Foreign Residents Face New Deportation Risk Under Italy's Proposed Points System

Italy's Transport Minister Matteo Salvini has reignited debate over immigration enforcement by publicly advocating for a points-deduction system tied to residence permits—a mechanism that would result in deportation for foreign nationals who accumulate infractions. Speaking at a Patrioti rally in Milan's Piazza Duomo, Salvini framed the proposal as a matter of reciprocal trust, arguing that access to public healthcare and state benefits should come with behavioral expectations enforceable through a points regime similar to Italy's driving license system.

Why This Matters

• Legal residency could become conditional on maintaining a clean record, with criminal offenses or other infractions triggering point deductions.

• Deportation would follow once a threshold is crossed, effectively turning residence permits into revocable privileges rather than stable legal status.

• Constitutional challenges loom as legal scholars warn the proposal may violate Articles 2 and 3 of the Italian Constitution, which protect dignity and equality before the law.

• Italy already operates a points-based integration agreement for new arrivals, but Salvini's vision extends further into punitive enforcement.

The Proposal: "Remigration" Through Point Deduction

The leader of the League party described his vision as a doctrine of "remigration"—not indiscriminate expulsion, but a structured mechanism where residence permits and citizenship are treated as acts of trust. Under his model, foreign residents would start with a set number of points, losing them for violations ranging from petty crimes to more serious offenses. Once depleted, the individual would be mandated to return to their country of origin.

Salvini drew a direct parallel to the patente a punti, Italy's driving license system, where motorists lose points for traffic violations and face suspension after repeated infractions. The analogy is deliberate: just as drivers earn back the privilege of operating a vehicle through compliance, migrants would maintain residency through good conduct. "We guarantee you benefits and free healthcare," Salvini said, "but if you make mistakes, after a certain number of errors, you go back home."

This is not the first time Salvini has floated the idea. As Interior Minister from 2018 to 2019, he enacted the controversial Security Decrees, which tightened migration rules, abolished humanitarian protection permits, and restricted access to integration programs. In September 2025, he revived the points system proposal, claiming it had support within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's ruling coalition. Yet no legislative text has been formally introduced, and the timeline for implementation remains unclear.

What This Means for Foreign Residents

For the 5.7 million non-EU residents currently living in Italy, the proposal represents a fundamental shift in how legal status is maintained. Key practical implications include:

• Automatic consequences for infractions: Under current law, a permesso di soggiorno can be revoked for serious crimes or threats to public order through case-specific judicial proceedings. Salvini's system would introduce automatic point deductions based on accumulated infractions, potentially covering a broader range of conduct.

• Risk to temporary permit holders: Those holding temporary residence permits—typically valid for 1 to 2 years and renewable based on employment, study, or family ties—face the highest risk. Under a points regime, even minor infractions could jeopardize renewal, creating a climate of legal precarity.

• Implications for permanent residents: Permanent residents, who have lived in Italy for at least 5 years and hold EU long-term residence status, might also find their supposedly indefinite status subject to retroactive conditions.

Italy Already Has a Points System—But It's Different

What many may not realize is that Italy has operated a points-based integration framework since 2012, known as the Accordo di Integrazione. Foreign nationals arriving on long-term permits start with 16 credits and are required to reach 30 credits within 2 years by demonstrating A2-level Italian proficiency and knowledge of civic institutions. Credits can be earned through language courses, professional qualifications, or community engagement; they can be lost through criminal convictions.

Failure to meet the threshold can result in mandatory integration courses or, in severe cases, non-renewal of the permit. However, this system applies primarily to new arrivals and focuses on integration rather than retroactive punishment. Salvini's proposal would extend punitive point deduction to all non-citizens, regardless of how long they have been in Italy, and would tie it directly to deportation.

