Asylum and Special Protection in Italy

Service Description

People fleeing persecution, conflict or serious human rights violations can apply for protection in Italy. The forms of protection are refugee status, subsidiary protection and special protection, which is granted when removal from Italian territory would expose the person to risks that the law does not allow them to face.

The matter is governed by European and Italian rules on international protection and by Italy's Consolidated Immigration Act (Testo Unico sull'immigrazione, Legislative Decree No. 286/1998), and it is evolving rapidly: since 12 June 2026, the new EU Pact on Migration and Asylum has applied, with the implementing rules set out in Decree-Law No. 100 of 2026. Studio Legale Beggin assists applicants in preparing the application and the interview, and in protecting their rights in case of refusal.

Who Is This Service For?

This service is designed for:

people who intend to apply for international protection in Italy because they fear persecution or serious harm in their country of origin;

asylum seekers already in the procedure who want assistance with the interview before the Territorial Commission;

people who have been refused protection and need to assess an appeal or other remedies;

people who may be entitled to special protection because they cannot be returned without risks to their fundamental rights;

holders of a protection permit who need to renew or update it;

family members and people close to applicants who are following the application.

Requirements

There are no formal entry or document requirements as there are for a visa: what matters is the applicant's personal situation and the risks they would face in their country of origin. In summary:

refugee status: a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group;

subsidiary protection: a risk of suffering serious harm in case of return, for example torture, inhuman or degrading treatment, or a serious threat arising from indiscriminate violence in an armed conflict;

special protection: a ban on refoulement or expulsion when return would entail a risk of torture or inhuman or degrading treatment, or a breach of constitutional or international obligations. This form of protection has been amended several times, most recently by Decree-Law No. 20/2023, and its application also continues to evolve in case law.

Documents

Useful documentation generally includes:

a passport or other identity documents, if available;

the documents issued to the applicant by the Italian authorities;

any evidence supporting the applicant's account: certificates, medical reports, court documents, photographs, articles or reports on the situation in the country of origin;

a detailed and consistent account of the personal history.

Our firm assesses case by case which evidence to gather and how to present it. A lack of documents does not prevent you from applying for protection.

Legal Procedure

Since 12 June 2026, the asylum procedure in Italy has followed the new European framework (EU Pact on Migration and Asylum) and the national implementing rules, with a transitional regime. The stages below are therefore general, and deadlines must be checked case by case:

Step 1 – Meeting with our firm and review of the personal history: we reconstruct the reasons for fleeing or for seeking protection, the risks in case of return and the evidence available;

Step 2 – Expressing the intention to apply for protection, registration and formal lodging of the application with the competent authorities (Questura or border office), with the issuance of the documents provided for applicants;

Step 3 – Preparation for the personal interview: our firm helps prepare the account and the documents that will be examined by the Territorial Commission, and can assist the applicant at the hearing;

Step 4 – Decision: the Commission may grant refugee status, subsidiary protection or special protection, or reject the application;

Step 5 – Legal protection in case of refusal: assessment of an appeal before the Court within the legal deadlines (which vary depending on the type of procedure), of the suspension of the decision and of the other remedies available.

Common Problems and Special Cases

In practice, the most frequent issues concern:

fragmented or traumatic accounts that are difficult to reconstruct and prove, and the Commission's assessment of credibility;

a lack of identity documents or evidence of the circumstances reported;

applications handled under accelerated or border procedures, with very short time frames for defending oneself;

refusal of protection and the choice between an appeal, a request for suspension and other remedies;

the assessment of countries considered safe and of situations of vulnerability (minors, victims of violence or trafficking, people with health problems);

applications for special protection in cases where return would violate fundamental rights;

renewal or updating of the permit and possible conversions;

family reunification and protection of family members.

How Studio Legale Beggin Can Help

Studio Legale Beggin, based in Verona, assists applicants for international or special protection and their families. Our assistance includes:

an initial consultation and a confidential reconstruction of the personal history;

verification of the most appropriate form of protection and of the evidence to be gathered;

assistance with the application and preparation for the interview before the Territorial Commission;

assistance with the renewal or updating of the permit issued;

assessment of the legal remedies available in case of refusal, including an appeal before the Court.

Consultations can take place at our office or online. Each case is assessed individually, and no outcome can be guaranteed in advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between international protection and special protection?

International protection includes refugee status and subsidiary protection, which are granted on the basis of personal risks in the country of origin. Special protection is a national form of protection that prevents refoulement or expulsion when return would breach constitutional or international obligations, for example where there is a risk of torture or inhuman treatment. The conditions and the related permits are different.

How do I apply for international protection?

The person expresses the intention to apply for protection to the competent authorities, such as the Questura or a border office, and the application is registered and formally lodged. Since 12 June 2026, the new European framework has applied, with a transitional regime: procedures and deadlines must be checked at the time of the application.

How does the interview before the Territorial Commission work?

The applicant tells their story before the Territorial Commission, with the help of an interpreter, and may be assisted by a lawyer. The interview is decisive because the Commission assesses the consistency of the account and the risks in case of return. This is why careful preparation, with documents and a precise reconstruction of the facts, is very important.

What can I do if my application is rejected?

A rejection can generally be appealed before the Court, within short deadlines that depend on the type of procedure. It is important to contact a lawyer immediately, because time frames are tight and are changing with the new rules. Our firm also assesses the suspension of the effects of the decision and the other remedies available.

Can an asylum seeker work in Italy?

Generally yes, but only after a waiting period from the date the application is lodged. The rules on asylum seekers' access to work have recently been amended by the rules implementing the EU Pact, so the exact period must be checked at the time of the application.

Related Services

To explore related situations, our law firm also assists with:

appeals against an expulsion order;

family reunification in Italy;

expired residence permit.

guide: Dublin permit, how to stay in Italy

guide: statelessness, rights and regularization

Book a Consultation

To assess your situation with our firm, you can book an online consultation or an in-office consultation.

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