Registration/Information for UK citizens

May be an image of ‎text that says "‎ದ UK Government UK TRANSITION ג LIVE Q&A ON CITIZENS' RIGHTS Thursday 17 February 17.00 to 18.00 Connect to our FB page or YouTube channel @ukinitaly to post you questions Check Change Go‎"‎

The British Embassy in Rome is hosting a live Q&A session on Thursday 17 February 17:00 – 18:00. During this time you can post a question and our panel will try to answer as many questions as possible during the live session. After the event we will publish some information in response to those questions we didn’t have time to answer.

To connect to the live session, open our FB page or use this YouTube link to watch the live video.

Please note that this event is targeted at UK nationals who were lawfully living in Italy before 1 January 2021 and are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you have a question about the Covid-19 pandemic including measures Italy has in place, please consult our Travel Advice page.

If you have a question about moving to settle in Italy in the future please check the Entry Requirements section of our Travel advice page and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website on visa applications.

To help us answer as many questions as possible during the live session please submit short, single questions only.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Kind regards

British Embassy Rome


Important information for UK drivers

from the UK’s Honorary Consul, Denise Dardani

Extension to 31 December 2022 for exchanging your valid UK driving licence for an Italian one.

However the link here states:

If you started exchanging your UK licence before 1 January 2021

If you started exchanging your UK licence before 1 January 2021, you do not need to take a driving test (in Italian).

If your UK licence was issued before 1 January 2021

  • Before 31 December 2022, you must exchange your licence for an Italian one. You will need to take a driving test (in Italian).
  • You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

If your UK driving licence was issued on or after 1 January 2021

  • You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.

I hope this has been useful to those of you who still need to get an Italian licence.

Denise Dardani


A MESSAGE FROM JILL MORRIS, HER MAJESTY’S AMBASSADOR

British Embassy Rome

Issue No. 25

Thursday 1 July 2021

To UK nationals in Italy,

I hope that many of you are planning a summer break over the next few months. Before that precious time with friends and family, I wanted to provide some further information on your citizens’ rights in Italy as well as an update on the rules for international travel.

*Evidencing your lifelong rights in Italy as a UK national*

I know that many of you have already requested the new ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ from your local immigration office (‘questura’). This document is available for anyone who was legally residing in Italy before 1 January 2021. You probably already hold an EU residency document but nevertheless you should now request the new ‘carta di soggiorno’. You can read detailed guidance on how to obtain it here

Please bear in mind that the new ‘carta di soggiorno’ is not the same document as an Italian identity card. So if you already hold an Italian identity card you should still get the new ‘carta di soggiorno’ from your questura. It is not mandatory but it will provide you with the clearest evidence of your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
If you need support in obtaining the new card you can get in touch with our UK Nationals Support Fund partner the International Organisation for Migration. You can call them on 800 684 884 or email: UKnationalsit@iom.int

*Accessing services and benefits or registering a work contract*

We are aware that some UK nationals have reported difficulties in accessing benefits, accessing healthcare and in registering work contracts since the start of this year. This is because they have been required to show the new ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ or a non-EU residency permit (called a ‘permesso di soggiorno’).

If you were lawfully living in Italy before 1 January 2021 you are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. So, although you are now a non-EU national, you hold a specific status under this Agreement. It means that the standard residency document issued to non-EU nationals in Italy is not applicable to you. Furthermore, the new Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’ is not mandatory. So you cannot be required to hold either document. However our advice is that you should obtain the new ‘carta di soggiorno’ from your questura as soon as you can.

If you have been asked to hold either of the above documents to access services including healthcare or benefits or in order to obtain a work contract, please get in touch with us as soon as possible via our Living in Italy page on gov.uk.

*If you hold accredited status in Italy e.g. employee of an international organisation, diplomat or deployed under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement*

UK nationals who are employees of international organisations in an EU Member State, are diplomatic personnel or are deployed under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement can be beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement provided they resided in the host State before the end of the transition period. This is because they were exercising their free movement rights as workers. This means that if you hold accredited status in Italy (you hold a special Ministry of Foreign Affairs ID card) and you were working here before 1 January 2021, you also enjoy rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

We are urgently seeking clarification from the Italian government about how you can evidence your status under the Withdrawal Agreement. For example, how and when you can request the new Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ and use it to register your residency with the local town hall. As soon as we have an update we will publish this in our Living in Italy guide and via our social media channels. In the meantime, please rest assured that if you hold accredited status in Italy this provides for your right to live and work in Italy during your posting. And your right to remain in Italy at the end of your posting, should you wish to, is covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.

*UK driving licences in Italy*

I know that many of you are concerned about whether your UK driving licence continues to be recognised in Italy. Recently, the Italian government announced that UK driving licences will continue to be recognised in Italy until 31 December 2021 for those who registered their residency before the start of this year. If you registered as a resident after 1 January 2021, your UK licence will be recognised for up to 12 months from the date of your residency.
Negotiations continue on a reciprocal agreement on the right to exchange a UK driving licence for a local one without the need to re-sit a driving and theory test. Both governments share the same objective of having the agreement in force as soon as possible in order to minimise disruption and limit the impact on daily life. We have reached a good level of agreement on the text and are now working to iron out some outstanding issues before entering into the ratification phase. We are working to have the arrangements in force by December 2021 and we will keep our Living in Italy guide updated as negotiations progress. Until an agreement is reached you will need to re-sit your driving test to obtain a local licence.

*Where to find more information on your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement*

All UK nationals can find the very latest information on our Living in Italy guide on gov.uk. This remains our key resource for UK nationals. It includes details on residency, healthcare and benefits, pensions, driving licences and how to get in touch with us.

We continue to hold live Q & A events for UK nationals on YouTube and Facebook. Please do join us if you can. You can find a readout of our latest event, which covered mobility rights, on our Facebook page.

And we continue with our programme of ‘Residency Roadshows’ for UK nationals across Italy. Each roadshow, hosted with our UK Nationals Support Fund partner – the International Organisation for Migration, is held for a specific region or city in Italy and you can sign up for a one-to-one session with our policy experts via our Facebook channel. The sessions are held on Microsoft Teams.

*Covid-19 and travel between the UK and Italy*

I wanted to also provide details for those of you intending to visit the UK this summer. Rules can change at short notice so my advice is to always check our Travel Advice page on gov.uk for the very latest information.

Currently in order to travel to the UK you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result taken up to 3 days before departure. If you do not comply (and you do not have a valid exemption), your airline or carrier may refuse you boarding and/or you may be fined on arrival. The test results must be in English, French or Spanish.
Before travelling to the UK you must provide your journey and contact details by completing a passenger locator form. You must self-isolate when you enter the UK unless you have a valid exemption.

When you enter the UK from abroad (except from Ireland), you must follow the requirements for quarantining and taking additional COVID-19 tests. You can find more information here and here.

When returning to Italy from 21 June to 30 July, on arrival in Italy if you have been in the UK in the previous 14 days you must self-isolate for 5 days, at the end of which you must take a rapid antigenic or molecular swab test for COVID-19 and test negative for release. Children under the age of 6 do not need to test but must still self-isolate. If you wish to fly, you must present the airline with a negative COVID-19 rapid antigenic or molecular swab test taken no more than 48 hours before travel.

Before travel, you must complete an online digital form. This will generate a QR code, which should be presented to your travel provider and Border Police if requested. A paper form can be completed if you do not have an electronic device. Everyone arriving in Italy must also call the COVID-19 helpline for the relevant region within 48 hours, to inform them of your arrival.

You can read more about the requirement to get a COVID-19 test (including when you might be exempt) on the Italian Embassy in London’s COVID-19 update page. Check Italian Embassy in London guidance, or contact your travel provider, for more information. We also recommend you consult the Italian Government’s online questionnaire (in English) for more advice on entry requirements and travel to Italy

If you are a UK national resident in Italy, we advise carrying proof of your residence when entering Italy.

Whatever you have planned over this summer, I send my warm wishes to you and your family and friends. Buone vacanze!

Jill Morris CMG
Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Italy


The International Organisation for Migration and British Embassy Rome are coming to Piemonte and Liguria!

Are you a UK National living in these regions?

Sign up for an online face-to-face advisory session with our experts on residency registration in Italy. To book an appointment with your local roadshow click here

We will be visiting further cities and regions over the coming weeks so keep an eye out on our Facebook page for announcements.


New beginnings and painful endings




New beginnings and painful endings
British in Italy is closing down.  We set up as a campaign group just after the Referendum with a view to preserving as many of our EU rights as possible.  We always meant BiI to last just long enough to achieve that aim, never that it would be a permanent association of British citizens in Italy, still less an unfunded Citizens’ Advice Bureau.  What was intended to be a short-term campaign for at most a couple of years turned out in the end to last five long years.  

But now is the time to move on.  Brexit has happened.  Our rights are what they are.  There are still some implementation problems but if we waited for all those to be sorted we would still be going in ten or twenty years’ time.

In many ways we feel we have worked ourselves out of a job. When we started, in the summer of 2016, nobody had any idea of what rights we would be left with and there was no coordinated campaign to speak for UK nationals either in Italy or in the EU as a whole.  There was just shock, anger, uncertainty and, for many, fear.  

Now, although not all the problems have gone away, our rights have been legally established by the Withdrawal Agreement and although we have suffered the big loss of EU freedom of movement we have retained most of our old EU rights within Italy. There are now good sources of information on citizens’ rights, IOM provides a free and helpful service of assistance in getting registered, the Embassy is lobbying the Italian government effectively and there is a Facebook group, Beyond Brexit – UK citizens in Italy, for those who want to talk through problems or issues with knowledgeable people on social media.  Finally, our long-standing contact in Palazzo Chigi changed jobs in December and told us that further contact with the government should be through the Embassy.  

All in all, we are leaving a situation which is an awful lot better than when we started and although there is nothing that we can do now to improve it further we have no doubt that our efforts in Italy and through BiE in London and Brussels have made a big difference.

What does this mean in practice?
This is our last newsletter.  We do have a database of subscribers.  We intend to keep that for another year in case we need to refer to it or if, for any reason, we need to send out another newsletter.  After that the database will be deleted. Anyone who would prefer that their contact details are deleted now should let us know by May 31st and it will be done.

We will not be answering emails after May 31st, but will leave an “out of office” message simply redirecting people to other sources of information or help.

We will not be updating the website regularly.  We are still in discussion over whether it continues at all, possibly simply to redirect people who land on it to alternative sources of information or assistance.  
 
Who else can help you?
British in Europe, of which we were founder members and of which Jeremy Morgan is vice-chair, has established itself as a powerful, professional and effective lobbyist for citizens’ rights and is the most useful source of information on the Withdrawal Agreement.  Its work with the3million, its counterpart in the UK, has provided a model of cross-Channel, truly European, cooperation even at times when our interests diverged.   Its website has really helpful information on the Withdrawal Agreement and updates on EU and UK developments relating to citizens’ rights. BiE is on Facebook and Twitter.
 
The Embassy in Rome has gone from providing sporadic and sometimes inaccurate advice on citizens’ rights to being a model of what embassies should do in this situation.  Spurred on since the arrival of their energetic and highly competent Citizens’ Rights Officer, not only do they provide detailed advice on all aspects of our rights on their Living in Italy web pages, newsletters, Facebook sessions etc, but they have also been lobbying very hard, and at the highest level, to try to ensure that the Withdrawal Agreement is properly implemented in this country and to firefight the various, extremely serious, problems that people have experienced this year with ill-founded requests for a permesso di soggiorno.  Some of these problems are still there but the Embassy’s lobbying of various ministries and institutions has resulted in solutions being found for many of them.  And of course, the carta di soggiorno is now being issued even though many of us may have to wait a long time for an appointment at the Questura or for the card to be issued.  If you want specific help from the Embassy the form to fill in is here.  
IOM, the International Organisation for Migration, is helping people with problems of registration.  We have remained in close contact with them since last summer when they started, and would like to pay tribute to their case-workers’ dedication, knowledge and helpfulness.  We were really pleased when their funding was extended beyond April 5th this year.   IOM has a Facebook page.  Their phone number is 800 684884 and their email address is – UKnationalsit@iom.int.    



Beyond Brexit – UK citizens in Italy is a Facebook group which grew out of the Facebook groups of BiI.  The admins, all former committee members of BiI, are knowledgeable and dedicated.   Their page is a good source of news on UK citizens’ rights in Italy and the group has a large membership with whom problems, news (both good and bad) and issues can be shared. 

Italian government sites.  To those surprised that we have not provided links to Italian government sites we hasten to say that this is only because there is no easily accessible comprehensive site to which we could direct you.  We fully recognise that Italian language sites are by far the best thing to refer a reluctant official to.  However Italy has generally not been good at providing information on Withdrawal Agreement rights, though there are some excellent individual pages (such as the Ministry of Health guide to assistenza sanitaria).  The best way of finding Italian government sites is to search on the British Embassy’s Living in Italy guide (see above) and follow the links.

Your Europe Advice is a service offered by the EU to help individuals with issues such as implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement.  Their website explains the service further and you will find the form to ask for advice here.

A Long History of BiI For some of you the Long History of BiI might be just too much. You could just dip in for snippets here and there, to find out a little of what we’ve been up to. But for some, we hope, you’ll read with interest what we have done and achieved in these last 5 long years. 

Early history – 2016 and all that.
British in Italy (BiI) was set up as a group of volunteer UK citizens resident in Italy, campaigning to protect the post Brexit rights of British citizens resident in Italy and with the3million, similarly to protect Italian citizens resident in the UK.

Delia Dumaresq and Jeremy Morgan, both retired UK barristers, started BiI following the June 2016 referendum.  Concerned about the likely loss of rights for UK citizens living in Europe should the UK leave the EU, with the help of Patricia Clough, an ex-foreign correspondent living in Italy, and using her journalist contacts throughout Europe, we started contacting similarly concerned individuals and groups in various EU countries. The first transnational telephone ‘conference’ was in the autumn of 2016 when, sitting in Patricia’s kitchen, we linked up with several groups in Spain, France, and Belgium. Despite often huge differences in concerns and approach, everyone agreed we should try to build a ‘united front’. Again through journalist contacts in Germany, we met Jane Golding, a UK lawyer practising in Germany where she lives with her mixed German-English family, and now Co-Chair of British in Europe (BiE). It was Xmas 2016, sitting in the V&A in London. Jane had already started a similar campaign group in Germany, and had approached the House of Commons Select Committee on Brexit to give evidence on the likely impact of Brexit of UK citizens in the EU. 

From the start we thought it essential that we worked together with a shared campaign approach with those affected in the UK as well as Europe. In early 2017, Jeremy drafted our Governing Principle  and it quickly became the mission statement for all the European groups (who in early 2017 together formed the BiE coalition). It became the shared basis on which campaigning went forward, namely, the principle of fighting to protect all the existing rights of those EU and UK citizens who had moved either side of the Channel in exercise of their EU rights to free movement, work and residence throughout the EU. 

Thus, for the first 18 months or so, our approach was to a large extent dictated by the Europe/UK wide agreed strategies co-ordinated through BiE, working together with the3million, the group representing EU nationals living in the UK. That approach was particularly important in the early days building up the close relationships and trust with what became DEXEU (the Department for Exiting the EU) and the House of Commons and House of Lords committees looking at both evidence of the impact of a potential Brexit and legislation that was being proposed to implement it, and with Brussels and Barnier and his team. 

