In Italy or in Spain with a tourist visa, can I extend my stay?

Whoever comes to Italy or to the European Community for short periods, for example for tourism or to visit a relative, receives a "uniform Schengen visa" type C, which lasts for a maximum of 90 days. Once here, it is not necessary to apply for a residence permit, a simple declaration of presence is sufficient (this is how it is done). 

At the end of the 90 days, the foreign citizen must return home if he/she does not want to become an irregular immigrant and therefore be subject to expulsion, with the consequent prohibition to return to Italy. Article 13 of the implementing regulation of the Consolidated Law on Immigration (DPR 394/1999) provides for the possibility to stay beyond that date only if "there are serious reasons, in particular of a humanitarian nature or arising from constitutional or international obligations". 

The extension can therefore only be activated in exceptional cases, such as an illness or an accident forcing the foreign national to go to hospital and preventing him from returning home until he is able to travel. In these cases, however, you should contact the competent Police Headquarters in the place where you are and ask for your stay in Italy to be extended, presenting all the documentation justifying your good reasons. However, it is worth repeating that these are very rare situations. 

Attention: the rule also applies to citizens of foreign countries who, thanks to agreements with the European Union, can come to Italy for short stays without an entry visa. This is the case, for example, for Albanians or Peruvians. The stay can last a maximum of 90 days, then you have to go back home.