Converting and renewing a protection permit

Who is this for

People who hold refugee, subsidiary or special protection and want to renew, convert or settle long term.

Requirements and options

• Refugee and subsidiary protection (5-year permits). Renew before expiry. Waits can be very long (AIDA reports up to 16 to 18 months in some places). You keep your receipt and your rights meanwhile, though some offices wrongly doubt old receipts. Ask a legal helper if yours is refused.
• Special protection (2-year permit). Work is allowed. Conversion to a work permit was removed for people applying after 10 March 2023, with transitional exceptions: the Interior Ministry circular of 31 May 2024 says permits issued under the old rules and valid on 5 May 2023 can be converted. Practice varies between Questure. TO VERIFY with a lawyer before applying.
• EU long-term residence permit after 5 years of legal residence, subject to income, housing and Italian A2 conditions. TO VERIFY how asylum-seeker time is counted.
• Citizenship after 5 years of residence for refugees and 10 years for subsidiary holders (AIDA).
• Other permits (work, family, study) may be possible in some cases. Do not give up protection without advice.

Steps

1. About 60 days before expiry, get the kit at the post office (Sportello Amico) and send it as instructed.
2. Keep the postal receipt, fingerprint appointment letter and any Questura mail.
3. For conversion, get a lawyer's view before filing.

Costs & timing

Fees apply; amounts change (TO VERIFY at https://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/come-dove-e-quanto-costa). Waits vary.

Common mistakes

• Travelling to your country of origin. This can lead to cessation of your status.
• Letting the permit expire.
• Assuming old advice still applies after the 2023 and 2026 reforms.

Where to get help

Free, confidential help exists. You never need to pay anyone to apply or to appeal. See "Free help for people seeking protection" (protection-free-help-directory) and the UNHCR Italy help site (https://help.unhcr.org/italy/). If you are in danger now, call 112 (free emergency number).