Jane’s approach to the UK House of Commons Select Committee met with approval and we were invited to provide representatives from several different countries to give evidence. Wanting to expand our representative base within Italy (not just retired lawyers, journalists etc), we approached Gareth Horsfall, a young Financial Advisor living and working in Rome with his family. In January 2017, he gave evidence to the HoC Select Committee along with 3 others – from Spain, Belgium and France. 

After the HoCommons event, regular phone calls started between the 10 groups that eventually became BiE. 

Jeremy in Italy and Jane in Germany wrote the Alternative White Paper which was presented to the UK government with detailed proposals for the protection of the rights of all UK and EU citizens who had exercised their EU right of free movement to live and work in the EU or the UK. It was effectively the BiE manifesto agreed by all the groups in the coalition. It was distributed widely to UK and EU officials and parliamentarians, and, later, by us, to Italian government officials and parliamentarians. Jeremy also drafted proposed amendments for the HoL’s attempts to amend the UK government’s Withdrawal Bill.

Apart from mass email lobbying of both UK MEP’s and MPs over the Withdrawal Bill, most of the work was campaigning to change the nature of the debates inside the UK parliament over the Withdrawal Bill and in Brussels. 

At the same time, we thought it important to contact Italians in the UK as they would be equally affected as us in Italy. Through the Italian Bookshop in London which we knew as an important cultural centre, we were put in touch with a London based Italian PD organiser who was instrumental in helping us get in touch with Italian MPs. As a result in early 2017 we, BiI, started meeting with a large group of Italian politicians all concerned with Italian communities abroad. 

As the BiI ‘committee’ expanded, we were able to set up a website which Gareth developed and ran for the next couple of years, a newsletter and a Face Book page which Charlotte Oliver, a dual-qualified solicitor/avvocato practising in Rome, created.  As well as holding our first ‘out reach meetings’ with British residents in various parts of the country and expanding our meetings with Italian politicians – including Sandro Gozi, then Sottosegretario per gli affari EU at the Prime Minister’s office – we spent a lot of time getting up to speed on relevant Italian and EU laws affecting our rights.

After the UK triggered Article 50 in the spring of 2017, BiI gave evidence to a joint Italian Senato committee on the impact of Brexit (meeting amongst others, Claudio Micheloni who was absolutely charming and very much on our side).  We also met Marco Piantini (Gentiloni’s consigliere on Brexit) and Pierluigi D’Elia (the Affari Esteri Brussels specialist on Brexit) with whom we remained in close contact for the next 4 years.

Most of 2017 was, however, taken up with BiE lobbying of Westminster and Brussels. Jeremy became Vice-Chair of BiE. The work involved constant scrutiny of each stage of the citizen’s rights negotiations in Brussels, analysis of the pros and cons of the proposals at each stage and preparation of many papers in response to both the UK government’s and Brussels positions, as well as briefing meetings with both sides’ negotiating teams between each round.

BiI was well represented at lots of marches, from the March for Europe in Rome in March 2017, through the protest organised by Gareth in September in Florence when Theresa May gave her famous speech, to a number of the marches in London when Clarissa’s BiI banner was always prominent.

March 2018 onwards
Since March 2018 when the negotiations on citizens’ rights were largely finalised between the EU/UK, our emphasis gradually shifted to more focused internal Italian campaigning with BiE continuing to work in Brussels and London on behalf of all the various EU country groups.  

With the change in the Italian government in mid 2018, BiI had to rapidly develop new contacts at government and parliamentary level.  We began a campaign to involve local mayors and other public administration functionaries (our ‘sindaci campaign’) to raise awareness of the very major changes in rights that would be affecting UKinItaly in the run up to 29th March 2019, and immediately after Brexit – whatever form it took. Anne Parry and Clarissa Killwick, two English language teachers living in the north of Italy, really developed and expanded the sindaci campaign across the country using all the mod cons of Facebook, our newsletter and local contacts. Clarissa was, and still is, also involved in the In Limbo project set up by Elena Remigi, an Italian living and working in London. The In Limbo  books recount through personal testimonies the real impact of Brexit on individual people and families. 

As BiI, we also focused on media coverage both in the Italian and English language press to raise awareness of the issues whether Deal or No Deal. 

As the No Deal scenario began to look increasingly likely, BiI became ever more closely involved in preparing analysis and papers for Italian officials involved in Brexit matters at the same time as BiE was doing the same in Brussels. This work, together with most of the lobbying, was done by Delia and Jeremy.  We had enormous help from Krys Biskupski, a Brit and ex-Brussels/EU translator living in Modena, whose translation skills and knowledge of EU-speak were invaluable. Shortly before Xmas 2018 we were able to announce that the Italian government was preparing legislation to grant us specific rights in the event of a No Deal – with Gareth producing our best ever press-release headline “Italian government plays Babbo Natale in the Brexit Xmas pantomime”. 

October 2018 to May 2019
When details of the No Deal Decreto Brexit appeared in early 2019 there was not a lot to celebrate – we had a right to residence but on excessively penal terms. Whilst it continued our right to the EU health and social security coordination provisions, it was for 12 months only. For those of us with 4 years residence at the date of Brexit, the right to apply for citizenship after 4 years and not 10 years as required of non-EU nationals was also included. Both of these matters had been the subject of several BiI papers provided to the government and MPs, umpteen meetings with government officials and lobbying of MP’s. This had been particularly so during the passage of the Decreto Sicurezza (Decreto Salvini) in late 2018 where our efforts had not succeeded in getting UKinItaly exempted from the harsh new citizenship application conditions. So our efforts during 2018 and particularly, December had not all been entirely wasted after all. 

But penal conditions of absences from Italy dating back pre-Brexit that would lose many people residence and particularly permanent residence could not be accepted without protest. We spent 3 frantic months writing more papers, drafting amendments to the decreto itself and lobbying MPs, particularly those directly involved in the various committee stages of the decreto. Finally, when the Decreto Brexit went through the Senato, our amendment to retain existing EU rights to absences from Italy without losing residence status were voted through. A moment of great relief as No Deal continued to threaten.

2019 and Brexit – 31 January 2020.
BiI continued campaigning up and down the country with local meetings, newsletters, and press coverage in both Italian and English language papers continued. The sindaci campaign spread widely, creating considerable interest from unsuspecting Italian public officials and mayors who simply had not appreciated the bureacratic impact on their work whatever the form Brexit might take. 

For the May 2019 EU parliament elections we ran a campaign to get Italian potential MEP’s from all political parties to sign-up to our pledge to protect UKinItaly and EUinUK citizens rights – we got more than 20 to sign, including Antonio Tajani of Forza Italia, who was then President of the EU parliament, and PD’s Roberto Gualtieri, who went on to become Finance Minister. 

We developed closer co-operation with the British Embassy in Rome team who were picking up the pace in preparing for Brexit, Deal or no Deal, trying to keep the Living in Italy guide up to date with the ever movable feast that the Brexit scenario had become, and who were trying to develop out reach work with the very disparate UKinItaly community. 

It is fair to say that until late December 2019, BiI continued with much the same work as it had done in the previous year – constant lobbying of and presentation to the Italian government of material analysing the effects of Brexit on citizens rights. We pushed hard to get the government to support ring-fencing of the citizens’ rights that had already been agreed in principle between the UK and EU back in early 2018. This was a campaign that BiE also ran in Brussels and London throughout this period. Although it seemed so obviously sensible to all of us – safeguarding our rights as a separate international treaty, irrespective of whether Brexit was eventually the hard Brexit so beloved of Johnson, or the softer version with a Deal. 

The other issue over which much lobbying and discussion with government reps took place throughout 2019 was that of health and social security, including the protection of the S1 for pensioners, posted workers and some others. The focus of the lobbying had shifted more towards whether a bilateral deal with the UK could be achieved, particularly in the event of a No Deal Brexit. 

2020 – Brexit and Implementation
When Brexit finally happened, BiI began to change too. The intense lobbying and campaigning to preserve our rights had really come to an end by 31 January 2020 – Brexit Day. What was left was implementation of the WA rights in Italy.

Italy had opted for the so-called declaratory system under Art. 18.4 of the Withdrawal Agreement for recognizing UKinItaly residence rights. One would think that should have made it easy – particularly as Italy has always had a mandatory system of registration for all residents, Italian and foreign. But no. Italy, always keen to be helpful to UK nationals, did not help by rushing to be the first EU State to announce its implementation measures – the ill-thought out and ill-fated Art. 18.4 attestazione that comuni were required to issue in 2020 but so many managed to get wrong.  And of course from January 2021 it was in effect replaced by the biometric carta di soggiorno.  Even a year after Brexit the problems of getting both public officials including government and municipal offices, health authorities, police authorities and private enterprises, schools, lawyers etc. to recognize that we do have a different status with different rights from all other non-EU citizens including British nationals who arrive after 31 December 2020.  

Our Facebook page had developed during 2018/9 into 2 very widely subscribed Facebook groups – one as a forum for Citizenship applications and the other a forum for UKinItaly rights generally, all administered and maintained by Anne Parry, Clarissa Kilwick, Carole-Anne Richards, Zoe Adams Green and Penny Philips.  Early in 2020,  BiI closed its Facebook page and the two Fb groups separated off into a new organisation called Beyond Brexit – UK Citizens in Italy set up by Clarissa, Carole-Anne and Penny. Their focus has shifted more to providing a long-term support network and forum for UKinItaly facing problems getting their rights recognised, monitoring those implementation issues and working both with BiI, the British Embassy in Rome’s team and IOM to resolve the problems. 

During 2020, the Rome Embassy really picked up its game and began providing very comprehensive information on our rights on its website under the Living in Italy guide as well as running a series of ‘virtual’ workshops and meetings aimed at explaining our WA rights to the many UK nationals resident in Italy as well as practical information on for example, how to register for healthcare. In addition, the UK government made funds available for an organisation called International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to provide direct support within Italy to UK nationals having difficulty registering as resident, obtaining the necessary WA attestazione (2020’s bureaucratic challenge) and more recently, the biometric carta di soggiorno (2021’s bureaucratic challenge). 

We as BiI have continued to campaign and lobby over implementation issues during 2020 and 2021, as well as working with Beyond Brexit, IOM and the British Embassy team, but we feel, rather proudly, that we have worked ourselves out of a job. 

When we started, there was no source of reliable information on our rights, what we would lose in the event of a No Deal and how that would impact on our daily lives. As we developed our public campaign and lobbying, we also ‘flooded’ the powers that be with our extensive research and analytic papers on all aspects of citizens rights – circulated to Italian government reps as well as the Rome Embassy ‘Brexit’ team. We were gratified at times to hear that when the British government’s Embassy ‘Brexit’ team met to discuss matters with Italian government reps, both sides were relying on our BiI papers to explain the issues, the laws underpinning various rights, and the problems Brexit posed.   

We, BiI, also first took the issue of citizens rights to our co-nationals resident across Italy – to explain just what the implications were of a Deal or No Deal Brexit. Between 2017 and 2019, we travelled thousands of kilometres. During 2020 and 2021, that work has really been picked up by the Rome Embassy team, reaching out to thousands of UK nationals. 

Now in May 2021, after 5 years of hard campaigning and lobbying, BiI is finally hanging up its ‘boots’, but Beyond Brexit will continue with their excellent work to provide support and information to all UK nationals resident in Italy. 

We would like to express an enormous thanks to all ex and current committee members and all past and present activists. Those mentioned above in a particular context almost invariably have been involved in many aspects of BiI’s campaigning and so the thanks go to them all for ALL their hard work. In addition to those already mentioned, we would also like to thank Cos de Toma and Alison Jamieson who have played important parts in the BiI campaign. 
 
  And so it is with those words that we take our final bow in this Brexit drama and handover the reins to others.  I (Gareth) would also like to add that British in Italy would not have been possible at all without the dedicated hard work and determination of Delia Dumaresq and Jeremy Morgan.   They have written the story you have read here, but modest as they are, they have given little of the credit to themselves, whereas their, creativity, analytical legal work and sheer dedication have been nothing short of legendary.  Therefore, I am sure that all of you, as the readers of these newsletters, the British in Italy and Beyond Brexit teams send our heartfelt thanks for the time and energy they have put into this campaign, and the time taken from their lives and families to help protect every single one of us and our lives in Italy.   

14th May, 2021

A MESSAGE FROM JILL MORRIS, HER MAJESTY’S AMBASSADOR (British Embassy Rome)

To UK Nationals in Italy,

I am writing to update you on Italy’s implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement for UK nationals who were settled in Italy before 1 January 2021 and to provide some important information on citizens’ rights. I also wanted to provide an update on access to the Covid-19 vaccine in Italy and travel to the UK

The new Withdrawal Agreement biometric residency card
The Italian government has introduced a new biometric residence document for UK nationals and their family members issued under the Withdrawal Agreement (‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ or ‘documento in formato digitale sulla base di quanto previsto dall’Accordo di recesso’). If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021, you should get this card from your local questura.
We have published detailed guidance on how to get the new biometric residence card on our Living in Italy guide.

Many of you have already requested the new card from your local questura. As international travel picks up, you can evidence your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement at the border by showing your new card. If you do not yet have the new card, then you can prove your status with your current EU residency document or other documentation that shows you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021. In doing so, you will avoid having your UK passport stamped at the border or being questioned about your reasons for travel.

If you need support in obtaining the new ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’, you can get in touch with our UK Nationals Support Fund partner the International Organisation for Migration. You can call them on 800 684 884 or email: UKnationalsit@iom.int

Evidencing your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement in Italy
UK nationals who were lawfully living in Italy before 1 January 2021 have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement automatically and there is no need to re-apply for these rights. This means that the new ‘carta di soggiorno’ is not mandatory, although we are advising UK nationals to obtain it. This is because it provides the clearest evidence of your automatic rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
The Italian government has recently published confirmation that the new ‘carta di soggiorno’ is not mandatory and your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement do not depend on holding it. If you are having difficulties in accessing services because you do not hold the new card, you can signpost your local provider to the official Italian government website.

We have recently updated our Living in Italy page with guidance from both the Italian Banking Association and Italian Council of Notaries. Their guidance clarifies that Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries cannot be asked to produce a non-EU residency permit or the new ‘carta di soggiorno’ to enjoy rights in Italy.

Please consult our Living in Italy guide for updates as well as our social media channels. UK nationals who may be experiencing difficulties can contact us via our contact webform on our Living in Italy page.

Driving licences in Italy
If you are a resident in Italy, you should obtain an Italian driving licence. We are currently negotiating with the Italian government for an agreement to provide for the right to exchange a UK driving licence for a local one without the need to re-sit a test. Until an agreement is in place, you will need to take a test to exchange your valid UK licence.

The Italian government has recently announced that, if you registered your residency before 1 January 2021, then you can continue to use your valid UK licence until 31 December 2021. If you are resident in Italy after 1 January 2021, your valid UK licence will be recognised in Italy for 12 months from the date you became resident.

As soon as we have information on an agreement on exchange we will update our Living in Italy guide.

Hosting guests at your property
If you are living in Italy and you host a UK national (or any non-EU national) as a guest, you must inform your local immigration office (questura) in writing within 48 hours after they arrive at your property. You could be fined if you fail to comply with this Italian immigration law.

If you host an EU national, you must inform the questura if they will stay with you for 30 days or more. The above requirement does not apply to diplomats who currently work in Italy.

Information for UK nationals living in Italy under accredited status
The European Commission has recently confirmed to Member States that the Withdrawal Agreement does not allow a distinction between beneficiaries based on whether they have “special status” or not. Therefore, UK nationals who are employees of international organisations in Italy, are diplomatic personnel or are deployed under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement can be beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement provided they resided in Italy before 31 December 2020. This is because they were exercising their free movement rights as workers.

