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If you or your family is Ukrainian, or you were granted international protection in Ukraine, and you were displaced as of February 24, you could apply for a temporary protection permit (‘permesso di soggiorno per protezione temporanea’ in Italian).

Temporary protection is a form of protection that the European Union (EU) can decide to activate when there is a mass influx of displaced people who cannot return to their country of origin. Indeed, on March 4, 2022, the EU decided to grant temporary protection to people fleeing war in Ukraine.

On March 28, 2022 the Italian government adopted a decree to apply the EU decision at the national level, and clarified the eligibility criteria and other details about the temporary protection.   

You can use this article to learn more on:

Who is eligible

The following people who fled Ukraine on or after February 24 and have arrived in Italy, can apply at the Questura for temporary protection:

  • Ukrainians and their families, who were living in Ukraine before February 24
  • Holders of international protection or another protection and their families, granted in Ukraine before February 24
  • Holders of a permanent residence permit, granted in Ukraine before February 24, who cannot safely return to their home country.

Family members considered eligible are: partner (married or in a stable relationship), children under 18 (who are unmarried) or with disabilities, dependent parents who lived with you.

We know that some Questure are unlawfully not allowing non-Ukrainian family members to apply for temporary protection. If this is your case, drop us a private message on our Facebook page, we will do our best to find an organization that may help you.

What if I am a third-country national and I was living in Ukraine, but I do not hold international protection, nor I have Ukrainian family, or I do have permanent status but I can return to my country?

If you are not among the three eligible categories, you cannot get temporary protection – you have only the right to transit to any EU country to safely return to your country of origin.

However, if you cannot return to your home country because you fear danger or persecution there, you may decide to apply for asylum in Italy.

How to apply

You have to apply for this permit at the Immigration Office of Questura of the city you are staying in. You can check opening hours and whether you need an appointment on the website of Questura. Please, search on Google “questura + [name of the city]”. You can also find the address of the Questura of your city here.

To apply, you will need:

  • 2 photos of yourself
  • Dichiarazione di ospitalità or rental contract
  • Passport, identity document or consular certificate
  • Dichiarazione di presenza – if you have not your passport or if you haven’t got it stamped
  • Certificates that prove the family relationship – if needed, depending on your case (for example, if your partner is Ukrainian).

Applying for a temporary protection permit is free-of-charge.

Questura will give you a receipt of your application, and later summon you to give you the permit of stay. Note that you can already work with the receipt of your application.

You will also receive your ‘codice fiscale’, which is the tax code that identifies people living in Italy.

How long is it valid

After an initial validity from March 4, 2022 to March 4, 2023, and a subsequent extension to December 31, 2023, temporary protection permits are now valid until December 31, 2024.

Holders of protezione temporanea permit expired on December 31, 2023 do not need to file a formal renewal request at Questura, as permits' validity is automatically extended.

However, if the situation in Ukraine changes, temporary protection could be revoked even before the expiry date.

You can convert your permesso per protezione temporanea into a work permit, if you meet the requirements.

Learn more about: WORK PERMITS

What are my rights?

With temporary protection permit, you have the right to:

International protection

Everyone who fears persecution or danger in their country of origin, has the right to seek international protection (also known as asylum) in Italy at any time.

If you apply for both temporary protection and asylum, the Commission will examine and decide on your asylum claim once your temporary protection ends.

Learn more about: APPLYING FOR ASYLUM

Got any questions? Drop us a message on Facebook.