Reception - Italy | DIP EUAA
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Italy is bound by the recast Reception Conditions Directive and has transposed its provisions through Legislative Decree No 142/2015, Implementation of Directive 2013/33/EU laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection and of Directive 2013/32/EU on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection. | Decreto Legislativo 18 Agosto 2015, n. 142, Attuazione della direttiva 2013/33/UE recante norme relative all'accoglienza dei richiedenti protezione internazionale, nonché della direttiva 2013/32/UE, recante procedure comuni ai fini del riconoscimento e della revoca dello status di protezione internazionale
18/08/2015: Legislative Decree No 142/2015, Implementation of Directive 2013/33/EU laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection and of Directive 2013/32/EU on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection. | Decreto Legislativo 18 Agosto 2015, n. 142, Attuazione della direttiva 2013/33/UE recante norme relative all'accoglienza dei richiedenti protezione internazionale, nonché della direttiva 2013/32/UE, recante procedure comuni ai fini del riconoscimento e della revoca dello status di protezione internazionale
| Authority responsible for reception | The Central Direction for Civil Services for Migration and Asylum, within the Department of Civil Liberties and Immigration, Ministry of the Interior, is responsible for the governance of the reception system. The organisational chart is available on the website. |
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| Other actors involved | The reception system involves municipalities, non-profit organisations and private companies. Collaboration is regulated by a tender to manage reception centres and provide certain services, according to the kind of reception facility, such as psychological and social assistance. |
The Department of Civil Liberties and Immigration, operating under the Ministry of the Interior, is responsible for managing the reception of applicants for international protection. At the local level, the department functions through ministry branch offices, or prefectures, which coordinate a range of partners. These include private companies, municipalities, NGOs and non-profit organisations, each playing a specific role in the reception process, such as managing reception centres and providing the material reception conditions as well as additional services such as the social support assistance and the psychological support, according to the specific kind of centre. With regard to the reception centres managed by private actors, the collaboration with these entities is formalised through an open tender procedure.
The initial phase of the reception system includes First Assistance Centres (hotspots) and First Reception Centres, which are continuously available for the use of the Ministry of the Interior. The centres are managed by NGOs, non-profit organisations or private companies selected through a call for procurement organised by the prefectures.
Temporary Reception Centres, which also operate on a procurement basis managed by prefectures, are similarly run by NGOs, non-profits or private companies.
The second level of the reception system, SAI (System for Reception and Integration), is overseen by local governments, municipalities, NGOs, non-profits and private companies. A distribution system involving, in principle, all 8,000 Italian municipalities is managed locally at the prefecture and municipality levels and is still under implementation.
According to Legislative Decree No 142/2015, as amended by Law No 132/2018 and Legislative Decree No 130/2020, the Ministry of the Interior is responsible for coordinating the distribution of asylum seekers across different regions. This is done through a tender for reception services to ensure a uniform level of reception throughout the national territory. In principle, the distribution system involves all 8,000 Italian municipalities and is managed locally at the prefecture and municipality levels.
Distribution is based on several factors. According to the Ministry of the Interior circular sent to the prefectures on 3 July 2023, demographic factors account for 70% of the distribution criteria.
The number and function of reception staff is regulated by the tender specification scheme of March 2024. Under Article 5(8) of the tender, the managing entity and their sub-contractors must ensure that the personnel hired have professional profiles suited for the role. To this end, the managing entity guarantees that staff are trained and receive refresher courses related to the services they provide.
As described in the FAQ of the new tender specifications, attendance in training and refresher courses for staff may depend on the professional profiles of the workers employed at the centre and on developments in the field. Therefore, the assessment of attendance should be the responsibility of the managing entity, which schedules training based on actual needs. Consequently, it is the duty of the prefecture to verify the adequacy of the training plan established by the managing entity, ensuring that uniform standards of reception are pursued across the national territory
Upon arrival, third-country nationals are initially hosted in designated hotspots, where they undergo identification procedures and have their immigration status clarified. The duration of stay in hotspots varies depending on the time required for the processes, with a maximum stay of up to 30 days permitted for complex cases where additional investigation is necessary to verify identity and citizenship. Typically, however, the stay is shorter.
