This is Post 1 of the Integration Agreement (that your questura may not be informing you about)
My landlady hates it that I am considered an “immigrant” the same as the Africans and Bangladeshis and other huddled masses yearning to breathe free.
Every time I’m in her car with her, she points them out. “Look,” She says, gesturing toward the young African guys pedaling past stalled traffic, “They are given bikes, cell phones, clothing, housing… and you, you have to pay all these fees for your permesso, you have to jump through so many hoops… Perche? Perche?” Her voice rises and her arms fling about.
“Because they’re refugees…” I pipe up. But I’ve said the wrong thing.
“MA RIFUGIATI DI CHE COSA?” She shrieks. “DI CHE COSA?” (Refugees from what? From what?)
“Well, uh, from dictators…”
“But you, you have two masters’ degrees, you’ve published a book. You’re, you’re AMERICAN.” She sputters.
The dermatologist has a similar response. During my appointment, the usual curiosity comes up about my move to Lucca, which leads to the fact that I am being sent to a course on Italian civic life for immigrants.
“You mean you’re lumped in with the immigrants from Asia, and North Africa?” He asks.
“Yes,” I nod. “The state doesn’t see any difference.”
“Ma c’e’ una bella differenza!” He replies raising his eyebrows and looking at me intently. (But there’s a significant difference.)
For the most part I am pleased to be an immigrant, pleased to be passing each station of the cross, to reach my goal. The other day I completed one such “station” by taking the class on civic life as part of my obligation to the integration agreement.
If you are a foreigner applying for your first permesso, and if you intend to reside for at least a year in Italy, you’ll sign an Integration Agreement at the questura during your permesso appointment.
This all started in 2012 but often it seems, the questura simply forgets to inform foreigners of this agreement. Thus many foreigners are either unaware of it, or unsure if they fall into the category of people who are supposed to sign it.
Technically all foreigners over sixteen years old who submit an application for a residence permit with a duration of at least one year need to sign it and accumulate points.
The only foreigners who are exempt from it are: those with disabilities that “severly” limit them; minors in foster care; and victims of trafficking/severe exploitation.
If you’ve not been asked to sign this, pay a visit to your questura. It’s better to get going on accumulating your points so that you don’t have a nasty surprise when it comes time to renew your permesso.
When you sign, you earn 16 points. The point system is a determinant in the renewal of your permesso. More on that below.
The civic life class is a one-time deal and you don’t have to study and there is no test.
You only have to show up, put on head phones, and listen to and watch, a video in your own language. They say this takes 5 hours but the man running my class was flexible about that.
In my class there were some girls from Bangladesh, a girl that I guess was from China or some where like that, a young woman who appeared to from the Middle East, and few young guys whose provenance I could not distinguish. It appeared that no one except me spoke Italian.
I was surprised to learn that we were supposed to listen to information for five hours. As a former college instructor, I know that the average person’s attention span for a lecture is 45 minutes– 60 max.
Tip: bring water and a snack to your civic life class.
The information started out with very basic things, such as:
– This is the Italian flag
– These are the regions of Italy
– All Italian citizens are equal before the law, without distinction of sex, race, language, religion, political opinion, personal and social conditions.
I got up to go to the bathroom and when I came back, I went up to the man in charge (who was grading papers at a desk) and said to him, in Italian, that I did not expect any favors, but I just thought I’d let him know that I have a masters in Florentine Renaissance history, that I teach college and that I already know the information.
He was very relaxed about it and said he was fine with me getting through it less than 5 hours.
I did pay attention to parts that interested me, such as, there are 60.6 million inhabitants of Italy and 4.5 million are foreign citizens. More than half a million from Africa have arrived in Italy over the last three years.
There was a section of the audio course that went on for about 45 minutes about children going to school which I skipped as I don’t have children. It stated things that were obvious to me such as “Parents can ask for a meeting with teachers.” I guess this kind of information is not considered obvious for some immigrants.
The strangest part for me was the section on what a condominium is, how renters have to follow condominium rules and how they cannot hang fish or meat from a line on their porch because this will spread disease and the other tenants will be upset.
Clearly the makers of this video are talking to a specific section of immigrants— to which I don’t belong.
OK, so back to what you need to know about this integration agreement:
You need to gain 30 credits within two years.
- You get 12 points for the civil life course.
- You get 24 points for demonstrating a level of Italian up to at least level A2. (you can show a language school certificate for this, or pass an exam.)
Those are the two mandatory ones.
You can also gain 4 points for choosing a general practitioner and 4 points for doing volunteer work. You can earn 6 points for buying a house, and enrolling in academic courses at universities can earn you up to 50 points.
