Direct answer: travel with a receipt and an expired permit depends on the route and border rules. Generally carry your passport, expired permit and receipt, and check whether re-entry must avoid transit through another Schengen state. Before departure check the Questura, airline and consulate. Example: a stopover in Germany can cause problems even if the final destination is the country of origin. Sources: State Police/Questure and Portale Immigrazione; checked 24/10/2026.
Who this applies to: Anyone returning to their country during renewal who must prove direct travel without treating transit as Schengen entry.
Practical steps: 1) confirm that this is a renewal, not a first issue, and check that passport, expired permit and receipt are available; 2) plan a direct trip to the country of nationality or previous residence with no Schengen transit; 3) carry receipt, expired permit, passport and proof of the application; 4) before buying the ticket, ask the carrier and Italian border authorities for confirmation and keep boarding passes.
Documents to keep: valid passport, old permit if available, renewal receipt, tickets and destination proof.
Verifiable timing and costs: There is no general travel authorisation; check police and carrier instructions before departure.
Exceptions and special cases: Transit or entry into another Schengen state may cause problems; first issuance and renewal are not identical.
If the procedure stalls: Before buying, request written confirmation from the Questura and carrier and keep the replies.
Practical example: The person travels between Italy and the home country with receipt and passport and avoids unnecessary Schengen transit.