Key Findings
Best practice (100% score)
Security of status and rights associated with family reunion
Fields of application for anti-discrimination
Political liberties for political participation
Security of employment and rights associated with labour market access
Favourable
Eligibility and rights associated for long term residence
Anti-discrimination enforcement
Implementation policies for political participation
Eligibility for labour market access
Unfavourable
Eligibility for and security of access to nationality
Critically unfavourable (0% score)
Electoral rights for political participation
Change since 2004
Improved eligibility and conditions for long-term residence
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Overview
Italy, as a new country of immigration, with increasing flows, has seen a disjunction between the rhetoric and reality. The previous Centre-Right government promised to deliver Italy's most stringent immigration laws in Italian history. But during its tenure, estimates(1) suggest some of the largest levels of legal migration for family reunion, work, and asylum in Italian history. Notably, the number of companies wholly or partially owned by non-EU migrants has risen 25% in recent years. Integration has been on the agenda following discussions on reform of the labour migration quota system, amendments to the penal code on anti-discrimination and a new bill on naturalisation. The Catholic Church and employers' association often intervened in policy debates to moderate the Centre-Right's proposals.
Legally-resident third-country nationals (hereafter ‘migrants') benefit from the fourth most favourable labour market access and long-term residence policies in the EU-25. Policies on family reunion rank third out of the 28 MIPEX countries. However, the anti-discrimination laws that suport integration fall 11th and political participation policies are just over halfway to best practice. Access to nationality is Italy's weakest policy area, ranking 22nd out of the 28.
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Integration Policy Timeline
12/05
Creation of National Office against Racial Discrimination (UNAR) and list of organisations entitled to stand in litigation for victims of racial discrimination
26/01/2006
Amendments to penal code Bill nr. 3538 extended protection against religious defamation of all faiths, but reduced penalties for racially-motivated crimes and incitement to racial hatred
04/08/2006
Bill on naturalisation proposed
30/10/2006
New immigration bill proposed facilitated access for professionals and unskilled workers
28/11/2006
Social Solidarity Minister proposed that migrants could apply for a new temporary residence permit against proof of having €2.000 to maintain them while looking for work, rather than migrants paying that amount to be smuggled illegally into Italy.
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Migrant Profile
