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Italy Bureaucracy Phrasebook

For the appointments where nobody hands you an interpreter: your residency office, healthcare registration, the bank, and signing a lease.

This phrasebook gives polite, formal Italian (the Lei form) for the bureaucratic and everyday situations you will face moving to Italy: the Questura for your permesso di soggiorno, healthcare registration, opening a bank account, renting an apartment, and daily essentials. Phonetics are simplified reading hints, not IPA; stressed syllables are shown in capital letters.

Before you go

Always address officials, doctors, bank staff, and landlords with the formal Lei, not the informal tu. Bring your passport and any prior paperwork to every appointment, arrive early, and take a numbered ticket if one is offered. Regional offices (Questura, ASL, and comune requirements) can vary, so confirm the exact document list with your local office before your appointment.

Residency / immigration appointment

At the Questura (police headquarters) for your permesso di soggiorno appointment.

  • Good morning, I have an appointment at the Questura.

    Buongiorno, ho un appuntamento in Questura.

    bwohn-JOR-noh, oh oon ah-poon-tah-MEN-toh een kwess-TOO-rah

    Open in translator

  • I would like to apply for a residence permit.

    Vorrei richiedere il permesso di soggiorno.

    vor-REY ree-kee-EH-deh-reh eel per-MES-soh dee sohj-JOR-noh

    Open in translator

  • What documents do I need to bring?

    Quali documenti devo portare?

    KWAH-lee doh-koo-MEN-tee DEH-voh por-TAH-reh

    Open in translator

  • Here are my documents.

    Ecco i miei documenti.

    EK-koh ee mee-AY-ee doh-koo-MEN-tee

    Open in translator

  • I don't speak Italian well, do you speak English?

    Non parlo bene l'italiano, parla inglese?

    non PAR-loh BEH-neh lee-tah-lee-AH-noh, PAR-lah een-GLEH-zeh

    Open in translator

  • Where do I need to go, please?

    Dove devo andare, per favore?

    DOH-veh DEH-voh ahn-DAH-reh, per fah-VOH-reh

    Open in translator

  • When will my residence permit be ready?

    Quando sarà pronto il mio permesso di soggiorno?

    KWAHN-doh sah-RAH PROHN-toh eel MEE-oh per-MES-soh dee sohj-JOR-noh

    Open in translator

  • Could you please speak more slowly?

    Potrebbe parlare più lentamente, per favore?

    poh-TREB-beh par-LAH-reh pyoo len-tah-MEN-teh, per fah-VOH-reh

    Open in translator

Healthcare registration and at the doctor

Registering for the national health service (SSN) at the ASL and speaking with your doctor.

  • I would like to register with the National Health Service.

    Vorrei iscrivermi al Servizio Sanitario Nazionale.

    vor-REY ee-SKREE-ver-mee ahl ser-VEE-tsyoh sah-nee-TAH-ryoh nah-tsyoh-NAH-leh

    Often shortened to SSN.

    Open in translator

  • Where is the ASL office?

    Dov'è l'ufficio dell'ASL?

    doh-VEH loof-FEE-choh dell AH-zeh-EL-leh

    ASL = local health authority; say the letters A-S-L.

    Open in translator

  • I need a health card (tessera sanitaria).

    Ho bisogno della tessera sanitaria.

    oh bee-ZOHN-yoh DEL-lah TES-seh-rah sah-nee-TAH-ryah

    Open in translator

  • I would like to choose a general practitioner.

    Vorrei scegliere un medico di base.

    vor-REY SHEL-yeh-reh oon MEH-dee-koh dee BAH-zeh

    Open in translator

  • I have a headache.

    Ho mal di testa.

    oh mahl dee TES-tah

    Open in translator

  • I have had a fever since yesterday.

    Ho la febbre da ieri.

    oh lah FEB-breh dah YEH-ree

    Open in translator

  • I would like to make an appointment with the doctor.

    Vorrei prendere un appuntamento con il medico.

    vor-REY PREN-deh-reh oon ah-poon-tah-MEN-toh kohn eel MEH-dee-koh

    Open in translator

  • Is this covered by the National Health Service?

