In short. Asylum in Italy takes the form of international protection, which covers refugee status and subsidiary protection for people fleeing persecution or at risk of serious harm in their own country. Since 12 June 2026, applications follow the rules of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, implemented in Italy by Decree-Law no. 100 of 12 June 2026. You express your wish to apply to the border police or the Questura, have an interview before the Territorial Commission and, if protection is granted, receive a renewable five-year residence permit.
International protection is the protection Italy grants to people fleeing persecution or at risk of serious harm in their own country. It covers refugee status and subsidiary protection.
Guide updated in October 2026. The rules are in their first phase of application: for any specific case, it is important to get assistance from a lawyer.
What is international protection?
- Refugee status: for people with a well-founded fear of being persecuted in their own country because of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group.
- Subsidiary protection: for people who do not qualify as refugees but who, if they returned to their own country, would face a risk of serious harm, such as the death penalty, torture or a threat to their life due to armed conflict.
Alongside these European forms of protection there is special protection (protezione speciale), a national form of protection with different requirements, which have become more limited since the 2023 reforms.
What changed with the European Pact from 12 June 2026?
- New stages of the application: the procedure distinguishes between expressing the wish to apply for protection, registration and formal lodging of the application.
- Screening at the borders: people arriving at the external borders undergo identity, security and health checks, and their data is recorded in the European Eurodac database.
- Border and accelerated procedures: these are broader and, in the border procedure, the decision must be made within a maximum of 12 weeks.
- Safe countries of origin: a common European list also applies, which affects the type of procedure used.
- Work: applicants can work once 90 days have passed since the application.
During a transitional period, until 31 October 2026, the Questura (police immigration office) and border police offices remain responsible for receiving expressions of the wish to apply.
How do you apply for asylum in Italy?
- Express your wish to apply for protection to the border police on arrival or to the Questura; this can also be done orally.
- Registration: the police record your details and take your fingerprints.
- Formal lodging of the application, setting out your reasons and providing the documents you have, within the deadlines given by the office.
- Interview before the Commissione territoriale (Territorial Commission for the Recognition of International Protection), with an interpreter in your language.
- Decision of the Commission, notified in writing.
During the procedure, the applicant receives a document certifying the application and, if without means, can access reception measures.
How should you prepare for the interview?
- tell your story in a precise, consistent and complete way, with dates and places;
- bring all the evidence you have: documents, photographs, medical certificates, police reports, articles;
- report any vulnerabilities straight away, such as health problems, trauma or violence suffered;
- ask for an interpreter in the language you know best.
The interview is the decisive moment of the procedure: preparing for it with a professional makes a difference.
What happens after the decision?
- Refugee status: a five-year permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) for asylum, renewable.
- Subsidiary protection: a five-year residence permit for subsidiary protection, renewable.
- Refusal: the person must leave Italy, unless they appeal or hold another residence permit.
People granted international protection can work, register with the National Health Service, apply for family reunification under more favourable rules and access the reception and integration projects of the SAI (Reception and Integration System), where places are available. For the end of reception as an applicant, see the guide on the notice of termination of reception measures. For renewing the permit, see our guide to residence permit renewal in Italy.
How does an appeal against a refusal work?
A negative decision of the Territorial Commission can be appealed before the specialised immigration section of the Tribunale (Ordinary Court). Deadlines are short and vary according to the procedure applied: in accelerated and border procedures they may be just a few days. An appeal does not always automatically suspend the obligation to leave Italy.
For this reason, as soon as you receive the decision, you should contact a lawyer immediately. People without sufficient income can apply for legal aid at the State’s expense (patrocinio a spese dello Stato).
Frequently asked questions
Where do you apply for international protection?
You express your wish to apply to the border police on arrival or to the Questura, and during the transitional period until 31 October 2026 these offices remain responsible for receiving it. The Territorial Commission does not receive applications: it examines the case, conducts the interview and takes the decision.
How long before an asylum seeker can work?
Under the new rules introduced with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, applicants can work once 90 days have passed since the application. People who are then granted refugee status or subsidiary protection can work, register with the National Health Service and apply for family reunification.
How long is the international protection permit valid?
The permit lasts five years for both refugee status and subsidiary protection, and it is renewable. If the application is refused, the person must leave Italy unless they appeal before the Tribunale or hold another residence permit, so the decision should be checked with a lawyer immediately.
What is the border procedure?
It is a fast-track procedure applied in certain cases, for example to people coming from countries with a low protection recognition rate. With the EU Pact it has become broader, and it must be completed within a maximum of 12 weeks. Appeal deadlines in these procedures may be just a few days.
How is it different from special protection?
Special protection (protezione speciale) is a national form of protection, distinct from the European forms of international protection, namely refugee status and subsidiary protection. It has its own requirements, which have become narrower since the 2023 reforms.
Official sources
- Patto UE migrazione e asilo, in vigore il decreto-legge n. 100 del 2026 (EU Pact on Migration and Asylum: Decree-Law no. 100 of 2026 in force), Integrazione Migranti portal
- Pact on Migration and Asylum, European Commission
Sources were consulted on 15 October 2026. The new rules are in their first phase of application and procedures can change: always check the latest instructions of the Questura and the Territorial Commission.
How can SH Immigration Specialists help?
SH Immigration Specialists helps you find your way through the asylum procedure and gather the documents for the application and the interview. For legal matters such as appeals and legal advice, SH Immigration Specialists works with qualified lawyers. The outcome depends on the competent authorities. Contact us as soon as you receive a communication or a decision.
This content provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
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