If you do not participate in the civil life course you will lose 15 points. If you commit offenses you can lose a maximum of 25 points.
A month before the expiration of your permesso, the immigration desk does a verification by asking you to present documentation for your civic life class and your Italian language competency.
I was not given any documentation at the time of my civil class, although I did sign next to my name on a roll sheet. I will update you guys when I learn how I will prove that I took this course.
Tip: Start learning Italian before you move, or at least jump into classes as soon as you arrive so that you have plenty of time to learn enough to pass the exam, or enroll in a course that will give you the needed certificate.
This integration process may seem daunting or confusing right now, but as we say in Italy, piano piano. Just take it step by step, stay informed, and keep all your documentation.
To learn about earlier steps in the process go here.
Robin Killoran says
I find the caption to the photo confusing: “If you are a foreigner applying for your first permesso, and if you intend to reside for at least a year in Italy, you’ll sign an Integration Agreement at the questura during your permesso appointment.”
I’ve been in Italy for 2 years on student visas and was never required to sign this agreement for my permesso (I”ve made two separate applications). Also, I have never been contacted for proof of anything before my permessos expired. Is it possible that this requirement is only for those here on residency visas? If so, you may want to correct that in the caption.
Chandi Wyant says
Hi Robin,
Thanks for this. It is stated that anyone who is not EU, and who requests an Italian permit of stay for more than 12 months is required to sign the integration agreement. This would include those on student visas.
The official wording: “As from 10 March 2012, with the coming into force of the regulation defining the integration agreement, foreign nationals aged over sixteen that enter Italy for the first time and file an application for the issuance of the residence permit with a duration of at least one year, shall sign an agreement with the Italian State.”
Nancy says
I had to sign this agreement too. But my big problem was, they forgot to give me the form until later and called me to come back. By then, the civil class I was assigned to was past. They said not to worry. Well, I did worry. And I never could figure out how to get reassigned. But in the end, I had enough points with the A2 test results, I bought a house and enrolled in Italian health plan. A big sigh of relief by me.
Chandi Wyant says
Hi Nancy,
Not the first time I’ve heard this… it seems they are often forgetting to present this agreement. It seems quite haphazard as to who is presented with it.
The Italian language test does provide quite a lot of points so yes, I can see how it worked out for you to use the points from that and from buying a house.
But those who are concerned about the points and who missed the civil life class to which they were assigned, there should be a way for them to be assigned to future class. What I would suggest for those in that situation is to go to the questura from 12 to 1 when they’re not as busy and ask in person about it.
Anonymous says
I have lived in Firenze since 2008. I speak adequate Italian and am well aware of these basic fact and many others like how to get internet installed. I have never heard of any of this but have renewed my PdS six times. I will be taking the language exams this year sometime and renewing in October so I will keep my eye open but this is all news to me. Kimberly Breeze
Chandi Wyant says
Hi, it started in 2012 so if your permesso (or you must have full residency now, right?) pre-dates that, then you’re exempt.
Sheila says
Hrmm…also, if a foreigner is considered to have a disability:
“EXEMPTED from subscription are those suffering from disease or disability that seriously limit self-sufficiency or cause grave difficulties in language or cultural learning, certified by a public health organisation or by a National Health doctor.”
So it looks like I don’t have to do the course or language requirement! (I’m a deaf American).
Chandi Wyant says
Hi Shiela,
Thanks for stopping by. I imagine that would exempt you. I checked out your website, what a great resource!
Sheila says
Thanks! My site is still WIP, but thanks for stopping by!
Holly McClean says
Hi Chandi
Thanks for the info, signed up for your website.
I was aware of the post office thing, also we made a visit to the cops last month when we were in Trapani and they told us, don’t come here go to somewhere else so it must be where you said.
My confusion is with the must do” stuff. The civil 5 hour thing is no problem and with the amount of points you get for signing up, doing it, getting a g which we will as soon as we get PDJ, and I plan to volunteer with animal rescue groups, there would easily be 30 points. I am willing to go to the local uni to take Italian classes if they give them its right near where we are going to live in Trapani but I suck at languages and will I’m sure get better as I live there but a written test scares the crap out of me. I lived in Sot Africa for 12 years wit 14 official languages but even my Afrikaner friends spoke English and my gardener was from Zimbabwe where they speak English and Zulu so I returned knowing English. If I can get enough points doing other things do I still have to pass a language test? Verbal not too scared , written terrified. My husband is already fairly proficient but he speaks Spanish.
