Latest news with #Questura
Euronews
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Thousands of faithful gather at Pope Francis' final resting place in Rome basilica
ADVERTISEMENT Thousands of faithful have gathered since the early hours of Sunday at Rome's Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major to pray and pay their respects to Pope Francis who died last Easter Monday. The flow of faithful has continued uninterrupted since 7 am when the basilica opened its doors, but many had been queuing outside the church gates since the crack of dawn. According to sources at the Questura in Rome, some 20,000 people had reached the basilica by midday, 13,000 of whom had already entered. Several Eucharistic celebrations have been held in the side chapels of the basilica since opening time with a main mass at 10 am at the central altar. Due to the long queue, the faithful are invited to a very short prayer with a pause of only a few seconds in front of the pope's tomb near the effigy of the Salus Populi Romani. What Pope Francis' tomb looks like The tomb is simple, lit by a warm light, adorned only with a reproduction of the late pontiff's pectoral cross. Only "Francisus", the late pontiff's Latin name, is engraved on the pale marble, and a single white rose is laid. Visits will be allowed until around 7 pm on Sunday and then resume throughout the following days of official mourning, after which the Conclave to elect the next head of the Catholic Church will be held. No date has yet been set but the College of Cardinals must begin by 10 May, according to the dictates of canon law. Fedeli in fila per visitare la tomba di Papa Francesco nella Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, Roma, 27 aprile 2025 Alessandra Tarantino/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved Huge crowds descend on the Vatican The faithful also continued to flock to St Peter's Square in the Vatican on Sunday. According to the Vatican press office, about 200,000 people were present from St Peter's Square through to Via della Conciliazione, from Piazza Pia to Piazza Risorgimento. The solemn mass was presided over by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, former Secretary of State and one of the favourites for the next Conclave. Access to the square was blocked at around 10:30 am due to maximum capacity being reached. The faithful who were unable to access the parvis settled in Piazza Risorgimento and Piazza Pia to follow the mass from the jumbo screens. Piazza San Pietro colma di fedeli per la messa in suffragio di Papa Francesco, Città del Vaticano, 27 aprile 2025 Andreea Alexandru/Copyright 2025 The AP. All rights reserved Hundreds of young pilgrims in St Peter's Square for the Jubilee of Teenagers In addition to the people who came to Rome to pray for Pope Francis, thousands of young pilgrims from all over the world were present in the Vatican for the Jubilee of Teenagers. The three-day programme dedicated to the youth underwent some changes and the canonisation of Carlo Acutis, considered the first "millenial saint", was postponed. During the emotional mass in suffrage of Pope Francis, Cardinal Parolin reminded the young people that the Pope would have loved to meet them. ''Easter joy, which sustains us in the hour of trial and sadness, is something that can almost be touched in this square today,'' he said during his homily. ADVERTISEMENT "You can see it etched above all in your faces, dear children and adolescents who have come from all over the world to celebrate the Jubilee. You come from so many places: from all the dioceses of Italy, from Europe, from the United States to Latin America, from Africa to Asia, from the Arab Emirates. With you the whole world is truly present." ''To you I address a special greeting, and to the bishops and priests who have accompanied you, with the desire to make you feel the embrace of the Church and the affection of Pope Francis, who would have liked to meet you, look you in the eyes, pass among you to greet you,'' Parolin added to applause in the Piazza.
