h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

http://www.h2g2.com/A504488

Despite the resounding lack of interest the first time it posted this, I still believe it is an important entry, and suited to the scope of this guide. We're talking about travelling after all! I've updated it and added some guideML to make it more pleasing to the eye. Let me know what you think.

That seems like a highly sensible entry with lots of good advice.

My main comment (and this is only based on personal experience) is that the holidaying section should come first. I've been to Italy twice in my life - once skiing, once inter-railing.

I guess the only other thing, which the title sort of implied the entry would contain is where to stay. I was expecting to find out that you can't sleep in a caravan by the roadside on a Sunday or that unmarried couples have to sleep in different buildings or whatever. Having read the entry that clearly is not the point of it and it should definitely be left as it is. The title however could maybe be refined to something about "Visa requirements for staying in Italy" or similar - just a suggestion.

Nice work

We need lots of articles like this.
I would advise you to follow up this article with "Staying Illegally in Italy" and "Staying Legal in Italy."

~^M^~

Thank you for the comments. Unmarried couples don't have to sleep in different buildings. Although hotel rooms with double beds are called "matrimoniale" most hotel proprietors aren't interested in your marital status. If you stay in a monastery, however, things are different. (I'll do an entry soon on "Places to stay in italy")
Um, staying illegally in italy... I suppose the easiest way would be to punch a Carabiniere in the nose and tell him you're Albanian.

About the title. I agree it could be changed. But the article's not really about visa requrements; it's about staying legally once you're already there. Visas are something you do before you go. But I don't want the title to be misleading as one of you pointed out. So, over to you, reviewers! What sorts of suggestions can you give for the title?

you could call it "What to do if you went to Italy planning to stay just a short while but changed your plans while you were there." but that's a bit long. If you buy into that whole brevity thing, you could call it "Italy, the legal way." But I'm sure there's someone out there who has better ideas than me.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep 'em comin'!

Good article... Some pointers though
Don't use all caps... ever!
Also, the first time you use "Questura" and "Permesso di Soggiorno" and any other non-English words, define them then, either use a footnote, or maybe just parenthesis.
Also, is there an internet site (official Italian) that has more information, or the up to date info that "changes with the winds"?

Thank you. I've made the changes you suggested. I haven't yet fount a reliable source for Italian law updates. I think Italian lawyers have a monopoly on that information. Check your local consulate for Visa requirements and such. With this article I want to tell the world all the things that such places don't, to fill in the gaps, to finally provide a source of the information that I had to learn the hard way.

Perhaps the the word "staying" is throwing people off. They equate this word with "hotels, housing, hospitality" and you're talking about existing legally as a foreigner in italy.

How about a title like "How to avoid being an alien in Italy"? That should clear up confusion

BBS

But, when visiting you cannot avoid being an alien. Only a citizen of the country is not an alien.

Oh yes, good point should have been "illegal alien". Didn't think that one through.

Ok, I think I've narrowed the possibilities for the title down to, "Existing legally as a foreigner in Italy" and "How to avoid being an illegal alien in Italy". Given that the words Foreigner and Alien are interchangable, which do you think is more appropriate? Any further comments on the content?

Thanks for the nod. Good luck in getting it recommended!

Ok! Great! Everyone who's posted likes it! So what's the problem? Why hasn't it been recommended yet. This thread has been here for a while and during that time I've seen much less deserving entries get accepted. Sub editors are you out there?

The title has been changed. Thanks to BBS and Richy! Is there anything more left to be done?

All EU Citizens have the right to remain and work in any other EU nation now, under the freedom of movement treaty. Therefore the paragraph about EU citizens only being able to stay for 3 months is actually incorrect. The list of the other nations is probably OK though.

I'll have to research that. I heard the same story. But an Irish friend of mine here in Italy still had to get a Permesso di Soggiorno. His landlady wanted it because she said it was required by the city of anyone who rents to or houses foreigners. It was easy for him and they gave him a document good for 5 years, but I think it was still legally required. The government just wants to know you're here. But again, I need to research all this. For me, being American, the situation is different.

That list of countries is from the Italian embassy in Washington D.C. I tried looking up an Italian embassy in the EU but all I could find was phone numbers. However, the French ministry of foreign affairs confirms the 3 month rule I included in my article. See for yourself at:
[URL removed by moderator]
I am certain that in any case, EU citizens will have an easier time that non.