Study in Italy Guide: Step-by-Step Road Map for Students

Welcome to Italy! Beyond the pizza, history and dolce vita, your first interaction with this country will be with its unique bureaucracy. We know that navigating through laws, contracts and documents in a new language can seem overwhelming, which is why we have created this complete, objective guide in 5 simple and logical steps. Follow them in order to ensure you don’t miss any opportunities and that you secure all your rights as an international student.

5 Step Road Map (Complete Guide to Italy)

Step 1: Italian Identity (Fiscal Code + SIM)

- Codice Fiscale: Obtained free of charge from the Consulate before departure or from the Agenzia delle Entrate.
- Local SIM: Prepaid card from low-cost operators for Italian phone number (+39).

Step 2: Formalization of Stay (Residence or Permesso)

- EU Students: Registration in the temporary register at the Town Hall (Comune) if staying more than 3 months.
- Non-EU Students: Sending the “Yellow Kit” from the Post Office for the Permesso di Soggiorno within 8 days.

Step 3: Housing & Banking (Rent Contract + Bank Account)

- Housing: Finding a room and officially registering the rent contract.
- Banking: Opening a free bank account for students (useful for receiving scholarships).

- Step 4: Government Benefits (Scholarships, Health & Transport)

- Scholarships (Diritto allo Studio): Obtaining the ISEE Parificato document for free accommodation and pocket money.
- Health: Enrolling in the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) to receive a free family doctor.
- Transport: 50-70% discounts on local bus/metro passes based on student status.

Step 5: Social Integration (Community, Language & Jobs)

- Student Networks: Joining local associations such as ESN (Erasmus Student Network) for events and friends.
- Italian Language: Accessing free language courses offered by university centers (CLA).
- Part-time jobs: Work options within the university (150-hour collaborations) or flexible jobs for students.

- Daily Life & Essentials: Moving to a new country comes with a host of practical needs for everyday life. From essential pharmaceuticals and personal care items to seasonal clothes and university outfits, you can get everything quickly and online, with delivery directly to your new address.

Step 1

Italian Identity (Fiscal Code + SIM)

- Codice Fiscale: Obtained free of charge from the Consulate before departure or from the Agenzia delle Entrate.
- Local SIM: Prepaid card from low-cost operators for Italian phone number (+39).

Codice Fiscale (Tax Code)

It is a free and mandatory alphanumeric code. The procedure differs depending on your nationality:

- For EU students:
- Before departure (Recommended): Go to the website of the Italian Consulate in your country. Send the completed form and a copy of your ID/passport by email. You will receive it in PDF format within a few days.
- In Italy: Go to any Agenzia delle Entrate office with your ID. You will receive it on the spot.
- For Non-EU students:
- Through the Embassy: Most of the time, the Italian Embassy issues you a new Codice Fiscale together with the application for the student visa (it is attached to the visa sheet).
- In Italy: If you did not receive it with the visa, you must go to the Agenzia delle Entrate with: Valid passport, Study visa and copy of the acceptance letter from the university (Lettera de Assonanza/Nulla Osta).

Internet & Local SIM Card (Number with +39)

A. Internet

Airalo's eSIM data plan for Italy is officially called Mamma Mia and is one of the most flexible in Europe, making it the ideal solution for international students arriving in the peninsula.
Network and Connectivity in Italy
- Local Operators: Airalo has an excellent triple-network partnership, automatically connecting to Wind Tre, Vodafone and Iliad (or TIM depending on the agreements).
- Speeds and Coverage: You have full access to 4G LTE and 5G networks (especially on Wind Tre and Vodafone profiles). Coverage is impeccable in major university centers (Milan, Rome, Bologna, Padua, Turin) and in island regions (Sicily, Sardinia).
- Data Sharing: Mobile Hotspot (tethering) is allowed without restrictions.
- Plan Type: The plan is exclusively for mobile data. It does not include a local phone number (+39).

B. Local SIM Card (Number with +39)

You need an immediate Italian number to be contacted by apartment owners, university or couriers.

- For EU students:
- You can buy a SIM card in any store or vending machine (e.g. Simbox Iliad) with just your ID card and your new Codice Fiscale.
- For Non-EU students:
- Some large companies require a mandatory Passport (ID card from the country of origin is not accepted).
- Attention: In the first days you do not yet have a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno), so specify at the store that you are a newly arrived student and present your passport with the visa.
- Common recommendation: Choose low-cost operators (Iliad, Very Mobile, ho. Mobile). They offer large internet packages (100-200 GB) for €7-10 per month, without 2-year locked-in contracts.

