Things are always tough when there is a change in enviroment.It gets tougher when you have to build your life in another country. It is okay to feel clueless and directionless about where exactly to start. We are here with a list of things you should do after reaching Italy along with the documents you need, so that your first few weeks are hassle free and your settlement is without any hurdles. With this checklist of things-to-do, we ensure that you don’t miss out anything important, in these simple 12 steps.
1)SIM Card
First thing to do is buy a SIM card to avoid hefty roaming charges.
Major mobile networks providers -Lyca, Wind, Vodafone, Fastweb and TIM etc.
Free SIM Card Provider: Lyca.
Plans: Lyca Globe (15GB internet, 500 local minutes, 300 international minutes, Lyca to Lyca free)
Cost: 10 Euro/Month
Documents required: Passport.
2) Applying for Codice fiscale/Tax Code:
This is the major part you should do as soon as you reach Italy. It is Italian identification code. To enrol at the university, open a bank account, work, sign up to the National Health Service and benefit from medical assistance, you have to apply for a tax code. You will then receive a magnetic card that holds your unique tax code, composed of letters and numbers.
Tax code can be obtained from nearby Italian Tax Authority (Agenzia delle Entrate)
Documents Required: Passport, Photos, and Visa copy.
3) Applying for insurance:
If you do not have an Health Insurance coverage
In this case we suggest you enrol in the Italian National Health Service for the current year, which means that it only lasts until December 31st each year (it doesn’t matter when you apply) and must be renewed each calendar year. However, if you enrol in the Italian National Health Service, you will then receive the same benefits AS AN ITALIAN CITIZEN by getting the Italian health card.
It is a compulsory process, you will have to enroll in an insurance to get residence permit.
You can get the insurance from the post office. You can enquire about the different plans in post offices. Some cities accept the insurance you got from India.
You should enquire about it in the nearby ACLI office or post office.
4)Visiting International desk:
They will guide you in finding accommodation and other important processes you need to do. They will also ensure administrative support for the enrolment of all types of international students
How To Look for Cheap Houses?
- Popular sites:subito.it, Idealista, Immobiliare, Airbnb, Housing anywhere
- Find smaller towns around your University. They have cheaper rent with lower costs of living.
- Connect with Your Seniors- they have experience and might have some contacts or even a room they are willing to rent out.
- Facebook and Whatsapp Groups- Look out for people searching for a roommate or providing accomodation.
Average cost of single room: 300 to 600 euros (depends on city)
Average cost of shared room: 180 to 250 euros
5) Applying for Permisso di soggiorno(Residence Permit):
After arrival, the Residency Permit (‘Permesso di Soggiorno”) will allow you to stay legally in Italy. If you have a Long-term visa (type D) for study reasons you must apply for the Residency Permit within 8 working days upon arrival in Italy. You can apply for a residence permit at the Post office by taking the kit.
ACLI office or International desk will help you in filling the application form.
Documents required
- Passport
- University enrollment letter
- Visa
- Address proof (Contract or hospitality)
- Tax code (Codice fiscale)
- Photos
6) Enrolling in the university to get ID card
Once you get the post office receipt, which proves that you have applied for the Residency Permit,
Documents required: a DoV, Passport, Degree certificate, visa and passport size photographs.
You can submit all these documents at the university secretary office.
Tuition fee( to be paid): 16 to 156 euros (Depends on University)
7) Opening Bank account and Submitting IBAN to scholarship office
Major Banks:Intesa sanpaolo and Uni credit.
students below 27 years can open a free bank account.
Each university scholarship office ties up with different banks. Soon after opening the bank account, you should share it with scholarship office
8) Bus pass
Bus Service is available at subsidised rates for students. You should check with international offices. Application Form Available at International Mobility Office or at the bus station
Documents Required: Passport/ID, Passport-sized photograph and Application Form
9)Submitting scholarship documents (If required)
After reaching Italy you need to submit the original documents to the scholarship office.
Some universities accept only courier or postal documents. Please check with the respective university
10) Getting house contract (Depends on University)
Get a rental agreement from the landlord, with all the necessary information in the rental agreement.
What does a contract need? A rental contract must contain the following information:
- The landlord’s and the tenant’s personal details
- Property details
- A clause confirming that the tenant has received the Energy Performance Certificate (Attestato di Prestazione Energetica or APE)
- The annual amount of rent
- The community costs to be paid by the tenant
- The amount of deposit – normally 3 months’ worth of rent
- Contract length
- The terms and conditions relating to the termination of the contract by either party
- The terms and conditions relating to upkeep and maintenance of the property
11) Registering the contract: In Italy, the landlord must register the rental contract with the agenzia d’entrate, the taxman, less than 30 days after it is signed and within 60 days the authorities must register the tenant as living in that property. The costs of this registration are split equally between the landlord and the tenant.
House contact is the crucial part to get the full scholarship. You must check for the deadlines and submit the House contract for a period of 10 months in the academic year (Oct to Sept)
12)Checking for Erasmus programmes
Erasmus+ is the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe. It helps students to spend part of their studies at another higher education institution or with an organisation in Europe.
One must explore this option for more opportunities and exposure. Every university in Italy has more than 100+ Erasmus university partners. Students can apply for the partner universities and can spend their semester in other european universities.
– By Badarinath Gella