We are engaging with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify how those who currently hold accredited status and are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement can evidence their Withdrawal Agreement rights whilst in Italy. For example, whether they can request the new ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ issued under the Withdrawal Agreement during their posting in Italy to hold alongside the MFA card.

The clarification from the Commission is significant as it underlines that UK nationals in Italy accredited with the MFA before 1 January can remain in Italy after the end of holding accredited status and enjoy rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. As soon as we have further updates, we will publish these on our website.

Where to find more information on your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement
You can find the very latest information on our Living in Italy page on gov.uk. This remains our key resource for UK nationals. It includes details on residency, healthcare and benefits, pensions, driving licences and how to get in touch with us.

We held our latest Q & A event on Facebook and YouTube on Thursday 13 May, so please visit our Facebook page if you wish to watch the recorded session. And we are continuing with our ‘Residency Roadshows’ for UK nationals across Italy in partnership with the International Organisation for Migration. You can sign up for any of our events, including our one-to-one advisory sessions, via our Facebook page or our website.

Covid-19 and access to vaccines
I want to provide details for those of you intending to request the Covid-19 vaccine. A phased vaccination programme was launched in Italy on 27 December. The Italian Medicines Agency (AIFA) has issued comprehensive information on the vaccine and the documentation required to book an appointment.

Many regional authorities have launched on-line booking platforms and are currently inviting those in priority groups to register. An interactive map (in Italian) details a list of vaccine administration points by region.

We are aware that some people who are not currently registered with the regional healthcare authority have been unable to book an appointment for a vaccine. This is not applicable in all regions so you should check your own region’s requirements. You may want to contact your regional ASL by phone as well, in addition to booking an appointment online.

We have raised this issue with the Italian Ministry of Health, and we will publish an update on our gov.uk pages as soon as possible.

Travel to England
From 17 May, the rules for people arriving in England from abroad are changing. What you need to do depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive. If you have been in a country or territory on the:

You must follow these rules even if you have been vaccinated. Find out what list the country you’ve been in is on and what you need to do.

Until 17 May, you must follow the current testing and quarantine rules which are detailed here.

My warm wishes to you, your families and friends.

Jill Morris CMG Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Italy


15th April, 2021

Here is the latest bulletin from British In Italy. Please feel free to circulate it among UK nationals resident in this country.

Good News Story #1
The first CARTE DI SOGGIORNO have been issued now, so the technical problems that the Questure were facing appear to have been resolved and those who have already had an appointment should be able to pick up their carta before too much longer.

If you have not yet applied, you will find a very helpful guide to the process on the British Embassy website here.  It includes a self-certification form which can be used if you have already registered your residence in your Comune as well as a list of PEC addresses for almost all the Questure in Italy.

As we explain on our website and have mentioned in previous newsletters, the carta di soggiorno is not obligatory. The problem that continues to arise is that many government and public administration officials, online systems and computer programmes, as well as other professionals such as accountants do not recognise the ‘voluntary’ nature of the carta and therefore do not accept the many alternative means of proving our WA status – iscrizione anagrafica, soggiorno permanente etc. For that reason, we strongly urge people to apply for the carta – simply to make one’s life easier.

Good News Story #2
Funding for IOM (the International Organisation for Migration) to help UK nationals get residence has been continued.  Previously it was only guaranteed until April 5th but further funds have now been made available, though there has been no announcement as to how much longer this service will be provided. 

This is very good news as British in Italy’s experience of the bilingual caseworkers at IOM is that they are knowledgeable and helpful and always prepared to go the extra mile to help someone who is vulnerable or otherwise having difficulty with registering with their Comune or applying for the carta di soggiorno.

It is a result for British in Italy and the Facebook group Beyond Brexit – UK nationals in Italy.  British in Italy lobbied the Foreign Office last December to get this excellent service extended and Beyond Brexit wrote separately earlier this year.

Computer says ‘No’ and related problems
  Our last newsletter carried a story about the problems caused to some UK residents who were unable to produce a ‘permesso di soggiorno’ when asked.  Of course those of us covered by the Withdrawal Agreement do not need a permesso di soggiorno (permission) to be here, but we do have the right to a ‘carta di soggiorno’ as proof of our status.   Apart from the news, which we have given above, that carte di soggiorno are beginning to be issued, here is an update on some of the other problems

  • Getting a job – the problem is that employers are obliged by law to register all contracts of employment and that prospective employees are asked for a permesso di soggiorno number which, for obvious reasons, they are unable to give.  The Ministero di Lavoro is aware of the problem and has published a temporary workaround which you can find here.
  • Buying a home – some notai have been wrongly insisting on the production of a permesso di soggiorno before completing a house purchase.  The Notai’s in-house magazine ‘CNNNotizie’ published on 15 March an article setting out the correct position.  It is entitled “Brexit: il punto della situazione su reciprocità e regolarità del soggiorno”.  British in Italy asked for permission to reproduce the article.  This was refused on the grounds that the magazine is only for members, but anyone who is having this problem with a notaio should refer them to this article. Please note that the same in-house magazine published another article on the same day which refers ONLY to those with permanent residence as having the right to purchase. Be sure to request that the notaio reads the correct article!!
  • Healthcare – some ASL have been requiring a permesso di soggiorno before issuing or renewing a tessera sanitaria.  If this happens to you refer the official to the informative note on the Ministero della Salute website here.  That note does not deal explicitly with the question of a permesso/carta di soggiorno, but we understand that in February a note was sent out by the Ministry to the Regions making it clear that we could not be obliged to produce either permesso or carta di soggiorno and could prove our residence pre-31.12.20 by any available means.
  • We have heard that some Comuni have written to all their British residents requiring them to re-register with the ufficio anagrafe with a ‘permesso di soggiorno’.  If this happens to you please (i) don’t worry as the request is completely wrong but (ii) tell us and/or the Embassy straight away so that it can be taken up with the Comune in question.
  • The Embassy in Rome is working on the relevant ministries to sort out all these problems and we will keep you updated with any further solutions.

In the meantime British in Italy is continuing to liaise with Italian politicians to press the government to resolve these problems.  We are really grateful to On. Massimo Ungaro, a deputato of Italia Viva, for asking a parliamentary question of the relevant ministries.  No response has been received so far, but Massimo attributes the speeding up of the carta di soggiorno process to pressure by his IV colleague Ivan Scalfarotto, Sottosegretario at the Ministero dell’Interno.

Stories in the British press
  Those of you who follow the British press will have seen a series of copycat articles in the pro-Brexit papers about the problems UK nationals have been experiencing in some countries, mainly Spain, Italy and France.  In fact Spain and France have been implementing the Withdrawal Agreement pretty well, whereas the serious problems in Greece and Portugal were of no interest to this section of the British press.

The standard of journalism has usually been appalling, including getting the facts wrong, confusing residents with second home owners and legal residents with illegal, playing to the stereotype of the heavy drinking, sun-seeking Brit on the Spanish Costas and presenting the issue as one of ‘Brexit revenge’.  One of British in Italy’s newsletters has been repeatedly misquoted or quoted out of context.  The only paper which bothered to contact us was the Times, which published a serious article on April 6 by its Rome correspondent about the problems here over the new carta di soggiorno.

Not all the British media like the ‘Red Tops’ approach.  North-East Bylines carried a penetrating article by campaigner Clarissa Killwick of Beyond Brexit – UK citizens in Italy.  You can find a link to it here.

In case you were as incensed as we were by the inaccurate perpetuation of the stereotype of the Brit in Europe, we reproduce below our letter to the Editor of the Sun.  You will not be surprised to learn that there has been no response and that it was not published.  Whilst the British in Italy newsletter might not have quite the circulation of the Sun, we thought it only right to let the readers whose views we value see what we said.

The Editor,
The Sun
March 31st 2021
 
Dear Editor,
 
Your article today about “Brexit revenge rules” quotes our organisation frequently and out of context and together with the photos you have chosen perpetuates a groundless stereotype of the British who chose to live in the EU while that was still possible.  Our newsletter made the point that the very things which were made difficult for immigrants in the UK by deliberate policy proudly called ‘the hostile environment’ by Theresa May – getting a job, renting a home, getting benefits – were becoming difficult for many UK residents of Italy through government inadvertence.  You suggest that British people are forced to apply for permanent residence due to Brexit.  Not so: permanent residence is a right we have always had after 5 years residence, and in the UK is now known as settled status.  For those of us living in the EU before the end of last year the tests we have to meet to be legally resident have not changed, and the only EU right we have lost in our host country is the right to vote.   But Italy has been slow to update its public computer systems to show this and slow to issue the card which proves that we are resident, and these failures have led to some people losing work, being unable to buy or rent a home or get benefits.  This has caused them devastating problems which British in Italy is campaigning to get sorted, but none of it is “Brexit revenge” and nobody who knows Italy or the Italians would dream of calling it that.
 
And the photographs you have chosen to illustrate the typical Brit in the EU just play to a tired and ignorant stereotype.  There are over 1.2 million of us spread all over the EU and not just sunning ourselves or drinking on the Spanish Costas.  We are everything from teachers to IT workers (like Paul from Puglia), from cooks to lawyers and scientists to small business people. 80% are working or at school.  99% would not recognise ourselves in your photos.
 
We deplore the tone of your article, the insinuations made about British nationals living and working in Italy and in Spain compounded by the false images deliberately created by your chosen photographs. We ask for this letter to be published with an apology to our organisation and its thousands of members.
 
Yours,
 
Delia Dumaresq, Jeremy Morgan, Gareth Horsfall
The Committee of British in Italy


Here is the latest bulletin from the British Embassy in Rome. Please feel free to share it widely among UK Nationals in Italy.

8th March, 2021

I want to update you on Italy’s implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement for UK nationals living in Italy before 1 January 2021 and to provide some detailed information on access to healthcare in Italy.

*The new Withdrawal Agreement biometric residency card*

The Italian government has introduced a new biometric residence document for UK nationals and their family members issued under the Withdrawal Agreement (‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ or ‘documento in formato digitale sulla base di quanto previsto dall’Accordo di recesso’). If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021, you should get this card from your local questura.

Read our detailed guidance on how to get the new biometric residence card which we have published on our Living in Italy guide.

To request the document, you need to book an appointment at your local immigration office at the police headquarters (questura) in person. Make sure you read the Italian government’s guidance on what supporting documentation you will need to provide. You can find it on our Living in Italy guide.

Please note that the new biometric residency card is not the same document as an Italian identity card. If you already hold an Italian identity card you should still get the new biometric residency card from your questura. It is not mandatory, but it will provide you with the clearest evidence of your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you need support in obtaining the new biometric residency card you can get in touch with our UK Nationals Support Fund partner the International Organisation for Migration. You can call them on 800 684 884 or email: UKnationalsit@iom.int

*Evidencing your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement in Italy*

Italy is using a declaratory system to implement the Withdrawal Agreement. This means that UK nationals who were lawfully living in Italy before 1 January 2021 have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement automatically rather than needing to re-apply for these rights. It also means that the new biometric residency card is not mandatory although we are advising UK nationals to obtain it. This is because it provides the clearest evidence of your automatic rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

We are aware that some UK nationals have reported difficulties in accessing benefits, accessing healthcare and in registering work contracts since the start of this year. This is because they have been required to show the new biometric residency card or a non-EU residency permit (permesso di soggiorno). As the non-EU national residency permit is not applicable to those covered by the Withdrawal Agreement and the new biometric residency card is not mandatory, we are engaging with the Italian government to support the resolution of these difficulties as soon as possible.

Please consult our Living in Italy guide for updates as well as our social media channels @ukinitaly. UK nationals who may be experiencing problems can contact us via our contact webform on our Living in Italy page.

*Healthcare access in Italy*

Under the Withdrawal Agreement if you were living in Italy or moved here before 1 January 2021, your rights to access healthcare in Italy will stay the same provided you remain resident and you meet the requirements of the Italian public health system. This also applies to UK nationals who hold an S1 form (i.e. in receipt of a UK state pension or a qualifying exportable benefit) and currently use the S1 form to access healthcare in Italy.

If you are in possession of a valid Italian health card (Tessera Sanitaria), this remains valid and when it expires, you will be able to renew it if you meet the requirements.

If you have one, you can present the new biometric residence card to your local health authority (ASL) to prove your entitlement under the Withdrawal Agreement when applying or renewing your healthcare registration. However, because it is not mandatory to hold the biometric card if you already hold a residency document from your local town hall this is evidence of your status.

If you are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card issued by Italy, this card remains valid for use when you visit the UK, and other EEA countries. The Italian EHIC (also known as TEAM-Tessera Europea Assicurazione Malattia) will cover you for any necessary medical care during a temporary stay in the UK. Remember that the EHIC is not an alternative to travel insurance, and you should always make sure you travel with insurance that covers your needs.

If you are an S1 holder living in Italy and you have a UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), this card remains valid for use across the EU for any necessary treatment, until the card expires. Once your EHIC expires you can apply online for a new card.

You can find more information about accessing NHS care when visiting the UK by visiting nhs.uk. For further Information on the TEAM please visit the website of the Italian Ministry of Health.

For more information on how to register for healthcare in Italy, please consult https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-italy or you can download our booklet.

*Where to find more information on your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement*

All UK nationals can find the very latest information on our Living in Italy page on gov.uk. This remains our key resource for UK nationals. It includes details on residency, healthcare and benefits, pensions, driving licences and how to get in touch with us.

We will be holding more live Q&A events for UK nationals on Facebook and YouTube. Please do join us if you can.

And we have just launched our second programme of ‘Residency Roadshows’ for UK nationals across Italy. Each roadshow, hosted with our UK Nationals Support Fund partner the International Organisation for Migration, is held for a specific region or city in Italy and you can sign up for a one-to-one session with our policy experts via our Facebook channel.

*Voting rights in UK elections for UK nationals overseas*

Last Wednesday’s UK government budget provided for funding to set up legislation to reform the limit of years spent abroad as an entitlement to vote in the UK. The budget included an Overseas Electors provision of an additional £2.5m to remove the limit preventing British citizens who live overseas from voting after 15 years. Legislation is expected to be laid before Parliament later this year to bring about the reform.

*Covid – 19 and travel to the UK*

Lastly, I want to provide details for those of you intending to travel to the UK from Italy, including UK nationals returning home. To travel to the UK you must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test result taken up to 3 days before departure. If you do not comply (and you do not have a valid exemption) your airline or carrier may refuse you boarding and/or you may be fined on arrival. The test results must be in English, French or Spanish.

Before you return to the UK you must provide your journey and contact details. You must self-isolate when you enter the UK from any foreign country except Ireland, unless you have a valid exemption.

When you enter England from abroad (except Ireland), you must follow the new requirements for quarantining and taking additional COVID-19 tests. For those travelling from a country on the banned travel list you will be required to quarantine in a hotel. Different rules apply for arrivals into England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

You can find more information here.

My warm wishes to you, your families and friends.

Jill Morris CMG

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Italy

Should you wish to receive this newsletter directly, and are not currently doing so, please write to  UKNationals.inItaly@fco.gov.uk


Here is the FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER from British In Italy. Please feel free to share the information with any UK citizens among your friends (FB and otherwise).