Local Italy
14-04-2025
- Local Italy
Checklist: How to move to Italy as an American
The number of US citizens living in Italy has increased in recent years, with some 16,534 Americans officially resident in the country as of 2024 – up from 15,582 in 2023 and 14,496 in 2022. The Local's US readers in Italy have recently told us that a better quality of life, a more affordable cost of living and concerns around gun culture and the current political climate in the US were among the main factors behind their decision to relocate. Whatever your reasons for considering a move, here's our checklist of things you'll want to factor in before making the leap. V isa Unless you are lucky enough to have dual nationality with an EU country, you will need a visa in order to move to Italy. The type of visa depends on your personal situation (e.g. whether you're retired, want to work in Italy or are a student) - so the first step is figuring out what type of visa you need. Note that visas must be applied for at the nearest consulate in your home country - it's only once the visa is issued that you can move to Italy. You can make short visits in advance if you want to house-hunt, but it's strongly advised not to make any long-term financial commitments until you know that your visa application has been successful. This can be tricky when applying for a visa that requires you to provide proof of address in Italy. In this case, you'll want to seek advice about adding a get-out clause to your rental contract, as a short-term holiday let usually won't cut it for these types of visa applications. Residency permit Before you pop open the Prosecco when your visa is approved, take the time to note what you need to do next. The exact process varies depending on the type of visa that you have, but in most cases you will need to apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residency permit) within eight working days of arriving in Italy. Applying for an Italian residency permit is a multi-step process that starts with filling out a form at your local post office, followed by at least a couple of trips to your nearest Questura police headquarters. Under Italian law, authorities have 60 days to process residency permit applications. But people applying for (or renewing) a permesso di soggiorno have long faced lengthy wait times, with some applicants describing the process as 'the most frustrating experience ever'. International residents in Italy have previously told The Local that they face wait times of over a year just to get an appointment at the local Questura. Rent/buy property Unless you already have a place to live, you will be looking to either rent or buy an apartment or house. If you are looking to buy property, you should keep in mind that taking out a mortgage in Italy can be far from straightforward for non-EU nationals, as they're considered a greater risk by lenders and are consequently subjected to more paperwork requirements and background checks compared to other applicants. This can lead to significant delays in the mortgage application process, which in turn may make it impossible for potential buyers to sign a purchase agreement by the relevant deadline. If you're looking to rent rather than buy, be aware that long-standing housing shortages can make it hard to find a place in major cities including Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice. And once you've found the right fit in the dog-eat-dog world of Italian real estate, it's strongly advisable to familiarise yourself with the world of Italian rental contracts before you put pen to paper on your agreement. Banking If you're looking to open a bank account in Italy, one of the very first decisions you'll be faced with is whether to opt for a traditional bank or a digital banking platform. Readers of The Local have in the past pointed to traditional banks as the best option, citing greater levels of trust in traditional institutions, the advantage of dealing with people face to face and, in some cases, the availability of specific services and information for foreign nationals. In general, opening an Italian bank account is not a problem for foreign nationals, though some Italian banks may be reluctant to take on American customers because of the US Fatca legislation, which requires foreign banks to send information about US customers to the IRS. Healthcare Once you've arrived in Italy, found somewhere to live and completed your immigration formalities, it's time to think about healthcare. Registering with Italy's national health service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, or SSN) gives you access to the same healthcare services available to Italian citizens – and under the same conditions (basic services such as doctor's visits are free of charge, whereas more complex forms of care and diagnostic tests are provided under a co-pay system). Some categories of non-EU resident - including employees of Italian companies, the self-employed and those on family permits, among other groups - are eligible for 'mandatory registration' (iscrizione obbligatoria), which is free of charge. Other non-EU residents, such as pensioners on ERVs, diplomatic staff of foreign governments and volunteer workers, can opt in to the SSN through iscrizione volontaria, or 'voluntary registration'. Unlike iscrizione obbligatoria, iscrizione volontaria involves paying an annual registration fee, which is calculated by the relevant local health authority (Azienda Sanitaria Locale, or ASL) based on your financial means. In 2025, the minimum annual fee stands at €2,000, whereas the maximum fee stands at €2,788.87. Driving If you're relocating to a small town or village, you will likely need a car to move around, as public transport can be very patchy in rural Italy. Unfortunately, there's currently no US-Italy agreement allowing Americans in Italy to convert their licences to an Italian one. This means that you'll be able to drive on your US licence for a maximum of 12 months from the date you officially become a resident. (Please note: during the 12-month period, your licence will have to be accompanied by an International Driving Permit or a certified translation into Italian.) After 12 months of residency, you will need to take the full Italian driving exam and get an Italian licence to continue driving in the country. Taking the Italian esame della patente can be far from easy, not least because the theory exam requires a fairly high level of technical knowledge and cannot be taken in English. Taxes This is less of an immediate concern, but make sure that you familiarise yourself with both Italian and US tax laws. The combination of Italy's residency-based taxation and US citizenship-based taxation means that Americans living in Italy are highly likely to have to complete two sets of tax declarations each year. That said, there is a reciprocal treaty in place between Italy and the US aimed at mitigating double taxation. The treaty sets out guidelines which can be used to help determine how different types of income should be taxed, and by which country, as well as providing a framework that allows for the use of various tax exemptions and credits. Making friends and learning Italian It's not all tedious admin - moving to Italy is also a lot of fun and gives you the opportunity to meet interesting new people and learn a new language (if you don't already speak Italian). Here are our readers' top tips for learning Italian, and some advice on how to how to integrate into your community once you've made the move.
