EC long-term residence permit issued by another country

Thursday, 06 May 2010 

Ministry of Home Affairs has been receiving many questions from foreigners in other EU Member States who are holders of EC long-term residence permit interested in coming to live in Italy for a period exceeding three months.

Many wanted to know if they’ll be issued another EC long-term residence permit by Italian authorities once they arrive here.

Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a Circular letter saying that a holder of EC long-term residence permit issued by another EU Member State who wants to live in Italy has a right to be issued a Permit of Stay and not an EC long-term residence permit.

Family members of such a person also have a right to be issued a Permit of Stay similar (type and validity period) to the one issued to the former holder of EC long-term residence permit from another EU Member State.

Italian authorities will only issue the EC long-term residence permit to the foreigner who meets all the requirements established by Italian law which obviously includes legal residence in the country for at least five years.