The diplomatic visa for accreditation or notification allows holders of a diplomatic or service passport to enter and reside in Italy for a long‑term, open‑ended period, when they are assigned to serve at the diplomatic or consular representations of their country in Italy or at the Holy See.
The visa is also issued to members of the holder’s cohabiting family unit:
- the spouse or partner in a same‑sex civil union, aged 18 or over;
- children under 21 years of age (or under 25, provided international reciprocity exists), including those of the spouse or born out of wedlock. For minors who are the children of only one of the applicants, a travel authorisation from the other biological parent is required. Adopted, fostered or legally tutored children, as defined in Article 29(2) of Legislative Decree 286/1998, are treated in the same manner;
- children with disabilities, regardless of age;
- parents (including those of the spouse) who are cohabiting and financially dependent on the principal beneficiary, provided international reciprocity exists.
Visa applications must be submitted through diplomatic channels, via a Note Verbale issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or by the competent diplomatic‑consular Representation of the requesting State. The Note Verbale must include the full and exact personal details of the principal beneficiary and of all cohabiting family members for whom a diplomatic visa is requested.
The Note Verbale must explicitly indicate whether the diplomat for whom the visa is requested will assume duties in replacement of a predecessor (whose full and exact personal details must be provided) or whether the position is newly established.
The issuance of the visa is subject to the Nulla Osta of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Italian Republic of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Once entry has been authorised, the Protocol issues to the holder and their cohabiting family members a special identity card, which replaces the residence permit and certifies the beneficiary’s diplomatic or consular status. The request for the special identity card must be submitted within thirty (30) days of entry into Italy.
What if I want to bring my private domestic staff?
Applications for entry visas for subordinate work outside the quotas in favour of private domestic staff accompanying diplomatic officials, technical‑administrative personnel, consular officials, or officials of International Organisations based in Italy must also be submitted via Note Verbale from the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs or from the competent diplomatic‑consular Representation of the requesting State.
The Note Verbale must be accompanied by a work contract compliant with current regulations, as well as by a declaration from the employer undertaking to provide the worker with social security coverage, health insurance, and to guarantee the worker’s return to their home country upon expiry of the contract. In these cases as well, the issuance of the visa is subject to the Nulla Osta of the Diplomatic Protocol of the Italian Republic of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.