Permesso di Soggiorno for Ukrainians: documents and translations

Three days queuing at the Questura, a yellow envelope from Poste Italiane, an SMS with your appointment date four months away - and that’s if you got all the paperwork right the first time. On one expat forum, a Ukrainian woman from Milan shared her experience: “I showed up for my appointment and they told me my birth certificate translation wasn’t valid because it was done in Ukraine. They needed a traduzione giurata through the tribunale. That’s 60 euros down the drain and another week of waiting.” So you don’t repeat that mistake, let’s break down the whole process: what types of permesso di soggiorno exist, what documents you need for each one, what must be translated, and how much it all costs.

What’s a Permesso di Soggiorno and why do you need one¶

Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) is the document that gives you the legal right to live, work, and access social services in Italy. Without it, you’re a tourist with a maximum of 90 visa-free days. With it, you’re a resident with access to healthcare (Tessera Sanitaria), employment, education, and social benefits.

You need to apply within 8 working days of arriving in Italy. Miss the deadline and you might face issues, though in practice it rarely becomes a dealbreaker.

Here’s how the process works: you fill out a Kit Postale (a yellow postal envelope with application forms), submit it at a Poste Italiane office with “Sportello Amico” service, get a receipt (which serves as your temporary permit), wait for an SMS with your Questura (police headquarters) appointment date, then show up with your original documents and photos.

Types of permesso and who they’re for¶

Depending on why you’re moving to Italy, you’ll need one of these:

Protezione temporanea - temporary protection for Ukrainians¶

Most Ukrainians in Italy currently hold this type. The EU Council extended temporary protection until March 2027, and Italy implemented it through Decreto-Law 201/2025. The permit is automatically extended - you just need to submit a renewal application at your Questura.

What protezione temporanea gives you: - Right to work without a separate work permit - Access to the national health system (SSN) - Access to education - Social assistance

One more thing worth knowing: you can convert your protezione temporanea into a work permit (lavoro subordinato). You’ll need an employment contract and to submit the application through the Kit Postale at Sportello Amico.

Converting from protezione temporanea to lavoro¶

If you’re already working in Italy and want to switch to a “regular” work permit, here’s what you need:

1. Fill out the Kit Postale indicating conversion
2. Attach a copy of your employment contract
3. Copy of your electronic permesso di soggiorno (protezione temporanea)
4. Copy of your passport
5. Proof of accommodation (rental contract or dichiarazione di ospitalità)
6. Pay €70.46 via postal order + €16 marca da bollo (stamp duty)

What documents you need for the permesso¶

Basic package (all types)¶

• Passport - valid biometric passport. Italy doesn’t recognize expired passports with extensions. If yours has expired, you’ll need a new one from the Ukrainian consulate
• Kit Postale - a free yellow envelope you pick up at any post office with the “Sportello Amico” sign. Inside are two modules (modulo 1 and modulo 2) that you fill in with block letters
• 4 photos 45x35 mm - white background, passport-style
• Codice Fiscale - your Italian tax identification number
• Proof of accommodation - rental contract, or dichiarazione di ospitalità (a statement from your host), or a certificate from the comune (municipality)
• Payment receipt - €30.46 for the electronic permesso production (postal order to account 67422402)

Additional documents by permesso type¶

For lavoro subordinato (employment): - Employment contract (registered, with UniLav) - Latest CUD / tax declaration or pay slips from the previous year - Copy of the employer’s ID

For studio (study): - University enrollment letter - Proof of financial means (minimum ~€6,000 per year) - Health insurance for the entire study period

For motivi familiari (family reasons): - Nulla Osta from Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione - Marriage or birth certificate (with traduzione giurata) - Proof of income and housing from the sponsor

Which Ukrainian documents need translation¶

Here’s where it gets interesting. Italy doesn’t accept regular translations or notarized translations done in Ukraine. You need a traduzione giurata - a translation sworn before a court (tribunale), a justice of the peace (giudice di pace), or a notary.

Traduzione giurata required¶

No translation needed¶

• Passport - a copy is enough, no translation required
• Codice Fiscale - it’s already an Italian document
• Employment contract - if signed in Italy, it’s already in Italian
• Italian bank statements - also in Italian
• Rental contract - signed in Italy

Apostille - before translation, not after¶

Both Ukraine and Italy are signatories to the Hague Convention. So instead of consular legalization, an apostille is enough. But the order matters: first get the apostille in Ukraine, then do the traduzione giurata in Italy. Not the other way around.

