RELEVANT GOVERNMENT ENTITIES
SOURCES & CONFLICTS OF LAW
BUSINESS IMMIGRATION
SPONSORS
COMMON ISSUES OR CONCERNS FOR BUSINESS IMMIGRATION
DEPENDENTS
SETTLEMENT & CITIZENSHIP
PRESENT CLIMATE & FUTURE LEGISLATION

RELEVANT GOVERNMENT ENTITIES

Immigration legislation is governed at national level by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (in particular, by the ‘Dipartimento per le libertà civili e per l’immigrazione’) and by the Ministry of Labour.

The Ministry issues ‘circolari,’ which do not have the same legal force of law but are aimed at providing directives to various offices and departments regarding the interpretation and implementation of law.

Immigration applications and permits are generally managed and issued, with some exceptions, by Immigration Offices (‘Sportello unico per l’immigrazione’) at the ‘Prefettura’ (Government representative office) established in each ‘Provincia’ (Province). Italy is divided into twenty regions, and each region is further divided into several provinces. Immigration Offices issue different types of permits after receiving the necessary clearances from the Labor Office (‘Ispettorato Territoriale del Lavoro’, or ITL) and the Police (‘Questura’).

Inspections on working conditions and employment relationships are undertaken by the Labor Inspectorate (‘Ispettorato del Lavoro’).

Social Security aspects are handled by the National Social Security Agency (‘INPS’), while issues relating to health and safety and accidents at work are monitored by the National Labor Insurance Agency (‘INAIL’).

Immigration regulations are enforced by the ‘Prefetto’ (the representative of the Government in each Province), by various police authorities (Polizia dello Stato, Carabinieri and Guardia di Finanza’), by the Labor Inspectorate, and by the local police (Polizia Municipale).

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SOURCES & CONFLICTS OF LAW

SOURCES OF LAW

Italy’s immigration laws are governed by a combination of domestic statutes, European Union (EU) legislation, international treaties, and case law. Below is an overview of the primary sources of law relating to immigration in Italy:

Domestic law & regulations

• Consolidated Immigration Act (Testo Unico sull’Immigrazione – Legislative Decree No. 286/1998): This is the key piece of legislation governing immigration in Italy. It sets out the framework for the entry, stay, rights, and integration of foreign nationals in Italy. It addresses matters such as work permits, family reunification, and deportation procedures.

• Presidential Decree No. 394/1999 (Regulation of the Consolidated Immigration Act): Provides details on implementing the provisions of the Consolidated Immigration Act, such as procedures for residence permits and visas.

EU law

• Schengen agreement: Italy is part of the Schengen Area, which allows free movement of people within participating European countries without border checks.

• EU directives & regulations: Italy is subject to various EU regulations and directives concerning immigration, border controls and international protection, such as:

• • Directive 2003/86/EC on family reunification.
  • Directive 2009/50/EC updated by Directive (EU) 2021/1883 (Blue Card Directive) on the admission of highly qualified third-country nationals.
  • Regulation 2016/399 (Schengen Borders Code): Governs the control of the external borders of the Schengen Area.
  • Dublin Regulation (Regulation No. 604/2013): Determines which EU member state is responsible for processing asylum claims.

International treaties & conventions

• 1951 Refugee Convention & its 1967 Protocol: Italy is a signatory to the UN Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, which provides the legal definition of a refugee and the obligations of states to protect them.

• European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR): The ECHR plays a significant role in shaping immigration policies in Italy, especially with regard to human rights protection for migrants and asylum seekers.

• International Labour Organization (ILO) Conventions: Italy adheres to various ILO conventions, which regulate migrant labor rights and working conditions.

Domestic policy & guidance

• National Migration Plans and Integration Policies: Italy periodically adopts national policies that address immigration and integration, often influenced by changes in government or security priorities.

• Ministry of the Interior’s Circulars and Guidelines: Provides detailed operational instructions on immigration matters, such as visa issuance, residence permits, and asylum procedures.

