di regolare soggiorno, obtained after registration in the town hall registry, iscrizione anagrafica) confirms that a citizen of another EU country lives in Italy legally. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “EU Residency Certificate (for EU Citizens)”. It is neither a visa nor a residence permit: EU citizens do not need a permesso di soggiorno, but a stay of more than three months is registered with the comune.
Who it is for
EU citizens moving to Italy to work, to run a business, to study or to live on their own means, such as pensioners. British citizens are no longer covered since the United Kingdom left the EU, except those who already lived in Italy before, who hold a separate status. Family members from outside the EU use a different document, described below.
How it works in Italy
The application is made at the registry office (anagrafe) of the comune where the person lives. Besides an identity document and a codice fiscale, the comune asks for proof of the reason for the stay: an employment contract or business registration for workers and the self-employed or, for people who do not work, sufficient resources and health insurance valid in Italy; students show their enrolment as well. The local police (polizia locale) usually check that the person really lives at the address. Once registered, the person can obtain the attestazione and an Italian identity card from the comune, and after a long period of legal residence an attestazione of permanent residence. The level of resources is linked to a social benefit amount that is updated every year; a lawyer confirms the current one.
What to watch for
- Registration also starts tax residence and access to the national health service, each with its own steps.
- Comuni differ in the documents they ask for and in waiting times, and the address check can delay the file.
- Non-EU spouses, partners and children of an EU citizen apply to the police headquarters (questura) for a residence card for family members, not to the comune; see family reunification.
- Foreign documents such as a birth or marriage certificate may need an apostille and a translation.
What a lawyer does
A lawyer checks which category applies, prepares the documents and the health insurance evidence, books the registration, follows the address check and later requests the permanent residence attestazione. For citizenship after years of residence, see Italian citizenship.
Questions and answers
Do EU citizens need a residence permit in Italy?
No. They register their residence with the comune; the permesso di soggiorno is for non-EU citizens.
Is the attestazione the same as a certificate of residence?
No. The certificato di residenza is a routine certificate of the address in the registry; the attestazione confirms the right to stay as an EU citizen.
What if I do not work?
Pensioners and others who do not work show sufficient resources and health insurance; students show their enrolment too.
Can a lawyer register for me?
A lawyer can prepare the file and deal with the comune, but the person has to live at the address, and some comuni ask the applicant to attend in person.
1 lawyer who provides EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) in Italy
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What our clients say about our service in Italy
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She replied extremely fast to my first inquiry, quickly arranged a meeting to go over the details, and answered all my questions. Reaching her by phone or text was easy, she was punctual, and she was fun and personable to talk to as well, with perfect English. After I had struggled for months to get this done on my own, she sorted everything out for me in record time. Anyone trying to navigate Greek bureaucracy should hire her, and I would recommend her.
— Ine06 Aug 2026 -
She is simply fantastic, and I can recommend her services highly. She guided me through the entire process, which ended successfully, and she was always available and easy to communicate with.
— Cameron30 Jan 2026EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) -
In applying for my Spanish green card, the lawyer was very efficient and professional, and she reassured me again and again whenever I had doubts about the process. I am a foreigner who speaks little of the language, and she was easy to deal with in English. She submitted every form on time, so my part was little more than trusting her experience and guidance. I am more than happy with the results.
— Kenneth22 Nov 2024EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) -
The service was very good, with timely responses throughout. The lawyer was accurate and knowledgeable. I would recommend her to anyone and would use her again.
— Kate30 Aug 2024EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) -
I got what I needed in Spain without problems, with excellent assistance.
— Harald20 Mar 2024 -
My experience is excellent. Using a lawyer who speaks fluent English, I am confident that I am compliant with Spanish law. We have an open and honest relationship, and I trust that the lawyer is always acting in my best interest.
— Julie11 Mar 2024EU Citizen Registration Certificate (Residency Certificate) -
The lawyer gave an excellent service. She and her team responded very quickly to what we needed and got us past every difficulty that arose, with great professionalism. I was completely satisfied with the result. I would warmly recommend her to friends and colleagues.
— peter02 Mar 2022 -
The support was excellent, thank you.
— Jessie27 Oct 2021 -
Her English was impeccable and she answered every email very quickly. Our Spanish residency application came at a very difficult moment, when Covid travel restrictions applied, and I wrote to her countless times in a panic that we would never finish it. She stayed patient, knowledgeable, reassuring and informative throughout. When we met at the Immigration Centre she was friendly yet professional. I cannot judge the value for money, as I had no idea what this process should cost.
— Helen29 Sep 2021 -
She was fantastic all the way through my application for Spanish residency. Whenever I had a question she was just a phone call or a WhatsApp message away, and she did more than I expected to keep everything running smoothly. I was completely satisfied with the result. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a solicitor.
— Antony02 Sep 2021 -
I was extremely pleased with the whole service.
— Rex02 Jul 2021 -
Excellent, professional work from the lawyer and his team, and I am completely satisfied. I valued his careful eye for detail and would warmly recommend him.
— Paul30 Jun 2021