Your rights while you wait: work, health, housing

Who is this for

Asylum seekers who have registered an application and are waiting for a decision.

Requirements

A registered application. Reception can be refused if you applied late without a justified reason (protection-how-to-apply); ask a legal adviser if that happens.

Steps

1. Reception. If you have no means, you can ask for material reception: first-reception centres and CAS (Centri di Accoglienza Straordinaria) run through the Prefecture. SAI (Sistema di Accoglienza e Integrazione, https://www.retesai.it) mainly hosts people who are recognized, minors and some vulnerable people. Ask the Questura or Prefettura.
2. Work. You may work 60 days after lodging the application (AIDA, July 2026). TO VERIFY: one press summary reports 90 days under DL 100/2026, so confirm with a free adviser or the Centro per l'Impiego. The asylum seeker document cannot be converted into a work permit. Register at the Centro per l'Impiego (public employment office).
3. Health. Enrol with the national health service (SSN) at your local ASL to get a GP and urgent and essential care. Ask the ASL for the exemption from co-payment if you have no income. Torture and trauma care exists; ask MSF or local NGOs.
4. Children have the right to school regardless of status.
5. Residence registration. Some municipalities refuse to register asylum seekers; ask a legal helper if refused.
6. Free lawyer for appeals if your income is low (protection-appeals-and-deadlines).

Costs & timing

Reception is free. Real-life delays are common.

Common mistakes

• Leaving your centre without telling anyone. Reception can be withdrawn and you may be considered absconding. Report address changes in writing.
• Working without a contract. You are exposed to exploitation. Victims of labour exploitation can be protected (art. 18 and 18-ter TUI).
• Ignoring Dublin rules (protection-dublin-basics).

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).