Italy Evacuates 25,000 Citizens from Middle East Crisis in Two Weeks

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has successfully managed a repatriation operation that brought approximately 25,000 Italian citizens home from the Middle East and surrounding regions over a two-week period in early March 2026, resolving airport congestion issues that had affected travelers across the Gulf and beyond.

What Actually Happened:

• Scale of operation: Around 25,000 Italians were repatriated in early March 2026, with coordinated efforts involving commercial carriers and consular assistance.

• Diplomatic presence adjusted: Italy is scaling back staff at embassies in Beirut and Baghdad as a precautionary security measure.

• Airport congestion resolved: The bottleneck that created travel disruptions has been cleared.

• Residents supported: Consular reinforcements remain in place for Italian expats who chose to stay in the region.

The Congestion Crisis

Beginning in late February 2026, airport congestion across the Persian Gulf region and the Maldives created significant travel disruptions for thousands of Italian nationals. The situation affected both residents and tourists, with particular pressure mounting at major transit hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, as well as island destinations in the Indian Ocean that relied on Gulf connections.

The Italian Ministry's Crisis Unit was activated to coordinate with carriers including Etihad, Oman Air, and ITA Airways to organize charter flights and ensure seat allocations for stranded Italians. Consular teams worked to assist citizens in registering on the "Viaggiare Sicuri" and "Dove Siamo Nel Mondo" platforms to receive travel assistance and real-time updates.

Tajani Declares Emergency Phase Concluded

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on 11 March that the emergency phase had been largely resolved. Speaking at LetExpo Verona, Tajani stated: "We have resolved the problem for the majority of our citizens who wanted to leave. There is no longer an emergency as of yesterday. Even in the Maldives, which was the last area where there was congestion of Italians, we are seeing the problem resolved."

The repatriation operation emphasized speed and access through consular-assisted coordination, with citizens bearing the cost of their flights through commercial carriers.

Diplomatic Staff Adjustments in High-Risk Zones

Beyond the repatriation effort, Italy is recalibrating its diplomatic presence in certain regions. Tajani confirmed that staff levels at the embassies in Beirut (Lebanon) and Baghdad (Iraq) are being reduced as a precautionary measure. "These are at-risk environments," Tajani explained, "especially for protecting our nationals who live in those countries."

Consular reinforcements dispatched during the congestion crisis will remain in place for now, supporting the thousands of Italian residents who chose not to return to Italy. The ministry emphasized that while the acute congestion has been resolved, security environments in certain zones remain a concern warranting cautious staffing adjustments.

Impact on Italian Expats and Those Who Stayed

For the estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Italian residents living in the Gulf region, the repatriation operation marked a moment of choice. Many opted to remain, particularly those with long-term employment contracts, businesses, or families rooted in cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh. The embassy network has assured them of continued support through updated security protocols and emergency communication channels.

Looking Ahead

The Italian government has not issued a formal timeline for restoring full diplomatic staffing in Beirut and Baghdad. The return to normal operations will depend on assessments of local security conditions.

For now, the Farnesina continues to advise against non-essential travel to certain regions and recommends that any Italians planning travel maintain flexible itineraries and comprehensive insurance coverage. The "Viaggiare Sicuri" portal provides updated travel risk assessments and guidance for Italian nationals abroad.