Foreign National citizen with a valid residence permit or an EU Long Term residence permit

All foreign national citizens who hold an EU long term residence permit or a valid residence permit of another type, can leave Italy and move freely within the Schengen area for tourism purposes, bringing with them just a passport and the residence permit. 

One can stay in other member states for a maximum period of 3 months. Furthermore, during the stay, the foreign national is not allowed to work. 

In general the non-EU citizen can stay outside of Italy for a continuous period provided that it does not exceed half the duration of his/her residence permit. Only persons with a residence permit for at least 2 years can leave for a period that is more than 6 months. 

Foreign national citizen who holds an EU long term residence permit: a journey abroad cannot exceed 6 months. If the duration of the period outside Italy goes beyond this period, the residence permit can be revoked. 

Important: some types of residence permits, even if valid, do not allow the foreign national to leave Italian territory to then return. The types of residence permits in question here are those for protection, for example, permits for medical care, pregnancy or requesting political asylum (issued for judicial purposes).

Foreign national citizens waiting for the renewal or conversion of their residence permit

The foreign national who possesses a residence permit that has expired, but who has applied on time for it to be renewed or converted, can leave Italian territory and return to his/her country of origin, even through an external border that is different to the point of departure from Italy.

It is not possible to cross or make a stopover in the Schengen area. For countries who are not under the Schengen agreement, the foreign national citizen must inform him/herself at the consular/diplomatic representative of the state he/she wishes to cross.
It is necessary to show the following documents to border police:

• expired residence permit
• post office offical receipt which proves the application for renewal or conversion of the permit, which will be stamped to indicate the date and time of border crossing, or the slip (with the photograph and the purpose of the permit in question) issued in the case of the paper residence card.

Loss or expiry of a residence permit while abroad

If a residence permit expires or is lost while a foreign national is abroad, Italian legislation allows for a re-entry visa.

It is necessary to go to the Italian consular/diplomatic representative in the country of origin to apply for the visa. The consular/diplomatic representative, who verify the reason for the extension of the trip beyond the duration of the residence permit, authorises re-entry.