Guide to Student Visas for PhD in Italy

Written by Taru Medha

If you are an international student and want to study a PhD in Italy, you’ll probably need a visa. Whether you need a student visa or not depends on your country of origin. This guide gives you all the information you need to apply for the correct visa for your PhD degree in Italy.

For EU/EEA nationals

If you are from the European Union, you do not need a visa to stay and study abroad in Italy. You only need a valid identity document and a passport. However, once you begin your PhD and have an address in Italy, you need to register your residency with your local police station and town hall.

For non-EU/EEA nationals

If you are an international student who does not belong to the EU, you will need a student visa to enter and study in Italy. You will have to apply for a visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country.

Visas can take a minimum of three months to be issued so it is advisable to apply for one as soon as you have confirmation of admission into an Italian university. Italian student visas carry an administrative charge of €50.

You will need the following documents to complete your visa application:

Visa application form
Recent passport size photograph
Admission letter from a university
Proof of financial support (this is usually a total of €6,079.45 per year/€448.07 per month)
Health insurance
Proof of accommodation

International students must also register with local authorities (at a police station or town hall) within eight days of arrival and obtain a permit of stay for study (permesso di soggiorno). You will be required to complete another application form and pay a fee of €30. You will also need to submit the following documents again:

A copy of your admission letter
A copy of your student visa
Proof of financial support (this is usually a total of €6,079.45 per year)
An Italian stamp worth €16 (marca da bollo)
A receipt of payment for the Electronic Permit of Stay, which costs €72

Once this is done, you are ready to begin your PhD and enjoy everything Italy has to offer. Take a look at our living in Italy guide to get a better idea of what life as a Masters student in Italy could look like.

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Search our database of PhD programmes in Italy

Taru Medha

Taru joined FindAPhD as a Content Writer in 2022. She creates well-researched, thorough content for our guides and blogs, as well as short video content for our social profiles. She has a Bachelors degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Bennett University in India and completed a Masters degree in Global Journalism from the University of Sheffield in 2021, giving her personal experience with postgraduate study as an international student.