    Questo è coperto dal Servizio Sanitario Nazionale?

    KWES-toh eh koh-PEHR-toh dahl ser-VEE-tsyoh sah-nee-TAH-ryoh nah-tsyoh-NAH-leh

    Open in translator

Opening a bank account

At the bank to open an account and get a debit card.

  • I would like to open a bank account.

    Vorrei aprire un conto corrente.

    vor-REY ah-PREE-reh oon KOHN-toh kor-REN-teh

    Open in translator

  • Here is my codice fiscale.

    Ecco il mio codice fiscale.

    EK-koh eel MEE-oh KOH-dee-cheh fee-SKAH-leh

    codice fiscale is the Italian tax code, required for nearly every official transaction.

    Open in translator

  • I need proof of address.

    Ho bisogno di una prova di residenza.

    oh bee-ZOHN-yoh dee OO-nah PROH-vah dee reh-zee-DEN-tsah

    Banks typically accept a certificato di residenza (municipal proof of residence) or a recent utility bill; requirements vary by bank.

    Open in translator

  • What documents do you need?

    Quali documenti vi servono?

    KWAH-lee doh-koo-MEN-tee vee SER-voh-noh

    Open in translator

  • I would like a debit card.

    Vorrei una carta di debito.

    vor-REY OO-nah KAR-tah dee DEH-bee-toh

    Open in translator

  • How much are the monthly fees?

    Quali sono le spese mensili?

    KWAH-lee SOH-noh leh SPEH-zeh MEN-see-lee

    Open in translator

  • Can I set up online banking?

    Posso attivare l'home banking?

    POHS-soh ah-tee-VAH-reh LOHM BAN-king

    Italians commonly use the English term home banking.

    Open in translator

  • When will I receive my card?

    Quando riceverò la mia carta?

    KWAHN-doh ree-cheh-veh-ROH lah MEE-ah KAR-tah

    Open in translator

Housing and signing a lease

Viewing an apartment, negotiating rent, and signing the lease.

  • I would like to view the apartment.

    Vorrei visitare l'appartamento.

    vor-REY vee-zee-TAH-reh lahp-par-tah-MEN-toh

    Open in translator

  • Is the apartment still available?

    L'appartamento è ancora disponibile?

    lahp-par-tah-MEN-toh eh ahn-KOH-rah dee-spoh-NEE-bee-leh

    Open in translator

  • How much is the rent per month?

    Quanto costa l'affitto al mese?

    KWAHN-toh KOS-tah lahf-FEET-toh ahl MEH-zeh

    Open in translator

  • How much is the deposit?

    Quanto è la caparra?

    KWAHN-toh eh lah kah-PAR-rah

    Also called deposito cauzionale in formal contracts.

    Open in translator

  • Are utilities included in the rent?

    Le utenze sono incluse nell'affitto?

    leh oo-TEN-tseh SOH-noh een-KLOO-zeh nell ahf-FEET-toh

    Open in translator

  • I would like to sign the lease.

    Vorrei firmare il contratto di locazione.

    vor-REY feer-MAH-reh eel kohn-TRAT-toh dee loh-kah-TSYOH-neh

    contratto di locazione is the formal legal term; contratto d'affitto is also common.

    Open in translator

  • When can I move in?

    Quando posso trasferirmi?

    KWAHN-doh POHS-soh trahs-feh-REER-mee

    Open in translator

  • Could you please send me a copy of the contract?

    Potrebbe inviarmi una copia del contratto, per favore?

    poh-TREB-beh een-vee-AR-mee OO-nah KOH-pyah del kohn-TRAT-toh, per fah-VOH-reh

    Open in translator

Everyday essentials on arrival

Basic courtesies, getting a SIM card, asking for directions, and prices.

Planning the move itself?

This phrasebook is the language layer. For the visa route, the true cost, and the tax reality of Italy, read the full corridor guide.

Moving to Italy from the USA All country phrasebooks

Take Root Abroad is a planning tool, not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Phrasing and office names change; confirm the current requirements for your situation locally. Translations are a starting point, not a substitute for a professional interpreter in high-stakes settings.