Local Italy
19-03-2025
- Local Italy
Reader question: How do I renew my Italian elective residency visa?
Italy's elective residency visa is notoriously difficult to get and has a relatively short validity period - so how should you go about renewing it? Question: My elective residency visa is due for renewal later this year. Is this a straightforward renewal or will I have to start again? How soon should I start the process? If you've been granted Italy's elective residency visa, give yourself a pat on the back - you're one of a select group of people who've successfully jumped through the many hoops held up by Italy's immigration authorities. Don't think you can put your feet up just yet though: the ERV is only valid for one to two years in the first instance, so it may feel like no sooner have you been issued with the visa than you're having to apply for its renewal. The good news is that you don't actually have apply to renew the visa itself. Instead, you'll need to renew your permesso di soggiorno or Italian residency permit, which acts as proof of your rights as an Italian resident for its duration. You'll first apply for this permit within eight days of your arrival in Italy on the ERV. Applying for a permesso di soggiorno is a multi-step process that involves going to the post office to fill out and file a postal application, and then attending at least two appointments at your local questura (police headquarters) immigration office. For your first five years in the country, you'll likely have to renew the permit annually to prove that you continue to fulfil the conditions of your visa. Once that period's up, you'll be eligible to apply for permanent residency (the card itself will need updating every 10 years if you want to use it as ID, but your rights don't expire) and will be able to breathe a sigh of relief. The procedure for renewing your ERV permesso is very similar to the initial application process. A key difference is that when you renew your permit, Italy's Questura police authorities say you should supply a copy of your current permesso in your postal application, and bring the original to your in-person appointment. You should also supply a copy of your codice fiscale (tax code), which you may not have had the first time around. You will need to provide financial documents showing you still have the resources to support yourself without working (the government's passive income threshold for issuing the ERV is at least €31,000, though consulates are known to revise this upward) and show that you have valid health coverage (either through a private plan or a health card showing you have access to Italy's national health service), just like in your initial application. Italy's interior ministry says you should apply to renew your permit at least 60 days before its expiry date. You can be summoned for further questioning at the Questura if officials think your application is lacking in any way - so it's better to err on the side of caution and provide as much supporting documentation as possible. It's also important to note that if you leave Italy for six months at a time (this period extends to half the validity of your permit for permits with a two-year duration) without a good reason, defined as fulfilling military obligations or other 'serious and proven' reasons, your permit cannot be renewed. Bear in mind that the very first time you apply for your ERV permesso di soggiorno, you will have a valid visa in your passport; but when it comes to renewing it, that document will have expired, and your permit will be your sole means of demonstrating your residency rights. That means it's essential to keep your permit safe and to keep ahold of the cedolino/ricevuta (receipt slip) you receive from the post office when you apply to renew it, as that acts as a stand-in for the permit itself once it expires. This is all the more important given that international residents in some parts of the country have long reported wait times of over a year for renewing a permesso di soggiorno - meaning your new permit could theoretically expire before it's even been issued.
Local Italy
06-03-2025
- Local Italy
What should you do if you lose your Italian residency permit card?
If you lose your permesso di soggiorno, or Italian residency document, don't panic - you haven't lost your right to live in Italy. But while your residency rights aren't dependent on having a physical card, it's important to replace it as soon as possible, as it's the best proof you have of your legal status as a non-EU citizen (EU nationals don't require a permit). Whether you need to carry the permit with you at all times is something of a legal grey area, but at least one foreigner has got into trouble with the law in the past for failing to produce the document when asked to by police. So what should you do if your permesso is lost or stolen? The first step to take upon discovering your permit is missing is to go to your local police station and file a report. This would be a denuncia di smarrimento in case of loss, or a denuncia di furto in case of theft. Once you've been issued with the report, you can start the process of applying for a replacement permit. To do this, you need to take the denuncia to your nearest post office with a Sportello Amico counter and ask for Modulo 209 (Form 209) to request a duplicate. You'll also need: To send the application, you'll need to pay postage costs of just over €30. The postal worker assisting you will then give you a ricevuta (receipt) certifying that you've submitted the application. It is very important to hold onto this slip of paper, as it stands in for the permesso until you get your new permit. Along with the ricevuta, you should also receive two codes that will allow you to log in and to check the status of your application on the government's immigration portal. Through the portal, you'll be given a date and time for an appointment with the immigration office at your local police headquarters (Questura). You'll need to bring with you four passport photos, and the officer on duty will take your fingerprints. You'll then be given another date and time to come and pick up the card. In theory, your permit should be issued within 60 days of filing the application. wait times of over a year just to get an appointment at the local Questura. If you want to travel outside of Italy while waiting for your replacement permit, you should bring it up with the officer dealing with your case. Italy's rules on international travel by residents waiting on a permit are vague and unclear, so it's worth seeking official advice before attempting to travel. Your country's consulate in Italy should also be able to advise on how the rules may apply in your circumstances.
