The decree indicates to an extent what Britons in Italy would face if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, but it also raises several pressing questions.
According to the decree, British citizens applying for a long-term residency permit after five years of living in Italy would be required to show they’d not been out of Italy for more than 10 months during that five-year period.
However, how applicants would be expected to prove this is not explained.
Applicants would also be subject to fingerprinting and would have to pay a fee of between €80 and €200 to have their request approved.
As third-country nationals, or extracomunitari, British citizens who’ve been residing in Italy for five years or more at the date of Brexit would need to apply for a new permesso di soggiorno UE per soggiornanti di lungo periodo status.
The decree has sparked outrage among the British community in Italy, which argues the outlined travel restrictions aren’t feasible.
The government decree also included changes related to banking, investments and taxes for British firms in Italy.
The decree will now have to be formally enacted by Italian President Sergio Mattarella.
Parliament will then have to convert it into law within the following 60 days.
The transitional measures will become applicable only on the date of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, provided that an agreement has not been reached.
Visit British in Italy’s website for tips on what to do if you’re a British citizen residing in Italy.
