Permit for Social protection for trafficking victims

📄 What it is and how to apply

The residence permit for social protection reasons concerns foreign citizens subject to a situation of violence or victims of crimes of prostitution exploitation, labor exploitation and against whom concrete dangers to their safety may arise.

The permit for special protection is requested:

• by the Public Prosecutor in cases where criminal proceedings have begun regarding acts of violence or serious exploitation against the foreigner.
• by social services of local authorities;
• by associations, entities and other organizations registered in the appropriate register at the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies and authorized to implement assistance and social protection programs for foreigners.

The Police Headquarters (Questura), having received the request and verified the existence of the required conditions, issues the residence permit for humanitarian reasons.

What are the requirements to obtain this permit?

• You must be a victim of violence or serious exploitation.
• You must be in danger for having tried to escape from exploiters or for having testified against them.
• You must participate in an assistance and social integration program.
• Should you decide to return to your country, if there is risk to your safety and that of your family members, this must be considered.

Is it necessary to file a complaint to obtain the residence permit?

No. The permit under art 18 can in fact be issued in two ways:

• Judicial pathway: the victim reports the exploiters and the permit is granted based on the Public Prosecutor's opinion.
• Social pathway: the victim does not report, but enters a help program managed by specialized entities.

What documents and requirements are needed?

• opinion of the Public Prosecutor, in cases where the Prosecutor provides indications about the severity and current nature of the danger;
• participation of the foreigner in a social assistance and integration program prepared by local authorities or private entities registered in the appropriate register established at the Ministry of Labor and contracted with the local authority.
• acceptance of the commitments related to the program by the head of the structure where the program must be implemented.

How long does it last?

The permit lasts 6 months, renewable for 1 year or for the longer period required for justice reasons. It can be revoked in case of interruption of the social assistance and integration program or conduct incompatible with its purposes, reported by the public prosecutor or, within their competence, by the social service of the local authority, or in any case verified by the police chief, or when the other conditions that justified its issue are no longer met.

Can I convert it?

The permit can be converted to a residence permit for study or work reasons.

🔹 Art. 18 TUI (trafficking, violence, severe exploitation)

• For very serious cases (trafficking, violence, mandatory arrest in flagrante delicto).
• Duration: 6 months → renewable.
• With or without complaint (social protection program).

📋 Required documents

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