Permessi di soggiorno (permits of stay): For subsidiary protection holders: Permesso per Protezione Sussidiaria

For subsidiary protection holders: Permesso per Protezione Sussidiaria

What is this permesso for?

You are entitled to subsidiary protection and the Permesso di Soggiorno per Protezione Sussidiaria if you don’t fulfill all the requirements for refugee status, but still face a real risk of suffering serious harm if you return to your country of origin.
Serious harm means the risk of:

• Death penalty or execution
• Torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment
• Serious and individual threat to your life by reasons of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict

How long is it valid for?

This kind of permesso is valid for 5 years and can be renewed.

How long will it take to get it?

Italian government guidelines suggest it should take no longer than 1 year between the time you go for your commission interview and the time you get your Permesso per Protezione Sussidiaria. Unfortunately, most of the time, you may need to wait up to, or even over, 2 years.

How can I renew this kind of permesso?

To renew your Permesso per Protezione Sussidiaria, you’ll need to make an appointment at the questura. When it reviews your renewal request, the questura may:

• Ask the Territorial Commission whether the situation in your country of origin has changed, and whether you would still be in danger if you returned.
• Check whether you have been convicted of any crimes since receiving subsidiary protection.
• Examine whether you have traveled back to your country of origin since receiving subsidiary protection — the Salvini Decree explicitly states that questure can deny your request to renew your permesso for the reason that you traveled to your country of origin while under subsidiary protection in Italy.

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

With subsidiary protection you have the following rights:

• The right to reception in a SPRAR center. Your right to reception includes “material reception,” meaning food, medical attention and hygiene products.
• The right to work in Italy — but not any other European countries.
• The right to access the Italian health care system (SSN).
• The right to access the Italian public education system.
• The right to access the Italian welfare system.
• The right to bring your family to Italy.
• The right to register with the registry office of your local comune, which gives you the right to get a carta d’identità.
• After 10 years of holding this permesso, the right to apply for Italian citizenship.
• The right to obtain a travel document called a Titolo di Viaggio, which you can get 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).
• The right to apply for the Permesso UE per Soggiornanti di Lungo Periodo to work or study in another European country (After 5 years of living in Italy, and if you meet certain conditions).