How do you get a registered address in Rome?

Thinking of moving to Rome? Unravel the residency registration process, costs, and tips for expats and students. Start your Italian adventure stress-free!

Yordan

9 minute read

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Updated on 16 Sep 2026

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Moving

You register your address in Rome at the local Anagrafe (registry office), a process that takes anywhere from a few weeks to several months depending on your citizenship and appointment availability. As with every major European capital, Rome attracts thousands of expats each year. So much so, that Rome is the top city in Italy when it comes to immigrants. There are more than 550,000+ expatriates living in the city.

If you're planning your move, check out your complete guide to living in Rome as an expat for everything you’ll want to know about settling in, finding housing, and navigating Italian bureaucracy.

What all of Rome's non-native citizens have in common is that they have all gone through the process of registering their residency in the city. Complicated and lengthy, the process can be baffling to some. This is why we'll give you all the information you need in this article.

• You must register if you plan to stay in Rome longer than 90 days, no matter where you're from.
• Non-EU citizens go through 3 stages: residence permit, tax code, then residence certificate. Budget 1 to 4+ months total.
• EU citizens skip the residence permit step and only need a tax code and a residence certificate.
• Students and young professionals without a signed lease yet can still start the process using a temporary registration or a host's declaration.
• Total official cost ranges from €143.96 to €203.96, on top of any fees for copies or translations.
• Registering your address unlocks healthcare, banking, and other essential services, so treat it as an early priority after you land.

You must register your residency in Rome if you intend on spending more than 90 days in the city. This is a hard requirement regardless of your country of origin. You'll be in the records of the local registry (Anagrafe) once you complete the process.

If you’re moving for work, find a job in Rome as an expat can help you prepare the paperwork and job search steps you’ll need for registration.

Moving for university? How studying in Italy works (from visas to universities) covers the full journey from application to arrival.

The formal process for registering your residency in Rome differs depending on your country of origin. Let's dive into what the process entails for Non-EU and EU citizens.

The exact paperwork depends on your citizenship and which stage of the process you're on, but here's the full checklist pulled together in one place so you're not caught off guard at the post office, the police station, or the Anagrafe.

Looking for the right contract? Find student accommodation in Italy and compare Rome’s best neighbourhoods to get registration-friendly options for your address.

The required documents change often so it is best to reach out to the local Anagrafe and get information about the required documents.

As a Non-EU citizen, you must have a valid visa to enter Italy before starting the residency registration process. With this out of the way, you're only 3 steps away from registering your residency in Rome.

1. Get your residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno)

The process of getting your residence permit in Italy must start within 8 days of your arrival in Italy.

You need to take the following steps to complete the application:

1. Collecting, filling out and submitting the "Permesso di Siggoirno Kit"

The "Premesso di Siggoirno Kit" consists of 2 forms that serve you to provide all the necessary information to the local authorities.

You must go to a post office to collect "The Kit". Make sure to select option "F" at the ticket machine to make sure you're wating at the right line. Once you collect the kit, you must fill it out with information about your visa, passport and address in Rome.

2. Buying a "Marca da Bollo" stamp and putting it on your completed kit

The Marca da Bollo is available at every tobacco shop in Rome. Stick it in the outlined area on the first page of your residence permit application.

3. Bring the filled-in kit back to the post office along with some additional documents

Once you're ready, bring the kit to the post office in an unsealed envelope. Besides that, you must also bring the following documents:

• A copy of your visa and passport
• A copy of the proof of financial stability you used for your visa application
• A copy of the proof your health insurance

The post office clerk will confirm the validity of your application and seal the envelope. You'll receive a receipt for your payment and documents along with an appointment at the police station.

The post office is busy! Make sure to go as early as possible and bring cash or a debit card with you.

4. Bring all documents you receive at the post office to the police station and get your fingerprints taken

Apart from all the necessary documentation, make sure to bring the following with you:

• A valid passport
• The originals of your visa, proof of financial stability and medical insurance
• 4 passport-sized photos

The police clerk will process your application and give you a temporary proof of residence in the form of a receipt. Make sure to safely store the receipt since it'll act as your documentation until you receive the formal certificate. The wait time is between 1 and 3 months.

Once you get your Permesso di Soggiorno, you're all set to start applying for your Italian tax ID.

2. Get your tax ID (Codice Fiscale)

The process of getting your Codice Fiscale start with a visit to either "The Single Desk for Immigration" (Sportelli Unici per l'immigrazione) or the local police headquarters.

You're expected to bring at least one of the following documents with you:

• a valid passport with visa or any other identity document accepted by the Italian government
• a certificate of identity issued by the Italian diplomatic or consular authorities from your original country of nationality (with photo)
• a valid residence permit (permesso di soggiorno)

You'll receive a paper with your tax ID on the spot. The physical Codice Fiscale card will be sent to your listed address within a month.

3. Get your residence certificate (Certificato di Residenza)

The final stop of your registration journey is at your local registry office (Aanagrafe). This is where you formally register as a resident.

