A particularly sensitive area of consular assistance concerns the repatriation of Italian citizens who find themselves in serious hardship abroad and cannot overcome these difficulties locally. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with local Italian authorities (Prefectures, Police Headquarters, Municipalities, Local Health Units, and Social Services), may intervene in the following cases:
• emigrants returning permanently to Italy due to economic or health reasons;
• abandoned minors;
• Italian citizens completing a prison sentence or subject to expulsion;
• elderly individuals requiring admission to care facilities in Italy;
• persons with serious illnesses that cannot be treated locally due to lack of adequate facilities.
Note:
Repatriation at the State’s expense is granted only in cases of verified indigence, as determined by the consular network. In all other cases, repatriation may take place following the signing of a loan agreement with a commitment to repay the State.
Loans with Repayment Commitment – Change in Reimbursement Procedures
As of June 30, 2024, in accordance with the mandatory use of the National Payment Platform (“Piattaforma Incassi”), the procedures for repaying loans granted under Article 24, paragraph 2, of Legislative Decree No. 71 of February 3, 2011, have changed.
Repayment is now possible exclusively through the following methods:
a) At Italian Post Offices – by speaking with a counter operator;
b) Online via poste.it
c) At the Consular Office that granted the loan, or, if necessary, at any other Italian Consular Office.
Detailed repayment instructions are available here.