What is integration agreement in Italy?
The integration agreement is a contract between the Italian State and third-country nationals over the age of 16 who enter Italy for the first time and apply for a residence permit of at least one year. It is, in essence, an integration path aimed at facilitating the integration of foreign citizens in Italy.
The agreement came into force through the ‘Regulation concerning the discipline of the integration agreement between the foreigner and the State’, issued by Presidential Decree no. 179 of 14 September 2011.
The integration agreement is signed by two parties, namely the State and the foreign national, and provides for obligations on both sides. On the part of the State, there is an obligation to guarantee third-party citizens fundamental rights, and to provide them with the necessary tools to integrate in the country, learning its language and culture. On the other hand, it is the foreign citizens’ obligation to respect the rules of Italian society, so that they can integrate. If the citizens have minor children, they also undertake to guarantee them the right to an Italian education.
Who must sign the integration agreement?
In principle, all third-country nationals who intend to reside in Italy for more than 12 months must sign the integration agreement.
Certain groups are, however, exempt from this obligation, including:
- Unaccompanied minors;
- Citizens with pathologies or disabilities;
- Holders of residence permits for asylum or asylum seekers;
- Holders of a residence card for a foreign family member of an EU citizen.
How to obtain the integration agreement
The integration agreement is issued by the Prefectures at the appointment of first entry for foreign nationals. The purpose of this appointment is to finalise the immigration procedure and to issue the documents necessary to apply for a residency permit.
Therefore, it will be sufficient for the applicant to visit the offices of the Prefecture that handled his application for a nulla osta.
As an alternative to Prefectures, Police stations can also arrange for the signing of the integration agreement for those individuals who have not requested a nulla osta for entry into Italy.
The agreement is issued in duplicate, one copy in Italian and one copy in a language that the citizen can understand among English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, Albanian, Russian or Filipino.
The credits of the agreement
The agreement is structured by credits, and is valid for two years, with a possible extension of one year. Foreign nationals must achieve 30 points in order to be considered to have fulfilled their obligations.
Upon signing, the foreigner receives 16 credits, equivalent to knowledge of the Italian language, level A1, as well as basic civic education and information on civic life in Italy. Within 90 days of signing, it is the obligation of the Prefectures to organise civic training courses of 10 hours at Adult Education Centres (CPIA) or Permanent Territorial Centres (CTP).
At the end of the agreement, it is the obligation of the Prefecture to collect documentation proving the completion of the course through documentation, or through a test prepared by the Prefecture itself.
The points of the agreement may be reduced if the foreigner has committed serious offences.
Evaluation of the integration agreement
One month before the expiry of the integration agreement, the Prefecture starts the verifications to conclude the integration process. The citizen has 15 days from the communication to submit documentation to confirm the achievement of credits. Alternatively, the citizen may request to take the test certifying a knowledge of Italian language level A2 and basic knowledge of Italian civic culture.
There are three possible outcomes to the test.
- Credits achieved in excess of 30: the agreement is terminated.
- Credits above 0 but less than 30: the agreement is extended for one year.
- Credits less than or equal to 0: revocation of the residence permit.