This is a little account of my first experience with the Italian bureaucracy
Given this will be my one and only experience dealing with the Italian government, I didn’t mind it and took it as part of the Italian experience. However, if I would have to do this regularly, I would really hate it!
So... I need to get a couple of paperworks done as part of my Italy stay, simply because I have no association with the EU (other than being a recurring tourist that contributes an unnecessary amount of money to get little momentoes).
Paperwork 1: Permesso di soggiorno, which means permission to stay. Even though I have got the long term visa, it wasn’t enough. I need to get a permission to live here and can only do this at the town that I’m living in. It didn’t make sense right? But who am I to argue with a system when everyone has been following? I also read about many people who had a really painful experience so I was quite prepared... or so I thought.
So here goes.. (you can follow the red numbering and lines on my sketch, I just had to pen this once in a lifetime experience) :)
STEP 1. Went to a post office/ Poste Italiane (first thing the lady told me was “no, non parlo Inglese!”/ “No, I don’t speak English!”) and asked for a permesso form. It took me half an hour just to get the form eventhoguh I was the only 3 customers there because their computer system was down and would not accept any customers. The form was in full Italian and it had over 5 leaflets. Panicked and didn’t know who to go to...
STEP 2. So I went to school for help. Finally met the lady whom I’ve been corresponding and she asked me to return at 2pm as she’ll be available to help me
STEP 3. I had to do a pitstop at a nearby tabacchi (tobacco shops that sells everything) to get a ‘tax-stamp’ that cost me a whopping EUR13, which is to be attached to the form
So while waiting for time, I decided to process my paperwork 2: codici fiscale. This COMPLETELY doesn’t make sense as I do not work here... But I needed it for a few formal documentations and according to the locals... “I know, it doesn’t make sense but everyone has to do it!”. So here goes...
STEP 4. Went to a questura (police station) thinking it was the right place (I have gotten really confused with all the bits of advice received by then). With limited Italian, I figured that the receptionist said I have to go to this place called the “Agenzia delle Entrate”. Googled up, found two agenzia and decided to pick a random first which is about 20 minutes walk
STEP 5. Reached the Agenzia delle Entrate. Through their hand gesture, I learnt that this agenzia doesn’t process codici fiscale and they gave me another address. That is on the other side of the town and was a 30 minutes walk. The office closes at 12.30pm and it was 11.30am, but I was determined to get it done and over with... so, I ran there!
STEP 6. Reached the correct agenzia... filled in the form in Italian (good thing I had a photocopy of my own passport)... the fierce lady vetted my form; gave me an appointment number; waited patiently for my turn; went up to the right counter and 5 minutes later, I got my codici fiscale! WINNER!
One done and one more to go. So, now back to the permesso di soggiorno
STEP 7. The school coordinator helped me fill in the form, saved me a lot of headaches and then asked me to go to another bigger post office that processes this application (Grazie mille Victoria!)
STEP 8. Few days later, I followed diligently and arrived at the bigger Poste Italiane at precisely 8.30am. I was told that I will be receiving a temporary card and a slip with an appointment time with the police to get a proper permesso. However, I found out that the process has changed and they will be sending the appointment date via post instead
Today, I received an SMS with the appointment date with the police, but on a date that my visa ended! The school told me to ignore it as I have the temporary slip which is sufficient and that I do not have to do anything.
So this is my experience of dealing with the bureaucracy... It gave me things to do while trying to settle in, exercise and also familiarise around town. I also am finding myself quite religious suddenly, as I have been praying, hoping that nothing dodgy will happen with my stay (and also my future citizen application!).
Thank you for reading a rather detailed account. Grazie e ciao.