A. Internet

Airalo's eSIM data plan for Italy is officially called Mamma Mia and is one of the most flexible in Europe, making it the ideal solution for international students arriving in the peninsula.
Network and Connectivity in Italy
- Local Operators: Airalo has an excellent triple-network partnership, automatically connecting to Wind Tre, Vodafone and Iliad (or TIM depending on the agreements).
- Speeds and Coverage: You have full access to 4G LTE and 5G networks (especially on Wind Tre and Vodafone profiles). Coverage is impeccable in major university centers (Milan, Rome, Bologna, Padua, Turin) and in island regions (Sicily, Sardinia).
- Data Sharing: Mobile Hotspot (tethering) is allowed without restrictions.
- Plan Type: The plan is exclusively for mobile data. It does not include a local phone number (+39).

Buy now eSIM Airalo Italy

B. Local SIM Card (Number with +39)

Iliad

Is currently the absolute king for international students in Italy. This operator has revolutionized the Italian market by completely eliminating the 2-year locked-in contracts, hidden fees and bureaucratic red tape typical of traditional operators.

Why is Iliad the ideal choice for students?

- No binding contracts: The student can close the card whenever they want, without any penalty, perfect for those who only stay for a semester or a year (e.g. Erasmus).
- Locked price for life: Unlike other operators that increase rates after a few months, Iliad guarantees the price remains unchanged forever.
- Generous roaming in the EU: It offers between 9GB and 15GB of free internet that the student can use when traveling at home or in other European countries.
- Supports eSIM: If the student's phone is compatible, they can activate a digital card on the spot, without having to wait for a plastic card.

How and where to buy? (Practical Guide)
This is the biggest logistical advantage. The student does not have to go and argue with an agent in a store.

1. At Simbox machines: There are thousands of red digital jukeboxes called Simbox located in main train stations, malls, large supermarkets or in official Iliad stores.
2. The process at the machine (takes 5 minutes):
- The student selects the offer on the screen.
- Scans the ID.
- Manually enters the data from the Codice Fiscale.
- The machine asks him to record a short 5-second video in which he says "I am [Name] and I choose Iliad" (it is a legal obligation in Italy for anti-terrorism identity verification).
- Pays with a card (bank or Revolut).
- The machine issues the physical SIM card on the spot, and activation takes between 2 and 24 hours.

Mandatory Documents for Purchase (EU / Non-EU Separation)

- For EU students: They only need their Bulletin/Passport and the Codice Fiscale number. Payment can be made with any European card.
- For Non-EU students: They must use the Passport with the Study Visa. Simbox machines have a special option for international passports. Very important: You do not need a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) to buy a prepaid card at Iliad.

Step 2

Formalization of Stay (Residence or Permesso)

This is the most critical administrative step after your arrival in Italy. Once you have obtained the Codice Fiscale, the legal procedures for residency and stay are completely different depending on your status (EU vs. Non-EU).
Failure to follow these steps may affect your right to stay for studies or access Italian healthcare.

- EU Students:Registration in the Temporary Registry (Anagrafe) at the Town Hall (Comune) if staying more than 3 months.

- What is the Iscrizione dello Schedario della Popolazione Temporanea?
It is a special registration for students or seasonal workers. It gives you legality in the territory for a maximum of 12 months, without changing your permanent residence in your country of origin.
What documents do you need at the Comune?

1. Valid passport or ID card.
2. Codice Fiscale (copy and original).
3. Certificate of registration at the university (Certificato di iscrizione in Italian).
4. Proof of financial resources: A self-declaration (autocertificazione) confirming that you have enough money to support yourself (approximately €500-600 per month, equivalent to the Italian social assistance Assegno Sociale).
5. Health insurance: European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued free of charge from your home country, or a private policy valid for one year.
6. Rental contract (officially registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate) or a declaration of hospitality from the landlord.

- Non-EU Students: Sending the “Yellow Kit” from the Post Office for the Permesso di Soggiorno within 8 days.

Step 1: Pick up and fill out the Yellow Kit (Kit Giallo)

- Go to a post office (Poste Italiane) that has a Sportello Amico counter.
- Request the "Residence Permit Kit" for free (it is a large envelope with a yellow stripe).
- Inside you will find Modulo 1 (the main form) which you must fill out in block letters, using a black pen.

- Step 2: Documents to include in the envelope (COPIES only, not originals!)

- Full copy of your passport (all pages, including blank ones and the one with the student visa).
- Copy of your Codice Fiscale.
- Copy of your University acceptance letter (stamped by the Italian Embassy when issuing the visa).
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- Copy of financial proof (bank statement showing that you have a minimum of ~6,500 € for one academic year).

