Emigration to Italy: how can Ukrainians move there in 2026?

Italy is a country with a rich history and culture that has long attracted foreigners. Emigrating to Italy from Ukraine in 2026 is a chance for new professional and personal prospects in the heart of the European Union. Learn about ways to obtain a visa to Italy, opportunities for long-term residence and obtaining a work permit

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Emigrating to Italy is a complex process that requires careful preparation, understanding of the most important aspects, and collection of the necessary documents.

How to move to Italy for Ukrainians in 2026, what types of visas exist, and how to obtain a work permit — we will tell you more in this article.

Are you planning to emigrate to Italy? Visit Ukraine specialists will help you every step of the way.

Moving to Italy for Ukrainians: choosing a visa

In 2026, Ukrainian citizens can travel to Italy without a visa if they have a biometric foreign passport. The visa-free regime allows you to stay in the country for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. 

For a long-term stay in Italy for the purpose of work, study or family reunification, it is necessary to obtain an appropriate visa or other legal residence status.

Short-term visa (type C)

Short-term visas allow a stay in Italy for up to 90 days and are divided into the following categories:

– Tourist visa. Typically, Ukrainian citizens travel to Italy for tourist purposes on the basis of a visa-free regime. A type C tourist visa may be required only in certain cases, in particular in the absence of a biometric passport.

– Guest visa. For visiting relatives or friends. You must have an invitation from the host, confirmation of family ties or friendly relations.

– Business visa. For business trips, participation in conferences or meetings. You need an invitation from an Italian company or organisation.

National visa (type D)

National visas allow long-term stays in Italy and are divided into the following categories:

– Student visa. For persons planning to study at Italian educational institutions. You need confirmation of enrolment, financial guarantees and medical insurance.

– Work visa. For official employment in Italy. A work permit (Nulla Osta) from an Italian employer is required.

– Family reunification. For persons who have close relatives with a residence permit in Italy. Proof of family ties and financial guarantees are required.

Transit visa (type A)

The so-called airport transit visa for passengers transferring at Italian airports without leaving the airport. Usually not required for Ukrainian citizens, but it is worth checking before travelling.

How much will it cost to live in Italy – read our special article to find out. Learn all about the cost of travel and medical services, how much you should budget for food, and housing prices in Italy.

Documents for emigration to Italy: a detailed list for each type of visa

Documents for a short-term visa to Italy

For a tourist visa:

Tourism to Italy for Ukrainians is carried out on a visa-free basis. A tourist visa is required in certain cases – to obtain it, you need to prepare the following documents:

– a completed and signed visa application form;

– a valid foreign passport (valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip) and copies of all completed pages;

– two colour photographs measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm on a white background;

– confirmation of hotel or other accommodation booking;

– return ticket booking;

– certificate from your place of work indicating your position, salary and length of service;

– financial guarantees (bank statement confirming your funds or traveller's cheques);

– medical insurance valid in the Schengen area.

Additionally:

– for a guest visa: the original invitation from the host in Italy, indicating the purpose and duration of the visit, and a copy of the passport or identity card of the inviting person;

– for a business visa: an original invitation from an Italian company stating the purpose and duration of the trip and an extract from the Italian company's commercial register (visura camerale).

For information on when Ukrainians need a visa to Italy and how to apply for one, visit the Visit Ukraine portal.

Documents for a national visa to Italy

For a student visa:

Studying in Italy requires Ukrainians to obtain a student visa. To apply for a visa, you must submit the following documents:

– a completed and signed visa application form;

– a valid foreign passport and copies of all completed pages;

– two colour photographs measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm on a white background;

– a letter of admission to an educational institution in Italy;

– confirmation of financial means for living and studying;

– medical insurance valid for the entire period of stay;

– confirmation of residence in Italy.