Also we are bringing our dog. Do you have any experience with this or know anyone who has?
I brought my cats to SA this seems more complicated.
Thanks Holly McClean
Chandi Wyant says
Hi Holly,
Thanks for signing up!
I think you are at the overwhelm stage which is super normal. Believe me, I get that stage… so many pieces have to come together. I was in that space from January to April, dealing with getting housing in Italy, stressing about getting the right docs for the consulate appointment (because the consulate never answered any emails) and getting the correct appointments for my cat, selling and sorting and storing my stuff, and I was launching my first book at the same time.
I can tell you that in some ways it gets a bit calmer when you get to Italy. Yes, there are still steps to deal with and things to get a grip on, but everything feels slowed down here and “piano piano” it will get done, just taking it step by step. I think it feels more frenzied before departure.
So, for the language, what may be best is to take classes and get the certificate from your teachers, after you’ve achieved a level of A2. That way you don’t have to take a test. It is my understanding that demonstrating that level of proficiency is imperative no matter how many other points you have from other things. If I learn differently, I’ll post about it.
Lots of expats/immigrants have brought their dogs. It’s the same as bringing a cat. I am not sure if you are coming from the US? You didn’t mention your nationality. But this site was the most helpful and official that I found for learning the important steps for bringing a pet to Italy: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/eu/pettravel-italy
Holly McClean says
Hi chandi
Thanks for the info. I brought my cats to South Africa and my dog back to NYC 12 years later. But the Italian rules are alittle more complicated. Ill just have to do my best with the language.
We have a lease and have spent alot of time in Trapani over the past 6 years.
We will be both formally retirex as of Sept and will make sure we do it all right and hopefully get our elective residency .We have some friends in Trapani who are as we say in NYC “our guys” so that will help.
My vets are OCD and my husband is great at paperwork.
Thanks again
Holly McClean
Chandi Wyant says
I went to Trapani once on my way to Favignana. Loved Favignana. Will let you know if I get down that way! Will you be heading there this fall? Yes, for the pets have a careful look at that site I sent you. If you follow that you’ll be OK!
Holly McClean says
We wont be there til mid Jan, but I will definately keep in touch and probably bombard you with ?s. I have 117,000 trip advisor readers on only 100 something reviewsonly part of it Im proud of is 12% of them are Italian.
Thanks again
Cant wait for a peaceful life by the sea, with no ketchup..
Chandi Wyant says
“with no ketchup” hilarious! LOL! ????
Paolina says
We are planning a trip for 5 months, more than the 90 day no visa needed time, is this still all necessary ?
Chandi Wyant says
Hi Paolina,
My posts are about how to move to Italy. If you are not planning to move but want to stay longer than 3 months, you will have to understand the Schengen agreement and what your options are related to that. As you know the Agreement allows you to be Italy (or another country which is part of the agreement) for a max of 90 days.
I can make some “suggestions” here but I am NOT a lawyer or a border official or a consulate employee. Please take my suggestions only as things for you to look into and become more informed about.
1) This work-around would only apply to you if you had MORE time than 5 months: After your consecutive 90 days in Italy, you leave and go to a non-schenegen country like the UK or one of Balkan countries another consecutive 90-day period, and then you’d be allowed to re-enter Italy and spend up to 90 days again.
2) I have heard that it “may” be possible to get a 30 day extension to the 90 day tourist visa. You could inquire about this at an Italian Consulate. If this is possible you could reduce your visit to 4 months instead of 5.
3) If you don’t like numbers one and two, and want to remain in Italy beyond the 90 days you must apply at an Italian Consulate for a “long-stay visa” such as elective residency where you demonstrate that you have enough $ in the bank to support yourself. In my opinion this process is too involved to go through only for 2 extra months’ stay in Italy.
Kate says
This is such helpful information! I’ve just started learning the language and wasn’t sure how critical it would be for a move, so I’m thrilled to hear that it will be important in the process. We’re just starting to look into the requirements and tips for moving to Italy, so this couldn’t be more perfectly timed! I can’t wait to dig into the rest of this series!
liz says
I have been taking Italian for years and could pass the A2 exam in writing. I would like to do this begore renewing my PdS. Do you know where I can take a test to prove proficiency? As I purchase a property before getting my ER visa, do I just show them my deed to qualify for those points? thanks!
Chandi Wyant says
Hi Liz,
Go to the site of the Ministero dell’Interno:
https://testitaliano.interno.it
To get signed up for the test or go to a local INAC office. See more here about who/what INAC is:
http://paradiseofexiles.com/permit-to-stay/
liz says
ottimo, grazie!
