21 Feb 2025
Italy is a top destination for many Filipinos. In January 2023, 165000 Filipinos were legally residing in Italy. Many Filipinos regularly send money from Italy to Philippines to support their families back home. If you plan to move to Italy, understanding the immigration process is essential.
Whether you're going to work, study, or reunite with family, you’ll need the proper visa. This article will explain the immigration requirements and all visa options to help you move to Italy smoothly.
Yes, Filipino passport holders must have a visa to enter Italy. The type of visa depends on how long you plan to stay and why you’re moving to Italy. There are two main types of visas:
If you’re visiting Italy for tourism, business, or a short trip, you’ll need a Schengen visa, which allows you to stay in Italy (or any other Schengen country) for up to 90 days within 180 days. This visa is suitable for short visits, and once approved, you can travel freely between the 26 Schengen countries.
If you plan to stay in Italy for more than 90 days, you'll need a long-stay visa. This visa, also known as the D-Visa or National Visa, is mandatory for Filipinos staying in Italy for work, study, family reunification, or other long-term reasons.
There are several types of long-stay visas depending on your purpose for moving to Italy:
If you’ve secured a job in Italy, your employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf. Once this permit is approved, you can apply for a work visa to earn and send money to Phillipines from Italy. After arriving in Italy, you’ll also need to apply for a residence permit.
If you want to study in Italy, you'll need a student visa. You must have an acceptance letter from an Italian school or university and show proof of financial support to cover your stay.
If you have family members already living in Italy, you can apply for a family reunion visa to join them. This visa is available for spouses, children, or dependent parents of Italian residents.
You can apply for a self-employed visa if you plan to start a business or work as a freelancer. You must prove that you can financially support yourself and show your qualifications for the company or profession.
After arriving in Italy with a long-stay visa, you must apply for a residence permit within eight days. This permit extends your legal stay in Italy beyond the 90-day Schengen visa limit. To apply for a residence permit, visit the local post office, fill out the application form, and submit:
You’ll receive a receipt that acts as a temporary permit while your official residence permit is processed.
Living in Italy can be expensive, especially within major cities like Milan, Rome, and Florence. Smaller towns might offer a more affordable cost of living. Budgeting for rent, utilities, food, and transportation is essential.
Many Filipinos send money to Philippines from Italy. For this, choose ACE Money Transfer, as it is a trusted and affordable option. It’s quick, safe, and cheap, making a money transfer from Italy to Phillipines easy to support your loved ones!
The visa application process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the type of visa and the volume of applications.
While it's not a requirement, knowing some Italian can be helpful while getting settled in Italy.
To open a bank account, you'll typically need to provide identification (passport), a residence permit, and proof of address. It's best to check with the specific bank for their requirements.
If you lose your passport, report it to the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate in Italy and apply for a replacement.
In Italy, residents pay income tax on their worldwide income, while non-residents only pay tax on income earned within Italy. The tax rates for residents range from 23% to 43%, depending on their income levels.
