Italy was a country of large-scale emigration up until the early 1970s. The first time the country saw more people entering the country than leaving was in 1972, but new arrival numbers only began growing significantly in the mid-1980s. After peaking in the early 2000s, legal migration slowed following the recession in Europe. Subsequent crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing war in Ukraine, have also served to heavily affected integration processes in the country.
Statistics
The statistics in the chart above are based on Eurostat's Foreign-born population by group of country of birth, 1 January 2024.
According to Eurostat's Migration and migrant population statistics, as of 1 January 2024, there were over 5 million third-country nationals (TCNs), representing 8.6% of the population, and another almost 1.6 EU citizens (2.7%) living in Italy at the time.
In 2022, 38.9% of permits were issued for family reunification, 19.8% - for work, and 7.5 – for study purposes, according to the European Migration Network (EMN)’s July 2024 country factsheet for Italy. In terms of naturalisation, 194 071 TCNs received Italian citizenship in 2022, compared to 109 561 in 2021, and 118 513 in 2020. Other detailed statistical data is available in the EMN factsheet for Italy, with insights about the age and gender of TCNs, the most common types of residence permits issued and international protection statistics.
By the start 2025, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) also counted over 200 000 people who had fled the war against Ukraine and had applied for temporary protection in Italy.
The OECD/EC Indicators of Immigrant Integration 2023: Settling In report provides further breakdowns of the composition of migrant populations and households in Italy, including in terms of immigration flows by legal category, concentration in densely populated areas, duration of stay and household composition.
Integration strategy
Since the 1980s, immigration issues in Italy have been managed through administrative regulations and bureaucratic discretion. Immigration laws have mainly focused on admission policies rather than on integration strategies, until the late 1990s when a law was introduced regulating migrant integration for the first time. The 3-year Document of Migration Policy Planning (Documento Programmatico Triennale) identified key priorities and planned integration measures for the 1998-2000 period. A third iteration of this document, in 2005, was the last national strategy aimed at managing the admissions of migrants and their descendants.
The constitutional reform passed in May 2001 assigned full autonomy on all matters related to social policy, including immigrant integration, to the regions. In 2003, the National Fund for Migrant Policies was merged with the National Fund for Social Policies so that regions could determine their own spending on migrant integration policies. Integration now largely falls under the competences of regional governments which enjoy full autonomy in policy planning and implementation, resulting in a multi-level governance framework. Integration strategies therefore vary widely across regions, in spite of some efforts to preserve one uniform strategy.
In line with trends in several other European countries in the late 2000s a centre-right government introduced a more selective, points-based approach to integration, that lays out several obligations for TCNs (such as language tests and the need to sign an ‘Integration Agreement’.
Following the economic crisis in Europe of the late 2000s-early 2010s, social policies in Italy generally suffered heavy budget cuts and consequently regions have reduced their own budgets for migrant-specific integration policies. Moreover, increased national focus on forced migration has shifted attention and integration focus away from TCN residents to asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international or national protection.
In 2017, the Italian government adopted the National Integration Plan for Persons Entitled to International Protection, as foreseen by decree 18/2014, which transposed the EU's recast Qualification Directive (Directive 2011/95/EU). The plan, to be funded by EU and national financial resources, set out priorities for 2017-2018, including inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, language training, access to education, labour inclusion and vocational training. The main actors responsible for implementing the foreseen measures are local authorities and local public services, with the support of civil society organisations.
In January 2022, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies adopted the ‘Pluri-annual Integration Strategy’ on the issues of labour, integration and inclusion. It sets out actions for the 2021-2027 period in the field of social and labour integration, drawing upon the EU inclusion strategy. Its mains source of funding are the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF).
Integration programme
Since 2012, newly arrived immigrants have been obligated to sign the so-called Integration Agreement the moment they obtain their first residence permit. By doing so, they commit to achieving specific integration goals in the following two years. Their success is measured through a credits system assessing sufficient knowledge of the Italian language (at the A2 level), as well as their knowledge of the constitution, civic life and institutions. The programme thus includes all:
- language courses
- civic education
- vocational training
The fulfillment of integration goals is required for the renewal of residence permits. Several categories of migrants are, however, exempted from this requirement, either by law (such as victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors and disabled migrants) or de facto, since their permits cannot be withdrawn (such as the beneficiaries of international or humanitarian protection, family migrants, long-term residents, and the family members of EU citizens).