Desere Rodrigues says
Dear Chandi, My name is Desere Rodrigues, I am an Indian, married to an Italian for the last 5 years. We moved to Rome, Italy 3 years agos and I recieved all my paperwork last november.
My son arrives from Toronto, Canada next week for us to start the process on his residency.
I have been issued a ‘permesso’ for 5 years as we have a minor child as well.
Just for my infomation, are the procedures you have mentioned going to be the same for my son, or does his ‘permesso’ go on what is called ‘family reunification’, I would appreciate if i could be given some more infomation on this.
Thank you in advance for your attention.
Regards. Desere Rodrigues
Chandi Wyant says
Desere,
I have not dealt with going through this process with a minor child. Any info I can give you will be basic and you may already know it.
What I know is that you can apply for the EU Long Term Residence Permit for your child who is under the age of 18 years and who is living with you. If you reside legally in Italy you can have your children included in your residence permit and/or that of your spouse provided they are under the age of 14.
After the age of 14, the child can get a separate residence permit for family reasons valid until age 18.
I believe (but check this with your local INAC office) that to apply for the child you have to demonstrate that you have been residing legally in Italy for at least 5 years, and that your income is sufficient to support yourself and your family members, and you have to show you’ve passed the language test.
George Stinson says
Hi Chandi Wyant,
I am getting ready to renew my permesso di soggiorno for the third two year period. My Italian Visa is a resid elettiva. I have completed the integration program. I attended the five one hour classes and I have received my certificate of A 2 in the Italian language. I’ve been told that the only way to receive a residence permesso is to return to the USA and apply for a new “Visa”. The official at my questura laugh when I mention the integration agreement.
To receive Italian Medical I must pay €380 as must my wife. Still cheap but not residence cheap.
I am getting ready to read the rest of your Steps to living in Italy, however, I wanted to get you take on my integration agreement.
Thanks
George
Chandi Wyant says
Hi George, so interesting that you have an ER visa and have been given two-year periods as usually that visa is given for one-year periods. What consulate did you use? I imagine you know that after 5 years of successfully renewing, you can apply for permanent residency which means you no longer have to renew?
The questura guy laughing doesn’t surprise me. The enforcement of this law is really scattered. Some questuras enforce it and some don’t. But it’s better to do it. You never know, your questura could get a new official who suddenly wants to enforce it.
I have no idea what this info is that you received about needing to return to the US to get a residence permit. I am unclear about what’s going on there… within 20 days of getting your first permesso did you not apply for the residency certificate at the Ufficio Anagrafe? And each time your permesso is renewed you have to go back to the Ufficio Anagrafe to update them. Then when your 5 years are up, you apply for the permanent residency. If you are following that path no one should be telling you that you have return to the US for any of the bureaucracy.
George Stinson says
Thanks Chandi.
Until now we have/had never heard of the Uffico Anagrafe! I also have no idea where it is in Arezzo, however, I will root it out. My visa story is
also odd. I lived in Utah and was directed to the San Francisco
Consulate from where I was told I would not receive a visa and
do not waste your money applying, (our savings are in my wife’s
name) so i went back a second time with all of the correct forms
filled out and asking for a family visa. Same answer, wrong form
this time really rude. Then went to Boston and received visa (with letter from my
wife that she would be responsible for me.) w/in a week! I do have the Carta
D’Identità from the Comune in Arezzo.
Chandi Wyant says
Hi George,
The ufficio anagrafe is the vital statistics office and you are supposed to go there within 20 days of getting your permesso. Go here to read more about it: http://paradiseofexiles.com/italian-citizenship/
The Boston Consulate does seem particularly helpful, I noticed that earlier in the year too when I happened to contact them.
fatima says
Hi Chandi! Done my civic class today. I thought they will give us certificate for that but i didnt receive anything. I remember it only when im at home already thats why not able to asked about it from the facilatator. Another question, just got my PDS last month and it will expire on april, as i will renew it do i have to present my A2 certificate already? Thank you
Chandi Wyant says
Ciao Fatima,
I too did not receive any proof of having taken the civic life course. I plan to stop by the questura soon to ask them how I prove that I took it (or see if they have my name in a data base as having taken it .) I’ll post here when I get more info!
Yes, it is my understanding that you should be ready to present your A2 certificate when you go to renew the permesso. Be sure to start the renewal process at least two months before the expiry date.
Deepa says
Hi,
I am from India and I have been here in italy for 1 year on study visa. I got a form like this from the questura . I just wanted to know about the civic 5hr class and the italian language exam ,when and where should i do it.
