Everything you need to know about applying for asylum in Italy
Here is some simple information about international protection in Italy!
It may seem like a long and complicated journey, but let's look at it step by step.
We can only give you some general information: it is important that you seek qualified legal help.
The first thing you need to do is submit your application in person at the Police Headquarters (Questura), which is the police office.
They will take your fingerprints and ask you some general questions about yourself, your family and the journey you made.
Nothing difficult!
The form they will fill out is called C3.
If you have a passport, they will ask you to hand it over and will keep it for the entire duration of the procedure.
After receiving your application, you will be given a residence permit for asylum request.
It is a real residence permit that allows you to stay in Italy while your application is being examined.
With this permit you can:
The next step is the hearing at the Territorial Commission.
This is the moment when you can tell your story, explain what happened to you and why you cannot return to your country.
They will ask you many questions to understand your situation well.
It is not an interrogation, but a conversation. Try to be clear and honest.
After the hearing, you will receive the Commission's response. If you are in a reception center, the center manager will communicate the Commission's decision to you. Otherwise, you will receive it at the address you gave to the Police Headquarters (Questura) when you applied for asylum.
Remember to always notify the Police Headquarters (Questura) of any changes of address, or you risk having problems!
The possible positive decisions of the Commission are:
If according to the Commission you are not entitled to any of these protections, you will be given a negative response.
โ If the result is not positive, you can appeal in court. It's like asking for a second opinion.
๐ You cannot appeal on your own: you need a lawyer.
โฐ From the moment the negative decision is communicated to you, you have very little time to appeal, contact a lawyer as soon as possible!
๐ธ If you earn less than 13,700 euro per year, you can ask your lawyer for free legal aid.
โณ Remember: the procedure can take months or even years.
If you come from a country that Italy considers safe, your application will be examined more quickly.
At the moment these countries are:
However, if in your personal situation there are serious and specific dangers, you must explain this well from the beginning.
If you are:
... then your application will be evaluated with particular attention, even if you come from a "safe" country.
If you have already applied for asylum in another European country, or left your fingerprints there, it is possible that Italy is not the country responsible for examining your application.
In these cases, your application can be transferred to the other country.
๐ What to do: if you find yourself in this situation, it is very important to immediately seek help from a lawyer or expert operator in asylum law.
In Italy, people who apply for asylum and do not have enough money to support themselves have the right to a place in a reception center.
โฑ The right to reception applies:
โ ๏ธ Reception can also be withdrawn in other cases, for example if you abandon the center, or if the person is no longer considered without means.