Getting an appointment at the local registry in Rome sometimes needs to be done 6 months in advance. If you want to avoid having to wait for so long, you can book an appointment through the TuPassi platform.

With the appointment booked, you must prepare the following documents for your application:

• A filled-in declaration of residence
• A copy of your accommodation contract
• A copy of a work contract or a valid health insurance

If you’re still choosing where to live, pick the right area in Rome for your lifestyle to make sure your registered address works for both Anagrafe and your daily routine.

You can expect your residence certificate to be created and sent to your address in Rome within 45 days of the application.

Since Italy is part of the EU, citizens coming from EU member states benefit from an eased residency registration process.

If you're an EU citizen, then you only need to follow the processes for getting your Tax ID and Residence Certificate, as described above.

You don't need a signed 12-month lease to start the process. If you're staying somewhere short-term while you look for a place, ask your host to sign a dichiarazione di ospitalità (declaration of hospitality), which lets the Anagrafe register you at that address with the host's ID attached. This works for staying with friends, family, or a landlord willing to help before you sign a longer contract.

If you genuinely don't have a fixed address, ask the Anagrafe about iscrizione anagrafica temporanea (temporary residence registration). It's valid for 12 months and follows a simpler process than a full registration, which buys you time to find permanent housing without losing your legal residency status.

What you can't do is register using an Airbnb booking or an informal sublet that isn't backed by a registered contract or a host's declaration. Skipping this step causes rejections, so sort out at least a temporary address before your appointment.

If budgeting is on your mind, plan your budget with this Rome cost of living breakdown to get a realistic idea of monthly expenses before registering.

The total cost of registering your residency in Rome ranges from €143.96 to €203.96. Timelines vary by stage, so use the table below to plan around them.

Registering your address isn't the finish line, it's what unlocks the rest of your admin in Rome. Once you're in the Anagrafe's records, you can enrol with the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) at your local ASL office using your Codice Fiscale, which gets you a tessera sanitaria (health card) for public healthcare.

Your registered address also makes it easier to open an Italian bank account, since most banks ask for proof of residency alongside your Codice Fiscale. If you're renting, make sure your landlord registers your lease with the Agenzia delle Entrate too, since an unregistered contract can block your residence certificate application later.

As you settle in, don’t forget to use Rome’s public transport like a local to get to your appointments and explore your new city.

For more tips on what to do after registering, see your complete guide to living in Rome as an expat.

• Showing up at the post office without checking opening hours or picking the wrong queue. Select option "F" at the ticket machine for the Permesso di Soggiorno Kit line, and go early since it fills up fast.
• Assuming any proof of accommodation works. Airbnb bookings or informal sublets don't count. You need a registered contract or a signed host declaration.
• Waiting too long to start the residence permit process. Non-EU citizens have only 8 days after arrival to begin it.
• Losing your temporary receipt. It's your only proof of status until the official permit or certificate arrives, so keep it somewhere safe.
• Not double-checking the required documents before your appointment. Rules change often, so confirm with your local Anagrafe first.

• Book your Anagrafe appointment through TuPassi
• Download the declaration of residence form
• Read more about getting your residence permit in Italy

Your accommodation contract is one of the most important documents in this whole process, so lock it in before you land in Rome. On HousingAnywhere, you can filter for registration-friendly listings that let you register your address with the local authorities, message identity-verified landlords directly, and book the entire stay online before you arrive. That means you walk into your Anagrafe appointment with a valid contract in hand instead of scrambling to find one after landing.

How do I register my residency in Rome as a student or young expat? Follow the same 3 steps as any Non-EU citizen (residence permit, tax code, residence certificate), or just the tax code and residence certificate if you're an EU citizen. Student accommodation with a proper contract counts as valid proof of address.

What documents are needed for the Anagrafe in Rome? You need a filled-in declaration of residence, a copy of your accommodation contract, and a work contract or valid health insurance. Check the document checklist above for the full breakdown by citizenship.

Can I register in Rome without a rental contract or permanent address? Yes, temporarily. Use a host's dichiarazione di ospitalità or apply for iscrizione anagrafica temporanea while you look for permanent housing.

How long does it take to get residency approved in Rome? The residence permit takes 1 to 3 months, the tax code is issued the same day, and the residence certificate takes up to 45 days after your Anagrafe appointment.

What should I do if my registration is delayed or rejected? Contact your local Anagrafe directly, since required documents change often. Keep your temporary receipt as proof of status while you sort out any missing paperwork.

Is the process different for EU and non-EU citizens in Rome? Yes. Non-EU citizens need a residence permit first. EU citizens skip that step and go straight to getting a tax code and residence certificate.

Can I use student housing as proof of address for residency? Yes, as long as it's backed by a properly registered accommodation contract, not an informal or short-term booking.

What are the next steps after registering my address in Rome? Enrol with the SSN for healthcare using your Codice Fiscale, and use your registered address to open an Italian bank account.

Do I need to speak Italian to register my residency in Rome? It helps, since most forms and appointments are in Italian, but you can bring a translator or use a bilingual friend for appointments at the post office, police station, or Anagrafe.