IT country scene

Asylum applicant permit

ItalyHumanitarian protection

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What exactly is this: asylum, temporary protection, humanitarian admission, resettlement or another protection mechanism?

International protection (asylum): the umbrella of rights Italy grants to refugees (well-founded fear of persecution for race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group) and to holders of subsidiary protection (real risk of serious harm: death penalty, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, threat from armed conflict). While the claim is pending the applicant receives a 'Permesso di Soggiorno per Richiesta Asilo', which is also an identity document and is valid until the decision on the claim.

See recorded sources
  • https://www.interno.gov.it/sites/default/files/2026-06/guida_pratica_2025_ita_rev._28_gen._26_corr._rimandi_rev2.pdf
    La protezione internazionale è un insieme di diritti fondamentali riconosciuti dall’Italia ai rifugiati ed ai titolari di protezione sussidiaria. I rifugiati sono le persone che hanno un timore fondato di essere perseguitate nel loro Paese di origine per motivi di razza, religione, nazionalità, opinione politica, appartenenza ad un determinato gruppo sociale e che non possono o, a causa di tale timore, non vogliono ricevere protezione dal loro Paese di origine. Vedi pag. 34 per maggiori informazioni. I titolari di protezione sussidiaria sono le persone che, pur non essendo rifugiate, corrono effettivamente il rischio di subire nel Paese di origine un grave danno (condanna a morte, tortura, trattamento inumano o degradante; minaccia alla vita o all’incolumità personale a causa di un conflitto armato). Vedi pag. 35 per maggiori informazioni.
  • https://www.interno.gov.it/sites/default/files/2026-06/guida_pratica_2025_ita_rev._28_gen._26_corr._rimandi_rev2.pdf
    RICEVERE UN DOCUMENTO: ti viene rilasciato un Permesso di Soggiorno per Richiesta Asilo, valido anche come documento di riconoscimento, con cui sei autorizzato a soggiornare sul territorio italiano. Questo permesso è valido fino alla decisione sulla tua richiesta di protezione.

Which population, circumstances or geographic group does the mechanism cover?

Non-EU citizens who cannot return to their country of origin because they fear persecution or risk serious harm, and stateless persons who fear persecution or risk serious harm if returned to their country of habitual residence.

See recorded sources

Where can protection be requested, and is this a direct application, border/in-country request, referral or other process?

In-country/border request: the wish to apply is expressed on arrival to the Border Police (Polizia di Frontiera) or, if already in Italy, at the nearest Questura (Immigration Office); it can also be made from prison or a repatriation detention centre (C.P.R.). The application is individual: every adult must apply in person.

See recorded sources

What happens after the request: registration, family handling, major support and rights where officially stated?

Minor children present in Italy should be declared so the application also covers them. Applicants can generally stay legally until the final decision (with exceptions). Rights: free health care and a health card; registration in the municipal residents' register; school enrolment; work allowed two months after lodging the application at the Questura until the procedure ends; reception in an asylum-seeker centre if without means. The asylum-request permit cannot be converted into a work permit and gives no right to family reunification.

See recorded sources

Which competent authority, UN body or official assistance channel should the person use?

The police office receiving the claim and then the Territorial Commission (Commissione territoriale) inform the applicant; legal operators and asylum-seeker/refugee protection associations can help, and UNHCR can be contacted at any stage. Fraud warning: the procedure is free; Italian authorities will never ask for money to lodge or assess the claim, and anyone suggesting payment should be reported to the authorities.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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