Italy evacuates 25,000 citizens from crisis-hit Middle East as Farnesina scales back embassies
Gulf conflict cancels 20,000 flights; Italian travel trade warns of €1 bn tourism hit
Emirates keeps Milan–New York A380 running under ‘fifth-freedom’ rights despite Gulf airspace closure
Latest News
9 March general strike may hamper public services but spares transport sector
Base unions have called a 24-hour general strike for 9 March that will hit schools, hospitals and government offices nationwide. Transport services are formally exempt, but travellers should expect slower processing at immigration desks, consulates and medical facilities.
Budget Law Tightens Flat-Tax Regime for New Residents While Keeping Italy Attractive to Expats
Italy’s 2026-2028 Budget Law raises the annual flat tax for incoming high-net-worth residents to €300,000 but keeps the 15-year preferential regime alive. The law also streamlines VAT refunds, offers new energy tax credits and tweaks payroll taxes—changes that global-mobility and tax teams must factor into assignment cost projections.
Italy Extends Deadline for ‘Benefit-of-Law’ Citizenship Declarations to 2029
A decree published on 6 March 2026 extends the deadline for minors of Italian descent to file ‘benefit-of-law’ citizenship declarations from May 2026 to May 2029. The move relieves consular backlogs and gives global employers more flexibility when planning EU assignments for staff who can obtain an Italian passport.
EU Home-Affairs Council Eyes Tougher Return Policy and Coordinated Visa Strategy—Implications for Italy
EU ministers met on 5–6 March to push a more results-oriented returns policy and draft a coordinated Schengen visa strategy. Italy, which is about to launch an e-visa portal and manages migration hubs in Albania, stands to benefit from clearer EU standards but may face pressure to improve return rates.
Italy Overhauls Consular and Business-Support Services Abroad Under New Law
Law 11/2026 modernises Italy’s consular operations and creates a single digital desk for companies abroad. Digital notarial acts, strict processing deadlines and online performance dashboards should streamline passport, visa and document-legalisation workflows for Italian citizens and their employers.