For a work visa:

Working in Italy requires Ukrainians to obtain a work visa. To apply for a visa, you must submit the following documents:

– a completed and signed visa application form;

– a valid foreign passport and copies of all completed pages;

– two colour photographs measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm on a white background;

– the original work permit from the Italian employer;

– an employment contract specifying the terms of employment and salary;

– medical insurance valid for the entire period of stay;

– confirmation of residence in Italy.

It is important to remember that medical insurance in Italy for Ukrainians is a mandatory requirement for obtaining a long-term visa to Italy. We explain what insurance Ukrainians need to enter Italy and how to obtain it here.

For a family reunification visa:

Family reunification in Italy also requires a long-term visa. To apply for it, you need to collect the following documents:

– completed and signed visa application form;

– valid foreign passport and copies of all completed pages;

– two colour photographs measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm on a white background;

– the original family reunification permit from the competent Italian authorities;

– documents confirming family ties (birth certificates, marriage certificates, etc.);

– confirmation of the financial capacity of the host party;

– confirmation of the availability of suitable accommodation in Italy.

For a successful move and to avoid any problems, it is worth contacting specialists. The lawyers at Visit Ukraine provide full support and advice on visa and migration issues to successfully resolve any issues.

Italy for Ukrainians: stages of preparation and obtaining a visa

Step-by-step instructions for successfully obtaining a visa:

1. Determine the type of visa. First, you need to determine the purpose and duration of the trip, which will help you choose the appropriate type of visa.

2. Prepare the necessary documents. Depending on the type of visa you have chosen, prepare the appropriate set of documents.

3. Make an appointment to submit your documents. You must contact the Italian Embassy in Ukraine or an accredited visa centre to make an appointment to submit your documents. It is recommended that you make an appointment in advance via the official website or by telephone.

4. Submit your documents. At the appointed time, visit the visa centre or consular section of the Italian Embassy with the complete set of documents. Please note that you must be present in person to provide biometric data (fingerprints) if you have not provided them previously.

5. Payment of consular fees. Pay the visa fee, the amount of which depends on the type of visa. For short-term visas (type C), the fee is approximately €35, and for national visas (type D), it is €116. Payment is made in the national currency at the exchange rate on the day of payment.

6. Awaiting a decision. The processing time depends on the type of visa and can range from 10 working days for short-term visas to 30 calendar days for national visas. If necessary, the consulate may request additional documents or schedule an interview.

7. Receiving the document. Once a decision has been made, you will be notified that the document is ready. You can pick it up in person at the visa centre or via courier service, if this option is available.

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Permesso for Ukrainians 2026: temporary residence permit in Italy

For those who plan to stay in the country for more than three months, it is mandatory to obtain a Permesso di Soggiorno residence permit. This document is required regardless of the reason for your stay, whether it is work, study or family reunification.

What is Permesso di Soggiorno for Ukrainians?

Permesso is a document that officially allows you to legally stay in Italy. It is a preparatory stage for obtaining a permanent residence permit (Carta di Soggiorno). The modern card is an electronic medium with a built-in microchip that stores the owner's personal information.

How to obtain a Permesso in Italy?

The procedure for obtaining a Permesso di Soggiorno consists of two main stages: interaction with the post office and a visit to the police station.

Upon arrival in Italy, you must contact a specialised post office (Sportello Amico) within eight days to obtain a registration kit. When filling out the documents, you must follow these rules:

– use only Italian;

– purchase a Marca da Bollo stamp (16 euros) at a tobacconist's and attach it to the application;

– prepare copies of all necessary documents;

– obtain a registration receipt.

Then, on the appointed date, you will have a personal meeting at the Questura, during which your fingerprints will be taken, your documents will be checked, and you will be informed of the date of issue of your residence permit card.

About traffic rules, fines, toll roads in Italy and important details for drivers – read here.

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Documents for Permesso in Italy

– foreign passport with a long-term visa (type D);

– four passport-size photographs;

– confirmation of the purpose of stay;

– medical insurance;

– copies of documents submitted for a visa;

Permesso extension for Ukrainians: 2026

The validity of the Permesso di Soggiorno can be extended for up to 6 months – one month before its expiry date, and for 1-2 years – three months before its expiry date.