Law 50/2023 introduced the possibility to conduct identification procedures also to facilities like hotpots located on the national territory for the performance of the same kind of activities.
Material reception conditions, including accommodation, are provided as soon as an application for international protection is made, regardless of the applicant's status, unless the individual has sufficient means to support themselves and their family. Asylum seekers without sufficient resources are housed in first reception centres, as outlined in Article 9 of Legislative Decree No 142/2015.
Indeed, once pre-registration is complete, asylum seekers are transferred to a first governmental reception centre (art. 9 legislative decree 142/2015) , which represents the second stage of the first line reception system. In these centres, applicants remain as long as necessary to finalise their identification, undergo vulnerability assessments and to the conclusion of the examination procedure of their asylum application.
If there are no sufficient places in the facilities as provided by art. 9 (governmental reception centres) the applicants can be assigned to an extraordinary reception centre (CAS – Centri di Accoglienza Straordinaria).
Moreover, after the amendments implemented by Law n.50/2023, if there are no sufficient places in both the kind of facilities mentioned above, the applicants can be moved to the temporary reception centres which can be arranged by the prefect, for the time strictly necessary, pending the identification of available places in the first reception centres or in the extraordinary reception ones. In such facilities, differently to the other first line facilities, in addition to the material reception conditions, only health assistance and linguistic and cultural mediation shall be provided. Therefore, the social assistance is provided only in first reception and extraordinary reception centres. In this kind of facility the reception shall be as short as possible considering that the reception conditions differ from the other kind of centres.
All the facilities abovementioned are managed by various entities selected through public procurement processes organised by prefectures.
Once an asylum applicant receives a positive decision from either the Territorial Commission or the court, they may move to SAI centres, provided space is available. Currently, pending the insertion procedure in the SAI system, the beneficiaries of protection shall leave the first reception facilities as soon after the notification of the recognition decree, in order to guarantee a prompt turn over of the reception places.
When an asylum seeker receives a final decision on the application, whether through a second instance determination or a cassation decision with a non-suspensive effect, they must vacate the reception facility within 2 days. At this point, material reception provisions are terminated.
In the first case, the beneficiaries of protection can access to the second line of the reception system is constituted by the so-called Integration and Reception System (SAI) in which the facilities are primarily reserved for individuals with recognised protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection). Moreover, they can host also vulnerable applicant, including unaccompanied minors.
Law No 50/2023 introduced significant changes to the reception system, notably limiting access to the SAI (Sistema di Accoglienza e Integrazione) reception centres. Only vulnerable individuals, displaced persons from Ukraine and Afghanistan, and individuals entering through humanitarian corridors or resettlement programmes are now eligible for SAI. Legislative Decree No 133/2023 further expanded eligibility for SAI facilities to include all women, not just pregnant women. Those accommodated in SAI facilities prior to Law No 50/2023 may continue their stay under previous provisions.
In relation to the vulnerability identification and referral, in 2023 an Handbook for detection, referral and taking charge of vulnerable persons arriving in Italy was published by the Department of Civil Liberties and Immigration, in agreement with the National Commission for Asylum, Department of Public Security, Ministry of Health, the EUAA, the European Commission, Frontex, UNHCR, the IOM, UNICEF, the Italian Red Cross, the Italian Coast Guard, Central Service for the Management of SAI and other stakeholders. The aim of the document is to provide guidance on uniform procedures in protection and reception systems. Thus, following the completion of initial procedures at first reception centres, vulnerable applicants are ideally transferred to SAI facilities, depending on availability.
When an asylum seeker receives a final decision on the application, whether through a second instance determination or a cassation decision with a non-suspensive effect, they must vacate the reception facility within 2 days. At this point, material reception provisions are terminated.
Once the applicants receive the international or national protection recognition decree notification, they must vacate the the first reception facility shorty even while waiting to be insert into the SAI system and receive the new reception allocation.
In response to the 2015 migration crisis, Italy established a contingency reception framework consisting of hotspots, first reception centres and temporary reception centres.
