How Immigrant Workers in Italy Send €8.6 Billion Home Annually

Banca d'Italia has released data showing that foreign workers in the country sent €8.6 billion overseas in 2025, marking a 3.9% increase from the previous year. For a nation where remittances represent nearly 0.4% of GDP, the breakdown by destination reveals where Italy's migrant communities maintain their strongest financial ties.

Key Remittance Destinations

• Bangladesh leads significantly, accounting for 19.6% of total remittances—approximately €1.68 billion based on the €8.6 billion total.

• India surged to second place, now representing 6.9% of outbound remittances (approximately €593 million).

• Morocco holds third place with 6.7% of remittances (approximately €576 million).

• The Philippines follows closely behind.

• China appears absent from official Banca d'Italia records, likely due to reliance on informal financial channels.

The Bangladesh Corridor

Bangladesh is the clear leader among remittance destinations from Italy, with its 19.6% share in 2025 reflecting a substantial and established expatriate community. The concentration of Bangladeshi workers in regions like Lazio, Lombardy, and Veneto means these areas are primary departure points for remittances to South Asia.

According to Banca d'Italia data, Bangladesh has consistently maintained its position as the top destination for Italian remittances, underscoring the significance of this financial corridor for both the workers and their families abroad.

India's Rapid Rise

India moved from sixth to second place in a single year, now accounting for 6.9% of total remittances. This rapid ascent reflects the expanding Indian diaspora in Italy and changing labor market dynamics. The shift represents a notable transformation in remittance patterns, though the absolute volumes remain smaller than Bangladesh's flows.

Banca d'Italia notes this trend in its quarterly reports, pointing to sustained growth in transfers to India across the first three quarters of 2025.

Morocco and the Philippines: Established Corridors

Morocco maintains third place with 6.7% of remittances, reflecting longstanding migration ties between the two countries. The Philippines, historically among the top destinations, now finds itself edged out by India's rapid growth, though it remains a significant remittance destination.

These patterns reflect established communities and migration histories that continue to shape financial flows between Italy and these nations.

The Chinese Anomaly

The absence of China from official Banca d'Italia remittance statistics is notable. This gap likely reflects the use of informal financial channels by Chinese nationals, including unregistered money transfer operators and peer-to-peer exchanges. The actual volume of remittances to China remains unclear, though industry observers suggest informal flows represent a significant portion of total Chinese remittances globally.

What This Means for Policy

For Italian policymakers and regulators, the €8.6 billion in annual remittances represents both an economic indicator and a policy consideration. These funds reflect the economic integration of migrant workers within Italy's labor market and their ongoing family connections abroad.

Banca d'Italia publishes quarterly updates on remittances with breakdowns by destination country, offering insight into which nations receive the largest transfers from Italian-based workers. Understanding these patterns informs discussions about labor market integration, financial inclusion, and migration policy.

For financial institutions, remittances represent a significant market. Banks and fintech companies compete to offer remittance services to diaspora communities, with digital platforms gradually reducing transaction costs and improving accessibility.

Regional Patterns

The concentration of remittance flows from Lazio, Lombardy, and Veneto reflects where Italy's largest migrant communities are established. These regions serve as the primary departure points for the majority of international transfers, according to Banca d'Italia data.

Looking Forward

Banca d'Italia indicates that remittance volumes are expected to remain significant, reflecting continued migration and economic integration of foreign workers in Italy. The ongoing shifts in destination countries—particularly India's rise—suggest that demographic and labor market changes will continue to reshape remittance patterns in the coming years.

Remittances from Italy contribute to a global system in which substantial sums flow from wealthier to developing nations annually. For recipient countries like Bangladesh and Morocco, these funds support households and local economies. For Italy, they reflect the productive integration of migrant workers within the nation's economy.