Your First Week After Moving to Italy: A Checklist

For Turkish students newly arrived in Italy, the first week is an intense period when many official procedures must be started. In this post we list what you need to do in the first week after arriving in Italy.

1. Start the residence-permit application

After arriving in Italy, the top-priority task is to start the residence-permit (permesso di soggiorno) application. Making this application within a certain period after arrival (usually eight working days) is a legal requirement. The process usually starts with an application kit from the post office. Handling this step in the first days secures your legal status. Your university’s international student office helps with this process. The residence application is the basic first step of your legal life in Italy. Not delaying it is critical. For the process, see our guide library. This should be at the top of your list.

2. Get the codice fiscale

Another first-week priority is obtaining the codice fiscale (tax identification number), if you have not already. This number is needed for a bank account, a rental contract, a health registration and many transactions. Without the codice fiscale you cannot do these basic transactions. The number is free and obtained from the Agenzia delle Entrate. Getting the codice fiscale early opens the way to all your later transactions. This number is the key to your settled life in Italy. For detail on the codice fiscale, see our related post. Prioritising this step makes your first week productive. The number is a precondition for many transactions.

3. Final enrolment at the university

After the visa and pre-enrolment, on arrival in Italy you must complete the final enrolment (immatricolazione) at the university. At this step you submit your enrolment documents, formalise your student status and get your student ID. The final enrolment is the official start of your academic life and provides the student document needed for other transactions (residence, discounts) too. Get in touch with your university’s student office to learn the enrolment process and required documents. Completing this step in the first days starts your academic and administrative processes. The final enrolment is the official basis of your student status. It is important to do this on time.

4. Finalise your housing

If you did not arrange your housing in advance or stayed somewhere temporary, it is important to finalise your permanent housing in the first week. If you have a DSU hall right, complete the settling-in procedures; if you are renting privately or flat-sharing, formalise the contract. Your housing address is needed for the residence and other official procedures too. Permanent, secure housing forms the basis of your life in Italy. For housing options, see our related post. Handling this step early eases your settling-in process. Housing is both a living and an official-transaction matter. Finalising it is a priority.

5. Open a bank account

After getting your codice fiscale, opening a bank account is a practical step for the first week. A bank account is needed for rent payments, receiving a scholarship and income, and daily transactions. A digital bank can offer a fast, practical start. To open an account you need a passport, the codice fiscale and your student document. A bank account organises your financial life in Italy. For the account-opening process, see our related post. This step centralises and eases your financial transactions. Opening the account early eases rent and other payments. The codice fiscale is a precondition for it.

6. Register with the health system

In the first weeks, it is important to arrange your health cover. As the residence process and codice fiscale are completed, you can gain comprehensive health cover by registering voluntarily with the national health system (SSN). If your private health insurance is valid at the start, plan the SSN move. Registering with a family doctor gives you access to health services in Italy. Health registration is one of the basic safeguards of student life. For the health-insurance process, see our related post. This step secures your health and your legal requirements. Arranging health cover early is wise. This makes for a calm start.

7. Get to know the city and university

Alongside the official procedures, set aside time in the first week to get to know your new city and university. Explore the campus, the libraries, the canteen (mensa) and the key points. Get your public-transport pass and learn your routes. Locate the local supermarket, market and basic services. This familiarisation eases your daily life and speeds up your adjustment to your new setting. Exploring the city is also an exciting experience. Getting to know your new surroundings lets you feel at home. This step is an enjoyable part of the adjustment process. Learning your surroundings gives confidence. Set aside time to explore.

The first-week checklist

In summary, the things to do in the first week are: start the residence-permit application, get the codice fiscale, do the final enrolment at the university, finalise your housing, open a bank account, register with the health system and get to know the city. Following these tasks as a checklist lets you get through the busy first week in an orderly way. Your university’s international student office is your most important support in these processes. For document support you can take a free quote, and for the whole of the processes see our guide library. A planned first week gives your student life in Italy a solid start. This list prevents panic and provides order.

Frequently asked questions