The information on this page was collected from public resources and does not constitute legal advice.
General information on border crossing?To enter Italy, you must first cross the border through an EU country, for example Poland. Check the interactive map of waiting time at the countries that border with Ukraine here You can enter Italy by plane, train, bus, car or ferry. If possible, please take valid travel documents with you when leaving. However, the lack of travel documents or medical documents (certificate of vaccination, COVID-19 test) should not be an obstacle to entering the EU. All EU countries bordering Ukraine are allowing entry to all people fleeing the war in Ukraine on humanitarian grounds regardless of whether or not you have a biometric passport. This applies also to children. You can contact the Italian embassy in Ukraine for more details regarding travel at ambkiev.esteri.it. |
What documents do I need to enter?If possible, please take valid travel documents with you when leaving. If you don't have travel documents, it should not be an obstacle to entering the EU. All EU countries bordering Ukraine are allowing entry to all people fleeing the war in Ukraine on humanitarian grounds regardless of whether or not you have a biometric passport. This applies also to children. More information in the original source here For minors: passport, birth certificate (if passport is not available). In addition, the Embassy of Ukraine in Italy has clarified |
What happens after a border crossing?Upon entering the country, interested parties will be identified either at the Ukrainian Consulate or Ukrainian Embassy in Italy if they do not have documents, or at the local police headquarters by presenting their passport. If you are a Ukrainian national or from another visa free country and you havenโt got your passport stamped at the borders when entering Italy or another country of the European Union (EU), you must inform Italian authorities of your presence in the country. To do this, you have to go to the Immigration Office of the police (โQuesturaโ in Italian) or police station (โCommissariatoโ in Italian) within 8 days from your arrival. There, you will have to show your documents and fill out a form called โdichiarazione di presenzaโ. The Italian government grants temporary protection to Ukrainian citizens and others for 1 year with a possibility to extend for one further year. |
How can I get from the border to the capital (a certain town)?Ukrainian citizens can travel for free within 5 days of their arrival in Italy to reach the first destination or reception place. People fleeing from Ukraine can use Flixbus transportation Refugees arriving in Italy with their Ukrainian-registered cars without insurance cover are issued with free temporary motor insurance policies valid for 30 days. More information at integrazionemigranti.gov.it |
How can I travel to another (specific) country?Ukrainians or citizens of other visa-free countries can continue to travel to other EU/Schengen countries for up to 90 days in 180 days. If you don't have a biometric passport, it is recommended to contact the respective embassy of your travel destination to see whether a border is open also for those not having a biometric passport. Rules can be different for traveling by plane, train, bus, or car. You can travel to another country by:
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How long can I stay?Eligible people will receive a permit of stay called 'permesso di soggiorno per protezione temporanea', which will be valid from March 4, 2022 to March 4, 2023. This permit could be extended for 6 additional months twice - meaning up to 1 more year - or revoked before the expiry date if the situation in Ukraine significantly changes. |
Where can an unaccompanied minor get help?Unaccompanied children and adolescents - meaning children without their legal guardian - have the same rights as Italian children. Unaccompanied children must be notified to any Police Headquarters (Polizia di Stato: Questura/Commissariato) to allow the intervention of social services and ensure that the child beneficiates from all the need and support they need. If the child has close relatives able to take care of them, the Tribunal will guarantee they stay with them. If the child does not have close relatives in Italy, they will be hosted in special structures for unaccompanied children. More info can be found here at www.refugee.info/italy Additional information available here |
Are there any Covid-related requirements and if yes, what are they?There are certain regulations that are still in place. From 1 May, regardless of the country of entry into Italy, the traveller will be required to present to the carrier and to whoever is in charge of checking the COVID-19 Green Certificate or other equivalent certificate which must state one of the following conditions:
If the Traveller does not submit any of the mentioned certificates, he/she must undergo a 5-day quarantine period at the address indicated to the competent authorities and an antigen or molecular test by means of a nasal/oropharyngeal/rhino-pharyngeal swab at the end of this quarantine period. Check the updated information here |
Where do I register for temporary protection?All the national Police Headquarters (Questure) are able to receive applications for residence permits for temporary protection. Check the list of Police stations ย Addresses of other consulates at refugee.info/italy |
What are my rights while I wait to get temporary protection?Police Headquarters receiving the applications for the temporary protection will proceed with the printing of the "mod. 209" (i.e. the form for the foreignersโ permit of stay) whose receipt, accompanied by a photo and tax code, will have to be issued to the applicant also in order to have access to health services. This receipt gives the same rights as the plastic permit. You will have the right to get accommodation, financial support from the government, education, healthcare and work. |
What documents will I receive once I get temporary protection?Once the application to get temporary protection has been approved, the permit is issued to the applicant, free of charge. It is valid from March 4, 2022 to March 4, 2023 - regardless of the date of the request.
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May I temporarily return to Ukraine? What will happen to my protection status?Beneficiaries of international protection (asylum) cannot return to their country of origin while they are considered a refuge. |
Can I move around the country and the European Union freely while under temporary protection?Yes, you can move freely around the country and, also around the Schengen area for 90 days within a 180-day period. If you want to change the country and apply for temporary protection in another country you can do it by informing the Questura about you plans to leave and re-apply in the new country. |
Can I apply for asylum while under temporary protection? What is the difference?Temporary protection and asylum are two different processes. If you are under temporary protection you can still apply for asylum. However, your asylum claim will be examined only after your temporary protection expires. The differences are: Temporary protection:
Asylum:
More information about asylum at help.unhcr.org |
How and where can I apply for the residency?Please keep in mind that residence permit/permit of stay (permesso di soggiorno in Italian) is different from residence (residenza in Italian). The latter means: In Italy, every person with a valid permit of stay has the right to register their residence with the Municipality ('Comune' in Italian). This procedure is called 'iscrizione anagrafica'. To do it, you have to go to the Anagrafe office of the Comune where you live with the following documents:
Note that if you're staying in a reception center, your center's operators should help you with the procedure. Learn more here at refugee.info |
How long I need to wait to get the residency?At the moment we can't provide a time frame. |
What if I don't have the international passport?If you do not have a biometric passport, you should contact the relevant Ukrainian diplomatic authorities in Italy |
Where can I take a photo for my documents?There are numerous shops that offer such services. Check for photo booths at metro stations. For printing - copisteria or printing shops. |
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