Step 3: Costs and Posting
Do not close the envelope! Take it back to the Sportello Amico with it open. You will have to pay the following fees:

- Marca da Bollo (tax stamp): ~16.00 € (purchased in advance at any tobacconist/Tabaccheria and affixed to the form).
- Electronic permit printing fee: ~30.46 €.
- Kit postage fee: ~30.00 €.

Step 4: Receipt (Riveta) and Appointment at the Questura
After you send the envelope, the postal clerk will hand you two vital documents:

1. Postal Receipt (Riveta): Contains a user code and password to track your file online. Until you receive your physical permit, this receipt serves as a legal document of residence in Italy (you can also use it to activate your ho. Mobile SIM!).
2. An online appointment sheet (Appuntamento): It tells you the date, time and address at the Questura (Immigration Police) where you will have to physically present yourself for fingerprinting and verification of the original documents.

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Step 3

Housing: Conclusion of the rental contract
Although both students need the Codice Fiscale to register the contract with the Agenzia delle Entrate, the identity documents required to attach to the contract differ:

EU students:
- Identity document: The landlord concludes the contract directly based on the identity card (bulletin) or passport from the country of origin.
- Guarantees: The process is simpler, being European citizens, and credit checks (if there is a guarantor/parent) are easier to do in the EU.
Non-EU students:
- Identity document: The landlord cannot legally register the contract based only on the visa in the passport for long periods. The student must necessarily present the postal receipt (receipt) of the residence permit.
- Additional obligation (Dichiarazione di Ospitalità): The landlord who accommodates a Non-EU citizen is required by law to file a declaration of hospitality with the Police (Questura) within 48 hours. Without the receipt of the student's residence permit, the landlord risks huge fines, which is why many refuse Non-EU students if they do not have the documents.

Banking: Opening the account for scholarships and fees
Here is the biggest bottleneck, because Italian banks apply strict anti-money laundering rules (Anti-Money Laundering) that are different for citizens from outside the European area.

EU students:
- Procedure: Open a free student account (Conto Corrente Studenti) instantly at major banks (e.g. Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit).
- Documents required: Only the ID card/passport from the EU country, Codice Fiscale and proof of enrollment at the university. I receive a complete Italian IBAN the same day, ready to send to the university for scholarships.
Non-EU students:
- Procedure: They are considered third country residents. Many traditional banks refuse to open a standard account if the student does not have a physical Permesso di Soggiorno card (which can take months to print).
- Fallback solution: They have to look for banks or special services (such as Postepay Evolution from the Italian Post Office or flexible digital banks) that accept account opening based on postal receipt (receipt) and passport, as a temporary solution to avoid losing the first installments of their scholarships.

Housing

The housing market in Italy is one of the biggest challenges for international students. Cities such as Milan, Bologna, Rome and Turin are facing an acute housing crisis, which is why the search should start at least 3-4 months before arrival.
Accommodation options are divided into three main categories: student-only platforms, private real estate platforms and public/university options.
1. Student-only platforms (Secure and Verified)
These platforms are ideal for international students because they allow booking completely online, before arriving in Italy, and offer increased protection against fraud. A big advantage is that many of them issue an official accommodation certificate, a mandatory document often requested at embassies to obtain a study visa (especially for Non-EU students).

- HousingAnywhere: One of the most popular platforms in Italy. Your money is securely locked by the platform and only transferred to the owner 48 hours after you move in, ensuring that the property matches reality.
- Uniplaces: Very strong in Milan, Rome and Florence. It has a rigorous system of verification of owners (Verified Listings). All details related to expenses (utilities included or not) are displayed transparently.
- AmberStudent(https://amberstudent.com/): A great option for booking rooms in private co-living student residences. It offers free 24/7 support throughout the entire rental process.
- Spotahome: Sends physical teams to the field to film, photograph and inspect apartments. This way, you can see a real video tour of the room before sending the money.

2. Private Real Estate Platforms (Local Market)
These sites are used by local real estate agencies (agenzie immobiliari) and private Italian landlords. Prices can be lower, but require more attention to detail and, most often, knowledge of the Italian language.

- Idealista.it: Italy's largest rental portal. It has a special section dedicated exclusively to students called "Affitto stanze" (Rooms for rent in shared apartments). Here you can filter the ads by the gender of the roommates or student status.

- Immobiliare.it: Italy's second most used real estate search engine. Ads posted by agencies predominate, which means you will have to pay an agency fee (provvigione), equivalent to 1-2 months' rent.

3. Public Options and University Residences

- DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario): Each region in Italy (Lazio, Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna) has a public body that offers places in student dormitories at very low prices (subsidized, between €150 and €300). These are granted strictly based on the family's financial situation reflected in the ISEE Parificato document. Places are limited and applications usually close early in the summer.

