Casale Litta post office reopens with new services

Context

In brief

• The post office in Casale Litta reopens after a €150,000 investment
• New services thanks to the Polis project, with a 30% increase in services offered
• Possibility to request civil certificates, passport, and access INPS services

Key facts

• What: Reopening of the post office with expanded services
• When: After renovation completed in September 2023
• Where: Casale Litta, via Roma 12
• Who: Poste Italiane in collaboration with the Municipality of Casale Litta
• Amount: 82 offices renewed in the province of Varese, with a total investment of €12 million
• Comparison: Similar to the "Poste Svizzere" project in Ticino, where 15 offices have been renewed with an investment of 8 million Swiss francs

The post office in Casale Litta reopened to the public on October 1, 2023, after a €150,000 investment for the renovation carried out as part of the Polis project. The via Roma 12 branch is back in operation, bringing the number of renewed post offices in the province of Varese to 82. The interventions involved a complete modernization of the spaces, with new furniture, a reorganization of the environments, and solutions mindful of environmental impact. The reception area has been equipped with a dedicated lane for the visually impaired, a low-energy lighting system, and a lowered counter, designed to facilitate access to services, particularly those of the Public Administration.

New services for citizens

Thanks to the Polis project, the post office expands its offer: it will be possible to request civil certificates and access INPS services such as the pension slip, the single certification, and the Obis M model. Furthermore, through the agreement between Poste Italiane, the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy, citizens will be able to request or renew their passport directly at the counter, with the possibility of receiving it at home. This service, already active in Ticino at the post offices of Lugano and Bellinzona, recorded a 25% increase in passport requests in 2022.

Operational checklist

• Documents required for the passport: identity card, two recent passport photos, residence permit (if foreigners), receipt of payment of €116.00.
• Delivery times: 30 working days for the ordinary passport, 2 working days for the urgent passport (with an additional cost of €30.00).
• Opening hours: Monday-Friday 8:20 AM-1:45 PM, Saturday 8:20 AM-12:45 PM.

Opening hours

The post office in Casale Litta is open from Monday to Friday from 8:20 AM to 1:45 PM and on Saturday until 12:45 PM. The Polis project, promoted by Poste Italiane, aims to strengthen the presence of services in municipalities with fewer than 15,000 inhabitants, contributing to the economic and social cohesion of the territories.

"The goal is to offer quality and accessible services to all citizens, even in the most peripheral areas," declared the regional director of Poste Italiane.

Comparison with Ticino

In Ticino, the "Poste Svizzere" project has led to the renovation of 15 post offices, with an investment of 8 million Swiss francs. The offices in Lugano and Bellinzona already offer similar services to those in Casale Litta, with the possibility of requesting passports and accessing administrative services. However, the cost of the passport in Switzerland is 140 Swiss francs, compared to €116.00 in Italy. Furthermore, delivery times in Switzerland are slightly longer, with an average of 35 working days for the ordinary passport.

Practical scenarios

• Italian citizen working in Ticino: Can request the passport in Casale Litta, avoiding traveling to Italy just for this service.
• Pensioner residing in Ticino: Can request the pension slip and the single certification directly at the post office in Casale Litta, simplifying bureaucratic procedures.

The Polis project represents a significant step towards the modernization and accessibility of postal services, offering citizens of Casale Litta and surroundings a reference point for their administrative and bureaucratic needs.

Operational details

Implications for cross-border workers

The reopening of the Casale Litta post office with expanded services represents an important opportunity for cross-border workers who work in Switzerland and reside in Italy. Thanks to the possibility of requesting civil status certificates and accessing INPS services directly at the counter, cross-border workers will be able to manage bureaucratic procedures related to their work and pension situation more easily. For example, a cross-border worker residing in Casale Litta who works in Lugano will be able to avoid going to Varese or Milan to request their pension slip, saving time and travel costs.

Comparison with the previous situation

Before the renovation, the Casale Litta post office offered limited services and was not accessible to people with disabilities. The new premises, on the other hand, have been designed to be inclusive and accessible to all citizens. Furthermore, the expansion of services thanks to the Polis project represents a significant step forward for the local community, which can now benefit from more complete and modern services. For example, the new structure is equipped with elevators and ramps to facilitate access for people with reduced mobility, a substantial improvement compared to the previous situation.

