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After You Arrive

Your First Weeks in Italy

A simple plan for your first 24 hours, first 3 days and first week in Italy, in the order that matters.

Italy Arrival Timeline
  • Go to your housing: Keep your rental contract or housing letter.
  • Save 112: The emergency number in Italy and the rest of Europe.

Priority
First 24 Hours

Rest, reach your housing and keep your papers safe.

Essential Tasks

  • Go to your housing: Keep your rental contract or housing letter safe. You need it later.
  • Note your arrival date: You need it for the 8-day rule on your permit kit.

Quick Tips

Emergency contacts to save

  • Emergency (ambulance, fire, police): 112

First day

  • Keep your passport, visa and university letters together.
  • Keep the date you entered Italy. The 8-day rule starts then.

First 3 Days

Get your papers in order and meet your university.

Campus & Administration

  • Visit the international office: Ask how your university helps with the permit kit and enrolment.

Local Orientation

  • Find your post office: Look for one with a "Sportello Amico" desk. It has the permit kit, a paper form pack.

First Week

This week, start your residence permit and your enrolment.

Official Registration

  • Residence permit kit: Hand in the kit at a post office with a "Sportello Amico" desk (the desk for this service) within 8 working days of arrival. You pay a EUR 16 tax stamp (marca da bollo), EUR 30 for the post office service and EUR 70.46 for the electronic permit card.
  • University enrolment: Finish your enrolment as your university asks. Without a permit yet, your university can enrol you for now.
  • Questura appointment: Your post office letter gives the date to give fingerprints at the police headquarters (Questura, the police office for foreigners).

Social & Practical

  • Join welcome events: Some universities hand out the permit kit at welcome events before each semester.

Safety and Emergency

Save this number in your phone.

Emergency Numbers

ServiceNumber
European emergency number (ambulance, fire, police), free from any phone112

Safety Tips

  • Carry your passport and your post office receipt until your permit card is ready.

Common Questions

Next Steps

Next: enrol at your university

See how to finish your enrolment once you are in Italy.

University Enrolment Guide