Supporting UK Nationals with the necessary local procedures to
obtain and maintain their right to be resident in Italy after the
end of the transition period. This is the objective of a new
programme launched by the International Organisation for
Migration (IOM) with
funding from the UK Government. The British Embassy in Rome will
be supporting IOM as it
carries out this important work. The programme is part of a wider
initiative through which the UK government and IOM aim to
reach and provide assistance to approximately 30,000 British
citizens in Germany, France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia
and Spain.
Laurence Hart, Director for the IOM Mediterranean
Coordination Office, said:
We are delighted to be able to take forward this extremely
useful and valuable activity here in Italy.
IOM will
facilitate access to the necessary information about residency
requirements for UK Nationals in Italy. We will also provide
direct support on completing paperwork for all those who might
be having difficulties in taking forward the required
procedures introduced here.
Information will be made available on dedicated webpages on both
the IOMand British
Embassy in Italy websites (see Living in
Guide). IOM will
also be offering help to individuals with specific issues,
especially those with chronic disease, disability or those
experiencing language or technical barriers.
This initiative” underlines Hart “will provide direct support
to UK Nationals, to ensure they avoid finding themselves with
an irregular status in Italy. It will also help key Italian
institutions streamline the completion of the necessary
paperwork.
In order to reach UK Nationals in Italy, it will be important
to circulate relevant information at the local level, with the
support of the network of town halls, as registry offices will
play a fundamental role in the procedure for UK Nationals to
regulate their status.
IOM’s work will
complement the UK government’s strategy, which includes the
allocation of £3 million in support of organisations helping UK
Nationals across several European countries. This will assist UK
Nationals with bureaucratic and administrative procedures that
are required to regulate their status in Europe.
British Ambassador to Italy Jill Morris commended:
We welcome IOM’s new
service for UK nationals to help them regulate their status
here in Italy, so they can continue to enjoy their rights after
the end of the transition period.
The new programme will be launched later this month and will run
for 12 months, i.e. until 31 March 2021.
The measures Italy has put in place in response to the coronavirus
means that UK nationals should not try to register their residency
at this time. IOM stands
ready to support UK nationals in registering with their local town
hall when restrictions are lifted.