Role of case law

• Italian Constitutional Court: The court has the authority to interpret and review laws related to immigration, particularly in cases involving fundamental rights (e.g., the rights of children and families).

• European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) decisions: Italian courts frequently reference ECHR decisions, especially on issues like asylum seekers’ rights, detention conditions, and deportation procedures.

• Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU): Italian immigration law must comply with EU law, and CJEU decisions often impact Italian immigration practices, especially concerning the rights of third-country nationals and asylum seekers.

CONFLICTS OF LAW

Conflicts in Italy’s immigration laws arise between national and EU law. Delays in implementing EU directives also cause inconsistencies. Tensions exist between domestic laws and international treaties. Additionally, there can be friction between regional policies and national laws, as regional authorities may adopt different approaches to immigration enforcement and integration. Lastly, court rulings, both domestic and from EU courts, can challenge or override national legislation, creating legal tension.

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BUSINESS IMMIGRATION

UNSPONSORED BUSINESS-RELATED IMMIGRATION

Self-employment visa & permit

Italian Immigration Law provides the right, under certain conditions, for foreign nationals to enter Italy and carry out self-employment activities (i.e. all activities which do fall within the subordinate work category) which is regulated by the Art. 26 of Decree No. 286/98. The issuance of a self-employment visa is subject to the availability of quotas periodically released by the government.

Requirements:

• Be one of the categories allowed under the quota system (for the year 2025, 500 quotas are available)
  • Entrepreneurs: Must invest at least 500,000€ of lawful funds and create at least three new jobs.
  • Freelancers: Must be in regulated professions or non-regulated professions listed by public administration. Check the Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy or Ministry of Justice websites for relevant lists.
  • Corporate Figures: Includes directors, members of boards, and auditors of non-cooperative companies, provided they have been active for at least three years.
  • Artists: Renowned international artists or those with high professional qualifications, hired by public or private entities.
  • Start-Up Founders: Foreigners starting innovative start-ups under specific legal requirements.
• Demonstrate availability of suitable housing
• Demonstrate an annual income above the legal minimum (8,500€)

Duration: Visa is issued for 1 year; Residence Permit is issued for 1 to 3 years

Extensions: Extension is possible indefinitely, if continuing to meet conditions; Subordinate Work permitted without needing a different permit

Settlement & citizenship:

• After 5 years of legal stay, subject to eligibility conditions, can apply for permanent residency
• After 10 years of legal stay and residency, subject to eligibility conditions, can apply for Italian citizenship

Limitations:

• Must meet income and business success criteria, where applicable
• Can only be issued when quotas are available

Investor visa / permit

Allows individuals to reside in Italy through significant investments or donations. No annual cap; visas are available at any time of the year. Application can be filed through a company controlled by the applicant. Evaluation is conducted by a special Committee including representatives from various government bodies.

Residency requirements: No minimum time spent in Italy; exempt from Integration Agreement obligations

Requirements:

• Investment / donation amounts:
  • 2,000,000€ in Italian government bonds (minimum 2 years validity)
  • 500,000€ in a company based and operating in Italy
  • 250,000€ in an innovative start-up company
  • 1,000,000€ donation for public interest projects (culture, education, scientific research, etc.)

• Proof of funds: Demonstrate that funds are readily available and legally obtained
• Criminal Record: Provide a certificate from countries where the applicant lived for over 12 consecutive months in the past 10 years
• Investment Details: Provide a clear description of the investment or donation and its beneficiary
• Use of Funds: Commit to utilizing the funds for the stated purpose within 3 months of entry into Italy

Duration: 2 years

Extension: The permit is renewable for an additional 3 years, subject to continued investment and Committee approval

Settlement & Citizenship:

• After 5 years of legal stay, subject to eligibility conditions, can apply for permanent residency
• After 10 years of legal stay and residency, subject to eligibility conditions, can apply for citizenship

