I did something very foolish. I misplaced my Permesso di Sorgiorno. It wasn’t with my Carta di Identita, where it usually is, when I was getting my papers in order to leave Australia for Italy. I searched in all likely places and could not find it.
I thought I possible that it may have been left in Italy on the last trip, so I didn’t worry too much…but it did not present itself here in Italy either.
So I went to the Questura in Lucca, cap in hand, shivering in my boots, and admitted what I had done. The woman at the desk, who I now know quite well told me I must obtain a Denuncia from the Polizia or the Carabinieri.
I went first to the Polizia, who told me to go to the Carabinieri, who told me to come back the next day. I did, and the very handsome fellow at the desk wrote the Denuncia for me after admonishing me for not having a photocopy of my Permesso.
I returned to the Questura only to be told by the same woman that I had to reapply from scratch for another Permesso. After this she said with a sly smile “Va bene?” Is that OK?
I wanted to scream at her “No, it is not OK” or words to that effect, but I just slunk out of the Questura and headed for the office where I go to have the necessary forms downloaded and filled out.
The lovely girl who usually helps me was very busy and made an appointment for 2 days later. She thought it completely ridiculous that I should have to reapply. Surely a new copy could be made. I agreed with her, but I have learned not to argue with the Questura.
I will never know if I was given the correct advice at the Questura. My husband found my Permesso while looking for something else and it is now winging its way across the oceans from Australia…I will take a photocopy of it as soon as it arrives…not that I think that will do much good.
Has anyone else had to replace a Permesso di Soggiorno out there?