First 30 Days

The Italian tax code, needed for almost everything: phone, bank, contracts. As a dual citizen you may already have one; verify it. If not, get it from the Agenzia delle Entrate, or before arrival through the Fast It portal of the consulate.

Time: 1 to 2 hours

Check old documents first; you may already have one from birth or AIRE registration.

Register your residence with the Comune di Bologna within 20 days of settling. Do it online through ANPR or in person. This unlocks your medico di base, voting, and many services. As a citizen returning from abroad, this also cancels your AIRE registration automatically.

Deadline: Within 20 days of settling · Time: 1 hour plus processing and a vigili visit

A vigile (municipal officer) will check the address within about 45 days, so put your name on the doorbell and mailbox immediately.

Register with the AUSL Bologna for free national healthcare and choose your medico di base (family doctor). As an Italian citizen resident in Bologna this is free; you do not pay the roughly 700 euro fee that some foreign students owe.

Time: 1 to 2 hours

Go to the Casa della Comunità Porto-Saragozza, Via Sant'Isaia 94/A. Bring your codice fiscale and proof of residenza.

Do this on day one. The vigili check your name at the address within about 45 days to confirm your residenza, and the postal service needs it to deliver your documents.

Deadline: Day one · Time: 10 minutes

A missing name is the most common reason a residenza check fails.

If you were registered with AIRE (Italians resident abroad), filing your residenza in Bologna cancels it automatically. You do not need a separate step, but know that it happens so your records stay consistent.

Time: Automatic

Handled automatically when residenza is filed. No action needed.

ER.GO is Emilia-Romagna's right-to-study agency. Apply for the regional scholarship and student housing. The fuori-sede (away-from-home) grant is worth around 7,072 euro per year as of writing. The deadline is usually early September, so prepare your ISEE documentation early.

Deadline: Usually early September · Time: Several hours; gather ISEE first

You need an ISEE (income certificate). Start it well before the deadline; it takes time.

TPER runs Bologna's buses and the new tram. The under-27 annual pass is around 220 to 230 euro as of writing, excellent value. The campaign usually reopens on 1 September.

Deadline: Campaign reopens 1 September · Time: 30 minutes

Under-27 annual pass roughly 220 to 230 euro. Buy when the campaign opens.

Bologna is a cycling city and a bike is the fastest way around the centro. Buy used to avoid theft heartbreak, and spend real money on a strong U-lock. Bike theft is common, so never leave it overnight on the street.

Time: A weekend of looking

Used bike plus a serious lock. Mercato and student groups are good sources.

Open a Revolut or N26 account instantly for day-to-day spending, or a traditional account at Intesa Sanpaolo or UniCredit if you need reliable Italian direct debits (domiciliazione) for rent and utilities.

Time: 30 minutes (digital) to 1 hour (branch)

Revolut and N26 are instant; a traditional IBAN is smoother for landlords and bills.

An Iliad SIM is the student favorite: cheap, lots of data, simple. Activation is about 9.99 euro. Bring your passport and codice fiscale to any Iliad point or corner.

Time: 30 minutes

Iliad activation around 9.99 euro as of writing. Passport plus codice fiscale required.

IKEA at Casalecchio di Reno, just outside the city, covers the basics for a student room. Reachable by bus; they deliver for a fee.

Time: Half a day

Bus or a friend with a car helps for the trip back.

For groceries: Lidl and Conad for cheap, Coop for the cooperative ethos, Esselunga for quality. For fresh food and atmosphere: Mercato delle Erbe, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato Albani, and the Saturday Mercato Ritrovato.

Time: Ongoing

Markets for fresh and social; supermarkets for staples. Bring a bag; plastic costs extra.

The Erasmus Student Network runs events, trips, and a welcome community. Even as a local-citizen student, it is one of the fastest ways to meet people in your first weeks.

Time: 1 hour to sign up, then events

Go to an early-week welcome event. An ESN card gets discounts too.

The Comune's youth portal for events, opportunities, housing notices, and city life. A genuinely useful local resource.

Time: 20 minutes

Good for housing leads and free or cheap events.