Free help for people seeking protection

Who is this for

Anyone seeking protection who needs advice, a lawyer, a doctor or a safe place. These services are free. You should never pay for an asylum application or an appeal.

Requirements

None, though some need an appointment.

Steps

1. Emergency (free): 112 single emergency number. Violence against women and trafficking: 1522 (free, 24/7, multilingual). Anti-trafficking toll-free line: 800 290 290. Children: 114.
2. UNHCR Italy (UN Refugee Agency): https://help.unhcr.org/italy/ and https://www.unhcr.org/it/. Information on rights and referrals.
3. ASGI (Association for Legal Studies on Immigration): https://www.asgi.it. Lawyers' network and legal materials.
4. CIR (Italian Refugee Council): https://www.cir-onlus.org. Legal, social and integration help, including at borders.
5. Caritas Italiana and local diocesan centres: https://www.caritas.it. Listening centres, shelter, legal desks.
6. Medici Senza Frontiere (MSF) Italia: https://www.medicisenzafrontiere.it. Medical and psychological care, including documentation of torture and violence.
7. University legal clinics ("clinica legale") at law faculties in several cities offer free immigration advice.
8. Official government portal for migrants: https://integrazionemigranti.gov.it/it-it/Servizi-per-lintegrazione
9. SAI network: https://www.retesai.it.
10. Save the Children Italia (children): https://www.savethechildren.it.

TO VERIFY: check every link and number before publishing. Local services change.

Costs & timing

Free. Waiting times vary; call early.

Common mistakes

• Paying "agents" or "lawyers" who promise a permit. Free, legitimate help exists.
• Handing original documents to someone you do not know.
• Waiting for an appeal deadline before asking for help.