A European court has struck down Italy's rule requiring 10 years of residency before immigrants can access welfare benefits, opening the door for earlier access to social support.
A European court has ruled that Italy's requirement of 10 years of continuous residency before immigrants can access welfare benefits is discriminatory and violates EU law. The ruling means immigrants with shorter residency periods may now qualify for social assistance sooner.
This decision affects anyone living in Italy on a residence permit who has faced barriers to accessing healthcare, housing assistance, or other welfare programs due to the residency threshold. The ruling applies to EU citizens and potentially to third-country nationals with legal residence status.
Italy's long residency requirement for welfare has been ruled discriminatory by European courts.
If you're an immigrant in Italy, this ruling may improve your access to social services. However, implementation varies by region and municipality—some may move quickly to align with the court's decision, while others may resist or move slowly. Contact your local comune (municipality) or an immigration support organization to understand how this applies to your specific situation. The ruling doesn't automatically grant benefits; it removes the 10-year barrier, but other eligibility criteria (income, employment status) may still apply.
Source: original report ↗
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