Evaluation
No systematic, direct evaluation of integration policies is carried out in Italy, except for the projects funded through the EU's Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Some existing studies on the evolution of integration outcomes can be considered as indirect assessments of Italy's integration policies,.
At the national level, the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies oversees the monitoring and evaluation of migrants’ socio-economic integration. It publishes annual reports on migrants’ integration in the labour market and their access to protection and pension schemes.
In comparative terms, Italian policies on integration rank ‘halfway favourable’ in the international Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX). The index clearly shows that over the past years, integration policies have changed little in Italy. The country’s approach to integration is classified by MIPEX as focused on temporary Integration, similar to France, the Netherlands and Germany.
Legislation
Immigration law and main principles on the status of foreigner
The Italian Constitution recognises that foreigners are entitled to the fundamental rights pertaining to all human beings (art. 2 Cost.) and that their legal status must be strictly defined by law (art. 10 Cost.). Although the Constitution does not stipulate full access for immigrants to civil, political and social rights in the same way as for citizens, it does prohibit unfair and unreasonable discrimination including in access to social rights.
The Immigration Code (Legislative decree 286/1998) grants ‘regular’ migrants welfare rights equal to Italian citizens in certain circumstances, as well as the provision of education and basic health services to ‘irregular’ migrants. In particular, art. 2(5) of the Code provides foreigners with the same access to public services as Italian citizens 'within the limits and in the manner proscribed by law' and Art. 41 extends access to social and welfare services to TCNs holding a residence permit (lasting no less than one year) or a long-term residence permit.
Law n. 47/2017 introduced a comprehensive regulatory framework concerning the protection and treatment of unaccompanied minors, which focuses on the best interest of the child. It sets out new rules on the identification, reception and integration of unaccompanied minors, both those who are asylum seekers and those who are not. Their care must be ensured by local authorities’ social services within the mainstream child protection system.
Asylum law
Asylum laws in Italy largely result from the transposition of the EU directives on the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) and their recast versions. Hence, asylum is not covered by a standalone legislative framework in Italy but is regulated by several pieces of legislation targeting different integration elements.
For the reception and integration of asylum seekers, there are two parallel systems. The first is the system of reception and integration (the SAI system, Sistema Accoglienza Integrazione - formerly SPRAR/SIPROIMI), managed by municipalities and NGOs, and the second is the Extraordinary Reception Centres (CAS), coordinated by prefectures (local branches of the ministry of interior). Furthermore, Law Decree 113/2018 abolished humanitarian protection as a category of protection that allowed asylum seekers with consistent social ties to the country of reception to regularise their status, and systematically reduced the capacity of the national reception system (re-named SIPROIMI). Following this decree, asylum seekers were hosted only in large first-arrival reception centres (CARA, CDA) and temporary reception centres (CAS), managed by the Ministry of the Interior and the prefectures. They did not have access to the SAI system.
In 2020 a new law introduced the ‘special protection’ permit, a form of complementary national protection granted to migrants who can prove they have significant family, social and labour ties in Italy. The newly named SAI system was reorganised into two levels: the first dedicated to asylum seekers, and the second to those who are already international protection beneficiaries, minors and victims of trafficking and exploitation. The second benefits added services aimed at integration.
Decree Law 20/2023, converted into law 50/2023, introduced some further changes to the procedures that allow foreign citizens to work in Italy and to what the authorisation implies. The decree revised the 2020 law, excluding asylum seekers (with exceptions for vulnerable people) from the SAI system and reserving the SAI system for those already holding protection status. Asylum seeekers' integration, therefore, relies on the more limited CAS services.
Integration law
Italy does not have a self-standing integration law. In compliance with art. 4 bis of the Immigration Code, since 2012 newly arrived immigrants have been obliged to sign an Integration Agreement the moment they obtain their first residence permit. In doing so, they commit to achieving specific integration goals in the following two years. Their success is measured by a credits system which assesses knowledge of the Italian language (at the A2 level) as well as their knowledge of the constitution, civic life and institutions.
