The Italian government has secured parliamentary approval for a controversial omnibus decree after deploying a confidence vote mechanism, transforming the justice and migration package into law with a final tally of 165 to 80 in the Chamber of Deputies on August 5. The decree—formally known as Law Decree No. 100 of June 12, 2026—bundles judicial reforms with asylum policy changes mandated by the European Union Migration and Asylum Pact. It represents one of the most significant shifts in Italy's justice apparatus and border control framework in recent years, with direct implications for legal professionals, asylum seekers, and residents navigating the court system.
The Two Main Changes
Bar Exam OverhaulAspiring lawyers now face a single annual session with two written exams instead of three, potentially accelerating entry into the profession. The new format eliminates one written component while allowing candidates to consult annotated legal codes during exams.
Asylum Work Ban ExtendedThe work prohibition period for asylum applicants extends from 60 to 90 days after filing their claim, delaying economic integration and widening the window of legal uncertainty.
What This Means for You: Asylum Seekers
If you're applying for asylum in Italy, the new 90-day work prohibition takes immediate effect. During this waiting period, you can:
• Attend Italian language courses and skills training offered through reception centers
• Access healthcare and social services through your domicile registration
• Prepare required documentation for integration and employment
What you need to do now:Register your domicile (residence address) immediately when filing your asylum claim—this is now mandatory and required for administrative tracking. Without a registered address, you cannot access support services. Contact your local Prefettura (prefecture office) or your reception facility operator for guidance. If you lack housing, your reception center must facilitate domicile registration.
Where to get help:Organizations like ASGI (Italian Association for Legal Studies on Immigration) and local Caritas offices provide free consultations on domicile registration requirements and can connect you with employment support once your work prohibition expires.
What This Means for You: Legal Professionals
The bar examination changes take effect with the first cohort sitting for exams before year-end 2026. What's different:
• Two written exams (legal opinion drafting and judicial act preparation) instead of three
• Annotated legal codes permitted during written portions
• Compressed preparation cycle
Action steps:If you're preparing for the bar exam, contact your local bar association (Ordine Forense) immediately to confirm exam dates and access updated study materials. Law schools and preparatory course providers are recalibrating curricula—verify your course covers the revised format. The Ministry of Justice will issue clarifying circulars, but don't wait for complete guidance; begin studying the two-exam format now.
Timeline:First exams under new rules: Before year-end 2026. Exact dates will be announced by the National Bar Association (Consiglio Nazionale Forense).
What This Means for You: Employers
If you hire asylum seekers or migrant workers, the extended 90-day employment ban affects hiring timelines. You cannot legally employ asylum applicants during the waiting period. After 90 days, employment authorization becomes available upon application. Verify applicant status through documentation before hiring, and consult with your HR department or employment law specialist if unclear on verification procedures.
Other Key Provisions
Court modernization: The government allocated €6.5M for 2026 to digitize judicial IT infrastructure, reducing reliance on paper-based filing and accelerating case processing.
Judicial staffing relief: Judges can remain in current posts through December 31, 2026, preventing immediate personnel shortages, though reassignments will resume in early 2027.
Why This Happened—The Political Context
Opposition from the Five Star Movement (M5S) criticized the confidence vote as a "guillotine" that prevented detailed parliamentary debate. Despite procedural controversy, the government secured Senate approval in late July with 92 votes to 63, indicating stable coalition support for the decree's passage, even if critics argue it prioritized speed over scrutiny.
Implementation Timeline
The decree enters implementation through August-December 2026:
• End of August: New judge panel requirements for pretrial detention decisions activate
• Before year-end: Bar exams under revised format occur; ministry circulars clarify asylum work ban procedures
• December 31: Judicial staffing freeze expires; personnel reassignments resume
For residents: If changes affect you, monitor your relevant ministry or professional association's website for implementation guidance circulars, or contact the organizations listed above for updated resources.
Looking Forward
The decree demonstrates the government's willingness to bundle contentious policy domains into unified packages. For asylum seekers, the extended work prohibition creates practical challenges that advocacy groups are considering contesting in administrative courts. For legal professionals, the compressed examination cycle requires rapid curriculum adjustments. For the broader judicial system, the modest digitization funding represents an initial investment, though experts note that €6.5M barely addresses Italy's sprawling paper-based court archives.