BRAKES OFF FOR THE NEW CARTA DI SOGGIORNO

In our last newsletter we advised people not to rush to get the new Withdrawal Agreement biometric tessera (proper name “carta di soggiorno”) so as to give the Questure time to get used to issuing it. This was particularly because of the extensive problems experienced with Comuni last year over the issue of the WA attestazione.

It seems that most Questure have got their act together so there is no need to hold back any longer. Our advice is to apply NOW because:

  • In some areas there are long delays in getting an appointment;
  • Without the new carta di soggiorno some people have not been able to:
    • Renew a tessera sanitaria;
    • Get an employment contract or enter a bando di gara for a job;
    • Get benefits;
    • Complete the purchase of a house.
  • The WA attestazione that many of us obtained from our Comune last year is not always being accepted as the necessary proof that we are covered by the WA.
  • If you leave Italy you might have your passport wrongly stamped at a border if you do not produce the carta di soggiorno.

As a matter of strict law none of these problems should be happening. As long as you were resident in Italy by 31st December you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement and should have all the rights it confers. But knowing that you are in the right is not much consolation if the computer (or an official) says no. So British in Italy strongly urge everyone to get the biometric carta di soggiorno. If you don’t, you risk facing serious practical problems like those mentioned above. It is the best evidence you can get that you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.

One other reason for applying now is that the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), which helps people with applications for these cards, may not have its funding for this work continued after April 5th. British in Italy wrote to the Foreign Office last December asking them to ensure that IOM’s funding continued. We have been promised a decision shortly, but there is no guarantee that it will be continued. IOM has been fantastically helpful to lots of people. So if you need their help apply for your card now while they are still sure to be around.

The Embassy in Rome is in constant contact with the Italian Ministries over these problems and is working hard to resolve them. Help us to help them by letting us know if you have any problems either getting the new carta di soggiorno or because someone is refusing to let you do/get something simply because you do not yet have it. Our email address is britsinitaly@gmail.com.

As a reminder – the procedure for obtaining the carta di soggiorno is set out in a Ministry of Interior Vademecum – available in English and Italian. Although it is not mentioned in the Vademecum some Questure are asking for proof of the date you first took up residence in Italy. Whilst this request ought not to be made, rather than argue it might help if you took with you to your appointment your original attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica or permesso di soggiorno or a certificato storico di residenza (see below for an explanation of these documents)

Don’t know your ‘carta’ from your ‘attestazione?’ Don’t worry. You are not alone!

The variety of documents issued to non-Italians resident in Italy is truly bewildering, not helped by the similarity of their names. So here is the British in Italy glossary to guide you through the maze. The new biometric card for those covered by the Withdrawal Agreement is called a carta di soggiorno and is valid for 5 years. If you are entitled to permanent residence (i.e. you have 5+ years of legal residence) you get a carta di soggiorno permanente which is valid for 10 years, but can be renewed as of right at the end of that period. These are not to be confused with any of the following:

  • Permesso di soggiorno – the permit to reside issued to Third Country Nationals (ie nationals of a non-EU country) now, and which those of you who arrived here before 2007 were given at the time.
  • Attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica di cittadino Ue – the certificate of registration of residence of an EU citizen or family member in a Comune. From 2007 until 31st December 2020 this was the document issued to UK nationals who took up residence in Italy.
  • Attestazione di soggiorno permanente per cittadini dell’UE– certificate of permanent residence as an EU citizen, issued also to UK nationals with 5 years legal residence until 31st December 2020.
  • Attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica ai sensi dell’Art. 18.4 dell’Accordo sul recesso – the paper certificate issued between February and the end of December 2020 to UK nationals and their family members covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.
  • Carta di soggiorno di familiare di un cittadino dell’Unione – issued to non-EU family members of an EU citizen including of a UK citizen until 31st December 2020.
  • Carta di soggiorno permanente per familiari di cittadini europei – issued to those non-EU family members of an EU citizen who have permanent residence including those of a UK citizen up to 31st December 2020.
  • Permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo – issued to third country nationals with at least 5 years legal residence (and on some additional conditions) and their family members. Unlike the Withdrawal Agreement, it confers some rights of mobility between EU countries and those who need such mobility (eg for work) should think about applying for it, though no guidelines have yet been issued in Italy on how this can be done by a British citizen covered by the WA.
  • Certificato storico di residenza anagrafica – a certificate issued by a Comune to prove the residence of a person at some point in the past.

OLD EHIC, NEW EHIC & GHIC

In our December newsletter we published the UK’s advice that anyone resident in the EU with an EHIC card issued by the UK (such as UK pensioners with an S1) had to apply for a new one. This advice has now been cancelled as a result of the EU/UK Trade Agreement. If you have applied for a new EHIC card it will still arrive (and will have the code “CRA”) and will be valid. If you have not applied for a new EHIC card your old one will still be valid until its expiry date. When it expires you will be entitled to another EHIC card.

UK citizens still in the UK will no longer be issued with an EHIC (“European Health Insurance”) card but instead will get a GHIC (“Global Health Insurance”) card. This will have the same effect as an EHIC card in all EU countries but not Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland.

So in Brexit Britain Newspeak “Global” = “Europe minus 4”!

But the good news is that your family and friends living in the UK will be able to use their EHIC or GHIC cards when they come to visit you.

The UK will continue to honour EHIC cards issued in the EU whether before or after December 31st 2020. So it will provide “necessary treatment” to holders of an EU EHIC card temporarily in the country, whether they be UK nationals, EU citizens or anyone else in possession of such a card.

BREXIT – ITS SOCIAL IMPACT & HUMAN COST

The Europe Direct & International Cooperation Centre, Modena, with the support of the Comune di Modena, is holding a webinar on 25 February 2021 at 17.30. The webinar arose from an initiative of the sindaco of Modena. Various speakers will talk about the effect of Brexit on both EU citizens in the UK (Elena Remigi who lives in London and who put together the In Limbo books which recount the stories of UK and of EU citizens directly affected by Brexit) and British citizens in Italy (two from British in Italy and two from Beyond Brexit). As well as the important impact of Brexit on those who have chosen to reside either in the UK or in Europe with rights protected by the Withdrawal Agreement, the speakers will look at its impact on those who in the future wish to travel, study or work either side of the Channel. What has been lost; has anything been gained? The webinar will be conducted in English and there will be time for discussion or a Q&A session for participants. The flyer below shows the YouTube and the Facebook links to join in.

The Embassy continues its programme of virtual outreach events, newsletters and information documents. Keep up to date by visiting their website.


Here is the latest information from the British Embassy in Rome. Please feel free to share with other UK Citizens in Italy.

To UK Nationals in Italy,

I wanted to update you on some important developments now that the transition period between the UK and the EU has ended.

The Withdrawal Agreement and the end of the Transition Period

If you are a UK national living in Italy and were lawfully living here before 31 December 2020, your lifelong rights are protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. This includes the right to live, work and access healthcare as you do now. You can find more information on your rights in Italy in our Citizens’ Rights Information Booklet available here. My previous newsletters detailing rights under the Withdrawal Agreement can be found here.

Healthcare access for those covered by the Withdrawal Agreement

Under the Withdrawal Agreement if you were living in Italy or moved here before 31 December 2020, your rights to access healthcare in Italy will stay the same provided you remain resident. This also applies to UK nationals who hold an S1 form (i.e. in receipt of a UK state pension or a qualifying exportable benefit) and currently use the S1 form to access healthcare in Italy.

The Italian Ministry of Health has recently published an Informative Note for local health authorities confirming healthcare rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. You may find it helpful to highlight the Italian government’s new Informative Note when engaging with your local regional healthcare authority on your continued rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

For more information on how to register for healthcare in Italy, please consult this page or you can download our booklet on gov.uk/livinginitaly

The new biometric residency card for UK nationals living in Italy

The Italian government has introduced a new biometric residence document for UK nationals and their family members. If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021 you should get this document in due course. It will provide further evidence of your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. To request the document, you need to book an appointment at your local immigration office at the police headquarters (questura) in person. For more information please read the Italian government’s guidance on the new card.

You will recall that last year the Italian government released an “attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica” for UK nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. The document refers to Article 18.4 of the Withdrawal Agreement. The attestazione is not mandatory in order to obtain the new biometric card. If you already have the new attestazione you will be able to show it in order to request the new card.

Alternatively, you will be able to complete a self-declaration confirming your residency status in Italy.

We are engaging the Italian government on the process for obtaining the biometric residency card, especially for those who were lawfully living in Italy by 31 December 2020 but who have not yet completed a residency registration with their local town hall. As soon as we have further information we will update our Living in Italy page.

Exiting and Entering Italy

If you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement (i.e. you were lawfully living in Italy before 31 December 2020) you enjoy facilitated entry and exit rights into Italy. That means that you should not have your UK passport stamped at the border. We are engaging the Italian government to ensure that UK nationals are handled correctly at the border.

UK nationals living in Italy should carry your residence document (EU document, the new attestazione issued under article 18.4 of the Withdrawal Agreement or the new biometric residency card), as well as your valid passport when you travel.

If you have not yet applied for a residence document, you should carry evidence that you are living in Italy. This could include a tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020.

If you cannot show that you are resident in Italy, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the Schengen area, and your passport may be stamped. This will not affect your rights in Italy. If your passport is stamped in error, the Italian government is advising that you should ensure you carry residency documentation with you when you next travel as this will show the border guards that the stamp was placed in error. Updates on what further actions you may be able to take if your passport is stamped in error will be published on our Living in Guide.

Coronavirus restrictions on entering Italy

Until 15 January, entry into Italy is only permitted for those with official residency or those with absolute necessity, which must be declared in writing.

Until 15 January, those wishing to fly must present the airline with a negative COVID-19 rapid antigenic or molecular swab test taken no more than 72 hours before entry into Italy. You must also take a COVID-19 rapid antigenic or molecular swab test within 48 hours of entering Italy – arrivals by air from the UK will take this test at the airport. Whatever the result of the 2 swab tests, those arriving in Italy from the UK must also report to their local health authorities on arrival and self-isolate for 14 days.

You will need to download and complete a self-declaration from the Ministry of Interior before you travel.

UK nationals, resident in Italy by 31 December 2020, will need to show proof of residence when re-entering Italy. This could include an identity card, a registration certificate or a utility bill in your name.

You can consult the Italian Government’s online questionnaire (in English) for more advice on entry requirements and travel to Italy.

Travelling to the UK

All international arrivals to England, including UK nationals, will from Friday 15 January be required to present a negative COVID-19 test prior to departure. All passengers arriving from countries not on the government’s travel corridor list will still be required to self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of the test result. Italy is not currently included in this list.

Please note that you will still be required to fill in a passenger locator form and be subject to national lockdown restrictions when entering the UK.

Please continue to check our Travel Advice pages for further details.

UK driving licences in Italy

If you are a legal resident in Italy you should obtain an Italian driving licence. If you started the process in 2020 to exchange your UK driving licence for an Italian one, the Italian government has confirmed that you will be able to complete the exchange on the same basis as now. You will not have to re-sit your driving test.

If you have been a resident in Italy for less than 12 months as a non-EU national, you can use your UK driving licence in Italy for the first 12 months of your residency. You should ensure you have an Italian licence within 12 months.

If you have been resident in Italy for more than 12 months, you will no longer be able to use your UK driving licence in Italy. You should obtain an Italian licence as soon as possible. You will need to re-sit your test to do so.

We continue to engage with the Italian government on the future right to exchange a UK licence for an Italian one without needing to re-sit a driving test. Please continue to check our Living in Italy page for updates.

The Italian government has confirmed that visitors to Italy (non-residents) using a UK driving licence will not require an International Driving Permit or a translation of the licence to drive here.

How to stay informed

You can find the very latest information on our Living in Italy page. This remains our key resource for UK nationals. It includes details on residency, healthcare and benefits, pensions, driving licences and how to get in touch with us.

We will be holding more live Q & A events for UK nationals on Facebook. Please do join us if you can.

And we will continue to deliver our ‘Registration Roadshow’ for UK nationals across Italy. Each roadshow, hosted with our UK Nationals Support Fund partner the International Organisation for Migration, is held for a specific region or city in Italy and you can sign up for a one-to-one session with our policy experts via our Facebook channel.
My warm wishes and a Happy New Year to you, your families and friends.

Jill Morris CMG

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Italy



Here’s the latest bulletin from British in Italy. Please feel free to share it widely with friends who are UK citizens resident in Italy:

Just when we thought that Boris Johnson was vying for the credibility of a historically recognised political figure who would be remembered across the generations for his political genius, little did we know that he was also in competition with Babbo Natale for delivery of presents on Christmas Eve. 
  Unfortunately for him, on Christmas Eve 2020 he didn’t really come up Trumps (no pun intended about his long lost friend across the Atlantic) but the trade deal was probably the most anyone could have expected anyway.     Trade deals aside,  there are a number of more practical considerations that we as residents, in Italy, need to think about.  

THE NEW BIOMETRIC TESSERA   Just when we thought that the Withdrawal Agreement Attestazione was the elixir to all our long term residency problems in Italy, we now have the Biometric Tessera.
  The rules for Italy’s new biometric tessera for British nationals and their families covered by the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement are out.  They were published on December 23.  The sharp-eyed may have noticed an earlier version published on December 16, but that version has been amended and the December 23 one is definitive. 
  You can find it in English and in Italian
The Vademecum is self-explanatory so we are not going to repeat its contents here.  There will, though, inevitably be some questions and we hope the following Q&As will help.  The answers are not legal advice but simply British in Italy’s view.

Q&A’s
Should I get the new biometric tessera?

Our view is a definite Yes.  At present it is not compulsory to have it.  There is no deadline for getting it and no fine for not having it.    However, it will be the best evidence that you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.  It is in an EU-wide format so, even though it will be in Italian, border guards in other countries will have no difficulty in recognising it.  Also given how highly devolved much of the public administration in Italy is, it may be that in due course some officials will not accept that you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement without it.   However we have been told informally by Italian government reps that there is no rush to get it immediately.  It is going to be issued by the Questura and for them it will be a new process.  Given the problems many Comuni had issuing the Withdrawal Agreement attestazione, we think it is a good idea to wait until the Questura staff have had some training and some experience of issuing it.  

I already have the WA attestazione (“attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica ai sensi dell’art.18.4 dell’accordo sul recesso”).  Do I need to get the new tessera?
In our view it is a good idea to get both the WA attestazione (from your comune) and the biometric tessera (from the Questura when it becomes available). The Italian Government has said that the WA attestazione was only a temporary document issued until the rules for the EU-wide tessera came out.  However, as we say above, there is no rush.  The WA attestazione is still valid and is still evidence that you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.  

I have not managed to get the WA attestazione from my Comune.  Should I still apply for it?

We think it is still a good idea to try as it may be some time before the Questure are up and running on the new tessera, and until they are the WA attestazione is the best evidence that you are covered.  However, it depends on you and your circumstances.  If in the near future you need to prove you are covered by the WA, eg crossing a Schengen border, renewing a tessera sanitaria etc, it is a good idea to have the WA attestazione until you get the new WA biometric tessera or if you simply want the security of knowing that you have the best proof of your status.    Find out from the Questura in your provincia how long it will take to get an appointment for the new tessera.  If your Comune can issue the attestazione more quickly then it may be worth asking for one.  It will though involve spending €32 more per head on marche da bollo.

Will the Questura give me the new biometric tessera if I don’t have the WA attestazione?
The answer is Yes.  You will have to produce an attestazione showing that you are registered in the Anagrafe of your Comune, but it does not have to be the WA attestazione. 