Limitations:

• Must meet specific investment or donation criteria
• Letter from bank confirming availability of funds must bear specific wording
• Funds must be used as committed; failure to do so within 3 months can result in denial of the residence permit
• The permit can be revoked if funds are disinvested before 2 years or if the holder is untraceable

Italy Digital Nomad / Remote Workers Visa for highly skilled workers

The Italy Digital Nomad / Remote Workers Visa is designed for non-EU citizens who wish to live in Italy while working remotely, either as freelancers or as remote workers for a foreign or Italian company. It targets highly specialized professionals, including both freelancers and remote workers.

Requirements:

• Professional Background:
  • Must hold a 3-year university degree or have at least 5 years of work experience (3 years for ICT sector) in a field requiring advanced technical or specialist knowledge
• Income: Minimum annual income of approximately 25,000€ from lawful sources
• Health Insurance: Comprehensive travel medical insurance with coverage of at least 30,000€ for the entire duration of the stay
• Accommodation: Proof of suitable accommodation in Italy (lease, rental contract, or property deed)
• Work Experience: Documentation of at least 6 months of relevant experience through previous contracts, assignment letters, invoices, or similar documents
• Remote Workers Specific: Employment contract or collaboration agreement with an annual salary not less than approximately 34,000€ (ISTAT average annual salary). The employer must provide a notarized letter certifying no convictions for illegal immigration or labor law violations in the past five years.

Duration: 1 year

Extensions: The permit is renewable annually if initial requirements are still met

Settlement & citizenship:

• After 5 years of legal stay, subject to eligibility conditions, can apply for permanent residency
• After 10 years of legal stay and residency, subject to eligibility conditions, can apply for citizenship

Limitations:

• Cannot be converted into other types of residence permits
• Change of employer not regulated yet

SPONSORED BUSINESS-RELATED IMMIGRATION

Local hiring

An Italian company willing to hire a non-EU worker will need to apply for a Subordinate Work Permit. These permits are regulated by Art. 22 of Legislative Decree No. 286/98. The issuance of Subordinate Work Permits is subject to the availability of quotas. A limited number of quotas is issued periodically by the Italian Government and divided for each Italian Province.

Temporary work assignments

One of the exceptions to the quota system is the Temporary Work Assignments (the assignment cannot exceed 3, 4 or 5 years, depending on the type of permit). The condition precedent for these permits is that the workers remain hired by the foreign sending company and are only temporarily assigned to work at an Italian company. Temporary Work assignments are regulated by Art. 27, a), f), i) and Art. 27 Quinquies and Sexies of Legislative Decree No. 286/98.

There are four main categories of temporary work assignments, depending on the relationship between sending and host company:

• Intra company assignment – Art. 27 c. 1 lett. (a) of Italian Immigration law (“national” ICT process)

• Intra company assignment – Art. 27 quinquies and Art. 27 sexies of Italian Immigration law (EU ICT process)

• Service agreement assignment (Art. 27, i)

Blue Card permits (Art. 27, quarter)

Since August 8, 2012, Italian companies can hire – out of the quota limitation – non-EU nationals with a highly specialized job profile who meet certain educational and employment requirements. The applicable regulation has been recently updated, implementing the following requirements.

Education or professional qualification

The worker must possess alternatively:

1. A tertiary level higher education degree or a post-secondary professional qualification that is to say:
   • A diploma issued by a university after at least a three-year course or
   • A diploma issued by a non-university institute after at least a three-year course or equivalent to level 6 of the Italian Qualifications Framework https://www.cimea.it/EN/pagina-quadro-dei-titoli-italiani-qti

In the above cases, applicant must provide Declaration of value (Dichiarazione di valore issued by the consulate) or CIMEA (Centre for Information on Academic Mobility and Equivalence) attestation of comparability and authenticity https://www.cimea.it/EN/pagina-attestati-di-comparabilita-e-verifica-dei-titoli