Golden rules for student safety

1. Type of Contract: For students there is a special contract called Contratto di locazione per studenti universitari (duration between 6 months and 3 years), much more flexible than the classic 4+4 type.
2. No money upfront on trust: No student should send a security deposit (caparra) via direct bank transfers or Western Union based on simple pictures received on WhatsApp or Facebook. Payment is only made through secure platforms or after signing the contract.
3. Hidden costs (Expenses): Check whether the rental price is Expenses included (with utilities and community fees included) or Expenses excluded. Block fees (condominium fees) can easily add between €50 and €150 per month to the final cost.

Student-only platforms (Secure and Verified)

HousingAnywhere

Is one of the most recommended platforms by HubStudentsEurope for students going to Italy. The reason is simple: it solves the biggest problem of an international student—the security of the transaction before arriving in the country.
In extremely crowded cities like Milan, Bologna, Rome or Florence, where the competition for a room is fierce, this platform acts as a secure intermediary between the student and the landlord.

How the security system works (Anti-Scam)
The biggest fear of students is sending the deposit and discovering that the apartment does not exist. On HousingAnywhere, this risk is eliminated through the secure payment system:

- The student pays the first month of rent directly on the platform to reserve the room.
- HousingAnywhere blocks the money and does not send it to the landlord immediately.
- The money is transferred to the landlord's account only 48 hours after the student's official move-in date.
- If the student arrives at the location and finds that the reality does not correspond at all to the photos or description on the website, they have 48 hours to report the problem to receive their money back.

Accommodation Certificate for Visa (Crucial for Non-EU)
For students from outside the European Union who have already completed Step 2 (Formalization of stay), HousingAnywhere offers a massive bureaucratic advantage.

- Once a reservation is confirmed, the platform generates a set of official reservation and billing documents.
- These documents serve as official proof of accommodation (Accommodation Proof), being directly accepted by embassies and consulates for issuing a study visa for Italy.

Costs and Fee Policy
It is important for students to budget their expenses correctly, as using the platform involves certain costs:

1. Booking Fee: HousingAnywhere charges a one-time service fee when booking a room (it represents a percentage of the rent or a fixed amount, clearly visible before payment).
2. Security Deposit: This is not usually paid through the platform in the first phase. Once the student has moved in and the 48 hours have passed, the security deposit (equivalent to 1-3 months of rent) is paid directly to the landlord, as specified in the ad.

Practical tips for students on HousingAnywhere Italy

- Pay attention to the “Verified Landlord” label: Look for landlords who have this badge. It means that the platform team has verified their identity, history and, in many cases, physical visits to the location have been carried out.
- Check the "Utilities" section: In Italy, the costs of the apartment (condominium fees), internet, gas and electricity can be included in the price (All-inclusive) or calculated separately. On the platform, this is clearly detailed in the right-hand sidebar of each ad.
- Communicate only through the platform: Landlords who try to convince students to move the conversation to WhatsApp or send money via Western Union/direct bank transfer should be reported immediately. If the transaction takes place outside the site, the 48-hour guarantee disappears.
- Be quick: In university cities like Bologna, a good ad receives dozens of applications in the first few hours. Complete your student profile 100% (add proof of acceptance from the university, a short description about yourself) to become an attractive tenant from the start.

Private Real Estate Platforms (Local Market)

Idealista.it

Is the largest and most widely used real estate portal in Italy. Unlike international platforms such as HousingAnywhere or Uniplaces, Idealista is an open search engine, used locally by both private owners and real estate agencies (agenzie immobiliari).
It is the platform where students find the lowest prices, but it requires careful navigation and a greater degree of direct involvement.
Key section for students: "Affitto stanze"
To avoid wasting time among ads for entire houses for sale or long-term rent, international students should go directly to the section dedicated to the co-living market:

- Filter by rooms: Look for the "Stanze / Posti letto" (Rooms / Places in a room) section.
- Room types:
- Camera singola: Single room in an apartment shared with other students or young professionals.
- Camera doppia / Posto letto: A bed in a double room (shared with another student). It is the cheapest option possible in Italy, ideal for low budgets.

Advantages vs. Risks on Idealista Italia
As an open platform, it comes with a different set of rules:
Advantages:

- Real market prices: Since the ads are posted directly by locals, the prices are not inflated by platform commissions intended for tourists or expats.
- Huge volume of ads: In big cities like Milan, Bologna or Rome, thousands of new rooms are added daily.
- Advanced filters: You can filter the ads by the gender of the current roommates (only girls/boys), if pets are allowed or if the house is smoking.

