Permessi di soggiorno (permits of stay): For humanitarian protection holders: Permesso per Motivi Umanitari (casi speciali)

For humanitarian protection holders: Permesso per Motivi Umanitari (now known as "casi speciali")

As of October 5, 2018 — the date the Salvini Decree went into effect — Italy no longer issues humanitarian protection or Permessi di Soggiorno per Motivi Umanitari. instead it has been replaced by a new protection known as casi speciali

What is this permesso for?

Italy issued humanitarian protection (the Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi Umanitari) to asylum applicants whom it did not consider eligible for refugee status or subsidiary protection, but who still needed a form of protection.
Italy gave humanitarian protection to applicants including, for example, those with special needs related to age or health conditions, and those from countries that were very dangerous but not for reasons that usually qualify applicants for subsidiary protection.

How long is it valid for?

This permesso is valid for 2 years. If you hold this permesso and it has not yet expired, it is still valid. However, as of October 5, 2018, you can no longer file an application to renew this permesso.

What do I do when my permesso expires?

Although you cannot renew this permesso, when it expires you can convert it into a Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro, or work permit, if you have a job or business that satisfies certain conditions.
Important: If you are working and have a Permesso per Motivi Umanitari — no matter how long it is still valid — our legal practitioners recommends that you speak to a lawyer or helpdesk in your area as soon as possible to make sure you are well-prepared to apply for a Permesso per Lavoro.

If you don’t have a job when your Permesso per Motivi Umanitari expires, you may be eligible for another kind of permesso. A lawyer or legal professional can help you consider your options.

What rights do I have as a holder of this permesso?

With humanitarian protection, you have:

• The right to work in Italy — but not any other European countries.
• The right to register with the registry office of your local comune, which gives you the right to get a carta d’identita and to rent your own apartment/house, among other things.
• The right to access Italian health care system (SSN).
• The right to access the Italian public education system.
• The right to obtain a travel document. If you have humanitarian protection, you may be entitled to receive a Titolo di Viaggio if you cannot get a passport from your home country. (It’s a good idea to check with a lawyer before applying for a Titolo di Viaggio.)

You do not have the right to bring your family to Italy. You can bring your family if you convert your permesso to a Permesso per Motivi di Lavoro.

My lawyer told me I have been granted humanitarian protection, but I didn’t get the physical permesso itself yet. Will I get a Permesso per Motivi Umanitari?

If the commission granted you humanitarian protection before October 5, 2018, you will still receive humanitarian protection and a physical permesso. If your new physical permesso is printed after October, 5, 2018, it:

• Comes with all the same rights and permissions as a Permesso per Motivi Umanitari.
• Says “casi speciali” on it, but otherwise is no different from a Permesso per Motivi Umanitari.
• Will be valid for 2 years.
• Cannot be renewed.