2. A higher professional qualification attested by either:
   • at least five years of professional experience, relevant to the profession or sector specified in the employment contract or binding offer. This must be supported by previous employment contract(s) and/or payslips, along with an optional letter of experience from previous foreign employer, demonstrating the specific sector of activity and the duration of professional experience of at least five years in the same sector of the job offer. Documents must be legalized/apostilled and translated, with translation certified as faithful to the original text by Italian diplomatic or consular authorities or apostilled or sworn/attested before an Italian court; or
   • at least three years of relevant professional experience acquired in the seven years preceding the application for the EU Blue Card, specifically for managers and specialists in the field of information and communication technologies (Information and Communications Technology Services Managers and Professionals), supported by previous employment contract(s) and/or payslips, along with an optional letter of experience from the previous foreign employer, demonstrating the specific sector of activity and the duration of professional experience, of at least three years in the preceding seven years. Documents must be legalized/apostilled and translated, with translation certified as faithful to the original text by Italian diplomatic or consular authorities or apostilled or sworn/attested before an Italian court.
   • for regulated professions, acknowledgment of professional qualification https://www.cimea.it/EN/pagina-riconoscimento-professionale

Requirements by employer

The employer must conduct a labor market test and provide proof of unavailability of a worker already present in the national territory, except in specific cases. This is a mechanism that aims to ensure that non-EU workers are only admitted after employers have unsuccessfully searched for national workers, EU citizens or legally residing third-country nationals with access to the labor market. Instructions for conducting the labor market test: the employer (Italian company) must send a request to the Employment Centre, using the relevant form (modulo richiesta personale attached). It will be possible to proceed with the work permit application only in case:

1. the Employment Centre does not respond to the request submitted within eight working days from the date of the application;
2. the worker indicated by the Employment Centre is not suitable for the job offered by the employer; or
3. the worker indicated by the Employment Centre does not attend, without justified reason, the interview, at least twenty working days after the request date.

To prove that the labor market test has been duly conducted, the employer must provide a self-certification.

The employer must provide an attestation certifying the employer’s compliance with the legal/financial requirements for hiring foreign worker. This can be issued by professionals (Italian labor consultants, chartered accountants, CPA or equivalent duly authorized) or employer organizations. The attestation (asseverazione) is issued further to conducting a thorough assessment of the company taking into account various financial and operational aspects of the company. The attestation is not required with reference to the applications submitted by the most representative national employers’ organizations that have signed the appropriate memorandum of understanding (protocollo di Intesa) with the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, list available here https://www.lavoro.gov.it/temi-e-priorita/immigrazione/focus-on/ingresso-e-soggiorno-per-lavoro-in-italia/pagine/semplificazione-procedure-con-le-organizzazioni-datoriali.

Fast-track procedure for intra company assignments

The Ministry of the Interior has introduced a fast-track procedure for Intra Company Assignments.  To apply under this procedure, the Italian company must first register and be approved by the Ministry of the Interior. Once the company is registered, it will be allowed to file online work permit applications and it will no longer require the clearance of the Labor Office, nor the submission of those documents which are generally requested for standard applications.

To register with the Ministry, employers must satisfy certain mandatory requirements, such as compliance with tax and social security payments and compliance with workers’ health and safety regulations. The Ministry will also review the company’s financial status and labor relations (such as whether the company has recently made collective dismissals). The company must execute a framework agreement (‘Protocollo d’Intesa’) with the Ministry and provide any requested corporate documents, such its Company’s Register, corporate bylaws and articles of incorporation. Once registered, the employer will receive a password to access the online system and check on the status of applications to his company.

Work Permit applications filed using the fast-track procedure are directly processed by the Immigration Office which does not require any document to be submitted for the application to be approved.

EXTENSION OF STAY

Local hiring & Blue Card

Work Permits issued for standard local hiring procedure pursuant to the Blue Card procedure do not need to be renewed upon their expiry. The foreign worker is entitled to work in Italy as long as an employment relationship with an Italian company is in place. In the event that the worker loses his job, he can obtain a one-year extension to look for a new job (‘Permesso per Attesa Occupazione’).