In 2025 a Contingency Plan has been drafted and communicated to the European Commission as well as to EUAA as per art. 32 of the EU Directive 1346/2024, Reception Condition Directive recast, which provides the obligation for the Member States to formally adopt the Plan, by using a template developed by the Agency itself. It establishes a set of response measures which shall put in place according to defined scenario that can potentially undermine the reception system stability. Therefore, the plan identifies actors, responsibilities and specific procedures to be activated when triggered by the change of the scenario to address arising challenges and issues, with a predictive set of actions.
Hotspots: Third-country nationals who arrive irregularly by sea are first accommodated in one of four hotspots located at the southern borders. Upon disembarkation, migrants are required to remain in these facilities to complete essential medical screening and identification procedures. Once these initial processes are completed, individuals are transferred to reception facilities distributed across the country. Legislative Decree No 130/2020 mandates that identification procedures take place in the hotspots. Additionally, Article 6bis of Law No 50/2023 provides for a medical station in Lampedusa, designed to address emergency situations and ensure the health and safety of asylum seekers upon arrival.
First Governmental Reception Centres (Centri di Prima Accoglienza, CPA): Collective accommodation centres which offer essential support to asylum seekers following their arrival. First reception centres provide a safe space where applicants remain as long as needed to complete pending identification processes (if not finalised in the hotspot), undergo medical examinations, vulnerability assessments and registration and examination of the asylum claims.
Extraordinary Reception Centres (Centri di Accoglienza Straordinaria, CAS): CAS facilities operate as a flexible, local first-line reception system across all Italian regions. These centres vary significantly in capacity and structure, and include private apartments, houses and other facilities provided by local authorities. Due to the variety, CAS centres offer a broad range of accommodations suited to regional needs and availability.
The law provides that after the first Governmental reception centres capacity is exhausted, the Extraordinary Reception centres can be activated in order to increase the reception system capacity. In practice the two types of facilities are equivalent, and the applicants are allocated in both the facilities according to geographical distribution criteria. In any case there is the provision of the same material conditions in both kind of reception centres, as they are the same according to the tender decree, therefore the allocation of the applicants responds to practical and logistical needs of the reception authorities rather than to the subsidiary principle enshrined in the legal provisions.
Temporary reception Centres (Centri di accoglienza provvisoria): they can be arranged by the prefect, for the time strictly necessary, pending the identification of available places in the first governmental reception centres (CPA) or in the extraordinary reception ones (CAS).
System for Reception and Integration (Sistema di Accoglienza e Integrazione, SAI): Formerly known as SIPROMI, SAI centres function as small-scale, regional and local second-line reception facilities. SAI centres primarily accommodate vulnerable individuals, including asylum seekers arriving through humanitarian corridors from Afghanistan, displaced persons from Ukraine, unaccompanied minors and beneficiaries of protection, depending on space availability. As SAI centres operate on a smaller scale, they provide more tailored support aimed at integrating beneficiaries into local communities.
| Name of the reception facility | Hotspot |
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| Access description | Closed |
| Management | Ministry of the Interior/Red Cross |
| Type of applicants accommodated | Applicants. For the hotspot in Schengjin, Albania, only male applicants who were rescued at sea, are not vulnerable and come from a country included in the national list of safe countries may be accommodated. |
| Number of centres | 13 hotspots (plus 1 centre hotspot at the Schengjin port in Albania for the identification of asylum seekers) |
| Capacity |
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| Location of the centres within the country | Augusta; Catania; Isola di Capo Rizzuto; Lampedusa; Messina; Pantelleria; Porto Empedocle; Pozzallo – Modica; Reggio Calabria; Roccella Ionica; Taranto ; Vibo Valentia; Schengjin port (Albania) |
| Name of the reception facility | First governmental reception centres | Centri Prima accoglienza (CPA) (former regional hubs, CARA) |
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| Regime | Closed |
| Management | Ministry of the Interior |
| Type of applicants accommodated | Applicants |
| Number of centres | 8 facilities |
| Capacity | 3333 (last update on 02.07.2025). |
| Location of the centres within the country |
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| Name of the reception facility | System for the Reception and Integration | Sistema Accoglienza e integrazione (SAI) |
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| Regime | Open |
| Management | Municipalities and non-profit organisations, with the coordination of prefectures |