Local Italy
03-03-2025
- General
- Local Italy
Everything you need to update when you change address in Italy
Cambio di residenza When you change your address in Italy, one of the very first things you'll need to do is request an official residency change (cambio di residenza), which notifies local authorities of your new location. Some municipalities (comuni) allow you to do this via email by attaching the necessary documents. You can usually find the email address dealing with residency requests on the comune 's website. Other cities might have web portals where you can complete the whole process online. You'll need SPID credentials or an electronic Italian ID card (CIE) to access such platforms. Unfortunately, some comuni are less modernised and require you to go in person to the registry office (ufficio anagrafe) of your new city hall (also known as the comune). You will generally be asked to produce the following documents to change your residency, but requirements can vary from city to city: A declaration of residence (dichiarazione di residenza) completed and signed by all adults in the household. This can be found on the municipality's website. Your Italian ID card (carta d'identità) or a valid passport, and a copy of your residency permit if you're a non-EU citizen. Your Italian tax number (codice fiscale). Proof of your new address, such as a deed, rental agreement or signed letter from the owner and their ID. ID card One of the most important documents you have in Italy is your carta d'identità. When it's time to renew your card, you should let your comune know you have a different address so that it can be printed on the new document. Foreigners in possession of an Italian residency permit (permesso di soggiorno) also need to inform Italy's immigration authorities after a residency change. You should be able to do this by going to the 'Sportello Amico' counter at your local post office and requesting a 'yellow stripe kit', or kit a banda gialla. To update your permit, you need to fill out Modulo 1 (Form 1) of the kit. You'll likely need to supply a photocopy of your passport and current residency permit as well as €16 tax stamp, plus pay additional fees for postage and processing. You'll then receive a summons to the immigration office at your local police headquarters (Questura) to complete the process. If you need help filling out the application form, your local patronato office should be provide assistance for free. Health card and GP Your Italian healthcare card (tessera sanitaria) doesn't physically list your address. However, you must let your healthcare provider and local health authority (azienda sanitaria locale, or Asl) know your updated address. This is essential if you want to continue receiving medical services and prescriptions, and crucially, to receive a new assigned general practitioner (medico di base) for your new location – if you've changed cities. Some cities allow you to do the whole process online via their health portal. Driving licence and vehicle registration An Italian driving licence does not list your address on the physical card. However, you should update your vehicle registration documents (carta di circolazione) to reflect your new address. This is important for legal and insurance purposes. Your comune should send the new information to the Infrastructure and Transport Ministry, which will update the data in their system. As of January 10th, 2020, the ministry no longer sends you a sticker with the updated address to apply to your registration documents. You can double check that your address has been changed on the government's driver portal (portale dell'automobilista) at You can update your vehicle registration documents at the same time as filing for a change of address. Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP Tax documents Self-employed workers in Italy with a Partita Iva (VAT number) need to update their registered address with the Agenzia delle Entrate, Italy's tax office. Within 30 days of the cambio di residenza, you should fill out Form AA9/12 with the new information. You can then submit the form: In person, by booking an appointment at your nearest revenue agency office. By registered post (posta raccomandata), along with a photocopy of a valid identification document. By registered email, or PEC, to one of a list of email addresses supplied by the agency, using the subject line ' Variazione attività '. Bank accounts and cards You'll also want to update your address on any bank accounts or credit cards so that they have the most up-to-date information. Although bank statements nowadays are mostly kept online, your bank needs your address to send any new cards from time to time. You can likely do this on your bank's online platform. With reporting from Elaine Allaby.
