Asylum in Italy: international protection

Tell the border police on arrival, or the immigration office of the nearest Questura if you are already in Italy. Each adult applies personally and the claim covers minor children in Italy. Italian missions abroad do not register claims.

The police take your photo and, from age 14, fingerprints for Eurodac, then record the claim on form C3 with an interpreter; you hand over your passport. The Dublin Unit checks whether another state is responsible, and since June 2026 the reformed EU asylum rules apply. A four-member Territorial Commission, including a UNHCR appointee, interviews you and grants refugee status, subsidiary or special protection, or rejects the claim.

The interview usually comes within a few weeks to a few months. Accelerated procedures, decided within days, apply for example to nationals of countries on Italy's safe list (such as Albania, Egypt, Georgia and Tunisia) and to claims made over 90 days after irregular entry without good reason.

Applicants get a residence permit valid until the decision, free health care, municipal registration, schooling, reception if without means, and the right to work after two months; the permit cannot be converted into a work permit. Refugees and subsidiary protection holders receive a five-year permit and travel document and can bring close family without proving income; special protection gives a two-year permit.

A refusal can be appealed to the court within 30, 15 or 7 days, as stated in the decision; free legal aid is available to people without means. An appeal usually lets you stay in Italy, but in accelerated cases the lawyer must ask the judge for a suspension.

The Interior Ministry publishes a multilingual practical guide, UNHCR runs an official help site for Italy, and the anti-trafficking line 800 290 290 works around the clock.