I have lived in Italy for more than 5 years but never got a certificate of soggiorno permanente.  How do I ensure that I get the new 10 year tessera rather than the 5 year one for more recent arrivals?
As yet we do not know.  It may be enough simply to show that you have been registered as resident for 5 years or you may have to prove that your residence was ‘legal’ under the EU Freedom of Movement Directive – ie that you were a worker/self-employed or that you had health insurance as well as sufficient means to support yourself and your family, or that you were a family member of such a person.

I have been registered as resident here for 4 years but would like to get the 10 year tessera when I have been here for 5.  What will I have to do to get it?
Again, we don’t know yet.

LIES, DAMNED LIES AND STATISTICS
Interesting fact.  According to the recent report of the joint EU/UK committee on implementation of the WA, as at 31st October only 1400 of the estimated 29,300 British nationals living in Italy had applied for the WA attestazione and only 1200 applications had been processed.  If accurate this is a worryingly low number of applications for a document which ideally all of us would have asked for, but British in Italy has the gravest doubts about the accuracy of the figures given the well-documented chaos around the issue of the WA attestazione and with so many applicants being wrongly told by their Comune that they did not need it or it did not exist. 

Could central government have got accurate figures from those same Comuni?

DRIVING LICENCES   UK nationals resident in Italy must apply to exchange their UK licence for an Italian one before 31 December 2020.

We are aware that some people have made applications to exchange licences but that they will not be processed before the end of the year. The Embassy has confirmed that all applications made by 31 December 2020 will be processed on current rules, but as yet, there has been no agreement as to a grace period for applications made after that date.

Under Italian law, TCN’s are entitled to drive on their existing licence for 12 months from the date of residence. After that date they must sit an Italian driving test (including the theory test!). The Embassy in Rome is seeking further guidance from the Italian government as to whether this will also apply to British nationals resident within the terms of the WA but who do not manage to apply to  exchange their driving licence before 31 December 2020.

UK nationals visiting Italy (or any other EU country in the Schengen area) in 2021 do not need to apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) and can drive on a UK licence during their stay.

Visitors should check however on UK government websites under travel advice to ensure that they can use their UK licence in all countries visited.

We do not know whether there will be further changes to the rules on tourists driving on UK licences after 2021.

HEALTHCARE AND EHIC CARDS
HEALTHCARE FOR RESIDENTS: Healthcare rules for UK nationals resident in Italy and within the scope of the WA have not changed.
If you are resident in Italy by the end of this year, 2020, your healthcare rights will remain unchanged for so long as you remain resident.

All residents, including their dependents, are advised to register with the Italian state healthcare system (SSN) if they can. In practice this means registering with the regional health service of your region of residence.

  • If you are entitled to a UK issued S1, you register with your local SSN as an S1 holder.
  • If you are employed or self-employed, you must register (iscrizione obbligatoria) – it is free to register
  • If you are not working and do not hold a UK S1, you may be able to register (for a fee) and pay voluntary contributions (iscrizione volontaria) in most regions.
  • If your region does not accept voluntary contributions, you will need to take out private health insurance but you will only have access to private healthcare facilities (other than in emergencies when you can go to Pronto Soccorso)
  • Once registered you will be able to access a GP (medico di base), have free hospital admissions but you will usually be required to contribute to the cost of specialist referrals, diagnostic tests and prescription medicines (unless exempt for eg. chronic conditions). This is known as the ‘Ticket’ and resident UK nationals pay on the same basis as Italians.

  For those UK nationals with permanent residence – ‘soggiorno permanente’ (having acquired 5 years residence) –  access to healthcare is on the same basis as Italians and you should no longer be required to have private health insurance if not working.
  There is an excellent updated and readily comprehensible guide on the British Embassy in Rome’s  Living in Italy guide – Healthcare if you Live and Work in Italy   

It provides details of the healthcare and costs that different categories of UK nationals are entitled to and how to register.  
EHIC CARDS ISSUED BY THE UK:
EHIC cards for emergency treatment for visiting UK nationals will continue to be valid in 2021. Those UK nationals resident in Italy who are entitled to a UK EHIC card (eg. those entitled to an S1 and some other limited groups) are entitled to use it for emergency treatment when travelling outside Italy but within the EU. However, your old UK issued EHIC card must be renewed with one valid from 1 January 2021 even if the expiry date on the old one is still a long way off.
THE NEW BREXIT TRADE AGREEMENT 
  We apologise for not having spent Christmas reading all 1255 pages of the new Brexit Trade Agreement to see if there are any nuggets of importance to all of us already resident in Italy.  When we have we will let you know if there is anything.  In any case the Agreement needs to be ratified first.

  And on that note, as we finally approach the ‘B’DAY’ we, regretfully, leave you in this newsletter (we will return in the New Year) with the words from Frank Sinatra’s  ‘My Way’, which probably sums up in the most succinct way, the UK decision to leave the EU, 
  And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain
My friends, I’ll say it clear
I’ll state my case of which I’m certain
I’ve lived a life that’s full
I traveled each and every highway
But more, much more than this
I did it my way

FROM BRITISH IN ITALY, WE WOULD LIKE TO WISH A SAD FAREWELL TO THE EU


Are you poised in readiness for Brexit? Readiness is defined as ‘the state of being fully prepared for something’ and/or ‘a willingness to do something’. We could say that the UK does not meet defintion 1 and the EU probably doesn’t meet definition 2. But at this late stage in the game we don’t have time to think of those who dragged us into this. We now have to think about ourselves and ensuring our preparedness for the 31st Dec 2020. With this in mind we are providing some further updates in this November edition of our newsletter.

Studying abroad – but from home because of Covid?
Do you have student children studying in another country where they do not yet have residency, or have friends who do? If so, this could be important information for you and them. A small number of students, mostly in their first year of study abroad but who are studying online from home due to COVID-19, could face problems establishing their residence in the country where their university is situated. This could affect not only their right to go there to study but also their Withdrawal Agreement right to work there when their studies are over.
For more details, and what you might be able to do to protect the students’ position, see the British in Europe explanation here

Worried about crossing borders after this year?

Lots of people are unsure about the rules which will apply to us after December 31 when we cross a border to enter or leave Italy. For the British in Europe summary of the new rules click here
As a reminder – Italy has adopted a declaratory system to implement the Withdrawal Agreement. If you have managed to get the new Withdrawal Agreement attestazione take that with you when you travel outside Italy. If you have not then take your ‘attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica di cittadino dell’Unione europea’ or your ‘attestazione di soggiorno permanente’ or if you are a non-EU family member the corresponding ‘carta di soggiorno’. And, of course, your passport!

Banking and financial intermediaries in the UK
We have been in touch with quite a few British in Italy subscribers who have recently been contacted by their UK banks and/or financial intermediaries to explain that they will be unable to work with EU based clients post Brexit. The banks in question are Barclays, Lloyds Group, NatWest, Coutts and the Halifax Group. The contact seems to a bit of a scatter gun approach (except Barclays) so to avoid getting caught out at the last minute, we would suggest that if you are using the services of a UK based financial institution and/or intermediary, but living permanently in Italy, that you contact the various companies to ensure that they are still able to work with you after the 31st December. If not, then you may still have time to look for alternative arrangements before Brexit day.

Yet another application to make – this time for a new UK EHIC card

The UK has just decided that everyone who is entitled to an EHIC card issued by the UK will need to apply for a new one by December 31st because after that date, existing EHIC cards “may no longer be valid”. This only applies to EHIC cards issued by the UK! Remember, though, that EHIC is simply the card entitling the holder to emergency treatment on a temporary visit to an EU country they do not live in, for example when they are on holiday. It does NOT affect your right to medical treatment in Italy IF YOU LIVE HERE PERMANENTLY. So, for example, if you are a UK State Pensioner living in Italy with an S1 form, any medical treatment in Italy will continue to be paid for by the UK under the S1 scheme, not under EHIC (though of course, like all Italians, you will still have to pay for the “ticket”). Nor does a UK EHIC card affect the holder’s right to medical treatment on a visit to the UK.

**Who in Italy can apply for the new UK EHIC card?**
Those living in Italy with an S1 form receiving a UK state pension or other qualifying benefit, and their dependents. (See the next topic for changes to the rules on which benefits qualify for an S1). Frontier workers living in the UK but working in Italy by 31st December 2020 who have an S1 form, as long as they continue to be a frontier worker. UK posted workers who are able to continue their posting after 31st December under Italian immigration law. UK students whose home is in the UK but who are studying in the EEA or Switzerland by 31st December 2020 for the duration of their study period. The card will be limited to enabling treatment in the country of study.

Is there a deadline to apply?

No, but it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible, especially if you are planning to travel in EU/EEA countries over the end of the year or in early 2021. The reason is quite simple – if you do not have the new card you might have difficulty getting treatment after December 31, or it might be difficult to get the UK to reimburse you if you have had to pay for it. Applications are being accepted in phases. All those listed above can apply now except posted workers who have to wait until December.

How do I apply?

At present you can only apply online. Do so here. British in Italy has tried it and it is a very simple process. Other ways of applying will be available “later in the year”. If you have trouble getting a new card or need one urgently call +44 300 330 1350.

Disability benefits – important changes in the right to medical treatment

From January 1st 2021 the UK Government is removing the right of the holders of certain UK disability benefits to receive an S1 form entitling them to medical treatment in the country they live in at the UK’s expense (though S1 holders still pay for the “ticket” where an Italian would have to). We set out the official statement of the changes below. Briefly the UK will no longer issue an S1 form to people who have not applied for or received one of the affected benefits by 31st December 2020, but there are transitional arrangements to protect those who already get, or have applied for, the benefit in question. The benefits affected are:

  • Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
  • Personal Independent Payment (PIP)
  • Carers Allowance (CA)
  • Attendance Allowance (AA)

The new rules are as follows:
For applications from 1 January 2021, S1 forms will no longer be issued on the basis of exporting PIP, DLA, CA or AA. “Exporting” a benefit means that the benefit is paid by the UK to someone who is not resident there. For individuals who have already been granted a S1 form on the basis of exporting PIP, DLA, CA or AA, they will continue to be covered by this S1 form, even if this is after 31 December 2020 for as long as they export the benefit. For individuals that have been granted a time-limited S1 form, they will be able to apply for renewal for as long as they are still in receipt of one of the benefits in question. For individuals that have already applied for an S1 on the basis of exporting one of the above benefits (PIP, DLA, CA or AA) then an S1 form will be issued providing a person otherwise meets the criteria. For individuals who have not yet applied for an S1 on the basis of exporting one of the above benefits (PIP, DLA, CA or AA), there will be an opportunity to do so by 31 December 2020, before the position changes in 2021. If you are in this category you should apply as soon as possible. If you leave it until after 31 December, you will no longer be able to do so.

** This does not affect those who qualify for an S1 form on the basis of another benefit, such as a UK State Pension. You will still be entitled to the S1 when they get the State Pension, even if this is after 31st December 2020. **

Keep up to date with the British Embassy
The Embassy has published a number of clear and useful guides to citizens’ rights, including how to register as resident. They are also running a series of online Regional roadshows where you can get one-to-one advice. The following information from the Embassy’s website shows how you can keep up to date with their outreach sessions and information.

Upcoming British citizens outreach meetings
23 November 2020 – Live Q&A session on Embassy Facebook page on Healthcare, Benefits and Pensions

For the latest Embassy updates and information events

We were hoping that we might be able to hang up our boots after the 31st December 2020 and bring this tumultuous ride to an end for the British in Italy team. However, it appears that there may still be some pressing issues to resolve in 2021 and so we will hang around for a little longer to ensure that we keep you informed of anything that may affect you as the UK departs from the EU.


A MESSAGE FROM JILL MORRIS, HER MAJESTY’S AMBASSADOR
British Embassy Rome
Issue No. 21 Friday 20 November 2020
 
  To UK nationals in Italy,  
There have been some important recent announcements from the UK on healthcare, and I want to update you as a UK national living in Italy on your rights to access healthcare here. I would also like to provide a brief update to UK nationals living in Italy who hold an accredited status with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and are not therefore registered with the town hall), as we are aware there are a number of UK nationals living in Italy with this status including staff employed at the UN agencies in Rome.  
Healthcare for UK nationals living in Italy by 31 December 2020
  Your rights to access healthcare in Italy will stay the same from 1 January 2021 for as long as you remain resident.
  If you have not yet registered for healthcare as a resident in Italy, we strongly encourage you to do so. UK nationals can find further guidance on how to register correctly on our healthcare page on gov.uk.
  If you live in Italy and you are entitled to an Italian EHIC (TEAM), your entitlements will continue when you visit the UK or when travelling across the EU both before and after the transition period, as long as you are legally resident in Italy before 31 December 2020 and remain covered under the Withdrawal Agreement.  
UK European Health Insurance Card (UK EHIC) for those who live in Italy  
From 1 January 2021, UK nationals living in Italy and whose healthcare is currently funded by the UK will continue to be entitled to a UK issued EHIC. These include those claiming a UK state pension, students studying in Italy and others who, under the Withdrawal Agreement (WA), will continue to be covered as they are now.
  If you fall into one of these groups, you will be able to apply online for a new EHIC, also referred to as Citizens Rights Agreement (CRA) EHIC, to replace your existing card at nhs.uk/ehic. Applications to the new EHIC portal are being opened in phases, and the portal is already open for S1 form holders (pensioners, those in receipt of a qualifying benefit, and their dependants, frontier workers), and students. The portal will be opened for other groups in due course, and we will inform you as soon as possible.
  If you are an S1 form holder, we advise you to use the new EHIC portal now to apply for your new EHIC. You can continue to use your current UK-issued EHIC across the EU and EFTA countries as normal until at least 31 December 2020, however your current EHIC may not be valid after this date. There is no deadline for the application, but we recommend that you apply early, especially if you’re planning to travel in EU/EEA countries over the end of the year or in early 2021.
  If you are planning to travel, please remember that your EHIC does not replace travel insurance, and you should also ensure you have travel insurance if you are travelling to the EU/EEA.
  As an S1 form holder, if you do not receive your new EHIC before you travel to another EU/EFTA country, you can request a Provisional Replacement Certificate (PRC) by calling +44 191 218 1999 if you need any medically necessary treatment. Please see here for more information on UK EHIC rights and obligations.  
Information for UK nationals working in Italy with MFA accredited status  
As a UK national working in Italy with MFA accredited status, for example as a UK national employed at one of the UN agencies, I want to update you on your rights and to provide you with details of where you can find more information and support.  
Your right to continue to live and work in Italy  
UK nationals who hold diplomatic or accredited status do not fall under the Withdrawal Agreement agreed between the UK and the EU which includes articles on citizens’ rights. That is because these UK nationals have diplomatic status. Your right to live and work in Italy comes from other international treaties including the Vienna Convention. You are therefore not required to register as a resident while living here. Should you wish to register as a resident this is possible, but you should be aware that it may impact your immunities and some privileges. You should discuss your options with your local HR advisor.
  If you are accredited with the MFA and therefore not registered as resident in Italy and you are accessing healthcare via a UK-issued S1 (whereby the UK pays for your healthcare) we continue to seek clarity on the future validity of your S1 to access healthcare in Italy. We will keep you updated as more information is made available. We also advise you to discuss your healthcare options with your employer. Future reciprocal healthcare rights for those arriving in Italy from 2021 are part of the current negotiations between the UK and the EU.  
Further rights of those with accredited status  
There are some rights in Italy that remain to be agreed to ensure they are protected beyond the end of this year. These include the right for all UK nationals (including those with accredited status) to use a UK driving licence in Italy without additional paperwork. We are also keen to reach a reciprocal agreement with Italy that any years spent in Italy under accredited status can be counted towards a future residency application.  And we are seeking agreement on the future rights of family members and partners to work in Italy during their family member’s posting.
  Please rest assured that we are engaging with the Italian MFA on those rights which are not covered by the Vienna Convention and other relevant international treaties but which were based on the UK’s membership of the EU. We will keep you updated with the latest information we have.  
How to stay informed
  The British Embassy will continue to issue specific messages to UK nationals who hold diplomatic or accredited status in Italy over the coming weeks. My team also plans to hold further (virtual) outreach events with UN agencies in Rome over the coming months.
  All UK nationals can find the very latest information on our Living in Italy page on gov.uk. This remains our key resource for UK nationals. It includes details on residency, healthcare and benefits, pensions, driving licences and how to get in touch with us.
  We will be holding more live Q & A events for UK nationals on Facebook. Please do join us if you can.
  And we have just launched a ‘Registration Roadshow’ for UK nationals across Italy. Each roadshow, hosted with our UK Nationals Support Fund partner the International Organisation for Migration, is held for a specific region or city in Italy and you can sign up for a one-to-one session with our policy experts via our Facebook channel.    
My warm wishes to you and your family and friends.  
Jill Morris CMG  
Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Italy

20th November, 2020

UK National living in Italy?