Risks and Bureaucracy:

- Language barrier: Most of the private owners on Idealista are elderly Italians who do not speak English. Messages written in English are often ignored.
- Agency fees (Provvigione): Many listings are placed by agencies. If you rent through them, you will have to pay a fixed fee (usually the equivalent of 1 or 2 months' rent + VAT), in addition to the security deposit (caparra) requested by the owner.
- Risk of fraud (Scams): Idealista does not hold money in a secure account like Spotahome. Transactions are made directly between you and the owner. Golden rule: Never send money in advance by bank transfer before seeing the room in person (or via live video call) and before signing any documents.

Required document: Student contract
Serious owners on Idealista will sign a legal contract called Contratto di locazione per studenti universitari (with a flexible duration between 6 months and 3 years).

In order for this contract to be valid (and to help you later at university or for residency/scholarships), the owner is required by law to register it with the Agenzia delle Entrate within 30 hours of signing.
- Always ask from the start: “Il contratto viene registrado?” (Will the contract be registered?).

Practical tips from HubStudentsEurope.com

1. Use templates in Italian: Recommend that students prepare a short introductory message correctly translated into Italian (who they are, what they are studying, the duration of the contract, details of the financial guarantee from their parents).
2. Call, don’t just text: In Italy, a direct phone call (or a WhatsApp message to the number indicated in the ad) has a response rate 10 times higher than messages sent through the internal chat of the Idealista platform.
3. Be quick: Good rooms in Bologna or Milan at low prices on Idealista often disappear within 24 hours of being posted. Activate your email alerts in the app.

Public Options and University Residences

DSU (Diritto allo Studio Universitario)

Is the most important public support program in Italy, aimed at ensuring access to higher education for students with limited financial resources. This section is of critical interest as it combines two major advantages: substantial scholarships and places in student residences (dormitories) at subsidized or even free prices.
The program is managed at regional (not national) level, which means that each region in Italy has its own official DSU body, with its own rules, deadlines and application platforms.
DSU bodies in major university regions
Before applying, the student needs to know in which region his/her university is located in order to access the correct website:

- Lombardy (Milan, Pavia, Brescia): Often managed directly by universities (e.g. Politecnico di Milano DSU, UniMi DSU) or through regional partnerships.
- Emilia-Romagna (Bologna, Modena, Parma): Managed by ER.GO.
- Lazio (Rome): Managed by Disco Lazio (formerly Laziodisu).
- Piedmont (Turin): Managed by EDISU Piemonte.
- Tuscany (Florence, Pisa, Siena): Managed by DSU Toscana.
- Veneto (Padua, Venice): Managed by ESU Padova / ESU Venezia.

Housing component through DSU
Places in student dormitories managed by DSU are the cheapest form of accommodation in Italy, but competition is extremely tough.

- Types of beneficiaries:
- Full scholarship students (Vincitori): Receive free accommodation in DSU dormitories for the entire academic year.
- Reduced rate students (Idonei non vincitori): If they meet the financial criteria, but there are not enough funds for a full scholarship, they can receive a room at a subsidized rate (between €150 and €250/month, well below the private market price).
- Facilities: DSU dormitories usually offer single or double rooms, shared kitchens, laundry facilities, study rooms and internet included.
- Rental Contribution (Contributo Alloggio): In some regions (such as ER.GO in Bologna), if the student is eligible for accommodation but the dormitories are full, DSU may offer a monthly financial aid (rental grant) to partially cover the costs of a room rented on the private market (HousingAnywhere, Uniplaces, etc.).

Key Document: ISEE Parificato
Unlike academic criteria, DSU accommodation and scholarships are awarded based on the financial situation of the student's family. To demonstrate this situation, international students (both EU and Non-EU) must obtain a document called ISEE Parificato (or ISEE Universitario per studenti stranieri).
To generate the ISEE Parificato, the student must collect from the country of origin (legalized and translated into Italian):

1. Family composition (family certificate).

2. Gross income of all family members in the previous fiscal year requested (e.g. salary slips, pension slips).

3. Real estate owned by the family (square meter area of the home or certificate that they do not own any other property).

4. Financial assets (bank statements with the balance on December 31 of the requested year).

These documents are sent online or physically to a CAF (Centro di Assistenza Fiscale) in Italy, which will calculate the ISEE value free of charge. If the ISEE value is below the threshold established by the region (usually around €23,000 - €25,000), the student becomes eligible for benefits.
Strict Deadlines
This is the most important warning for HubStudentsEurope: DSU applications open and close in the SUMMER, before the student starts college!

- Time Barriers: Applications usually start in June - July and close in late August or early September.

- If a student waits to arrive in Italy in October to sort out their accommodation, they will completely lose the DSU opportunity for the entire academic year.

