Eligibility Quiz
Application Process
You apply for subsidiary protection (protezione sussidiaria) by submitting an application for international protection to the Provincial Police Headquarters (Questura). Subsidiary protection is not a separate application track — instead, the authorities will evaluate your case and determine whether you qualify for refugee status, subsidiary protection, or special protection based on the evidence you present.
The process involves two visits to the Questura, followed by an interview with the Territorial Commission for the Recognition of International Protection.
First Visit to the Questura
Go to your local Questura (Provincial Police Headquarters) and inform the authorities that you wish to apply for international protection. You do not need a passport, identity document, or any papers to make this initial declaration. Simply present yourself and state your intention to seek protection.
The police will record your declaration and provide you with information about the next steps.
Second Visit to the Questura
Return to the Questura to formally register your application. At this visit, you will:
- Complete the C3 form (the official asylum application form)
- Provide basic personal information
- Receive a temporary residence permit for asylum seekers (permesso di soggiorno per richiedente asilo)
Important: You do not need any documents to complete this registration. If you have documents (such as a passport, birth certificate, or medical records), bring them, but their absence will not prevent you from applying.
Once you receive your temporary residence permit, you gain the right to work after 60 days from the date you submitted your application.
Interview with the Territorial Commission
After registration, you will be contacted by the Territorial Commission for the Recognition of International Protection (Commissione Territoriale per il Riconoscimento della Protezione Internazionale) to attend a personal interview.
During this interview:
- An administrative officer will conduct the interview and take detailed notes about your case
- You will explain why you need protection and describe the serious harm you would face if returned to your country of origin
- The officer will submit the case file to other panel members, who will jointly decide whether to grant you refugee status, subsidiary protection, special protection, or reject your application
- You have the right to bring a lawyer or legal representative at your own expense, though this is not mandatory
What to bring to your interview:
- Any documents you have (passport, birth certificate, medical records, evidence of persecution or threats)
- A list of witnesses or contacts who can verify your story
- Any country of origin information or news articles relevant to your case
Important note: The interview may be omitted in limited circumstances — for example, if the authorities already have sufficient evidence to grant you protection without hearing from you, or if you are certified as unfit to be interviewed due to health conditions.
Decision and Residence Permit Issuance
The Territorial Commission will issue a written decision within the legal timeframe (see Processing Time section below). If subsidiary protection is granted:
- You will receive a formal decision letter from the Territorial Commission
- You must take this decision to the Questura to apply for your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno)
- At the Questura, you will submit:
- Your decision letter
- Four passport-sized photographs
- Proof of your address in Italy
- The required revenue stamps and postal payment slip (see Fees section)
- The Questura will issue your 5-year residence permit for subsidiary protection
Fees
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Initial application for international protection | Free |
| Electronic residence permit (postal payment slip) | €30.46 |
| Revenue stamp (Marca da Bollo) for permit issuance | €16.00 |
| Postal processing fee (for renewals) | €30.00 |
Total estimated cost for initial residence permit issuance: €46.46–76.46
Does not include: legal representation (€500–2,000+ if you hire a lawyer), document translation and apostille (€50–200+ per document), or interpretation services during interviews.
Important: The initial application for international protection is entirely free. Italian authorities are legally prohibited from charging any fees for submitting or assessing your application. All costs listed above apply only after your application is registered or after protection is granted.
Processing Time
Official Legal Timelines
The Territorial Commission must interview you within 30 days of receiving your registered application and issue a decision within 3 working days after the interview.
However, if the Commission needs to gather additional information about your case or your country of origin, the examination period extends to 6 months from the date you lodged your application. The Commission may extend this by up to 9 additional months for complex cases or high application volumes. In exceptional circumstances, a further 3-month extension is possible, meaning the procedure may legally last up to 18 months maximum.
Actual Processing Times in Practice
In reality, these legal deadlines are frequently not met. The procedure typically takes much longer than the official timelines suggest.
- In major cities like Rome: The entire procedure generally takes 6 to 12 months from initial application to final decision
- In other regions: Processing times vary significantly depending on the Territorial Commission's workload and capacity
- System delays: Since April 2025, the new unified database (SUA) has caused additional delays, with some police stations unable to complete the lodging procedure due to system malfunctions
Residence Permit Issuance Timeline
After the Territorial Commission grants subsidiary protection, you must apply for your residence permit at the Questura. The law theoretically requires issuance within 60 days, but in practice, delays are common, particularly in major cities.
Total timeline from initial application to receiving your physical residence permit card: typically 4–12 months, depending on the Questura's workload.
Renewal Timeline
When your 5-year residence permit approaches expiration, you must submit a renewal application through the postal system. After submission, you must wait several months to receive the outcome and obtain your new permit. The Territorial Commission will reassess whether the conditions for subsidiary protection are still satisfied.
Document Validity Periods
- Temporary residence permit for asylum seekers: Valid during the entire asylum procedure
- Residence permit for subsidiary protection: Valid for 5 years from issuance
- Travel document (if issued): Valid for 1–2 years, depending on the issuing authority