| Type of applicants accommodated | Refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and special protection (special protection, social protection, domestic violence, natural disaster, labor exploitation, acts of outstanding civil value) and unaccompanied minors. Following Legislative Decree No 133/2023, all women are admitted to the SAI network. Following Law No 50/2023, as of 22 November 2020, asylum applicants are excluded, with the exception of vulnerable people, people displaced from Ukraine and Afghanistan, and people who entered through humanitarian corridors or resettlements programmes. |
| Number of centres | 871 projects (as of June 2025) |
| Capacity | 39.300 places, including 6.228 for unaccompanied minors and 772 for people with mental distress or disabilities (as of June 2025) |
| Location of the centres within the country | In all regions, 736 local entities are involved (as of June 2025) |
| Name of the reception facility | N/a |
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| Regime | N/a |
| Management | N/a |
| Type of applicants accommodated | N/a |
| Number of centres | N/a |
| Capacity | N/a |
| Location of the centres within the country | N/a |
| Name of the reception facility | Extraordinary reception Centres | Centri di Accoglienza Straordinaria (CAS) / Temporary reception Centres |
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| Regime | Open (authorisation is needed to leave the centre overnight or for more than 2 days) |
| Management | NGOs, non-profit organisations or other non-governmental actors coordinated by prefectures |
| Type of applicants accommodated | Applicants awaiting a final decision and applicants who appealed the first instance decision |
| Number of centres | 6109 (including 69 for unaccompanied child) |
| Capacity | 98.138 (including 1477 for unaccompanied child) |
| Location of the centres within the country | In all regions |
Article 17 of Legislative Decree No 142/2015 provides for the accommodation of vulnerable groups, including minors, unaccompanied minors, women, with priority for the pregnant one, single parents with minor children, victims of trafficking, people with disabilities, elderly people, persons affected by serious illness or mental disorders, persons for whom it has been proved they have experienced torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence or linked to sexual orientation or gender identity, and victims of genital mutilation. While the law recognises the need for special accommodations for these individuals, the actual implementation of services often depends on the discretion of reception management bodies or local municipalities.
These special accommodations are intended to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of diverse vulnerable profiles, including gender-related needs and LGBTIQ individuals. The facilities may be integrated within mainstream structures, such as centres for local children without parental supervision (e.g. foster home), or they may operate as targeted centres that specifically address the unique challenges faced by applicants with psychological issues or other special needs.
The responsible authority for overseeing these accommodations generally lies with the prefectures and local municipalities, which coordinate the reception system to ensure compliance with national legislation while addressing the specific needs of vulnerable populations. The daily management of these facilities is typically managed by specialised staff trained to support the unique requirements of the individuals they serve, thereby fostering an environment conducive to recovery and integration.
The initial reception of unaccompanied minors takes place in designated governmental first reception centres, known as AMIF, where they can stay for a maximum of 45 days to ensure that minors are quickly transitioned to more permanent arrangements.
During periods of mass arrivals or when other centres are unavailable, temporary accommodation structures, known as CAS UAMs, may also be used. On this, after Law 176/2023, it has been provided that if the existing reception mechanisms cannot adequately accommodate the minors, the prefecture is empowered to activate temporary accommodations specifically for unaccompanied minors, with each structure having a maximum capacity of 50 places. These temporary facilities can be established in coordination with local authorities, and in urgent situations, exceptions to standard capacity limits may be made to accommodate an additional 50% of planned spaces.
Moreover, when temporary accommodations are unavailable, the prefect shall arrange for the provisional reception of minors over 16 in dedicated sections of first reception centres for adults. This provisional stay can last for a maximum of 90 days, with the possibility of extending it by an additional 60 days, provided resources are available.
The regulations stipulate that the use of temporary accommodation for minors under the age of 14 is restricted, and the arrangements are only intended for short durations, strictly necessary for transferring them to appropriate facilities.
Following this initial period, minors are transitioned into the SAI, established under Law No 47/2017, which provides tailored support and services to facilitate their integration. Children with responsible adults are also hosted in a SAI. Legislative Decree No 142/2015 also outlines the framework for special accommodation and services for unaccompanied minors. The execution of these provisions is often left to the discretion of reception management bodies and local municipalities, leading to variability in practices.