The Residence Permit has an initial maximum duration of two years and can be renewed by the Police whenever an extension is necessary.

Temporary work assignments

Work Permits and Residence Permits for work assignments have an initial maximum duration of 2 years (3 years for work permits pursuant to art 27 quinquies). They can be renewed before the expiration date with an in-country procedure, but the length of the assignment cannot exceed (a) five years for Intra Company Assignments, (b) 3 years for work permits pursuant to art 27 quinquies and (c) four years for Service Agreement Assignments.

Limitations

Temporary Work Permits do not fall within the quota system. Accordingly, they can be applied for at any time without needing to wait for the Government to release quotas. This is one of the reasons why they are widely used by multinational companies.

On the contrary, permits for local hiring are subject to quota limits periodically set by the Government, unless they fall within the Blue Card bracket.

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SPONSORS

REQUIREMENTS FOR SPONSORS

The Italian sponsoring company plays a key role in the Work Permit procedure. The Italian company must sponsor the permit by filing an application in its own name. The company must provide the Office with information about its financial and corporate status, yearly turnover, income, number of employees, type of National Bargaining Agreement applied, etc. Upon the worker’s entry into the country, the company, together with the foreign worker, will need to execute the so-called Contract of Stay (‘Contratto di Soggiorno’) at the Immigration Office. The contract of stay is a document in which the company and the worker confirm the terms and conditions of the assignment detailed in the application. Any extensions of the work permit must also be applied for by the company and cannot be requested by the worker.

Even though this is not de facto a legal requirement (the law does not require that a company must have been established for a certain number of years or must have a minimum yearly turn-over or income), it is common practice for the authorities to take into account the financial and corporate status of the host company as well as to check compliance with all tax and social security obligations for its employees.

The company must specifically indicate in the application (i) whether it has enforced any collective dismissal for reduction of personnel during the last 12 months; and (ii) not to have any workers under ordinary or extraordinary redundancies, with the same skills and characteristics of the worker on assignment.  If collective dismissals have been enforced, this may have a negative impact on the issuance of the permit/s.

SANCTIONS, CIVIL & CRIMINAL PENALTIES FOR SPONSORS

Under Italian law criminal liability is personal, therefore only individuals are subject to criminal sanctions. Companies, on the other hand, are held liable for the payment of pecuniary fines imposed upon their legal representatives, officers and managers. Criminal sanctions would therefore be applied not to the company but rather to the officers and managers who act in its name and on its behalf. An exception to this rule is the provision of Law 231/2001 which introduced the administrative responsibility requirement, stating that organizations may be held liable for certain crimes of fraud, committed or attempted, by members of senior management and by those working under the direction or supervision of members of the senior management.

The penalty for aiding or encouraging the illegal entry of foreigners is imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of up to 15,000€. An exception exists if the foreigner entered Italy for humanitarian reasons or dire necessity.

The penalty for hiring foreign workers with expired, revoked or annulled permits and without a permit of stay is imprisonment from 6 months up to one year and a fine of 5,000€ for each illegal employee.

Failure to carry out the necessary registration requirements for the immigrant will also result in a term of imprisonment of up to 3 years, and the avoidance of tax contributions, in fines of up to 1,032.91€.

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COMMON ISSUES OR CONCERNS FOR BUSINESS IMMIGRATION

Italy’s immigration framework is formally non-discriminatory, and LGBT individuals can generally obtain work and residence permits without significant legal barriers tied directly to their orientation or identity

In Italy, common issues in business immigration include:

• Delays and Bureaucracy: Slow processing times for visas and permits due to administrative inefficiencies.
• Quota Restrictions: Limited annual work permits for non-EU citizens, making it harder to get approvals.
• Work Permit Requirements: Employers must prove they cannot find EU workers, which complicates hiring non-EU employees.