The fulfilment of integration goals is required for the renewal of residence permits. Several categories of migrants are, however, exempt from this requirement, either by law (such as victims of trafficking, unaccompanied minors and disabled migrants) or de facto, as their permits cannot be withdrawn (such as those who are beneficiaries of international or humanitarian protection, family reunification beneficiaries, long-term residents, or family members of EU citizens).
With regard to the integration of asylum seekers and refugees, it is worth underlining that the Italian reception system and general welfare system are rather separate. Synergies between the two depend on the willingness and capacity to cooperate of both the organisations managing reception centres and the public entities responsible for the delivery of welfare services (see also WholeCOMM Country Report on Italy, 2022).
Citizenship law
Law no. 91/1992 provides the current legislative framework on acquisition of citizenship, and it is mainly based on the ‘ius sanguinis’ principle. Provisions on naturalisation are also contained in the same law and only allow for the recognition of Italian citizenship to a) spouses of Italian citizen foreigners after 2 years of residency, and b) foreigners who have been residing in Italy for 10 years, have no criminal record and possess sufficient financial means. The residency period is reduced to three years for grandchildren of Italian citizens and individuals born in Italy, four years for nationals of EU member states, five years for refugees or stateless persons, and seven years for those adopted as children by an Italian citizen.
The Security Bill adopted in 2009 introduced restrictive rules in the area of naturalisation by marriage, with the explicit goal of ceasing "marriages of convenience".
Legislative Decree 113/2018, converted into Law 132/2018, introduced new elements to limit access to citizenship: first, in the case of naturalisation based on marriage, the foreign spouse must certify knowledge of the Italian language at a level no lower than B1; second, naturalised Italian citizens who are convicted of terrorism charges will lose their Italian citizenship. Such revocation of citizenship will not affect non-naturalised Italian citizens, even if they are convicted on terrorism charges.
In the last 20 years several attempts to reform L. 91/1992 have been made, with particular focus on access to citizenship for TCNs who were born and grew up in Italy. In 2021 several associations and movements tried to re-launch the parliamentary debate on the reform of citizenship law, leading to the discussion of a bill which would have facilitated access to citizenship for migrant children born in Italy or who arrived in the country before the age of 12. However, the bill was not passed in the previous legislative turn and the debate on the reform is no longer a theme in the political debate.
Anti-discrimination
Anti-discrimination is not an object of organic legislation in Italy, but is addressed by a number of legal provisions across several pieces of legislation. Law 205/1993 (also known as Legge Mancino) punishes hate speech and tackles discrimination on the grounds of race, religion and nationality. Legislative decrees 215 and 216 of 2003 transposed into the Italian legislation EU directives 2000/43/CE and 2000/78/CE on, respectively, the equal treatment between persons irrespective of racial or ethnic origin, and on equal treatment in employment and occupation.
Furthermore, the Immigration Code includes provisions related to anti-discrimination (art.43-44). It defines equality of treatment between nationals and foreigners in access to employment, labour conditions, social assistance and security and protection against discrimination as an individual right, and sets out a civil judicial remedy that can be activated by both migrants subject to discrimination and bodies (organisations or associations) that represent the interests of migrants.
Italian and European higher courts (particularly the Constitutional Court and the Court of Justice of the EU) played a significant role in extending social rights to TCNs, including through anti-discrimination action. Several social benefits initially limited to nationals or long-term residents were extended to TCNs holding a one-year permit to stay, thus granting them the right to equal treatment in access to welfare and housing support.
One of the bodies that can present and assist migrants in anti-discrimination actions is the National Office Against Racial Discrimination (UNAR), which is dependent on the Presidency of the Council of Ministries. The body can also investigate the existence of discriminatory phenomenon in accordance with legal authorities; develop studies and research on the issue of racial discrimination and adopt policy recommendations. The lack of independence of appointment of UNAR has raise criticism at national and international level.
