Information for International Minor Students Studying in Italy

This page provides essential information for international students under the age of 18 who plan to study at the University of Siena, as well as for their families. In Italy, a student under the age of 18 is considered a minor.

DISCLAIMER: For detailed and up-to-date information on national immigration procedures, minor students and their families are advised to refer to the designated authorities. The University of Siena does not bear responsibility for the information provided on this page, which is intended merely to give students a preliminary overview of procedures to legally reside in Italy.

Before Admission and Enrollment

If the student is a minor at the time of application, the University of Siena will require the consent of the parents or the person holding parental authority to submit the application and to proceed with possible enrollment if the student is admitted.

Legal Status of Minor Students in Italy

In Italy, a student under the age of 18 must be represented by an adult who holds legal responsibility. If the student’s parents do not reside in Italy, the student is required to have a legal guardian (tutore legale) residing in Italy.

The legal guardian represents the student in dealings with Italian authorities, signs official documents, acts as the student’s legal representative for university, immigration, and healthcare matters. Usually, the legal guardian is a trusted adult, legally residing in Italy, chosen by the family (e.g., a relative or a family friend).

The appointment of a legal guardian in Italy does not transfer parental authority. It does not affect parental rights and is strictly for legal representation during the student’s stay in Italy until they reach the age of majority (18 years old).

NOTICE: The appointment of the legal guardian designated by the family must be approved by the Italian Juvenile Court (Tribunale per i Minorenni) once the student has arrived in Italy. The competent court will be either the Juvenile Court of Siena or the Juvenile Court of the province where the legal guardian resides in Italy.

Procedure

1. The parents prepare the Declaration of Consent for the Appointment of a Legal Guardian in Italy, according to the sample document, in the parents’ native language. This document, issued in the country of origin, must be translated into Italian, and the translation must be duly legalized or apostilled, in accordance with applicable international conventions. The parents must also attach their identity documents, and the identity document of the proposed legal guardian.

2. The proposed legal guardian signs a Declaration of Willingness to Act as Legal Guardian, according to the sample document, and attaches proof of residence in Italy. This document must be originally drafted in Italian.

3. The proposed legal guardian submits the following documentation to the competent Juvenile Court (Tribunale per i Minorenni):

• own identity document, proof of residence in Italy, and Italian residence permit (if applicable);
• the Declaration of Willingness to Act as Legal Guardian;
• a copy of the minor’s passport and entry visa (if applicable);
• the parents’ Declaration of Consent for the Appointment of a Legal Guardian in Italy, with legalized Italian translation;
• the minor’s birth certificate with legalized Italian translation;
• the minor’s certificate of enrollment at the University of Siena.

4. The Juvenile Court examines the application and, if no impediments arise and no further investigations are required, proceeds with the official appointment of the legal guardian.

Accommodation in Italy Before the Appointment of the Legal Guardian

A minor student who has arrived in Italy and is waiting for the appointment of a legal guardian by the Italian Juvenile Court (Tribunale per i Minorenni) must have a written authorization from the parents in order to be hosted by a lodging facility or by a relative or by a trusted adult chosen by the family. This authorization must be translated into Italian and duly legalized, and must be accompanied by copies of the parents’ identity documents.

In the case of accommodation in a lodging facility (hotel, B&B, residence, hostel), the authorization must also include the contact information of an adult residing in Italy, who may be the person proposed as legal guardian. This adult must be informed, reachable, and able to support the minor during this transitional period.

NOTICE: For organizational and safety reasons, it is mandatory to verify in advance that the lodging facility accepts the required documentation before the minor’s arrival in Italy.