Do you want to know more about your healthcare rights after the end of the transition period? Or do you have a question about your benefits or your future pension rights?

The British Embassy Rome will be hosting a Q & A session on healthcare, benefits and pensions on Monday 23 November. During this time you can post a question and our panel will try to answer as many questions as possible during the live session. After the event we’ll publish some information in response to those questions we didn’t have time to answer.

To connect to the live session, open our Facebook page on 23 November at 16:00 and watch the live video in the posts section.

Please note that this event is targeted at healthcare and benefits/pensions. Only questions related to this topic will be considered.

If you have a question about the Covid-19 pandemic including measures Italy has in place, please consult our Travel Advice page on https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy

If you have a citizens’ rights question concerning another topic, please do look at our Living in Italy page on www.gov.uk/livinginitaly. Look out too for our future sessions which will cover other areas.

To help us answer as many questions as possible during the live session please submit single questions only.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Kind regards

British Embassy Rome


27th October, 2020

If you know any UK citizens who have recently arrived in Italy, please share with them this very helpful Q&A session with staff from the British Embassy in Rome:

Thank you to everyone who joined our latest Q & A event for UK nationals. We focused our session on those newly arrived in Italy or thinking of moving to Italy.

You can find below a selection of the questions raised as well as some of those we were unable to answer during the live session itself.

Please check our Living in Italy guide for more information. You can find details there on how to register your residency, on healthcare access and on what actions you need to take before 31 December if you wish to settle in Italy.

If you have difficulties in registering or in obtaining the new attestazione you can also get in touch with the International Organization for Migration (IOM): UKnationalsIT@iom.int – tel. 800 684884

Q. I am thinking of moving to Italy. If I do it this year will I enjoy lifelong rights in Italy after the end of the transition period?

A. During this year, UK nationals are able to live, work and travel in Italy as they did before the UK left the EU.
Provided you are lawfully resident in Italy before the end of the transition period, you will be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement.
You should try to register your residency in Italy by 31 December to secure your rights as a resident here. If you are unable to register you should ensure you keep evidence of living in Italy this year such as a work contract, rental contact, utility bills, bank statements etc.
Further information on applying for residency in Italy is available on the Living in Italy guide.
If you move your official residency to Italy this could have implications on your entitlements to healthcare and other benefits in the UK. You may not maintain the same access to benefits and services in the UK.
Further information on the Withdrawal Agreement is available here.

Q. I have a second property in Italy and spend half the year here. Do I need to spend a certain amount of time in Italy to have a residency status that is recognised?

A. If you are lawfully living in Italy by 31 December you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. Your rights will be protected for as long as you remain lawfully living in Italy. You should register for residency as soon as you can. Italy requires you to register if you are staying in Italy for longer than 90 days.
If you register as a resident you will hold a residency status of an ‘ordinary’ (or temporary) resident. As an ordinary resident you will need to be present in the country for 183 days in a 365 day period otherwise you will break your residency status. These days do not have to be consecutive. By following these guidelines, you will build up continuous residency, which is measured in years. If over five years, if you have been in Italy for 183 days total across 365 days for five consecutive years, you will qualify for Permanent Residency.
As a permanent resident under the Withdrawal Agreement you are able to be absent from Italy for up to five years without losing your permanent residency status and your status under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Further information on applying for residency in Italy is available on our Living in Italy guide.

Q. I have just arrived in Italy. What are the first things I need to do to ensure my rights are protected here?

A. You should apply for a Codice Fiscale (tax code) from the Italian ‘Agenzia delle Entrate’ if don’t have one already.
If you are not working or self-employed or your healthcare is not covered by the UK (for example you are not an S1 holder) you should obtain some form of health cover. In some regions you will be able to pay an annual fee to obtain healthcare cover, called ‘Iscrizione Volontaria’, or you may need a private health insurance policy.
You should register your residency – called ‘iscrizione anagrafica’ – with your local town hall or ‘comune’. Please check with your town hall what exact documentation you will need. This will depend on which route you are using to register as a resident (employed, self-employed, retired, financially self-sufficient, student etc.).
The local police will then visit the address that you have declared as your place of residence to check you live there.
After 45 days from your date of application you have the right to obtain your residency document if you haven’t already been issued with it. Your date of residency will start from the date of your application.
Once you have registered your residency you should request the new attestazione issued under Article 18.4 of the Withdrawal Agreement (‘attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica’). The document should include the words “Ai sensi dell’art.18.4 dell’Accordo sul recesso del Regno Unito e dell’Irlanda del Nord dall’Unione Europea e del decreto legislativo del 6 febbraio 2007, n. 30”.
If you need help in registering your residency or in obtaining the new attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica, please get in touch with the International Organization for Migration IOM, their details are on the Living in Italy guide (and see above).

Q. I don’t think I will arrive in Italy this year due to the restrictions on travel as a result of the Covid pandemic. Can I apply for residency in Italy remotely?

A. You cannot apply for residency remotely as the local police will check that you live where you say you do.
To be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement you need to be able to evidence that you are lawfully living in Italy before 31 December. You should try to register your residency by this date. If you are unable to do so you should try to start the process and keep evidence of living in Italy by 31 December such as a work contract, rental contract, payment of utility bills etc.

Q. I have no idea how to register my residency in Italy. It seems so complicated! Where can I find more information?

A. You can find information on how to register your residency on our Living in Italy page. You can also find there the Italian government’s guidance on residency registration in English as well as guidance issued to town halls by the Italian Association of Town Halls on registering UK nationals. You can also contact the International Organization for Migration IOM if you have difficulties, they provide hands-on support for UK Nationals trying to register their residency in Italy.
Once registered you should obtain the new ‘attestazione’ issued under the Withdrawal Agreement. You can find the Italian circular announcing this attestazione on our Living in Italy page. This includes a template of the document.
We have recently published two ‘How to…’ videos on residency on our UKinItaly Facebook page. These provide a step by step guidance for UK nationals.

Q. When I arrive in Italy I’m going to be staying in a hotel as I haven’t found somewhere to live. Can I still apply for residency? I’m keen to do it before the end of the year.

A. You cannot register your residency using a hotel address (or AirBnB room or apartment). If you are staying in rented accommodation the rental agreement must have your name on it and be a formal, registered contract. If you are staying with friends or family they will need to complete a declaration confirming this.
You should check with your local town hall or ‘comune’ exactly what they require as evidence of your property.

Q. If I arrive in Italy now and register for residency, do I then need to get the new attestazione as a second document? Or is it just one document I need?

A. If you have already registered your residency in Italy you now have the right to obtain the new attestazione from your town hall. It is issued under the Withdrawal Agreement and the document should make reference to it. Do not submit your current residency document to obtain the new attestazione as it can be issued in addition to it.
If you are new to Italy and are in the process of registering your residency, your town hall may issue you with only the new attestazione as your single residency document. That is because it refers to both the relevant EU law under which you are registering your residency and to the Withdrawal Agreement. Or your town hall may issue you first with a residency document issued under EU law and then the new attestazione. Either option is valid.
Please see our Living in Italy guide for more information.

Q. Can I register for healthcare with my local health authority (ASL) before registering my residency?

A. You need to be registered as a resident to access state-funded healthcare in Italy and, at the same time, evidence of your entitlement to health cover is required when you register your residency.
If you’re employed or self-employed you have an automatic entitlement to register with the national health system. This is called ‘iscrizione obbligatoria’. Your work contract and/or last payslip and/or declaration from your employer will be evidence of your health cover when you register your residency or, if you are self-employed, evidence of registration to Chamber of Commerce or another professional order and VAT (aperture Partita IVA) or Social Security institute registration (apertura posizione INPS).
If you are not employed in Italy, evidence of health cover could be your UK S1 form. You are entitled to an S1 form if you claim an exportable UK state pension or another qualifying UK benefit, or you are a dependant of someone who does.

Q. How can I access state-funded healthcare in Italy if I don’t work and I don’t pay social security contributions in Italy?

A. You may be able to register with ‘Iscrizione Volontaria’ by paying an annual fee, if you don’t qualify under other entitlements. This depends on the region of Italy you live in.
The fee covers one calendar year, from 1 January to 31 December, and each annual payment will also cover family dependants. Your ASL will tell you how much and how to pay, on the basis of previous year’s income, with a minimum fee of € 387,34 up to € 2.788,86.
Please note that you will not be asked to provide evidence of pre-existing health conditions when applying. Your payment receipt should be sufficient evidence of healthcare cover when registering your residency, but this might depend on where you live. Ask your Town Hall for more information.
You are then able to complete your healthcare registration with your ASL. You will be entitled to register with a GP and you will receive an Italian health card for use in Italy. You will not be entitled to an Italian EHIC (TEAM) but you might qualify for co-payments exemption (‘esenzioni’ ticket) if you meet the requirements, depending on the region where you live.
If you don’t qualify to register for access to state-funded healthcare, when applying for residency you’ll need to take out private health insurance. Your policy will need to be valid across Italy for at least one year and cover all eventualities for you and your family members.

Q. I am a student. What options are available as evidence of health cover if I want to register my residency?

A. As a student you can register with Iscrizione Volontaria by paying an annual fee of € 149.77, depending on the region where you live. This special fee does not cover family members.
If you don’t qualify to register for access to state-funded healthcare, when applying for residency you’ll need to take out private health insurance. Ask your Comune for more information.
If you are a student in Italy before the end of 2020 and you are habitually resident in the UK, you’ll be able to use your student UK-EHIC until the end of your course. From 1 January 2021, your EHIC will only be valid in Italy. However your UK EHIC will not be valid as evidence of health cover when registering your residency.

Q. If I don’t move to Italy until next year, can I still register for residency and be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement?

A. Outside of any negotiated mobility provisions, the European Commission has confirmed that UK nationals who move or travel to a country in the Schengen area after the transition period will be treated as third country nationals under EU and Member State migration rules.
You should explore the precise details and provisions within Italian domestic immigration systems.
If you move to Italy next year you will not be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. Stays of longer than 90 days in 180 days may require a visa and a permit of stay. Please check the Italian government’s website as well as the website of the Italian Consulate in the UK for more information.

Kind regards

British Embassy Rome


from the British Consulate Genoa

  1. ANCI has published our joint guide for town halls on registering UK nationals. This has been sent to all 7,800 town halls and many have already published it on their website. There is a link to it on our Living in Guide.
  1. At our lobbying the Italian government has now provided its citizens’ rights webpage in English: as well as English-language guidance on registering. Again these can be found on our Living in Guide.
  1. Short guidance on the Withdrawal Agreement as well as an explainer has now been published on gov.uk. Links to these will be added to our LiG.
  1. DWP has published updated lines on how UK nationals in the EU can evidence their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement for UK authorities. This is relevant when providing eligibility for an uprated UK state pension, contribution aggregation, right to export benefits etc. in the absence of a ‘WA residency document’ (dual-nationals).
  1. The Commission has published a new Your Europe page on citizens’ rights. UK nationals can use a drop down menu to find information on their member state. Information is fairly high level but it is still a useful resource for UK nationals.

Our Communication to UK nationals

  1. We have now updated our Citizens’ Rights Information Booklet and our Citizens’ Rights Handout. You can find both on our Living in Guide. Please feel free to print out copies for UK nationals.
  1. We will shortly be publishing two new guides on gov.uk: registering your residency and a guide for non-EU family members of UKNs so please look out for those and feel free to share.
  1. Our series of 4 ‘How to’ videos for UK nationals is being published on our facebook page. Please do take a look. They cover residency, healthcare and driving licences.
  1. For information on healthcare registration please continue to signpost UK nationals to the healthcare pages here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-italy. Vitto will shortly be publishing a new guide on registering for healthcare as well.
  1. On Thursday we officially launch our British Embassy-IOM Registration Roadshow in Bologna. UK nationals can sign up for a 1-2-1 session with an IOM caseworker plus BE Rome staff for an advisory session on residency registration. Next venues include Umbria, Siena, Lucca, Venice. As part of the roadshow we will be holding 1-2-1 meetings with key local authorities in the locations to discuss issues around UKN registration and to seek agreement on joined up communication plans. The Bologna comune has already agreed to publish our poster in key locations after our meeting with them on Monday. I’ll share the poster when it’s ready.
  1. We will continue to hold live Q & A sessions for UK nationals on a range of issues. So please do join one if you can.
  1. Look out for Jill’s series of interviews with English language newspapers over the coming weeks on citizens’ rights including Wanted in Rome, The Florentine and The Local.
  1. In November we will be launching a new campaign within a campaign – Tell A Friend – aimed at Italians in Italy to land our key messages with UKNs via word of mouth. A second element of our campaign will target UKNs in the UK who have friends or family living in Italy.

Geraldine Williams | Regional Consular Policy Advisor – Italy, Malta, Croatia, Romania, Slovenia 

British Embassy Rome | Via XX Settembre 80/a | 00187 Rome | Italy 

Tel: +39 06 4220 2213 | Mob: +39 346 695 8206 | ECHO: 8350 2213l

UK in Italy: GOV.UK | Facebook | Twitter | Flickr | Instagram | Spotify

HMA Jill Morris: Twitter | Instagram

Make sure you’re registered as a legal resident in your country of residence, see Living in Europe on GOV.UK.


To British Nationals in Italy,

From the British Ambassador, Jill Morris CMG

I want to update you on the latest Italian government measures related to Covid-19. And to provide a reminder on Citizens’ Rights of the key actions we are advising UK nationals to take before the end of this year. I also want to provide you with details of where you can find more information and support.

New travel requirements – travelling between Italy and the UK

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) now advises against all non-essential travel from the UK to Italy, based on the current assessment of COVID-19 risks in the country. If you are returning to the UK from Italy, you will need to self-isolate on your return (unless you are exempt). Check the latest guidance for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales on our Travel Advice page on gov.uk

For those arriving in Italy from the UK, the Italian government requires a negative COVID test. You will be asked to show evidence that you tested negative in a test administered in the 72 hours before your travel. You should not use the NHS testing service in the UK to get a test in order to facilitate your travel to another country. You should arrange to take a private test. Alternatively, you can get a free test on arrival at some airports, or at a testing facility in Italy shortly after you arrive. If you test positive within Italy, you will be required to enter quarantine until one negative test has been recorded. Your quarantine may last from 10 days to 3 weeks, so you should be prepared in case you test positive. The same testing requirement is in place for those entering Italy from Spain, France, the Netherlands, Belgium and the Czech Republic.