How does DSU relate to Step 3 (Housing & Banking)?

1. Vicious Circle: In order to receive the DSU scholarship or rental assistance, the regional body will ask the student for a bank account with an Italian IBAN (Banking Step).
2. Backup Plan: Since the final results for DSU dormitories are displayed late (September), students should be advised to also look for private accommodation with a flexible cancellation policy (on platforms like Uniplaces or Spotahome), in case they do not get a place in the dormitory.

Step 4

Government Benefits (Scholarships, Health & Transport)

Once the student has sorted out the accommodation issue, accessing government benefits is the next critical step to reduce the cost of living in Italy.
1. Government and Regional Scholarships
In Italy, there are two major types of government-sponsored scholarships for international students:

- Regional DSU Scholarships (which we talked about): These are the most common. They offer cash amounts (between €3,000 and €7,000 per year, depending on the region and whether the student is considered in sede or fuori sede—that is, if they have rented a house in the city). The amount often also includes free meal vouchers at university canteens (mense universitaire).
- MAECI Scholarships (Ministry of Foreign Affairs): These are special excellence scholarships awarded directly by the Italian Government to foreign students. Applications are usually made in the spring (April-May) through the official Study in Italy portal. The scholarship offers a total exemption from tuition fees and a fixed monthly payment (around €900/month).

2. Health System (Health / Servizio Sanitario Nazionale - SSN)
All international students are entitled to healthcare in Italy, but the access method differs radically depending on their status:

- EU students:
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC): If they have the European card issued in their country of origin, EU students have free access to emergencies and basic consultations in Italy.
- Registration with the SSN (Optional but recommended): If they want a permanent family doctor in Italy (Medico di Base), EU students can register for free with the ASL (Local Health Agency) based on the S1 form obtained from their home country before departure.
- Non-EU students:
- Voluntary Registration is MANDATORY: In order to obtain a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno), non-EU students must have health insurance.
- Cost: The Italian government offers students a subsidized fee to enroll in the public system (SSN). The cost is around €150 - €700 per year (rates vary according to government budget updates), payment is made by postal form F24. This provides them with a health card (Tessera Sanitaria) and a family doctor just like an Italian citizen.

3. Subsidized Public Transport (Transport)
Transport passes in major cities in Italy have special, extremely reduced rates for students and young people under 26 or 27.

- Milan (ATM): Students can get the Abbonamento Studenti pass, which reduces the monthly cost to around €22/month (compared to the normal rate of €39), offering unlimited travel on the metro, tram and bus.
- Bologna (TPER): The Emilia-Romagna Region (through ER.GO) often offers completely free or symbolic urban transport passes (around €10-€40 for the whole year) for students who have a low ISEE Parificato and are beneficiaries of a scholarship.
- Rome (ATAC): There is the annual student pass (Metrebus Card) with massive discounts also calculated based on the ISEE value.
- Government Bonus (Bonus Trasporti): In certain years, the Italian Government launches national transport vouchers (e.g. €60 discount) for young people with low incomes, which can be combined with local student discounts.

Government and Regional Scholarships

The DSU Regional Scholarships are the most important pillar of financial support in Italy. For many international students, they make the difference between being able to afford to study abroad or not.
Student Classification: How is the value of the scholarship calculated?
The exact amount a student receives (between €3,000 and over €7,500 per year) is not fixed. Regional agencies divide students into three official categories, depending on the distance between their parents' home and the university:

- Fuori Sede (Out-of-town/International Student):
- Who is this: A student who lives a long way from the university (usually more than 60-90 minutes by public transport). All international students fall under this category.
- Mandatory condition: Must present a legal and registered rental contract (for a minimum period of 10 months) in the city where they study.
- Benefit: Receives the highest amount of cash (maximum value of the scholarship) plus free meals.
- In Sede (Local Student):
- Who is it: The student who lives in the same city as the university or very close (under 30-45 minutes of commuting).
- Benefit: The cash amount is the lowest, since it is considered that the student does not have any rent expenses, living with his parents.
- Commuter (Commuter):
- Who is it: The student who lives at a medium distance (between 45 and 90 minutes of commuting).
- Benefit: A medium amount, intended to cover the high costs of daily transportation (trains/buses).

Canteen Service (Mense Universitarie)
In addition to the money transferred to the bank account, the DSU scholarship covers a basic need: daily food.

- Vincitori (Winners): Students who receive the full scholarship are assured 1 or 2 free meals per day (depending on the region and fuori sede status) at partner university canteens.
- Digital system: Access is modern, through an application on the phone or based on the student card (Badge).
- Idonei Non Vincitori: Students who have their file approved, but have not received cash due to lack of regional funds, still receive the right to eat in the cafeteria at an extremely reduced rate (between €2 and €4 for a complete three-course meal).

