Unaccompanied minors: protection for children and teens

Who is this for

Anyone under 18 who is in Italy without a parent, and the adults helping them. Italy's Law 47/2017 (the Zampa law) gives unaccompanied children strong protection. A person under 18 cannot be expelled.

Requirements

Being under 18. If your age is doubted, the authorities must follow a multi-step age assessment and treat you as a minor while it is pending.

Steps

1. Say your age and that you are alone. Ask any police officer, social worker or NGO for help.
2. Protection and reception. You should be placed in a dedicated children's reception structure, not in an adult centre or in detention.
3. Guardian. A volunteer guardian is appointed by the Juvenile Court to represent you. Until then the manager of the centre represents you. TO VERIFY: appointment delays are common.
4. Asylum. You can apply for international protection with your guardian's help. The interview is adapted for children. You should not be put into the border procedure unless you pose a security risk.
5. Residence permit. Even if asylum does not apply, you can receive a permit for minor age. Under Law 47/2017, support can continue after 18 (up to 21 in some cases, "prosieguo amministrativo"). Ask your guardian early, well before your 18th birthday.
6. Family tracing and Dublin. Authorities may look for relatives in Europe. The best interests of the child come first.
7. School and health. You have the right to school and health care from day one.

Costs & timing

Free.

Common mistakes

• Telling a child to say they are older. An adult age removes child protections.
• Waiting until 17 to ask about permits. Start on arrival.
• Not reporting exploitation or trafficking. Help and a protection permit exist.

Extra help for children

Child helpline 114 (free, 24/7); Telefono Azzurro 1.96.96; Save the Children Italia (https://www.savethechildren.it).

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).