The management of these facilities involves coordination with local municipal services to ensure that the needs of unaccompanied minors are met effectively. It is essential that children are primarily hosted in SAI facilities, where they receive comprehensive support in a safe environment.
Finally, in case there is a temporary unavailability of places in first reception centers (AMIF), CAS UAMs, dedicated sections within CAS adults as well as within SAI system, there is the possibility that the reception of UAMs is temporarily ensured by the public authority of the municipality in which the minor is located, without prejudice to the possibility of transferring the minor to another municipality, in accordance with the guidelines established by the Coordination taking into account, as a priority, the best interests of the minor.
In 2023, the Department of Civil Liberties and Immigration, in agreement with the National Commission for Asylum, Department of Public Security, Ministry of Health, the EUAA, the European Commission, Frontex, UNHCR, the IOM, UNICEF, Italian Red Cross, Italian Coast Guard, Central Service for the Management of SAI and other stakeholders, published a Handbook for detection, referral and taking charge of vulnerable persons arriving in Italy. The aim of the document is to provide guidance on uniform procedures to be adopted in asylum and reception systems.
The Handbook on taking charge and the reception of the Unaccompanied Minors (UAMs) has been updated, and it is currently in the process of publication on the institutional site of the Ministry of the Interior (August 2025). The Handbook, whose first version has been drafted in 2021 through the cooperation between the Department of Civil Liberties and Immigration, with the support of EUAA, the Department of Public Security,the Central Service of the Reception and Integration System (SAI), the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy (Directorate General of Immigration and Integration Policies), UNHCR and IOM, is an operational tool that provides guidance and procedures for the reception, care and integration of the UAMs in Italy. The handbook is mostly addressed to case workers, operators, local authorities and other key stakeholders involved in taking charge process of UAMs.
According to Article 12 of Legislative Decree No 142/2015, material reception conditions are established and regulated through a formal tender specifications document, known as the capitolato d’appalto. The most recent decree approving the tender specifications for reception services was issued in March 2024.
This document sets standards to ensure that all reception facilities provide an adequate quality of living for residents. The criteria within the specifications are designed to maintain consistent, acceptable living standards across all structures.
Additionally, Article 9.1 of the Immigration Law (Legislative Decree No 286/1998) mandates that all reception facilities meet adequate hygiene, sanitation and general living conditions. These standards are overseen by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of the Interior, ensuring that the facilities comply with essential health and safety regulations to safeguard the well-being of asylum seekers and migrants in their care.
| Type and purpose | Under Article 10 of Legislative Decree No 142/2015, as amended by Article 6ter of Law No 50/2023, applicants housed in first reception centres (CPA) or temporary reception centres (CAS) are entitled to the following essential services:
New arrivals are provided with a welcome package, which includes basic personal hygiene supplies and a prepaid telephone card valued at EUR 5 (if this was not already been provided at the time of entry). Law No 50/2023 removed certain services from the entitlements. Previously, residents in CPA and CAS facilities could access social and psychological assistance, language courses, legal counselling and orientation services for understanding local resources and procedures. According to the provisions of Legislative Decree No 130/2020, all remaining services should be organised by the reception facility, the municipality and provincial authorities. This territorial approach ensures that essential services are coordinated locally, creating a more integrated support system tailored to the needs of applicants within each region. |
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| Duration and recurrence | An applicant may be granted material reception conditions throughout the entire asylum process, including during an appeal, provided that the relevant judicial authorities establish a non-suspensive effect on the appeal. This provision ensures that applicants continue to receive essential support, such as accommodation, food and basic services, for the full duration of the legal proceedings, even if the appeal does not automatically suspend the initial decision. Individuals who have received a final decision granting protection are no longer eligible for general reception provisions, with the exception of those accommodated in the SAI (Sistema di Accoglienza e Integrazione) programme. However, they continue to have access to healthcare services, which are provided universally and without discrimination. |
| Type and purpose | Daily allowance (pocket money) |
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| Duration and recurrence | The duration of the financial allowance provided to asylum applicants is aligned with the length of their asylum procedure, ensuring support for as long as the case is being processed. The payment frequency (daily, weekly or monthly) varies depending on the policies of the specific reception facility managing the applicant's case. This flexible approach allows each facility to adjust the disbursement schedule to meet operational needs and ensure timely support for applicants throughout their stay. |
| Calculation and amount | The financial allowance for asylum seekers varies based on the reception system in which they are placed. Asylum seekers housed in CPA, CAS and temporary protection centres receive a fixed allowance of EUR 2.50 per day. For those accommodated in SAI, the daily allowance ranges from EUR 1.50 to EUR 3, depending on the prefecture. |
| Applicants granted allowance | All asylum seekers who have not yet received a final decision on their application are entitled to receive the daily allowance while they are in reception. If an asylum seeker is found to have sufficient means, they are obligated to refund the expenses incurred for their material reception, housing and financial support. This policy ensures that assistance is provided to those in need while maintaining accountability for those who can support themselves financially. |
| Modalities of provision | The pocket money is provided by through cash or debit card |
The Ministry of the Interior has emphasised that the Guidelines on assistance and rehabilitation for refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, victims of torture or serious violence also extend to asylum seekers. Asylum seekers suffering from mental health issues, including those who are victims of torture, have the right to access the same healthcare as nationals. This includes specialised mental health services to support recovery and well-being.