Erkan Kayacik says
Dears,
I joint to civil training, passed A2 Exam, registered to ASL and chosen GP, signed multi year tenancy agreement and submitted CAF. However, I still see zero points on website (https://accordointegrazione.dlci.interno.it/). How did you register your points? What should I do?
Annette says
HI Chandi, I am having a lot of trouble finding out information so perhaps you can tell me …
Australia has an agreement for a 12months working holiday visa in Italy. Maximum 6 months work and $$ in the bank etc. No requirements for language courses etc. My 18 y.o. twin daughters got this at the consulate in Sydney. It all sounded very straightforward with an appointment at the questura, take your photos, copies of passports etc. to the Questura, buy a stamp, post it off and wait for your permit to stay to arrive.
So, upon arriving in Italy went to the Questura in Brescia but they were sent to the Workers Union. I don’t think the Workers Union really knew what to do with them! They refused to take their photos etc. but filled out paperwork for them, told them to buy their stamps and lodge it with the post office, which they did.
They received their postal receipts but having next to no Italian on arrival didn’t attempt to read it so missed their appointment date at the questura. One of girls received a letter telling her to present at the Questura within 28 days which she did. Her sister went with her but the Questura refused to talk to her telling her to come back when she had her letter.
The one that did have her letter eventually saw someone who shoved paperwork at her to sign, asked for her photos etc. told her to sign something, gave her a wad of papers and sent her away.
She had signed an integration agreement!
This is quite different to the Working Holiday Visa. I have contacted the Italian consulate in SYdney but they haven’t answered. The Australian embassy just said ‘ask the questura”. But they won’t talk to the girls and their Italian isn’t good enough to argue with them. Do you think there any way she can get it changed to what she actually was supposed to get? How should we do it?
Or should she just go with the flow!?
Chandi Wyant says
Hi Annette, I don’t know why they were sent to the workers union. perhaps the person at the questura was unfamiliar with this type of visa. I am not familiar with it myself, but I highly recommend they go an INAC office (also known as Patronato) see my post about it here
I strongly recommend getting help from INAC first before going to the questura. At INAC there is a person in charge of helping immigrants and that person will fill out the questura forms and tell you exactly what you need to bring to your appointment, and in the case of your daughters, hopefully the person at INAC would be familiar with that type of visa and would be able, at this point, to sort out what your daughters need to do. Then, since they don’t speak Italian, I recommend that they bring someone with them to their appointment who speaks both English and Italian.
Chandi Wyant says
Also, since their appointment has come and gone, they could try just showing up, with a person who speaks both languages, and see if some questions can be asked. At smaller questuras, in my experience, this is possible. For example at the Lucca one, if I showed up in the last hour before they closed, it was possible to ask some questions without an appointment. But I’d first head to an INAC office.
David Bellino says
Ciao Chandi, I really enjoyed reading your blog on the The Integration Agreement, it was vey helpful. My wife and I just bought our apartment in Cefalu and will close the last week of June. My grandfather Rosario Bellini was born in Castelvetrano and I am going to get my Citizenship over the next 3 years through Naturalization using the The Integration Agreement and the residence permit. I wanted to ask if there is a specific questura that I have to go to for Cefalu? The reason I ask is I have read that the questura in Palermo is not very friendly and very crowded and I prefer to go to a questura that is in a smaller town. Also I need to learn Italian at a level of A2 (and receive a certificate from the instructor) and wanted to ask if it is better to wait and take the course once I arrive in Sicily? My wife and I will be traveling back and forth from the States to Sicily making sure to not be away from Italy more than 6 months of course each year. I will be working remotely from Cefalu in the company that my wife owns doing accounting, payroll and other clerical duties for the company remotely. Thank you again for sharing youe experiences. We are very excited. David and Carolina Bellino (My family name is Bellini from my Grandfather Rosario Bellini but when he arrived at Ellis Island they misspelled our last name and he was so happy to be in the States he didn’t dare say a word. lol.)
Chandi Wyant says
Hi David,
I am glad you found the post helpful. If Cefalu does not have its own questura and if it is the questura of Palermo that acts as the questura for Cefalu and if your address is in Cefalu then yes, you need to use Palermo’s questura. If you want a questura in a small town then you need to get an address in a small town.
Regarding learning Italian, I wouldn’t wait. There’s no time like the present to start the process of learning Italian. My understanding is that you don’t have take their specific course. Like if you already speak Italian, you would just take the test to show that you have the A2 level. So start learning it however you can. If you can get yourself to an A2 before you move there, you should be able to just take the test.
Where is your base in the US?
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