Thousands of Ukrainian refugees in Italy may find themselves in an irregular status due to local bureaucracy: details

Problems with quests, difficulties with employment and access to medical services are all consequences of the slow work of the Italian system. Find out how to avoid risks and what Ukrainians can do to stay in a legal status while in the country

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More than 160,000 Ukrainian refugees who have taken temporary refuge in Italy may face serious problems due to bureaucratic delays. This may make it difficult for them to cross borders, sign new employment contracts, and even receive medical care. This is reported by local media, as well as numerous forums and groups of Ukrainians in Italy.

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Bureaucratic difficulties in obtaining a residence permit

Ukrainian refugees in Italy must obtain a special residence permit for temporary protection - Permesso per protezione temporanea, or simply “permesso”. In December 2024, the Italian government adopted Decree 202/2024, which extended temporary protection for Ukrainians until March 4, 2026. However, in practice, its implementation is hampered by the lack of proper coordination between the government and local police stations - Questura - responsible for issuing documents.

The mechanism for issuing new certificates was not communicated to the competent authorities in a timely manner. As a result, refugees face long queues, problems with making appointments, and a lack of clear explanations from the authorities. In December 2024, there were 162.3 thousand refugees from Ukraine in Italy, which is 2 thousand less than in November, but the exact figures for 2025 are still unknown due to bureaucratic delays.

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Impact on the lives of Ukrainians in Italy

As noted by the Corriere della Sera newspaper, the situation is causing difficulties for those who need access to healthcare or employment. Some employers refuse to hire Ukrainians without a valid residence permit. There is also a risk of being denied free medical care due to an overdue permit. In addition, Ukrainians who have left Italy for Ukraine may not be able to return if they do not have a confirmation from the Questura that their documents have been updated.

Delays in the issuance of documents can seriously affect the lives of Ukrainian refugees: problems with border crossing, employment, and access to healthcare. To avoid risks, it is important to act in advance and prepare the documents correctly. Our lawyers will help you obtain all the necessary permits, submit the application correctly and monitor its consideration. Do not risk your status - seek professional support!

What Ukrainians should do to avoid problems

The absence of a valid permisso does not automatically mean the loss of the right to stay in Italy. Ukrainians can apply for renewal of the permit and receive a letter with the date of the visit to the Questura. The mere fact of filing an application is already the basis for legal stay in the country. However, the problem is that the deadlines for signing up for quests vary from region to region: in some cities, you can get an invitation for March 2025, while in others, you can only get one for the summer or even January 2026.

Lawyer Dmytro Magdych, head of Studio Zakon, notes that the Italian police issue appointments with delays due to the overload of some departments. However, there have been no cases of refusals to extend the permisso yet. The biggest problems are observed in Rome, Novara, Padua, Trent, Rimini, Treviso and other cities.

Is it possible to speed up the process?

At the time of publication, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of Italy, the Italian Embassy in Ukraine and the Ukrainian Embassy in Italy did not respond to inquiries about the possibility of speeding up the process of updating documents. At the same time, representatives of Italian authorities assure that all Ukrainian refugees will receive updated documents.

In order to avoid problems, Ukrainians in Italy are advised not to delay the application for renewal of the permisso and to repeatedly apply to the Questura until they receive official confirmation of the date of their visit. This will help to maintain their legal status, avoid problems with border crossing, employment, and access to healthcare.

⏳ Don't let bureaucracy complicate your life! Our lawyers know all the intricacies of migration law and will help you avoid refusals, delays and unforeseen situations. Here is what you will get by contacting us:

✔ Fast and error-free paperwork

✔ Consultation on the extension of the residence permit

✔ Assistance in communicating with migration services and quests

✔ Protection of your rights in case of problems with documents

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We remind you! Temporary protection for Ukrainians in Italy (il permesso di soggiorno per protezione speciale) can be converted into another type of residence permit, such as permesso di soggiorno per lavoro. Read more about how to apply for a work permit and what documents are required for this.

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