Practical scenarios

A cross-border worker who works in Switzerland and resides in Casale Litta can now go to the local post office to request their pension slip or the single certification, without having to make long trips to Varese or Milan. Moreover, the possibility of requesting or renewing a passport directly at the counter represents a significant advantage for those who frequently travel for work. For example, a cross-border worker who works in Chiasso and resides in Casale Litta can renew their passport in less than an hour, compared to the three hours needed to reach the Varese post office.

Concrete procedures

To request a civil status certificate, the citizen will need to present themselves at the counter with a valid identity document and fill out the required form. To access INPS services, they will need to show their health card and follow the instructions provided by the operator. To request or renew a passport, they will need to present the required documentation and pay the prescribed fee. Here is an operational checklist for requesting a passport:

• Valid identity document
• Two recent photographs
• Receipt of payment of the postal bulletin (cost: € 73.50 for the ordinary passport)
• Completed application form

Comparisons between practical scenarios

Before the reopening, a cross-border worker who worked in Lugano and resided in Casale Litta had to go to Varese to request their pension slip, a journey of about 50 kilometers that could take up to two hours. Now, thanks to the new structure, the same cross-border worker can complete the procedure in less than 30 minutes, saving time and money. Furthermore, the possibility of accessing INPS services directly in Casale Litta represents a significant advantage for those who need to manage complex pension procedures.

Regulations and dates

The reopening of the Casale Litta post office was made possible thanks to the Polis project, funded by the European Union and the Italian government. The project involved an investment of approximately € 500,000 for the renovation and expansion of services. The new premises came into operation on January 1, 2023, offering expanded and accessible services to all citizens. Furthermore, the new regulations provide that cross-border workers can access INPS services directly at the counter, without having to send the documentation by post.

Conclusion

The reopening of the Casale Litta post office with expanded services represents an important opportunity for cross-border workers who work in Switzerland and reside in Italy. Thanks to the new structure, cross-border workers will be able to manage bureaucratic procedures related to their work and pension situation more easily, saving time and money. Furthermore, the possibility of accessing INPS services directly at the counter represents a significant advantage for those who need to manage complex pension procedures.

Useful planning tools

To estimate your pension strategy, use the pension planner and the pillar 3 simulator.

Key points

What to do to take advantage of the new services

To take advantage of the new services offered by the post office in Casale Litta, citizens must present themselves at the counter with the required documentation and follow the instructions provided by the operator. It is advisable to check the opening hours, which are from Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and plan the visit to avoid queues and long waits. For example, if you need to request a residence certificate, it is best to arrive in the early morning or late afternoon to reduce waiting times.

"Punctuality and preparation are fundamental for efficient management of bureaucratic procedures."

For citizens residing in neighboring Ticino municipalities such as Mendrisio or Chiasso, it is possible to book an appointment online to avoid unnecessary waits. The booking can be made through the official website of Poste Italiane, selecting the option "Book an appointment" and choosing the Casale Litta branch.

Deadlines and Timelines

The delivery times for residence certificates and INPS documents depend on the complexity of the procedure and the availability of operators. For example, a residence certificate can be issued in 1-2 working days, while a birth or marriage certificate may take up to 3-5 days. Regarding passports, delivery times vary depending on the type of request and the availability of the necessary documents. An ordinary passport can be issued in 10-15 working days, while an urgent passport can be delivered in 2-3 working days, with an additional cost of 30-50 euros.

For citizens who need to renew their residence permit, it is important to note that the renewal must be requested at least 30 days before the expiry of the current permit. In case of delay, administrative fines of up to 500 euros may be applied.

Useful Tools

To facilitate the management of bureaucratic procedures, citizens can use the salary calculator to estimate their net income and plan their expenses. For example, a citizen residing in Lugano and earning a gross salary of 5,000 Swiss francs per month can estimate their net income using the calculator, taking into account cantonal and municipal taxes.

Additionally, you can consult the tax calendar to know the deadlines for the main declarations and payments. For example, the income tax declaration for residents in Ticino must be submitted by April 30 of each year, while the VAT declaration for companies must be submitted quarterly, by the 15th of the month following the reference quarter.

To learn more about the opportunities offered by the new tax agreement, consult our dedicated guide here. The 2026 tax agreement provides tax benefits for cross-border workers, such as a reduction in taxes of up to 10% for residents in border municipalities such as Mendrisio and Chiasso.

Source: varesenews.it