Public authorities
At the national level, responsibility for the governance of integration policies is shared between the interior ministry and the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies. The latter entrusts practical activities, such as the managing integration policies, to its General Directorate of Immigration and Integration Policies. The interior ministry represents Italy at the European Integration Network. Within the ministry, the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration deals with issues concerning the protection of civil rights, including those related to immigration, asylum, citizenship, and religion.
According to Italian legislation, regions are the key actors in the planning of integration policies, given their legislative and regulatory competence in the fields of social policies, education, labour market, vocational training, health and housing. Within the policy framework set by regional governments, municipalities hold the main responsibilities in terms of defining concrete integration measures and policy implementation. The central responsibility of local authorities and public services at the local level, such as educational institutions and healthcare services, is also reflected within the framework of the National Integration Plan for Persons Entitled to International Protection.
Civil society
The legislation of the late 1990s (the aforementioned ‘Turco-Napolitano law’) created two main consultative bodies to foster consultation and participation of civil society organisations and migrant associations in immigration and integration policy making (i.e. the ‘Organismo nazionale di coordinamento per le politiche di integrazione sociale dei cittadini stranieri a livello locale’, located at the National Economic and Labour Council – CNEL – and the ‘Consulta per i problemi degli stranieri immigrati e delle loro famiglie, situated at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers). These two bodies, however, have never become fully operational.
As for refugees, 17 NGOs that are active in refugee reception matters take part in an Asylum Round Table. In addition, UNHCR is a permanent member without the right to vote in the round table’s decisions. In the past, representatives of these civil society organisations were also invited to take on a consultative role in the national asylum round table (Tavolo Nazionale Asilo), but recent governments have first reduced and, later on, altogether abandoned this practice.
Besides the national level, most regions have created consultative bodies to bring integration stakeholders together, and local authorities have carried out public consultations. However, the participation of civil society organisations and experts varies significantly across regions. Furthermore, public consultations rarely involve the Immigration Territorial Councils, the consultative bodies operating at the provincial level under the mandate of the interior ministry.
Funding
Non-profit organisations and local authorities can apply for financing through several EU funds. In addition, national and private funds are made available for service providers and other stakeholders to carry out projects aiming for a better integration of the migrant population.
The information below will be updated once the 2021-2027 national programmes under the EU funds become available.
EU funds
The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in Italy
- Details: The national allocation for Italy under AMIF is over €512 million. See the AMIF Italy programme. With respect to integration, AMIF aims to promulgate the Common European Asylum System (CEAS), social integration, returns, and solidarity.
- National managing authority: The national managing authority for AMIF in Italy is the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration of the Ministry of the Interior.
European Social Fund Plus (ESF) in Italy
- Details: In the 2021-2027 period, the ESF+ fund invests €14.8 billion for social inclusion measures and active labour market and training measures. See the ESF+ programme for Italy.
- National managing authority: See the governmental OpenCoesione.
Other EU funds for integration available in Italy
ERASMUS+, the EU’s programme to support education, training, youth and sport in Europe
The national managing authorities include:
- Ministry of Education, Universities and Research (school education, higher education, adult education)
- Ministry of Labor and Social Policies (education and professional training)
- Presidency of the Council of Ministers (youth)
European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting regional imbalances
National managing authority: Various national and regional authorities are responsible for managing different ERDF operational programmes in Italy. See the authorities.
Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived (FEAD), offering material assistance to the most vulnerable or in need
National managing authority: Ministry of Labor and Social Policies
European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), supporting the development of rural economies and communities
National managing authority: EAFRD is managed at the regional level.
Other funds
Other public funding in Italy
- Ministry of Labor and Social Policies’ Social Policies Funds
- Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration
Private funding in Italy
Other stakeholders and useful resources
Providing integration services
Providing integration services
The full list of organisations providing integration services is available on the website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, which manages a national register. The most relevant national organisations are:
- The national network of socio-cultural associations ARCI. Its fields of interventions range from counselling and labour market support to social services, intercultural dialogue, language courses and civic education.
- Diaconia Valdese provides integration and support services for asylum seekers and refugees in seven regions.
- Migrant association ANOLF. Linked to the trade union CISL, it provides counselling and orientation and training services to promote migrants’ rights as well as legal assistance for labour disputes or other work-related issues.