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ItalyHumanitarian protection

Special protection in Italy

Italy's national humanitarian status. It is granted by the territorial commission for international protection when it refuses a person refugee status and subsidiary protection but the law forbids removing them to their home country, where they face persecution or torture and inhuman treatment. Holders of the status live under the general immigration rules and do not get preferential family reunification.

Visa term
Permesso usually for 2 years, renewable
Threshold
Fee of about EUR 98 plus the duty stamp; state legal aid possible
Processing time
Interview in about 2–18 months; decision within 6 months
Work
Allows work (employed/self-employed); SSN, residenza

Source: normattiva.it — art. 32 of decree 25/2008: “special protection” residence permit

What protezione speciale is granted for

The commission grants protezione speciale when it refuses refugee status and subsidiary protection but the law still forbids removing the applicant. The grounds sit in different paragraphs of article 19 of the Consolidated Immigration Act.

Risk of persecution (art. 19(1))

  • The commission rejected the claim for refugee status
  • But found a risk of persecution on grounds of race, sex, language, nationality, religion, political opinion or personal/social circumstances
  • Removal to the country of origin is prohibited while the risk persists

Risk of torture and inhuman treatment (art. 19(1.1))

  • The commission refused both refugee status and subsidiary protection
  • But established a well-founded risk of torture or of inhuman or degrading treatment at home
  • Removal is prohibited unless another state is ready to grant equivalent protection

When this programme will not suit you

I want to move to Italy simply for work, with no threat of persecution or torture at home

A standard work visa or Nulla Osta al Lavoro — protezione speciale is granted only in place of a refusal of asylum, not as a labour migration channel

I am persecuted on political, religious or other grounds and have not yet claimed asylum

First refugee status (asilo) or subsidiary protection in Italy — protezione speciale is granted only after they have been refused

I have long-standing personal and family ties in Italy, but no threat to life or of torture at home

Since the reform of the law, settled private and family life is no longer in itself a ground for protezione speciale — consider family reunification (ricongiungimento familiare) or another ordinary permesso di soggiorno

Documents to gather

The law contains no separate list of documents specific to protezione speciale — the status grows out of the international protection procedure, and the materials of that procedure are what supports it.

  • The application for international protection, lodged at the questura, with the border police or through the authorised portal of the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration
  • An identity document, if the applicant has one
  • Fingerprints and photographs — taken when the application is lodged and at every renewal of the residence permit
  • Evidence of the grounds under art. 19(1) or 19(1.1) of the Consolidated Immigration Act: a risk of persecution, or a risk of torture and inhuman treatment at home
  • The territorial commission's decision refusing refugee status and subsidiary protection — this is what the commission sends to the questore as the basis for protezione speciale

How the process runs

Protezione speciale is not claimed by a separate application — it is reached at the end of the ordinary international protection procedure.

  1. 1

    Lodging the application for international protection

    The application is accepted at the questura, by the border police (for persons under checks, detention or custody) or through the portal of the organisations authorised by the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration.

  2. 2

    Personal interview before the territorial commission

    up to 30 days from receipt of the application

    The commission must interview the applicant within 30 days of receiving the application.

  3. 3

    Commission's decision on refugee status and subsidiary protection

    from 3 working days to 18 months in complex cases

    In the basic scenario the decision is taken within 3 working days of the interview. If further information has to be gathered, the period stretches to 6 months; with a heavy flow of applications or complex circumstances — by another 9 months, and in exceptional cases by a further 3 months.

  4. 4

    Transfer of the case to the questore and issue of the protezione speciale residence permit

    2 years

    If refugee status and subsidiary protection are not recognised but the ban on removal under art. 19 persists, the commission sends the file to the questore. He issues a two-year residence permit marked protezione speciale, which allows work and is renewable on the commission's opinion.

Who you can bring with you

The preferential family reunification of art. 29-bis is available only to recognised refugees. Holders of protezione speciale follow the general rules of art. 29 of the Consolidated Immigration Act: income and suitable accommodation are required.

spouse
at least 18 years old, not legally separated; the applicant proves income no lower than the annual social allowance (assegno sociale) plus half that amount for each family member being reunited, and accommodation meeting health and hygiene standards
minor children
including adopted children and children born outside marriage; where two or more children under 14 are reunited, the income requirement doubles to two annual social allowances
adult children
reunification is possible only in the event of total incapacity for work and proven material dependence on the applicant
parents
parents over 65 may be reunited, or dependent parents with no other children to care for them; an applicant over 65 additionally needs health insurance or registration with the national health service

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Residenza can be obtained; live in Italy

The protezione speciale residence permit is issued for 2 years. It can be renewed, but only on a fresh opinion of the territorial commission — the questura does not renew the permit on its own. The law does not limit the number of renewals: each depends on whether the ban on removal under art. 19 still applies.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

EU long-term residence under the general rules (5 years, A2)

Route to citizenship

Citizenship under the general rules (10 years)

Frequently asked questions about Special protection

Under which law is protezione speciale granted?
Article 32(3) of Legislative Decree 25/2008: if the commission refuses refugee status and subsidiary protection but the ban on removal in article 19(1) and (1.1) of the Consolidated Immigration Act applies, it sends the case to the questore, who issues a protezione speciale residence permit.
Can protezione speciale be granted because of a long life in Italy, without a risk of persecution at home?
In the past article 19(1.1) included the criterion of settled private and family life in Italy. The latest version of the law removed that point from the text — paragraph 1.1 now covers only the risk of torture and of inhuman or degrading treatment.
Is family reunification for protezione speciale the same as for refugees?
No. The preferential rules of article 29-bis, with no income or accommodation check, apply only to recognised refugees. Holders of protezione speciale reunite their family under the general rules of article 29 — with the income and accommodation requirements.
Can a holder of protezione speciale obtain EU long-term residence?
Yes, under the general rules: 5 years of continuous lawful residence on valid residence permits, income no lower than the annual social allowance and a pass in the Italian language test. Only holders of international protection (refugee status and subsidiary protection) are exempt from the language test — that concession does not extend to protezione speciale.

Other ways to move to Italy

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Italy.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.