Legal and Constitutional Obstacles

Paolo Remer, a former judge, has warned that enacting such a system would require sweeping legislative reform and likely face constitutional challenges. Articles 2 and 3 of the Italian Constitution guarantee human dignity and equality before the law, principles that could be undermined by a two-tiered justice system where non-citizens face deportation for offenses that would result in fines or probation for Italian nationals.

The EU's Directive 2003/109/CE, which governs long-term residence status, allows member states to revoke permits only in cases of serious threats to public order or security—not for minor infractions. Italy's adherence to EU law could further complicate domestic implementation.

Opposition parties have dismissed the proposal as "propaganda," noting that existing law already permits visa revocation in serious cases. Luca Gori, a legal scholar, pointed out that the comparison to a driving license is legally flawed: driving is a regulated activity, while residence is a fundamental right protected by international human rights conventions.

International Context: How Other Countries Use Points

Points-based immigration systems exist in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Singapore, but they function differently. These systems assign points to prospective immigrants based on education, language skills, work experience, and job offers, determining eligibility for entry. Once granted, residence status in these countries is not subject to point deduction for infractions.

Germany has introduced a merit-based points system for skilled workers, but it too applies only to the admission process, not to revocation. The UK's post-Brexit system requires applicants to score at least 70 points for a visa, but losing points after arrival is not a mechanism for deportation.

Salvini's model, by contrast, would use points as an enforcement tool against existing residents, a structure with no clear international precedent. The closest parallel is Italy's own Accordo di Integrazione, but that system is voluntary for long-term integration, not a blanket enforcement mechanism.

Human Rights Groups Sound Alarm

Human rights organizations have condemned the proposal as part of a broader pattern. When Salvini served as Interior Minister, his Security Decrees were blamed for a sharp increase in undocumented migration, as many lost legal status without being physically removed. Reports by Openpolis and ActionAid found that the laws fueled exploitation, social exclusion, and irregular work, while making it harder for vulnerable migrants to access protection.

UNHCR, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Council of Europe's Commissioner for Human Rights criticized the decrees for undermining asylum protections. Thirteen UN human rights experts warned that Italy's policies risked violating international law. The criminalization of sea rescue operations under the "Decreto Sicurezza Bis" drew particular condemnation, with NGOs facing fines and ship seizures for saving lives at sea.

What Foreign Residents Should Do Now

For foreign residents in Italy concerned about this proposal, it is important to understand the current situation:

• No immediate action is required: The points-deduction system remains a political proposal, not law. Current permit rules remain fully in effect, and your existing legal status is not affected by proposals under discussion.

• Continue standard renewal procedures: If your residence permit is approaching renewal, follow the established procedures through your local questura (police headquarters). Continue meeting the conditions of your current permit—whether related to employment, study, family ties, or investment.

• Monitor official channels for developments: Stay informed through official government websites (camera.it for legislative updates), your local municipality, and trusted legal aid organizations such as ASGI (Associazione Studi Giuridici sull'Immigrazione) or Caritas, which provide guidance on immigration law changes.

• Understand Italy's legislative process: In Italy, proposals by government ministers must be formally introduced as draft legislation, debated in parliament, and approved by both chambers before becoming law. Constitutional review by the Constitutional Court can further delay or block measures deemed unconstitutional. The mere announcement of a proposal does not mean imminent change.

• Seek legal counsel if needed: If you have specific concerns about your permit status or potential implications of future policy changes, consult with an immigration lawyer or accredited legal aid organization. Many offer free or low-cost consultations.

What Happens Next

As of now, the points-deduction system remains a political proposal, not law. Discussions around new Security-Immigration Decrees are reportedly underway within the Meloni government, but no draft legislation has been published. Salvini's statements at the Milan rally suggest the League will continue pushing the measure, but parliamentary approval and constitutional review would be required before implementation.

The debate over Salvini's proposal ultimately centers on a fundamental question: Are residence permits conditional privileges subject to government discretion, or protected legal rights grounded in constitutional and international law? The answer will shape the future of immigration policy in Italy—and the lives of millions who call it home.