You heard the word Prefettura and don’t know what it is? Don’t worry, it’s one of those offices that often causes confusion — even among Italians. Many people mistake the Prefettura for the Questura (police headquarters), but their roles are different!
The Prefettura is part of the Ministry of the Interior and exists in every Provincia. Its head, the Prefetto, represents the central government at the local level. For foreign buyers and residents, the Prefettura comes into play in several situations, often connected to residency and visas.
What does the Prefettura do?
The Prefettura oversees a wide range of administrative and security matters:
- Supervising local public order and safety
- Coordinating with mayors and law enforcement
- Handling civil protection during emergencies
- Reviewing certain residency and immigration requests in coordination with the Questura
- Oversight of associations and NGOs at the provincial level
It is not where you go for everyday police matters (that’s the Questura), or for registering your residency (that’s the Comune). Instead, it has more of a supervisory and coordinating role.
Why the confusion?
The difference between Prefettura and Questura is not always clear. Both are linked to the Ministry of the Interior and deal with security and administrative issues. The key is:
- Questura = Police authority, identity cards, and immigration permits.
- Prefettura = Government representation, supervision, and coordination.
This overlap explains why many Italians — not just foreigners — confuse the two.
Practical tip for foreign buyers
If you’re going through a complex residency case, or if your situation involves exceptions (for example, long-term stay permits or appeals), your paperwork may pass through the Prefettura. For everyday documents, however, you’ll mostly deal with the Comune and Questura. For a full overview, see our Foreign Buyer Practicalities hub.
🌐 Useful link:
Ministry of the Interior – Prefetture