Additionally, if you have stayed in or transited through a small number of listed countries in the 14 days prior to entering Italy, you will be required to self-isolate on entering Italy. If you cannot do that for any reason, then entry to Italy may be refused.

You should download and complete a self-declaration from the Ministry of Interior before you travel to Italy and inform local authorities of your presence.

For more information please see the ‘Entry Requirements’ section in our Italy Travel Advice pages on gov.uk

Latest measures in Italy

Social distancing (at least one metre distance), regular hand hygiene, and the use of masks remain key containment measures. Masks must be worn across Italy in public indoor spaces and outdoors except for isolated spaces (i.e. countryside) where isolation can be maintained at all times. Using a mask is also recommended in private homes in the presence of non- family members. Those who refuse to wear a mask may be fined between €400 and €1,000. Anyone with a temperature of over 37.5° must remain at home and contact the GP.

Parks are open and outdoor exercise is permitted, subject to social distancing. Funerals are permitted to take place with limited attendance. Churches can celebrate mass, weddings and baptisms. Receptions following civil and religious ceremonies are limited to 30 people.

Only six people can sit together at a restaurant, bar or café. These venues must close by midnight and from 1800 can only serve customers who are seated at a table. Seating will be preassigned within theatres, cinemas and concert venues and has been limited to permit social distancing. Dance activity in nightclubs and open air venues has been suspended and parties are not permitted. Museums and archaeological sites are open but entry must be pre-booked.

In-class school and university courses are authorised, with on-line teaching support as available. School trips or guided external visits are suspended. Access to hospitals and clinics by accompanying people is limited and will be approved individually by each hospital.

Lastly, smart/agile working is strongly encouraged. 

Regional authorities in Italy are empowered to adjust these measures in keeping with local requirements; regional differences may therefore apply in addition to the restrictions listed above. Measures may also vary between towns; local mayors were recently given powers to close some public spaces from 2100 if they choose.

Citizens’ Rights

The Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and contains the agreed deal on Citizens’ Rights. It includes a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to live, work and study in the EU broadly as you did before 31 January 2020.

If you are resident in Italy at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for as long as you remain resident in Italy. Please read our Living in Italy page on gov.uk for more information.

In the meantime, please make sure you are registered as a resident in Italy. The rules on residency registration remain the same during the transition period. The Italian government has issued guidance on residency registration which you can find on our Living in Italy page in both English and Italian here

If you have already registered as a resident, you now have the right to obtain a new attestazione from your local comune. This new document will be further proof of your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. For more information about the new attestazione, please read the Italian Ministry of Interior’s circular (in Italian). It includes a sample of the new document. You should take this to your local comune when requesting it.

In cooperation with the Embassy, the Italian Association of Town Halls (ANCI) has issued new guidance to local town halls on registering UK nationals and on issuing the new attestazione. You can find a copy on our Living in Italy pages and again you may wish to download it and take it with you when you visit your town hall.

UK Nationals Support Fund

The government is funding organisations across the EU to provide practical support to UK nationals who may have difficulty completing their residency application or registration. This support is available only to those who need additional help. This may include pensioners, disabled people, people living in remote areas or who have mobility difficulties.

In Italy, this practical support is being provided by the International Organisation for Migration. If you or someone you know may have difficulty completing the paperwork, you can contact them on 800 684 884 or by email Uknationalsit@iom.int

How to stay informed

You can find the very latest information on our Living in Italy page on gov.uk. This remains our key resource for UK nationals. It includes details on residency, healthcare and benefits, pensions, driving licences and how to get in touch with us.

We are publishing a new series of ‘How to’ videos on our Facebook page. These cover how to register for residency, obtain the new Withdrawal Agreement attestazione, exchange your UK driving licence, and register for healthcare. Please follow us on social media (on Facebook and Twitter) and let us know what you think of our videos.

We will be holding more live Q & A events for UK nationals on facebook. Please do join us if you can.

Lastly, we will shortly be publishing new guides on how to register your residency and how to register for healthcare. Please keep an eye out for these on our social media.

My warm wishes to you and your family and friends.

With warm wishes,

Jill Morris CMG

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to


From the British Embassy in Rome (17th September)

Thank you to everyone who joined our Facebook live event last week on residency and registration. Our panel included Greta Nonni of the International Organisation for Migration. IOM is our UK Nationals Support Fund implementing partner in Italy and are providing support to UK nationals in registering.

We’ve included a selection of the questions raised below. If you have other questions regarding applying for residency in Italy or about obtaining the new Withdrawal Agreement residency document, or your question on the day was not answered, please consult our Living in Italy guide. You can also get in touch by using our contact form.

If you are experiencing serious challenges in registering or in obtaining the new residency document you can contact IOM by calling 800 684 884 or emailing them at Uknationalsit@iom.int

I am a registered UK national in Italy. I understand there is a new document I need to get. Can you tell me more?

UK nationals living in Italy by 31 December will have their rights protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. You can find out more about the Withdrawal Agreement here.

If you are living in Italy for more than 90 days you need to register your residency with your local town hall (‘comune’). You will receive an ‘attestazione di regolarità di soggiorno’ which is issued under the Italian residency legislation n.30/2007.

If you have been living in Italy for five years or more you can apply for a permanent residency document called an ‘attestazione di soggiorno permanente UE’. This is also issued under Italian legislation n.30/2007.

The Italian government has now made available a new residency document for UK nationals and their family members who are living in Italy by 31 December 2020. You need to have registered your residency before obtaining it.The new document is called the ‘attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica’ and it refers to Article 18.4 of the Withdrawal Agreement. It is also available from your local town hall.To find out more please consult our Living in Italy guide. The Italian government announced the new document via Circular n.3/2020. You can find the circular here.

I am a permanent resident in Italy. My comune told me that I don’t need the new Withdrawal Agreement attestazione. What should I do?

The Italian government has made available a new document for UK nationals in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. As a UK national living in Italy before 31 December you have a right to the new document. The new document, called the ‘attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica’ is important because it refers to your status under Article 18.4 of the Withdrawal Agreement. Your current residency document does not.

If you have difficulty in obtaining the new attestazione you should highlight the Italian government’s circular n.3/2020 which instructs local town halls on how to issue it.

If you continue to have problems you can contact IOM for support. Their contact details can be found on our Living in Italy page.

I am moving to Italy this year. How do I apply for residency?

You firstly need to obtain a tax code or a ‘codice fiscale’ which you can do from the Italian ‘Agenzia dell’Entrate’ (here).

You can do this before you arrive in Italy. On arrival you should contact your local town hall (‘comune’) for an appointment to register. Please check the website of your town hall for information about the documentation you will need to show. For example, if you are a worker you will need evidence of your employment. Or if you are retired, you will need to show you can support yourself and that you have some form of healthcare. For more information please check the residency section of our Living in Italy guide (see link).

Will I still be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement if I don’t manage to register for residency by 31 December?

The Withdrawal Agreement provides lifelong rights to UK nationals and close family members as long as you are lawfully living in Italy by 31 December. This means that you are either a worker, or self-employed, or economically self-sufficient with healthcare cover or a student who is able to support themselves, again with healthcare cover. As long as you can evidence that you were lawfully living in Italy (under one of these four categories) by the end of the year then your rights will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. You should try to register as soon as you can. It is a legal requirement in Italy to do so. By registering you will have further evidence of lawfully living in Italy. But your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement do not depend on you having done so.

I am an au pair – can I still register for residency in Italy?

Unless you have a work contract (you are paying taxes in Italy) or you can evidence that you are self-employed (via an ‘IVA number’) you will need to register for residency as an economically self-sufficient person. This will require you to prove you can support yourself and that you have some form of healthcare cover. Au-pairs can register for healthcare with the Italian national health system by paying an annual fee of € 219,40, through ‘Iscrizione Volontaria’. Ask your local health authority (ASL) how to apply. For more information on registering for healthcare, please have a look here.

Do I need to obtain a new copy of the ‘Withdrawal Agreement’ attestazione if I move from one region of Italy to another?

Our understanding is that you do not need to obtain a second attestazione issued under circular n.3/2020. However we are seeking clarification from the relevant Italian ministry. You should inform your new comune of your arrival. Please check our Living in Italy guide for further updates.

I’m a dual UK-Italian national. Do I need the new ‘Withdrawal Agreement attestazione’?

Dual-nationals who previously exercised their Freedom of Movement rights are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. However, as an Italian citizen you will continue to benefit from your existing free movement rights by virtue of your EU citizenship, this is not subject to the UK leaving the EU and is not dependent on taking any action to secure your status under the Withdrawal Agreement. As such, UK-EU dual-nationals do not need to take further actions to secure residence rights. This is consistent with the approach being taken in the UK where EU citizens, who are also British citizens, cannot apply to the EU Settlement Scheme as they already hold a UK immigration status, i.e. their British citizenship.

However, a UK national in scope (that means lawfully living in Italy by the end of this year) of the Withdrawal Agreement will benefit from other rights under the Withdrawal Agreement as a UK national who has exercised free movement rights. These rights include social security coordination, for example, having contributions made in the UK aggregated with those paid in Italy or other Member States and the right to an uprated UK State Pension, if eligible. Individuals in scope of the social security coordination section of the Withdrawal Agreement are also protected for reciprocal healthcare cover (S1, EHIC and S2 rights) once they start exporting their state pension. This includes state pensioners already benefiting from that cover. Rights to have professional qualifications protected are also covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, provided an application for a recognition decision has been submitted by the end of the transition period. The way in which UK-EU dual nationals will be able to evidence these rights is yet to be determined. As soon as we have more information we will be updating our Living in Italy guide (see link). We would underline that your rights in Italy stem primarily from your Italian or EU citizenship.

If I am working in Italy and then lose my job, will I lose my status under the Withdrawal Agreement and therefore my current residency rights and access to benefits and healthcare?

Article 7 of The Freedom of Movement Directive allows for those who have worked in a Member State, to retain their worker status for six months after becoming involuntarily unemployed.This is protected under the Withdrawal Agreement, meaning that UK nationals can continue to access unemployment benefits in a Member State if they are:- temporarily unable to work as the result of an illness or accident;- duly recorded involuntary unemployment after having been employed for more than one year and has registered as a job-seeker with the relevant employment office;- duly recorded involuntary unemployment after completing a fixed-term employment contract of less than a year or after having become involuntarily unemployed during the first twelve months and has registered as a job-seeker with the relevant employment office. In this case, the status of worker shall be retained for no less than six months;- embarking on vocational training. Unless they are involuntarily unemployed, the retention of the status of worker shall require the training to be related to the previous employment.In Italy if you become unemployed after you have lived and worked in Italy for less than a year, and you register on the unemployment list, you and your dependants will continue to have the right to access healthcare for a period of up to twelve months. If you have lived and worked in Italy for a year or more, you can continue to access healthcare for as long as you remain unemployed, by renewing your registration for healthcare every year.

Kind regards

British Embassy Rome


Advice to British citizens in Genova from Denise Dardani, the UK’s Honorary Consul, as the post-Brexit transition period draws to its end:

A source of useful information is the Living in Italy Guide on Gov.UK which is the “Official information for UK nationals moving to or living in Italy. Including guidance on residency, healthcare, passports and the Withdrawal Agreement”.

For UK citizens, I must impress on you the importance of registering at the Comune, as an Italian resident.

What you should do

You should:

Residency

If you are resident in Italy before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, you will be able to stay.

You must register as an Italian resident [https://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/17985b2d0db2288ab785808552 (in Italian)] if you want to stay in Italy for more than 3 months. You will get one of the following from the local town hall or comune:

  • an attestazione di regolarità di soggiorno
  • an attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica or attestazione di soggiorno permanente (if resident for 5 years or more)

The rules on residency registration remain the same during the transition period. Read the Italian government’s guidance on residency processes for UK nationals (http://www.governo.it/sites/new.governo.it/files/documenti/documenti/Notizie-allegati/governo/BREXIT/ANAGRAFE_vademecum_2020.pdf in Italian).

If you have already registered as a resident and have a residency document, you should obtain the new attestazione from your local comune. This new document will be proof of your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

For more information about the new attestazione, read the Italian Ministry of the Interior’s circular (https://dait.interno.gov.it/…/circolare-n3-dell11… in Italian). It includes a sample of the new document. You should take this to your local comune when requesting it.

If you have already been to the Comune and have met with difficulties, do call the Milan British Consulate at: 02 723001.

Alternatively you may contact:The International Organisation for Migration (IOM)

  • Hotline: 800 684 884
  • Email: UKnationalsit@iom.int

Denise Dardani is also flagging up the launch of a new, four-part ‘How to’ video series for British subjects in Italy.

The first video – How to register for residency – was published today. You can find it here: The next three videos will focus on obtaining the new Withdrawal Agreement attestazione, registering for healthcare and exchanging your driving licence. Please feel free to share this with anyone who is likely to be affected by the changes to the UK’s status.


Last week the British Embassy held an on-line Q&A session on ‘Future Travel and Mobility’ for British citizens living and working in Italy. Here, for Brits who missed it, are a selection of the questions, and the Embassy’s answers. Those interested can find more on the Embassy’s FB page.

Please look out for the Embassy’s next session (coming soon) on residency and registration.

Q. I live in the UK but own a second property in Italy, where I spend a significant part of the year. Will I still be able to divide my time between the EU and Italy after the end of the transition period?

A. The EU has already legislated that UK nationals will not need a visa when travelling to the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. This will apply from 1 January 2021 onwards, to all UK nationals travelling to and within the Schengen area for tourism, to visit friends or family, to attend cultural or sports events or exchanges, to attend business meetings, for journalistic or media purposes, for medical treatment, for short-term studies or training or any similar activities. Stays beyond the EU’s 90/180 day visa-free allocation from 1 January 2021 onwards may be possible, but as things stand this will be a decision for the government of the individual Member State to make and implement, in the same way that EU Member States already do for non-EU citizens. To stay for longer than 90 days in a rolling 180-day period, you may need a visa and/or permit from the relevant Member State.

The Travel Advice pages here contain the latest information, including on entry requirements, for UK nationals planning to travel to Europe.We will continue to update those pages with the latest information, including on entry requirements, for UK nationals planning to travel.

Q. I am resident in the UK but I may wish to move to Italy in the future to settle. Will this be possible?

A. Outside of any negotiated mobility provisions, the European Commission has confirmed that UK nationals who move or travel to a country in the Schengen area after the transition period will be treated as third country nationals under EU and Member State migration rules. UK nationals who want to move to the EU after the transition period will be subject to individual Member States’ domestic immigration rules for third-country nationals, and will need to comply with any visa requirements of the relevant Member State.

Q. I spend 5 months a year in Italy. Can I get residency now, so that I can continue to come and go as I like? And what’s the difference between temporary and permanent residency?

A. During this year, UK nationals are able to live, work and travel in Italy as they did before exit. If you want to take up residency before the end of the transition period (31 December) you will need to be lawfully living in Italy and register for a residence status.

Provided you are lawfully resident in Italy before the end of the transition period, you will be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement. This would have implications on your entitlements to healthcare and other benefits in the UK.