Additionally, minors accommodated within the Sistema di Accoglienza e Integrazione (SAI) are placed in individualised integration projects that consider their personal experiences and attitudes. These projects are designed to support their development and successful integration into Italian society. Children in this system are entitled to receive education until the age of 18 or until they obtain a school diploma. Notably, a residence permit is not a prerequisite for their enrolment in educational institutions, as stipulated by Law No 47/2017. Education is compulsory and free for all minors up to the age of 16.
| Modalities of information provision on benefits and obligations related to reception conditions | The police office responsible for processing the asylum application must ensure that the asylum seeker is adequately informed about reception conditions. This information should be provided through a leaflet written in the asylum seeker's first language or in a language that they are likely to understand. If necessary, an interpreter can assist in conveying this information to ensure clarity and comprehension. Additionally, while this information can be provided at the reception centre, it must be delivered no later than 15 days after the asylum application is submitted. |
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| Provision of legal assistance on the reception conditions available | According to Law No 50/2023 and the tender specifications scheme for reception services (March 2024), information provision and legal orientation are to be given at hotspots and CPRs through trained staff. |
| House rules | According to Legislative Decree No 142/2015, the house rules are formulated and enforced by the head of the reception centre. The applicant will be informed of the centre's rules and their rights and obligations in their specified first language or a language they are reasonably expected to understand, in accordance with Article 10(4) of Legislative Decree No 25 of 28 January 2008. |
| Assignment of a particular area of residence to applicants | While all applicants generally have the right to move freely within the country, they are assigned to a specific reception centre which designates their place of residence. The reception centre is assigned based on availability and the applicant’s profile, including family status and composition, health conditions and special needs of vulnerable individuals. According to Legislative Decree No 130/2020, there are two layers of material reception conditions based on the applicant's status. Asylum seekers residing in SAI centres are entitled to basic services, while beneficiaries of protection in the same facilities receive additional support, including labour orientation and professional training. |
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| Reporting obligations | Applicants are required to maintain habitual presence at the reception facility but have the right to travel for more than 1 day, provided they inform the reception management of their intended dates and destination. Additionally, the prefecture must grant approval for any temporary leave from the facility. The reception management is responsible for tracking the presence of asylum seekers and must submit a daily attendance list to the relevant authority. It is important to note that applicants who leave the reception centre without prior notice forfeit their entitlement to material reception provisions. |
| Time limit to access the labour market | Applicants are entitled to access the labour market 60 days after having lodged the application for international protection. |
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| Criteria to access the labour market | The receipt of an asylum application serves as a temporary residence permit, allowing applicants to work after a waiting period of 60 days from the submission date. This permit is issued by the Immigration Office of the police and is valid for 6 months, with the possibility of a renewal until a final decision is made on the asylum application. Importantly, there are no fees associated with this process for the asylum applicant. Once the applicant's residence is certified by the municipality, an identity card will be issued. Together, these two documents enable the asylum applicant to register with the Public Employment Service. Employers hiring third-country nationals must verify the validity of the residence permit or the receipt of the asylum application. They must also ensure that at least 60 days have passed since the asylum application was lodged before proceeding with the employment of the applicant. |
| Employment support for applicants | In principle, asylum applicants have access to the same employment support services available to nationals and can register as unemployed at local employment centres. However, specific support tailored to access the labour market is available exclusively for beneficiaries of protection residing in SAI facilities, as per Legislative Decree No 130/2020. In 2020, a national initiative aimed at reducing undeclared work was launched. A significant development within this initiative was the introduction of a pathway for asylum seekers engaged in irregular employment. Under this provision, they can convert their residence permit for asylum into a work permit upon the regularisation of their employment status. |
