Has anyone heard of getting a permesso di soggiorno (permit to stay) when visiting Italy ? My husband and I will be going this year and as I was checking the Italian embassy site, I came across a general information bulletin that says 'all foreigners visiting Italy must report to the questura of the city they are visiting to obtain a permesso di soggiorno within 8 days of entry to Italy'. Is this true/still valid up to this day ?
Thanks !
I believe that's why Italian hotels take your passport information - they do this for you.
Debra's right on the money.
A soggiorno is necessary to stay longer than 3 months. They last as long as each city determines. Normally 2-3 years. It is like a green card. I don't know if you can just get one as a visitor. If you're here for a year try for a visa. They last a year.
In theory it is true, but unless you are going to be staying a length of time in Italy then don't worry about getting a permesso, which you would really need if you were planning on working or studying in Italy, or staying for a longer length of time. It is the equivalent of a visa, but the length of time depends on where you are from and what you are doing in Italy. There is an application and you must submit a photo, and then they give you this strip of paper to keep as a receipt while the paperwork is being processed. What the hotels do is different. The reason why the hotel takes your passport is because they are required under one of Italy's Anti Mafia laws to report to the police all people who are staying in the hotel each night.
Thanks. I got a little worried there for a bit. It also says on the embassy website that you need to surrender that piece of paper when leaving Italy... Anyway, it's our first time to visit, I just want to make sure we will have a memorable trip (but not for the wrong reasons :)
