It’s a similar experience to that of people from 3rd world countries that emigrate to western Europe. As you mention, you’re not 100% safe, but it’s a world of a difference.

Services for citizens or anyone with a SPID can be quite efficient nowadays. However, let’s not forget the slow and inefficient residence permit procedure that all non-EU citizens must endure yearly. That is and has always been like this. The only improvement in the last decade has been the addition of an appointment system for every step, and the creation of offices where you can ask for the status of your procedure.

Here is the issue with the digitalization of bureocracy: in most cases, it depends on you having a SPID or at least an electronic ID card. However, as a non-EU citizen, getting any of those is not easy. In fact, you can’t get those without first getting your first residence permit, which can take several months.

The residence permit is the best example of slow, outdated bureocracy. The procedure involves sending a bunch of photocopies by mail all the way to Rome. Then, the response from the central office gets sent back to your local police station. Next, months later, you go to the police station to get your fingerprints registered. Then, you wait a few more months to get the confirmation that your permit is ready. Finally, you set an appointment (around a month later) to have them hand you your permit.