Italy: The permesso di soggiorno illimitata, including its physical characteristics; requirements and procedures to obtain and renew the document; rights of holders of the document.

1. Overview

The website of the State Police (Polizia di Stato [1]) of Italy indicates that, on 8 January 2007, the carta di soggiorno (permanent residence card) was replaced by the new and permanent European Commission (EC) Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents [Permesso di Soggiorno per Soggiornanti di lungo periodo] (Italy 29 Mar. 2010). In a telephone interview with the Research Directorate, an official at the Embassy of Italy in Ottawa clarified that the permesso di soggiorno illimitata is the same as the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents (ibid. 24 Feb. 2015).

2. Physical Characteristics of the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents

The embassy official described the permesso di soggiorno illimitata as a "smart card" containing a microchip on the back (ibid.). A document entitled [translation] Guidance Document for the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents issued by Informastranieri of Parma, Italy, [2] indicates that there have been two formats of the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents; the first format, which was first issued in 2007, did not include the term illimitata on the card (Parma n.d., 6-7). The same source indicates that, with regard to the most recent EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents, the front of the card includes the name of the card, "Permesso di Soggiorno," the term illimitata (unlimited), the cardholder's name, and the cardholder's photograph; the back of the card includes an electronic chip and notes (ibid., 8).The guide also explains that the birth date and the expiration date of the photo are found among the numbers coded in the notes on the back of the card (ibid.). The birthdate is the first six numbers of the line second from the bottom while the expiration of the photo is found in the middle of the same line (digits 9-14) (ibid.). Further information on the data included in the notes could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

3. Validity of the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents

The official at the Embassy of Italy in Ottawa noted that the EC Long-Term Residence Permit is a permanent document and that it does not expire (Italy 24 Feb. 2015). A document issued by the Ministry of Interior of Italy entitled Staying in Italy Legally similarly states that the EC Long-Term Residence Permit is valid for an indefinite period, although it notes that, in order to be valid as a personal identification document, it must be renewed with a new photo after five years (ibid. n.d., 9).

4. Requirements to Obtain the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents

Sources indicate that individuals who have been living legally and continuously in Italy for five years are entitled to apply for the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents (ibid. 29 Mar. 2010; EU 25 Sept. 2012). Sources state that the applicant must possess a valid residence permit and have had the residence permit for a minimum of five years (Italy 24 Feb. 2015; Parma n.d., 1). Sources further indicate that the applicant must demonstrate an income equal to or more than the annual social welfare allowance [3] [or social security level (EU 25 Sept. 2012)] and, if requesting on behalf of family members, to show [translation] "sufficient" income and accommodations (Parma n.d., 1; EU 25 Sept. 2012). According to the European Commission, an applicant with family members must show an income equal to or higher than the annual social security level increased by half for each family member; applicants with two or more children below the age of fourteen years old must show an income equal to or greater than double the annual social security level (ibid.). Sources further indicate that the applicant must not constitute a threat to state security and public order (ibid.; Italy n.d., 9).

5. Procedures to Obtain the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents

The State Police website indicates that applications for the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents may be submitted to the post office, a designated municipal office or at other authorized offices (ibid. 29 Mar. 2010).

Sources indicate that the applicant must include the following:

a copy of a valid passport (EU 25 Sept. 2012; Italy 29 Mar. 2010) or equivalent travel document (ibid.);

a copy of an income tax declaration demonstrating that the applicant meets the minimum income requirement for an individual or a family (ibid.; EU 25 Sept. 2012);

criminal record(s) (ibid.; Italy 29 Mar. 2010);

evidence of appropriate accommodation if family members are included (ibid.; EU 25 Sept. 2012);

copies of pay slips for the current year (Italy 29 Mar. 2010);

residence and family certification (ibid.);

a certified identification certificate (EU 25 Sept. 2012)

The State Police website notes that the applicant must include a postal receipt for payment of the electronic residence permit of 27.50 euros [approximately C$39] and a 14.62 euro [approximately C$21] electronic revenue stamp (Italy 29 Mar. 2010).

The State Police website indicates that an applicant can also submit an application for the following family members:

a spouse, if not legally separated or under eighteen years of age;

minor children, including children of the spouse or children born out of wedlock;

dependent children over the age of eighteen who are not self-supporting due to a health condition resulting in permanent disability;

dependent parents (ibid.).

The same source indicates that applications for family members must also include certificates proving the family relationship; all foreign documents must be translated into Italian, legalized and certified by the Italian consulate in the country of origin or residence of the family members (ibid.).

