If you are planning to study at a university in Italy and you come from a non-EU country, you will need to follow a set of official steps before travelling. Italy welcomes international students, but the rules are different from those for students from European Union countries.
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Visto per studio – Study Visa
To enter Italy for a long-term study program, more than 90 days, you must apply for a visto per studio, study visa, at the nearest Ambasciata or Consolato italiano (Italian Embassy or Consulate) in your home country before you travel.
This visa is called a national type D visa and it allows you to stay in Italy long enough to enrol at a university and apply for a residence permit.
Documents required for the Visa
When you apply for the study visa, you will usually need the following:
- Passport, that must be valid for at least three months beyond your expected stay in Italy.
- Domanda di visto (Visa application form), that you must fill out and sign the official visa form provided by the Italian consular mission.
- Lettera di ammissione (Letter of acceptance) written by the Italian university.
- Confirmation of your pre-enrolment (pre-iscrizione) on the official Universitaly portal.
- Alloggio (Accommodation proof), because you must show evidence that you have a place to stay in Italy during your studies.
- Prova dei mezzi economici (Proof of financial means), so you need to show that you have enough money to support yourself while in Italy. This is usually calculated as a monthly amount multiplied by the number of months you plan to stay.
- Assicurazione sanitaria (Health insurance) that covers you for the duration of your stay.
- Titoli di studio (Previous degrees and transcripts), that may need to be translated and legally recognised.
These documents do not guarantee that the visa will be issued — the final decision is always up to the consulate.
Pre-enrolment on Universitaly
Before you apply for the visa, you usually have to complete a pre-enrolment on the official ministerial portal called Universitaly. This is a key step — your university will check your documents and decide if you are eligible for the course before the consulate processes your visa application.
This online pre-enrolment includes uploading copies of your diploma, transcripts, and any other required certificates.
After You Arrive in Italy
Once you arrive in Italy with your visto per studio, you must apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno per motivi di studio (Residence Permit for study purposes) within eight working days. You start this process at a Post Office, which sends your application to the local Police Headquarters.
This permit allows you to stay in Italy legally for the duration of your course and can be renewed each year.
English-taught programs at Italian public universities
Many universities in Italy offer degree programs taught in English. These include Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs. Examples of universities with strong international offerings are:
- University of Bologna;
- Sapienza University of Rome;
- University of Pisa;
- University of Florence;
- University of Turin.
You can find a range of courses in English in subjects such as business, engineering, science, social sciences, and more. Specific official lists of English programs are available on university websites and national study portals.
Language Certificates — University vs Consulate
One point that can be confusing is the role of certificati di lingua (language certificates) such as English or Italian language tests. It is important to understand that language certificates are required by the university if the course is taught in a particular language — not by the consulate for the visa itself.
In other words, the university may ask you to show proof of English or Italian ability as part of your admission process. But the consulate does not require a language certificate just to issue the study visa. This means that the visa is linked to your admission, not to a specific language test.
Studying for a PhD
If you want to pursue a dottorato di ricerca in Italy, the process starts with applying to a PhD program at a university. You will need:
- A recognised Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale).
- Application documents and sometimes a research proposal.
- Acceptance from the PhD program.
Here we explain how to get you foreign qualification recognized in Italy. Once accepted, you follow the same visa process described above for your long-term study.
Final tip
Always check the official website of the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country and the university you want to attend for the most up-to-date instructions and deadlines. The rules can vary slightly depending on your location and your program.