Who issues the apostille: - Certificates (birth, marriage) - Ministry of Justice or civil registry offices - Criminal record - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine - Diploma, school certificate - Ministry of Education of Ukraine - Medical certificates - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Due to the war, getting an apostille in Ukraine can be harder. If your documents are lost or destroyed, they can be restored remotely through a power of attorney.

How much does permesso di soggiorno cost¶

Official fees¶

For protezione temporanea, most fees are waived - you only pay for the card production.

Translation costs¶

A typical document set for motivi familiari (birth certificate + marriage certificate + criminal record) with traduzione giurata at the tribunale: €120-205 for translations + €48 for marche da bollo = €168-253.

Add a diploma with supplement - another €75-120. Total for translations and official fees: ~€370-500.

For comparison: in Germany a similar set of translations costs €150-280, in Spain it’s €180-225 + IVA.

Step-by-step: from preparation to getting your card¶

Step 1: Prepare documents in Ukraine¶

Before you move (or through a trusted person with power of attorney), get an apostille on every document you’ll be submitting. Certificates, records, diplomas - all need an apostille.

Step 2: Get traduzione giurata in Italy¶

Find a translator who works with the Ukrainian-Italian language pair. Where to look: - Albo CTU at your local Tribunale - Camera di Commercio (Chamber of Commerce) - AITI (Associazione Italiana Traduttori e Interpreti) - Ukrainian Embassy - they publish a list of recommended translators

Translations must be sworn (asseverati) - more details on the procedure in our article about traduzione giurata.

Step 3: Fill out the Kit Postale¶

Pick up the yellow envelope at any post office with Sportello Amico. Fill in both modules in block letters. Instructions are inside - they’re in Italian, but the process is standardized.

Step 4: Submit at the post office¶

Bring to Sportello Amico: - Completed Kit Postale in an open envelope - Copy of your passport (data pages + visa stamps) - Payment receipts (€30.46 + postal costs) - Copies of all documents (keep the originals) - Marca da bollo €16

The clerk will check everything, accept the envelope, and give you a receipt. This receipt acts as your temporary permesso di soggiorno until you get the plastic card.

Step 5: Wait for SMS and attend your Questura appointment¶

After some time (weeks to months), you’ll get an SMS with your Questura appointment date. Bring: - Original passport - 4 photos 45x35 mm - Originals of all documents (translations, certificates, contracts) - Your post office receipt

At the Questura, they’ll take your fingerprints and review your documents. If everything checks out, you’ll receive an SMS about your card being ready within 2-4 weeks.

Timeline: how long does it take¶

By law, the permesso should be issued within 60 days. In reality: - Small cities (Lucca, Perugia) - 2-3 months - Medium cities (Bologna, Turin) - 3-6 months - Large cities (Milan, Rome, Naples) - 6-12 months, sometimes up to 20

During the entire wait, your post office receipt is your legal document - you can work and live in Italy.

What to do when renewing (rinnovo)¶

Submit your renewal application at least 60 days before expiration. Maximum - 60 days after. Don’t delay though - an expired permesso creates problems with your employer and bank.

For renewal you’ll need: - Current permesso (original and copy) - Passport (valid) - Proof of accommodation - Documents confirming your reason for staying (contract, university certificate, marriage certificate) - Payment receipts

If your situation changed (say, from studying to working), you’ll need to apply for a conversion, not a renewal. That’s a separate procedure.

FAQ¶

Do I need traduzione giurata for permesso di soggiorno?¶

Yes, for most Ukrainian documents submitted to the Questura or other Italian institutions. Regular translations or notarized translations from Ukraine aren’t accepted. You need traduzione giurata - the translator must swear an oath before an Italian court or notary.

How much does permesso di soggiorno cost in Italy in 2026?¶

Official fees: ~€100-130 (€30.46 for card production + ~€30 postal service + €16 marca da bollo + €40-100 contributo depending on type). For protezione temporanea, most fees are waived. Add translations: €168 to €373 for a standard document set.

Which documents for permesso di soggiorno need Italian translation?¶

Required: certificates (birth, marriage, divorce), criminal record certificate, diplomas and school certificates, medical records. Not required: passport, Codice Fiscale, contracts signed in Italy, Italian bank statements.

Can I apply for permesso di soggiorno with an expired passport?¶

No. Italy doesn’t recognize expired foreign passports, even with extensions. You’ll need to get a new biometric passport through the Ukrainian consulate in Italy.

How long does it take to get a permesso di soggiorno?¶

Legally - 60 days. In practice - 2 to 12 months, depending on the city. In large cities (Rome, Milan), the wait can reach 20 months. Your post office receipt works as a temporary document the entire time.