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DEPENDENTS

Workers are entitled to have their family members join them in Italy, either if they have permanently transferred to Italy, or if they are on a Temporary Work Assignment.

PERSONS QUALIFYING AS DEPENDENTS

The term “family member” refers to the worker’s spouse; children under the age of eighteen; children over the age of eighteen if physically or mentally handicapped; parents that have no other children abroad and cannot care for themselves financially or parents over the age of sixty-five whose children cannot care for them for health reasons. Italy does not recognize common-law spouses.

Dependents will obtain a family visa which is linked to the principal’s residence permit. Accordingly, if the principal leaves the country and his permit is no longer valid, the dependents’ permit will automatically become null and void.

There are four categories of applications for dependents:

• Family reunion: Workers living in Italy and holding a valid Residence Permit for at least two years are entitled to invite their family members who are still living abroad to join them. Children under 18 are not subject to the 2-years requirement.

• Accompanying family members: This procedure enables workers and their family members residing in the country of origin to enter Italy together, at the same time. Workers enter Italy with work visas, while their family members are granted a family visa.

• Family cohesion: Family members can also enter Italy with a short term visa (unless they are non-Visa Nationals) and, in some cases, after having reported their presence in Italy at the local Police (‘Dichiarazione di Presenza’ – to be done within eight days of arrival only if entering Italy through another Schengen country) they can apply for a change of status and request a family permit without going through the family visa application. As for the family reunion process, the worker should have been residing in Italy on a residence permit for at least 2 years. Children under 18 are not subject to the 2-years requirement.

• Family members of an EU national: Family members of nationals of the European Union are entitled to obtain a special residence permit called ‘Carta di Soggiorno per Familiare di Cittadino UE,’ which has a longer validity compared to standard residence permits (five years). The non-EU spouse must apply for a dedicated D-type visa as family member of an EU citizen. Within 8 days of the arrival in Italy under the D-Type visa, the non-EU spouse must submit the permit of stay application trough the local post office.

ENTITLEMENT TO WORK

Once the family Residence Permit is issued, dependents are entitled to carry out any type of work activity (autonomous or subordinate) without being required to convert their permit into a work residence permit.

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SETTLEMENT & CITIZENSHIP

PERMANENT RESIDENCE

After five years of continuous legal residence in Italy, foreign workers may apply for a Permanent Residence Permit.

The main requirements for permanent residency are:

• Being in possession of sufficient income equal or above the social allowance (about 7,000€ for year 2024)
• Being in possession of a valid permit of stay that enables to apply
• Have been regularly living in Italy for at least 5 years (You need to have been living in Italy for at least 5 consecutive years holding a valid Italian permesso di soggiorno. Your stay in Italy is considered uninterrupted if you did not stay outside the country for more than 6 months at once – overall no more than 10 months over the 5 years, unless for serious reasons such as severe health issues.)
• Being in possession of an A2 level of Italian if required
• Have the residence registered in an Italian Comune (municipality in English) – you must have residency at the time of the application, it does not matter if residency it was not continuous as long as you have had a valid permit for 5 years continuously
• Provide Italian police clearances

The application is filed at the Post Office and processed by the local Police Headquarters, similarly to all other standard permits.

CITIZENSHIP

Law No. 91 of 5 February 5, 1992, specifies a number of different cases for the acquisition of Italian citizenship, some of which are automatic and others that apply only to specific conditions.

NATURALIZATION

Foreigners are entitled to apply for the Italian citizenship through the “naturalization” procedure after ten years of legal residence in Italy. Mandatory conditions are that (i) the applicant must have continuously and legally resided in Italy for ten years; and that, (ii) he must be compliant with the fiscal obligations (i.e. file tax returns) related to his employment.

The application is filed at the local Prefecture and processing times for the obtainment of the Italian nationality are extremely long and often exceed three years.

