Assistance to prisoners

Modulo di richiesta informazioni

(Information request form)

(Reference Office: D.G.IT. – DESK IV)

In the case of arrest in a foreign country, the Italian citizen has the right to request consular assistance. At the request of the person concerned, the diplomatic-consular Representation may:

– pay a visit to the detainee;

– provide names of lawyers of reference on the spot;

– take care of contacts with family members, subject to the express consent of the detainee;

– ensure medical assistance and comfort supplies to the detainee, where necessary and permitted by local regulations;

– facilitate the transfer to Italy, if the compatriot is detained in countries adhering to the Convenzione di Strasburgo sul trasferimento dei detenuti del 1983  (Strasbourg Convention on the Transfer of Prisoners of 1983) or with which bilateral agreements are in force;

– intervene, in particular cases, to support applications for pardon submitted by the person concerned or his legal counsel.

The Consulate cannot intervene in legal proceedings on behalf of the compatriot and/or bear legal fees.

For more information on the assistance provided by Embassies and Consulates to compatriots detained abroad and their family members, you can consult the Guida Pratica all’Assistenza Consolare (Practical Guide to Consular Assistance).

Economic assistance

Modulo di richiesta informazioni

(Information request form)

(Reference Office: D.G.IT. – DESKS I and IV)

The consular office may grant a subsidy to an Italian citizen permanently residing in its consular district, registered with AIRE, who is in a situation of proven poverty. The subsidy is granted on an absolutely exceptional basis and consistently with the available funds entered in the budget.

An Italian citizen temporarily abroad and residing in Italy or in another consular district, who is facing unforeseen economic difficulties and cannot avail himself / herself of the help of his / her family members or third parties (for example, through companies enabled to transfer cash), may be granted a loan, which he / she undertakes to repay to the Treasury within 90 days. The loan is granted subject to checking the compatriot’s condition of economic hardship and the inability of his / her family members required by law to provide for him / her (Article 433 of the Civil Code).