The extension procedure is similar to the initial application: apply to the post office, obtain a set of documents and submit an updated application.

The Permesso di Soggiorno is extended depending on the reasons for stay (work, studies, family). It is recommended to apply for an extension in advance, before the document expires.

Permanent residence permit in Italy for Ukrainians

Ukrainian citizens who have been legally residing in Italy for more than five years have the opportunity to obtain a permanent residence permit (Carta di Soggiorno Permanente).

Obtaining such a document provides a number of opportunities, such as complete freedom of residence, work and study anywhere in Italy, the right to move and work freely in European Union countries without additional permits, access to state support programmes, including social benefits for unemployment, pregnancy and disability, as well as the prospect of obtaining citizenship after 10 years of residence in Italy.

To be eligible for the Carta di Soggiorno Permanente, you must meet the following requirements:

– a documented five-year history of residence in Italy;

– no criminal record in Italy or other countries;

– proficiency in Italian at a level not lower than A2, confirmed by a special test;

– stable income sufficient to support yourself and your family members.

You can apply for a permanent residence permit through your local police department (Questura), post office (Ufficio postale) or municipality (Comune).

Documents required to apply for a Carta di Soggiorno Permanente:

– valid passport or identity card;

– Italian tax number (Codice Fiscale);

– documents confirming residence in Italy for 5 years (e.g. temporary residence permit);

– certificate of no criminal record;

– certificate of passing the Italian language test;

– proof of income or bank statements;

– proof of medical insurance;

– receipt of payment of the administrative fee.

The standard processing time for an application is 60 days, but in some cases it can take up to 6 months. For convenience, applicants can use the Immigration Portal (Portale Immigrazione) to monitor the status of their application online.

How to obtain Italian citizenship?

There are two main ways for Ukrainians to obtain Italian citizenship: through naturalisation and through marriage.

For naturalisation, you must have lived in the country for 10 years, have a stable income, be proficient in Italian at B1 level, have a clean criminal record and submit your documents via the ALI online portal.

An alternative option is to obtain citizenship through marriage to an Italian citizen. To do this, you must be married for one to three years, depending on whether you have children, have a language proficiency certificate and a certificate of official marriage registration.

In any case, you will need to collect a full set of documents: birth certificate, criminal record certificate, tax returns, residence permit, language certificate and receipt of payment of state fees.

Work permit in Italy

A work visa to Italy is a long-term visa (type D) that allows entry into the country for employment. However, upon arrival in Italy, you must obtain a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) in order to officially stay and work in the country.

The main steps for obtaining a work visa are as follows:

1. Find an employer in Italy. Your future employer must apply for a work permit (Nulla Osta). Without this permit, you will not be able to apply for a visa.

2. Wait for the Decreto Flussi to open. Every year, the Italian government sets quotas for the number of work permits for foreigners. This programme is called Decreto Flussi. For example, in 2019, the quota was 30,850 permits. You can only apply when the Decreto Flussi is open.

In total, 497,550 specialists are expected to be recruited for the period 2026–2028, including:

- 164,850 workers in 2026;

- 165,850 workers in 2027;

- 166,850 workers in 2028.

For more information on work visa quotas in Italy for the period 2026–2028, as well as when to apply and the main sectors, read this article.

3. Apply for a work visa. After receiving a work permit from your employer, you can apply for a visa at the Italian consulate or embassy in your country.

4. Arrive in Italy and apply for a residence permit. Within 8 days of entering the country, you must apply for a Permesso di soggiorno at the local immigration office.

About work permits in Italy and how Ukrainians can convert temporary protection into another type of residence permit – find out more at the link.

Important to know! If you are not an EU citizen, you must find a job in Italy before applying for a visa. You can only apply for a work visa after obtaining a work permit. Upon arrival in Italy, it is mandatory to apply for a residence permit.

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