The Naturalization requirements are different if the applicant has native-born Italian parents or grandparents: in this case the applications can be filed after only three years of legal residence in Italy.

MARRIAGE

Foreigners who are married to an Italian national can apply for the Italian citizenship (i) after two years of marriage if residing in Italy; or (ii) after three years of marriage if residing abroad. Such time requirements may be shorter if the applicant has children with the Italian spouse, one year if residing in Italy and one and half year if residing abroad.

The application is filed at the local Prefecture or at the relevant Italian Consulate and processing times for the obtainment of the Italian nationality are usually longer than two years.

ANCESTRY

Italian citizenship law affirms the principle of jure sanguinis (continuity of blood), by which any child born to an Italian parent instantly inherits Italian citizenship. Under some circumstances, Italian citizenship can also be claimed if one of the grandparents or great-grandparents were Italian nationals.

Ancestry applications can be filed at the local Town Hall if residing in Italy or at the relevant Italia Consulate if residing abroad, and processing times for the obtainment of the citizenship are usually about one year.

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PRESENT CLIMATE & FUTURE LEGISLATION

PRESENT CLIMATE & TRENDS

Stricter immigration control: There is a general trend toward stricter immigration policies, with enhanced border control measures being introduced at the EU/Schengen level.

Stricter Family Reunification Rules: In December 2024, Italy enacted Law No. 187/2024, which has impacted the family reunification conditions applicable to the family members of non-EU nationals.

Increase in irregular migration: Due to migrants arriving by sea, Italy has asked for more support from the EU and limited NGO activities that help with rescue operations.

Offshore Asylum Processing: In 2023, Italy and Albania entered into an agreement to manage asylum seekers by establishing processing centers in Albania. This initiative aims to address migration challenges by relocating certain asylum procedures outside of Italy. However, it has faced legal challenges and criticism regarding its compliance with EU and human rights law.

Impact of the Ukraine crisis: Ukrainian refugees are given temporary protection status.

European Union influence: Italy seeks a fairer distribution of asylum seekers and advocates for reforms to the Dublin Regulation, which makes the first country of arrival responsible for asylum claims.

Economic / demographic factors: Italy tries to balance an aging population and labor market needs with public opinion by promoting selective immigration. They focus on attracting skilled workers, like with the EU Blue Card, while keeping stricter control on irregular migration. Also, initiatives like the digital nomad visa aim to bring in young, highly skilled people, and the investor visa program targets wealthy individuals.

Security focus: Immigration is often treated as a security concern.

Citizenship: The recent debate in Italy about citizenship is mainly about how to give citizenship to children of immigrants. There are proposals like ius soli (citizenship by birth in Italy) and ius culturae (citizenship through cultural integration via education). Right now, citizenship is mostly based on ius sanguinis (by ancestry), so children born in Italy to foreign parents are not automatically citizens. They have to apply at age 18 if they meet certain conditions.

Reform proposals suggest that children born and raised in Italy, or those who come at a young age and are integrated through school, should have an easier way to get citizenship. Supporters of this think it will help them feel more connected to Italian society and improve integration. Critics are worried it might affect immigration control and cultural unity, so they want to be more careful.

FUTURE LEGISLATION

Potential reforms to citizenship laws

• Ius Soli and Ius Culturae: There are ongoing talks about changing the law to make it easier for children born in Italy to foreign parents or who grew up in the Italian education system to get citizenship.

Revisions to immigration & asylum procedures:

• There are efforts to simplify and make immigration and asylum processes more efficient. Discussions are happening about changes in the asylum system.
• More attention may be given to policies helping the integration of immigrants into Italian society.
• Italy is improving border security, especially because of irregular migration across the Mediterranean.
• The EU is implementing significant reforms to its asylum policies, aiming to enhance border security, streamline asylum procedures, and ensure a more equitable distribution of responsibilities among member states. The New Pact on Migration and Asylum has been adopted by the Council of the EU in May 2024.

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