“Welcome to Italy”: a practical handbook for migrants

The guide “Welcome to Italy” is written by the Euro-African network “Welcome to Europe“, which was formed by hundreds of activists and organisations in 2009. They offer direct support to migrants and refugees throughout Europe and North Africa; they promote freedom of movement and equal rights for all who are struggling to move between borders, and they support those who are subject to discrimination and military and repressive policies of the European Union, of individual European States and their allies elsewhere in the world. This guide is addressed to all the migrants who arrive in Italy with the intention of staying here or going to another European country. In this guide you will find independent information about your fundamental rights here in Italy, how to apply for international protection (political asylum), about your arrival and your stay in reception centers Italian and European legislation and practices on migration and international protection. You will find also information about how you can travel around Italy and have access to help, and who to contact for help in various Italian cities. This guide is free and among us who have written it there are no representatives of governments, police, United Nations or organisations funded by governments. We are all activists, independent groups and associations. Our goal is not only to offer support to migrants in areas where each of us lives but, first of all, to help make you independent and able to continue on the path you have chosen or you will choose to organise yourself, to find people and groups with whom to cooperate and strive for a better future – yours, ours and of the society in which we live. This version of the guide was written and published in January 2016 and by the time you receive it, there might have been some changes (e.g. in the legislation or in the reception system in Italy). We will do our best to update periodically and, in any event, remember that your fundamental rights (which you will find listed throughout this guide) always remain the same. In addition to the main information you need, you will find in CHAPTER 6 the list of activists and organisations which can help you. In cases of emergencies, problems andrequests , please contact your nearest organisation, which you can find in this guide and/or write to [email protected] or [email protected] or visit www.w2eu.info and the “contact” section of the website. “Welcome to Italy”, english version “Welcome to Italy”, english version (minimal) Welcome to Italy and Europe!