| Adults’ access to vocational training | Only beneficiaries of protection residing in SAI centres are eligible to participate in vocational training and other educational programmes. |
| Access to tertiary education | Several universities have initiated specific projects aimed at supporting asylum seekers interested in pursuing higher education. However, effective enrolment in these programmes is contingent on the recognition of their diplomas by the appropriate authorities. Additionally, it is important to note that a residence permit granted for asylum purposes cannot be converted into a study permit. |
| Medical screening | Upon arrival, all applicants undergo a medical screening, which can also take place at the CAS if they arrive directly from disembarkation points. This screening is conducted to identify any contagious diseases, and if it is the case, it requires follow up screening to detect specific diseases such as tuberculosis (TB) or hepatitis. Based on the results, the applicant is issued a health clearance certificate. In addition to assessing contagious diseases, a comprehensive medical examination is performed to identify specific conditions, such as pregnancy or being a minor, which may necessitate a tailored reception process to ensure effective access to healthcare services. Throughout their reception and integration journey, asylum applicants also receive psychological support. Reception programmes are designed to include a multidisciplinary team comprising psychologists, psychotherapists, educators and ethno-psychiatric experts, ensuring a holistic approach to the mental health and well-being of the applicant. |
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| Level of healthcare | Applicants residing in hotspots and CPA (Centri di Prima Accoglienza) facilities are entitled to essential emergency healthcare services, supported by on-site medical professionals. In contrast, individuals housed in second-line reception facilities are granted full healthcare access, same as nationals. This comprehensive healthcare coverage becomes available following their registration with the national health system, typically completed in the initial days of reception after the temporary residence permit for international protection is issued. Additionally, Article 6bis of Law No 50/2023 mandates the establishment of a dedicated medical station on Lampedusa to ensure that health services are accessible to asylum seekers in urgent situations. |
| Access to healthcare | Asylum applicants are required to wait 60 days from the date of their asylum application before they can register with the Public Employment Service. During this initial period, they receive free medical care. |
In Italy, education for foreign minors, including asylum-seeking children, is integrated within the national education system and school infrastructure. According to Article 21 of Legislative Decree No 142/2015 and Article 38 of Legislative Decree No 286/1998, foreign minors have the right to education on par with Italian children and are subject to compulsory education requirements.
Classes for foreign minors are not conducted separately in accommodation centres but within schools alongside Italian students. Enrolment in school generally takes place as soon as possible after arrival, without a specific alternative timeframe to the EU's 3-month enrolment guideline.
To support foreign minors’ transition into the Italian school system, there are targeted measures in place, especially for language acquisition. While support teachers are not assigned specifically to migrant students unless a certified disability is present, language and cultural mediators are frequently engaged by local authorities and organisations. These mediators assist with communication between teachers, school staff, students and families, facilitating smoother integration.
The Ministry of Education has issued "Guidelines on the Reception and Inclusion of Foreign Students", which includes strategies to enhance the educational experience of foreign students. Language learning is a primary focus, with additional support measures available in exceptional circumstances, typically included within a personalised teaching plan if needed. However, these support measures are considered temporary, aiming to empower students to integrate into mainstream classes as swiftly as possible.
| Access to socio-cultural orientation | According to the current tender for reception services, individuals residing in SAI facilities have the right to receive state-funded social orientation services as part of their integration programme. |
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| Language classes | Under Law No 50/2023 and the current tender for reception services, asylum applicants are no longer permitted to access language courses during the reception period. The classes are provided only to beneficiaries of international protection hosted in SAI and carried out using computer stations or audiovisual tools provided by the managing body, or conducted in collaboration with public or private entities, non-profit organisations and international organisations that have established prior agreements with the managing body or the prefecture. |
Applicants with sufficient means may decide to live outside of the reception structure and arrange their own accommodation. In this case, reception provisions are limited. Access to the labour market and health and social services are provided as for applicants residing in reception centres.