How are payments made?
The money from the DSU scholarships is not given all at once. The Italian system uses a payment protocol in installments:

1. First Tranche (December - January): Around 50% of the scholarship value is usually paid, after the university confirms that the student has attended classes.
2. Second Installment (June - September): The remaining 50% is paid, but ONLY if the student meets the academic merit criterion (must accumulate a minimum number of exam credits—CFU—by August 10). If the student does not collect the credits, he loses the second installment and may be forced to return the first installment!
3. Bank Account: The money can only be transferred to a bank account in the student's name (or prepaid card with an Italian IBAN). DSU agencies do not accept parent accounts and refuse accounts outside of Italy for large scholarship payments.

Tip from HubStudentsEurope

Be careful with synchronization! As a Fuori Sede student, you cannot receive the maximum amount of the scholarship if you upload a simple verbal agreement or an Airbnb receipt to the DSU system. The rental contract must be officially registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate. Platforms like HousingAnywhere or Uniplaces help you quickly obtain the necessary documents to validate this status before the DSU commission.

MAECI Scholarships

MAECI Scholarships are scholarships of excellence awarded directly by the Italian Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). On HubStudentsEurope, this section represents the premium opportunity for international students (both EU and Non-EU), offering stable funding and high academic prestige.
Unlike regional DSU scholarships which are based solely on income, MAECI scholarships are awarded on strict criteria of academic merit, public profile and interview results.
What does the MAECI scholarship cover?
The scholarship offers a highly attractive financial package to support students during their stay in Italy:

- Tuition fee exemption: Selected students are exempt from paying university registration fees (tasse universitaire), with the exception of a small regional administrative fee.
- Fixed monthly payment: The scholarship offers a cash amount of €9,000 per year, paid in installments (equivalent to €1,000 per month for 9-month study periods).
- Health insurance included: MAECI provides a health insurance policy valid for the entire duration of the scholarship to cover emergencies and medical treatment in Italy.

Eligible study programs
The scholarship is not awarded for any type of study. It is mainly intended for higher education and research:

1. Laurea Magistrale (Master's Degree / Cycle II): Full-time programs lasting 2 years.

2. Corsi di alta formazione professionale (AFAM): Higher education studies within Art, Music and Dance institutions (Conservatories, Academies of Fine Arts).

3. Dottorati di ricerca (PhD): Doctoral programs within Italian universities.
4. Research projects under academic supervision (Ricerche in co-tutela).
5. Advanced Italian Language and Culture Courses: Short duration, 3 months (for students who want to improve their language skills).

Application Calendar and Process
This is a critical detail that students must follow in advance, as the process begins well before the start of the academic year:

- Application Opening: The official call (Bando) is published every year in the spring, usually in April-May.

- Deadline: Applications close quickly, in mid-June.

- Official Platform: All documents, letters of recommendation, CV and language proofs are uploaded exclusively on the government portal of the Ministry: Study in Italy - MAECI.

Eligibility Conditions and Language of Study

- Language of the Program:
- If the student applies for a course taught in Italian, he/she must present a language certificate of minimum level B2 (CELI, CILS, etc.).
- If applying for a course taught in English, they must present a certificate of at least B2 level (IELTS, TOEFL), and in this case it is not mandatory to know Italian.
- Age limit: There are strict age limits on the deadline date (e.g. maximum 28 years for Master, maximum 30 years for Doctorate and maximum 40 years for research projects).

If you have excellent academic results, you can apply for the scholarship offered by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This provides you with €1,000/month, tax exemption and health insurance.

Attention: You cannot combine the MAECI scholarship with a regional DSU scholarship in the same academic year. You must choose the option that best suits your profile!

Health System (Health / Servizio Sanitario Nazionale - SSN)

The Italian Health System (SSN) is different for EU students than for Non-EU students.
Here is the complete, up-to-date guide, clearly structured for each category.
1. European Union (EU) Students
EU students are entitled to healthcare in Italy, usually free of charge, based on European agreements.

- Simple Option (Basic Access): You use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) issued by your country of origin. This gives you free access to emergencies and basic medical consultations absolutely necessary during your stay.
- Full Option (Permanent Family Doctor): If you want a family doctor in Italy (Medico di Base), you must obtain the S1 form from the health insurance company in your home country before departure. With this form you register for free with the local ASL in Italy.
- Residence Permit: EU students do not need a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno), but only proof of medical coverage if they register their residence at the town hall (Anagrafe).

