Renewal of residence permit: how and when to do it

The renewal of a residence permit is an essential step for anyone wishing to continue living legally in Italy. It consists of issuing a new document, valid for a period established by current legislation, and granted only if the conditions that justified the initial permit are still met.

When to start the procedure

To avoid irregularities, it is advisable to submit the application at least two months before the permit expires. The request can be filed either through authorized post offices or directly at the Police Headquarters (Questura), depending on the reason for the residence permit. If more than 60 days have passed since the expiration without starting the renewal process, the foreign citizen is considered to be residing illegally.

What happens while waiting for renewal

After submitting the application, the foreign citizen maintains the right to remain in Italy legally. During this transitional period, it is also possible to continue working, provided that the application was submitted on time and the applicant has the receipt confirming that the process has been initiated.

While waiting, in addition to working, other fundamental rights may still be exercised, such as:

• registration with the National Health Service;
• renewal of the identity card;
• registration of change of residence;
• access to social security benefits;
• application for or renewal of a driving license.

These rights remain valid until a possible communication of rejection, revocation, or cancellation of the permit by the competent authorities.

Cases in which renewal is not possible

There are circumstances that prevent the extension of residence. For example, if the foreign citizen has spent more than six consecutive months abroad (or in any case more than half of the current permit’s duration), except in justified cases such as fulfilling military obligations or illness. Renewal is also denied if the legal requirements that justified the initial issuance of the permit no longer exist.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.