5.1 Exclusions and Refusals

Sources indicate that individuals with the following statuses cannot apply for an EC Long-Term Residence Permit:

those with a study permit (Italy n.d., 9; ibid. 29 Mar. 2010);

those with a permit for vocational training or scientific research (ibid.);

those with temporary protection or other humanitarian grounds (ibid.; ibid. n.d., 9);

those who have submitted an asylum claim or are awaiting a decision for recognition as a refugee (ibid.; ibid. 29 Mar. 2010);

those with a short-term residence permit (ibid.; ibid. n.d., 9);

those with a diplomatic, official or service passport, or who hold a laissez-passer issued by an international organization (ibid. 29 Mar. 2010)

According to the State Police website, the EC Long-Term Residence Permit may be revoked if

it was acquired fraudulently,

there is an expulsion measure against the holder,

the bearer no longer fulfills the requirements set for its issue;

the bearer has been absent from the territory of the European Union for a period of twelve consecutive months;

the bearer acquired long-term resident status in another European Union member State,

the bearer has been absent from Italy for a period exceeding six years. (ibid.)

According to the Guidance Documents for the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents, the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents can only be voided if the person is absent from Europe for 12 consecutive months or if the person commits [translation] "serious crimes" (Parma n.d., 1).

6. Procedures to Update the EC Long-Term Residence Permit

The Guidance Documents for the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents indicates that, although the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents is permanent and never expires, the bearer must change the photograph every five years and [translation] "revalidate" the document every ten years (ibid.). In order to revalidate the permit, an individual must submit a copy of their permit, passport and [translation] "residence/family status" (ibid., 2). The same source explains that if the photograph is not updated, the permit expires as a [translation] "valid identification tool," but "never as a vested right" (ibid.).

7. Rights of Individuals Holding an EC Long-Term Residence Permit

The State Police website indicates that individuals holding an EC Long-Term Residence Permit are entitled to enter Italy without a visa, to work, to have access to social benefits and services provided by the Italian government, and to "participate in local public life" (Italy 29 Mar. 2010). The Ministry of Interior's Staying in Italy Legally indicates that foreign nationals with a valid residence permit are granted the same education rights as Italian citizens (ibid. n.d., 21). The same source indicates that foreign nationals with a "regular residence permit" are required to register with the National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN), and are entitled by law to receive health care and have "equal treatment as Italian citizens regarding compulsory contributions, health care given in Italy by the SSN and its time limit" (ibid., 23).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Notes

[1] The Polizia di Stato is one of five Italian police forces working under the authority of the Ministry of Interior (Italy 19 Feb. 2013).

[2] Informastranieri is a service providing "information, guidance and advice to citizens of all nationalities on the opportunities for social and employment inclusion and integration in Parma" (Gahakwa n.d.).

[3] The Guidance Document for the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents indicates that the annual social welfare allowance was 5,424.90 euros [approximately C$7,550] in 2011 (Parma n.d.).

References

European Union (EU). 25 September 2012. European Commission (EC). "What Do I Need Before Leaving?: Italy." [Accessed 2 Mar. 2015]

Gahakwa, Mutesi Rosette. N.d. Immigrant Integration During The Financial Crisis in the EU: A Focus on Italy and Parma. Thesis for Master's degree in European Studies at the University of Parma, Italy. [Accessed 4 Mar. 2015]

Italy. 24 February 2015. Embassy of Italy in Ottawa. Correspondence from an official to the Research Directorate.

_____.19 February 2014. Polizia di Stato. "The Public Security System in Italy." [Accessed 4 Mar. 2015]

_____. 29 March 2010. Polizia di Stato. "EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents." [Accessed 17 Feb. 2015]

_____.N.d. Ministero dell'Interno. Staying in Italy Legally. [Accessed 19 Feb. 2015]

Parma. N.d. Informastranieri. Guida al Documento Carta di Soggiorno - Permesso Soggiorno per Soggiornanti di lungo periodo C.E. (Guidance Document for the EC Residence Permit for Long-Term Residents). Translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Works and Government Services Canada. [Accessed 24 Feb. 2015]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Attempts to contact the following sources were unsuccesssful within the time constraints of this Response: Italy - Consultate of Italy in Toronto, Embassy of Italy in Washington, DC.

The following organizations were unable to provide information for this Response: Canada - Canada Border Services Agency.

Internet sites, including: Angloinfo Italy; Factiva; Keesing's Documentchecker; Life in Italy; Understanding Italy.