Applicants with sufficient economic resources are not entitled to material reception conditions.
Article 14 of Law No 142/2015 establishes that all applicants who lack sufficient means to maintain an adequate standard of living for themselves and their family are entitled to receive support as specified under the law. Sufficient means is defined as an annual income equal to or exceeding the minimum social welfare allowance, which was set at EUR 6,947.33 for the year 2024, according to INPS.
The responsibility for assessing an applicant's financial eligibility rests with the prefecture. At the time of registration, applicants are required to disclose their financial situation and any sources of income. They must complete a formal declaration indicating insufficient means if applicable, enabling the prefecture to determine their entitlement to reception benefits.
Under Article 23(1) of Legislative Decree No 142/2015, as amended by Article 5-quarter of Law No 50/2023, the prefecture of the province where an asylum seeker's accommodation centre is located may revoke material reception conditions under specific circumstances. Revocation may occur if the asylum seeker fails to report to the assigned centre or leaves the centre without informing the relevant prefecture, does not appear for the personal interview with the determining authority despite proper notification or has already filed an asylum application in Italy, and the applications is deemed as inadmissible. Additionally, revocation may apply if the asylum seeker is found to possess sufficient financial resources, as assessed by the authorities.
In compliance with CJEU Judgment No C-422/21 and as provided by Article 5-quarter of Law No 50/2023, reception conditions may also be reduced if the asylum seeker has committed a serious or continuous violation of the accommodation centre's rules, or if their conduct is deemed seriously violent. This applies regardless of whether the violent behaviour occurs within or outside of the reception centre.
As outlined in Article 23(1) of Legislative Decree No 142/2015 and further amended by Law No 50/2023, the prefecture of the province where the applicant’s reception centre is located is authorised to decide on the reduction or withdrawal of material reception conditions. Grounds for such actions include unauthorised absence from the assigned centre, failure to appear at interviews, previous asylum applications in Italy, possession of sufficient financial resources, serious violations of the reception centre’s rules or violent behaviour.
In cases of serious or repeated violation by the applicant for international protection of the rules of the facility in which he or she is accommodated, including malicious damage to movable or immovable property, or in cases of seriously violent behaviour, even outside the reception facility, the prefect, without prejudice to the right to transfer the applicant to another facility, shall take one or more of the following measures:
a) temporary exclusion from participation in activities organised by the centre manager;
b) temporary exclusion from access to one or more of the services referred to in Article 10, paragraph 1, second sentence, with the exception of material reception;
c) suspension, for a period of not less than thirty days and not more than six months, or revocation of the additional economic benefits provided for in the tender specifications referred to in Article 12)
The measures referred to in this article shall be adopted on an individual basis, in accordance with the principle of proportionality and taking into account the situation of the applicant, with particular reference to the conditions referred to in Article 17 and shall be justified. The measures adopted by the prefect in relation to the applicant shall be communicated to the territorial commission responsible for examining the application for international protection.
In cases involving serious threats to people or property, law enforcement may arrest the applicant within 48 hours due to heightened security concerns.
In cases involving financial self-sufficiency, the prefect evaluates the applicant's means based on the minimum annual social income level. The requirement for reimbursement of undue reception costs applies when an applicant possesses sufficient resources to support themselves.
The withdrawal provisions, however, do not apply to accommodation in SAI facilities, reflecting distinctions made in Italy's 2018 reform of the reception system.
Under Article 23 of Legislative Decree No 142/2015, as amended by Legislative Decree No 113/2018, asylum seekers residing in first-line reception centres have the right to appeal a prefect's decision to withdraw material reception conditions. This appeal can be filed with the Regional Administrative Tribunal (TAR). To support this process, asylum seekers are entitled to free legal aid, ensuring they have access to representation during the appeal.
For those deemed ineligible for reception due to having sufficient financial means, additional information is available in the section on Reception Facilities and Information Systems, which outlines eligibility criteria and assessment processes in detail.