2. Students from outside the European Union (Non-EU)
For Non-EU students, health insurance is mandatory to obtain a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno).

- Voluntary Enrollment in the SSN: This is the most recommended option. It gives you exactly the same rights as an Italian citizen (health card called Tessera Sanitaria and family doctor).
- Official Cost: The minimum subsidized fee for students is 700 euros per year.
- Calendar Year Rule: Payment is strictly valid from January 1st to December 31st. If you pay in October, your insurance will also expire on December 31st of the same year.
- Payment Method: Payment is made at the post office or bank using the F24 form (using the codes specific to the region where you live).

Documents required at the ASL office (For both categories)
Once you arrive in Italy, to receive the physical health card, you must go to the Local Health Agency (ASL) in your city with:

1. Valid passport / ID card.

2. Italian Tax Code (Codice Fiscale).

3. University enrollment certificate.

4. For Non-EU: Proof of payment of €700 (F24 form) and postal receipt showing that you have submitted the documents for the Permesso di Soggiorno.

5. For EU: EHIC card or S1 Form.

Subsidized Public Transport (Transport)

Transport passes in major cities in Italy have special, extremely reduced rates for students and young people under 26 or 27.

- Milan (ATM): Students can get the Abbonamento Studenti pass, which reduces the monthly cost to around €22/month (compared to the normal rate of €39), offering unlimited travel on the metro, tram and bus.
- Bologna (TPER): The Emilia-Romagna Region (through ER.GO) often offers completely free or symbolic urban transport passes (around €10-€40 for the whole year) for students who have a low ISEE Parificato and are beneficiaries of a scholarship.
- Rome (ATAC): There is the annual student pass (Metrebus Card) with massive discounts also calculated based on the ISEE value.

Turin(Torino)

- Free of charge: Students under 26 can get free transport through the regional Piemove program, if they have a family income (ISEE) below €85,000.

- Reduced subscription: For the rest of the students, there is a standard youth subscription at the fixed price of €25/month.

Naples(Napoli)

- Free of charge: The region offers a 100% free annual subscription for the home-university route.

- Conditions: You must be under 26 and have a family income (ISEE) of maximum €35,000.

Florence(Firenze)

- Automatic discount: All students under 26 automatically receive a reduced rate on the annual subscription.

- Additional discount: The price drops even more if the student submits the ISEE certificate (income below €36,000) or through direct agreements with the University of Florence.

Milan (ATM)

The Milan student transport pass managed by the ATM company (Azienda Trasporti Milanesi) is a key topic as it offers a massive cost reduction for young university students.
The price is reduced to €22 per month compared to the standard rate of €39. However, there are some mandatory bureaucratic details that students must know in order not to risk fines.
The strict rules of the ATM Milano pass

- Age limit: The student discount applies strictly to people under 27. Students who have already turned 27 will pay the normal rate of €39 per month.
- Initial cost of the card: To load the pass, the student must first issue a physical electronic card (Tessera Elettronica) which costs €10 and is valid for 4 years.
- Calendar month rule: The monthly pass is valid from the first to the last day of the month (1–30/31), not 30 days from the date of purchase. If purchased on the 20th, it will also expire at the end of that month.
- Annual alternative: Students can opt for an annual pass that costs €200, thus saving the equivalent of two months of transport.

How to obtain it for students

1. Application: Can be made online on the ATM website or directly at the ATM Point offices in the major metro stations (Duomo, Centrale, Cadorna, Garibaldi, Loreto, Romolo).
2. Required documents: Passport/ID card, Codice Fiscale, a passport-style photo and the university registration certificate (or a self-declaration attesting to student status).
3. Activation: Monthly top-ups can be made at station machines, via the mobile app or at press distribution points (Tabaccheria).

Which networks does this subscription cover?
The standard urban subscription of €22 offers unlimited travel on the entire transport network in the municipal area of Milan:

- All metro lines (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5).
- All tram and bus lines managed by ATM.
- Urban sections of regional trains (Trenord) and the underground railway network Passante Ferroviario.

Step 5

Social Integration (Community, Language & Jobs)

- Student Networks: Joining local associations such as ESN (Erasmus Student Network) for events and friends.
- Italian Language: Accessing free language courses offered by university centers (CLA).
- Part-time jobs: Work options within the university (150-hour collaborations) or flexible jobs for students.

Student Networks and Associations

- Erasmus Student Network (ESN): It is the largest student organization in Europe, present in almost all major university cities.
- Events and Integration: Organizes weekly cultural activities, accessible trips, parties and integration events for international students.
- Local Support: Offers "Buddy" programs (a local student helps you find accommodation and get settled) and discounts at commercial partners through the ESNcard membership card.

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