Conversion of Permit for Elective Residence

If you have obtained an elective residence visa and moved to Italy, you are very likely holding a permit of stay for elective residence.

Holders of a permit for elective residence must be able to support themselves through passive income. They cannot rely on income from active work; in fact, the prohibition on working is explicitly stated on the website of many Italian consulates among the requirements to apply for this visa.

However, after one year, this type of permit can be converted into a work permit (TUI art.6 c.1 bis, lett.c). Therefore, if your intention is to return to work, you may do so at that point. It goes without saying that you need a valid job offer, the employer must fulfil some requirements, etc.

In addition to that, after five years of legal residence in Italy, and, therefore, after five years of holding a valid permit of stay, you can apply for the permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo (TUI art.9), which is a long-term residence permit with no expiration on the right to stay; it must be renewed after 10 years only to update the photograph, similar to a passport. With this kind of permit, you are free to work.
Please note that, among other requirements, in order to obtain this kind of permit, you need to speak Italian (TUI art.9, c.2 bis).

If you need assistance, please contact us.

This article does not constitute legal advice, is not exhaustive and is a guidance only.

Barbara De Benedittis Relocation and Legal in Italy