You will be able to apply for temporary residence and stay until you have accumulated five years continuous residence, at which point you will acquire the right to permanent residence.In order to qualify for permanent residence, you will need to have been continuously resident in Italy for the past five years. To be considered continuously resident you need to have spent at least 6 months per year in Italy. Longer periods of absence are allowed in certain circumstances.Further information on the Withdrawal Agreement is available here.

Further information on applying for residency in Italy is available on our Living in Italy guide.

Q. I am a UK national and want to apply for temporary residency in Italy by the end of the year. Will I be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement if I do so – and do I need to stay in Italy to maintain my temporary residency status?

A. If you are lawfully living in Italy by 31 December you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. Your rights will be protected for as long as you remain lawfully living in Italy. You should register for residency as soon as you can. Italy requires you to register if you are staying in Italy for longer than 90 days.

If you register as a resident you will hold a residency status of a temporary resident. As a temporary resident you will need to be present in the country for 183 days in a 365 day period otherwise you will break your temporary residency status. These days do not have to be consecutive. By following these guidelines, you will build up continuous residency, which is measured in years. If over five years, if you have been in Italy for 183 days total across 365 days for five consecutive years, you will qualify for Permanent Residency.

As a permanent resident under the Withdrawal Agreement you are able to be absent from Italy for up to five years without losing your permanent residency status and your status under the Withdrawal Agreement. Further information on applying for residency in Italy is available on our Living in Italy guide.

Q. How does 90/180 visa-free travel work? How are the Schengen Area travel rules calculated? Is the 90-day limit reset after every trip?

A. The definition of a short stay for non-EU citizens in the Schengen area is “90 days in any 180-day period”. This is a rolling 180-day period.[Wording from European Commission’s user guide – link below] The date of entry is considered as the first day of stay in the Schengen territory. The date of exit is considered as the last day of stay in the Schengen territory. The 180-day reference period is not fixed. It is a moving window, based on the approach of looking backwards at each day of the stay, be it at the moment of entry or on the day of an actual check, such as inland police control or border check on departure. Absence for an uninterrupted period of 90 days allows for a new stay of up to 90 days.

The EU’s short-stay calculator can be used for calculating the period of permitted stay for an individual. There is also an online user’s guide with practical examples.

Q. How are the Schengen Area rules implemented for those travelling between Member States/across internal borders e.g. for holidays or weekends away?

A. The length of a short stay is calculated between the date of entry to the Schengen Area and the date of exit. The time can be spent in any Schengen Area country.

The short stay time-limit is calculated separately in EU Member States that are not part of the Schengen Area. This means that a separate 90 days in any 180-day period can be spent in each of Cyprus, Bulgaria, Romania and Croatia individually.

Further information on the Schengen Area travel rules is available on the European Commission’s website – see the user guide above.

Q. Will I need a visa to work in another EU country in the future?

A. The EU has legislated that UK nationals will not need a visa when travelling to and within the Schengen Area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This will apply from the end of the transition period to all UK nationals travelling to and within the Schengen Area for tourism, to attend business meetings, for journalistic or media purposes, to attend cultural or sports events or exchanges, for short-term studies or training and any similar activities.

However, this visa waiver will not apply to UK nationals travelling for the purpose of taking up work or providing a service in the Member States. Member States may require a visa and/or work permit from UK nationals intending to work or provide a service there, even if it is for fewer than 90 days.

UK nationals should check with the Embassy of the country where they plan to travel for work or to provide a service for what type of visa or permit, if any, they will need.

The Travel Advice pages provide the most up to date information on travelling to EU Member States Travel Advice page here. These pages are updated on a regular basis.Information about entry requirements for UK nationals intending to work or provide a service in an EU Member State after the transition period is available here, on our advice pages for providing services in the EU.

Further guidance on travelling to the EU for business after the transition period is available here.

Q. My Italian family members enter the UK using their Italian ID card. Can they continue to do so?

A. Italian citizens can, for now, continue to use an ID card at the UK border. During 2021, EU citizens (other than those with protected rights under the Withdrawal Agreement) will have to use a passport rather than a national ID card to cross the border. The UK will announce further details of plans in due course and will provide notice of the changes in advance.

Q. How long must my British passport be valid for at the point that I travel to the EU? Is this requirement different during the transition period and after the Transition Period?

A. UK nationals can continue to travel to or within the EU exactly as they do now until the end of the transition period.

New rules will apply to UK nationals for travel to the Schengen Area from 1 January 2021. British passport holders will need to have at least six months left on an adult or child passport to travel to countries in the Schengen Area. If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the six months needed.

You will need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

Q. I have residency status in Italy. So how will border officials know I don’t need a visa when I’m travelling back to Italy?

A. Rules on travelling remain unchanged this year. From next year UK nationals visiting Italy for longer than 90 days in 180 days may need a visa. This does not apply to those with residency status in Italy whose rights to live in Italy are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.If you are a resident we advise you to take your residency documentation with you when travelling (including the new ‘attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica’ issued under the Withdrawal Agreement) as well as your Italian ID card (which is only issued to residents in Italy). This documentation will show border officials that you are not limited to the 90 days in 180 days visa-free travel when returning home.

Q. I am a resident in Italy. Will I need to have my passport stamped when travelling across the Italian border, for example if I visit friends in the UK?

A. Rules on travel remain unchanged this year. From 2021 UK nationals visiting Italy are likely to have their passport stamped when entering and exiting as evidence of the date of arrival and departure. As a resident in Italy you should not have your passport stamped. We recommend that you take your Italian ID card and your residency documentation with you when travelling.

Q. I would like to have a biometric Italian ID card rather than the paper version I have at the moment. Can I exchange my current one for a biometric card?

A. You can obtain the updated biometric Italian ID card from your local comune when your current ID card has expired (or you have lost it or it has been damaged). Contact your local comune for more details.

Q. I am a dual-national UK/Italian. What travel documents should I use when travelling between Italy and the UK?

A. Both a UK passport and an Italian ID card (without the wording NON VALIDO PER L’ESPATRIO) or passport are valid for entering the UK and Italy (Italian ID cards valid for travel are issued to those holding Italian nationality). You may wish to use a UK passport to enter the UK and your Italian ID card or passport to enter Italy. You should ensure that when travelling you hold the travel document that you used when checking into your flights if you are travelling by air.

Q. I live in Italy but regularly work in France. Can I continue to do so from 2021 on the same basis as now?

A. Frontier workers are defined as EU citizens or UK nationals who regularly undertake economic activity in one or more states in which they do not reside, irrespective of whether they also work in the state of residence. Frontier workers may be employed or self-employed.

Individuals need to be frontier working at the end of the transition period (31 December this year) in order to be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement and therefore continue to be able to work as you do now. Your rights are protected for as long as you continue to be a frontier worker.

You should therefore take professional advice as to whether you hold the status of a frontier worker. A frontier worker is a UK national or an EU citizen pursuing genuine and effective work as an employed or self-employed person in one or more host states and who resides in another state, unless or until they no longer retain the status of a worker (equivalent to that as defined in the Free Movement Directive) or they cease to work across a frontier in accordance with Articles 45 and 49 TFEU and Reg. 492/2011.

Kind regards

British Embassy Rome


A MESSAGE FROM JILL MORRIS, HER MAJESTY’S AMBASSADOR British Embassy Rome
Thursday 30 April 2020

  To British Nationals in Italy,  
I wanted to take this opportunity to provide information on the measures still in place in Italy to manage the Covid-19 health emergency, as well as to update you on our work on citizens’ rights in Italy. 

Coronavirus and Phase II
The Italian government has now issued details of its Phase II planning. You can find full information here. In summary, ongoing restrictions remain in place – so individuals should only leave home for work and health reasons or necessities, e.g. food shopping/pharmacy visits, individual exercise.  Self-declarations are still in use and for now the latest autodichiarazione of 26 March is still valid (be aware the form may shortly change).    Visits to family members living within the same region will be permitted, wearing masks and respecting at least 1 metre distance.  Travel between regions is still prohibited – aside from reasons of work, urgency or health. People will be allowed to return home (residence or domicile) from wherever they are, carrying a self-declaration form.  Access to parks and public gardens is allowed provided safety measures can be respected and people observe at least 1 metre distance.  Nurseries, schools and universities remain closed with continued on-line teaching.  Masks are compulsory across Italy when in closed public spaces, including on public transport and in all conditions where compliance with social distancing may be more complex. In some regions, gloves may also be compulsory. Children below the age of 6 and people suffering from disabilities which are not compatible with the prolonged use of masks are exempted. 

Where to find information
You can find more information on the government’s measures on the Italian Ministry of Health website (in Italian) and the Frequently Asked Questions document on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (in English). Our Italy Travel Advice page also has all the most up to date details including links to the main government pages.  

Travel between Italy and the UK
If you plan to travel between Italy and the UK, please consult the Italian government website here which details the requirements on entering Italy from overseas. Our Travel Advice page also has information on travelling to the UK here. Those travelling to Italy from the UK will need to evidence their reason for travel including presentation of a valid residency document before departure. You will need to complete two copies of the self-declaration form which should be presented before boarding in the UK and on arrival in Italy. Non-residents may be refused permission to travel unless you can prove a valid reason for entering Italy. Restriction on entering is being applied strictly so travel must be shown to be of absolute necessity. Masks must be worn on board the plane. On arrival in Italy you are required to self-quarantine for 14 days. You must inform your local health authority of your place of quarantine. Travel to the UK is permitted for a valid reason. On arrival in the UK you should comply with the current lockdown measures detailed here. These may change at short notice so please continue to consult the official information. Alitalia is operating limited flights between Rome and London. Flight schedules are likely to change at short notice. Please consult the airline website for further details.

Citizens’ Rights
Many of you have asked about the impact of Coronavirus on citizens’ rights. When the UK left the EU we entered a transition period until 31 December, during which EU law continues to apply and the rights of UK nationals largely remain unchanged, including access to healthcare. The UK government’s position is that the transition period will not be extended beyond 31 December this year. We continue to engage with the Italian government to ensure the rights of UK nationals here are recognised and to prepare for the end of the transition period. The Italian government has provided information on your continued rights here. And the Ministry of Health has confirmed the continued right to access healthcare for those eligible here. If you have any difficulties, you should signpost the relevant service provider to these Italian government websites. You can also get in touch with us by calling +39 06 4220 0001 (option 2) for those in central and southern Italy or +39 02 72 3001 (option 2) for those in the north of Italy.

The Withdrawal Agreement
You must be officially resident in Italy by 31 December in order to continue to enjoy lifelong rights under the Withdrawal Agreement for as long as you remain resident in Italy. The Withdrawal Agreement protects rights such as access to healthcare, benefits and pensions including the right to an uprated UK state pension (including when claiming it in the future). These lifelong rights extend to your close family members. Please see our Living in Guide for more details. Only those legally resident by 31 December will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement. If you have not yet registered as a resident you should contact your local comune to see if they are permitting registration during this time. The Italian government has issued an additional document, a new ‘attestazione’, to evidence your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. This is available to you if are already registered as a resident with your local anagrafe. You can read more here. During lockdown the Italian government has advised that you should not try to obtain the new ‘attestazione’. There will be time to do so later this year.

Support for UK nationals in regulating their status in Italy
We are delighted to announce that the International Organisation for Migration will be delivering the UK Government’s UK National Support Fund in Italy. They will be supporting UK Nationals with the necessary local procedures to obtain and maintain the right to be resident in Italy after the end of the transition period. IOM’s work will complement the UK government’s strategy, which includes the allocation of £3 million in support of organisations helping UK Nationals across several European countries. The new programme will be launched later this month and will run for 12 months, i.e. until 31 March 2021. You can read more here.

Virtual Drop-In Session
We recently held a Q & A session for UK nationals living in Italy. Below are a selection of the most popular questions raised:
We are Italian residents currently located in the UK. Are we permitted to drive through France to our home in Italy? If so, what paperwork do we need?
For information on returning to Italy as a place of residence, please consult the information available on the Italian government website here: If planning to travel through France you will need to meet the specific requirements of the French government during lockdown. This includes the completion of a self-declaration form before travel. More information can be found here including links to the relevant forms.  
I am a legal resident of Italy, I was led to believe previously that if there was no deal, my Italian health care would cease at the end of the transition period unless Italy and the UK reached a separate agreement in this respect. Does this apply now?
The Withdrawal Agreement protects the rights of UK nationals legally resident in Italy. To be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement you must be resident in Italy before 31 December. Your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, including continued access to healthcare, are lifelong for you and your close and current family members for as long as you remain resident in Italy. Your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement will not be affected by the results of the negotiations taking place between the UK and the EU this year – those negotiations concern the future trading relationship between the UK and the EU. The Withdrawal Agreement is an international treaty that has already been agreed and entered into force on 31 Jan 2020.
As a British citizen employed full-time in Italy for the past 6 months, if my company decides to use cassa integrazione, am I entitled to the same help/benefits from the Italian government as my Italian colleagues?
The answer to your question is yes. There might be conditions related to the length of service, i.e. you could receive a lower amount related to the fact you have worked for six months only. The temporary extraordinary ‘cassa integrazione’ related to the pandemic is currently provided for a period of 8 weeks. More generally under the EU Freedom of Movement Directive, those who are living in Italy this year and employed are entitled to support from the state if there is a change in your status. You are entitled to the same help and benefits from the Italian government as a host national – including beyond the end of this year as someone covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, provided you are legally resident in Italy. You may wish to discuss your situation with your local work consultant or CAF (Centro di Assistenza Fiscale).
I have been made redundant as a result of the pandemic. Is there any financial assistance that I can apply for while in lockdown?
A UK national who is involuntarily laid off is protected by EU law during the transition period and indeed beyond this year under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. That means eligibility for state benefits as a result of being made unemployed.   In Italy if someone has an ordinary regular contract and is made redundant, he/she is entitled to an unemployment subsidy (“Nuova Prestazione di Assicurazione  Sociale per l’Impiego”- NASPI) for a limited number of months and/or until they find another job. Different conditions may apply, so you may wish to discuss your situation with your local work consultant or CAF (Centro di Assistenza Fiscale).
Will UK nationals living in Italy continue to receive state pension increases after the transition period?
Those covered by the Withdrawal Agreement (i.e. resident in Italy by 31 December this year) and in receipt of a UK state pension will continue to receive it after the end of the transition period. It will continue to be uprated beyond the end of this year for as long as you remain in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement (i.e. resident in Italy). This also applies to those covered by the Withdrawal Agreement but not yet claiming a UK state pension. When they reach pensionable age and are eligible for a UK state pension they will also receive an uprated pension provided they remain resident in Italy.
Will there be an extension to the Transition period?
The Government was elected on a manifesto which made clear the transition period would end on 31 December. That is now enshrined in primary legislation and it remains our policy. We will not ask to extend the transition period, and if the EU asks we will say no. Extending the transition would simply prolong the negotiations, prolong business uncertainty, and delay the moment of control of our borders.  Extending the transition would mean we will have to make further payments into the EU budget.  It would also keep us bound by EU legislation, at a point when we need legislative and economic flexibility to manage the UK response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

Staying up to date
Please continue to check our Living in Italy guide for updates. You can sign up to my newsletter and be notified when new information is published. You can also receive updates via our social media channels including FaceBook and Twitter. I want to assure you that I and my team in Italy will continue to reach out to you and offer our support.  

With warm wishes,  

Jill Morris CMG

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Italy  

Should you wish to receive the Amabassador’s newsletter directly, and are not currently doing so, please write to  UKNationals.inItaly@fco.gov.uk