Italy approves facial‑recognition police decree as migration figures improve
The Italian cabinet has approved a legislative decree that permits police to use facial‑recognition technology in limited circumstances. The law allows real‑time identification only to prevent a serious threats such as terrorist attacks or to locate missing persons, and requires judicial oversight by a public prosecutor or a judge. Opposition parties and civil‑society groups have warned that the measure could erode privacy and the right to protest.
At the same time, the latest ISTAT report shows a reversal in Italy’s migration balance. The number of Italians moving abroad fell to 109,000 in 2025, a 22.7 % drop from the 141,000 recorded in 2024, improving the net migration deficit from –83,000 to –53,000. Foreign nationals continue to drive the positive net migration, accounting for more than 87 % of all arrivals.
The migration trend has sparked diplomatic tension. Spain’s foreign minister José Manuel Albares criticised the Italian government, saying it is “not up to the task” on migration management, while Italy’s foreign minister Antonio Tajani pointed to a 55 % decline in migrant arrivals under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration.
Entities: Antonio Tajani · Council of Ministers of Italy · EU AI Act · Francesco Paolo Sisto · Giorgia Meloni · ISTAT (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · Istat · Italian Government · Italian police · Italy · José Manuel Albares · Ursula von der Leyen
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Net migration balance for Italians improved from –83,000 to –53,000 in 2025. (ISTAT report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Foreign arrivals in Italy were 383,000 in 2025, a 2.5% decrease from 393,000 in 2024. (ISTAT report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Immigration from Asia increased by 18.6% in 2025, while South American immigration fell by 15.7% and European immigration fell by 12.6%. (ISTAT report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Italian emigrants numbered 109,000 in 2025, a 22.7% decrease from 141,000 in 2024. (ISTAT report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Foreign nationals represent over 87% of total immigration into Italy in 2025. (ISTAT report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Immigration from abroad fell to 440,000 in 2025, down from 452,000 in 2024. (ISTAT report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Foreign nationals accounted for 19.5% of internal transfers in 2025, up from 17.9% in 2024. (ISTAT report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Internal relocations in Italy reached 1.455 million in 2025, up 5.1% from 2024. (ISTAT report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Italian emigrants were 109,000 in 2025, a 22.7% decrease from 141,000 in 2024. (ISTAT report)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said migrant arrivals have fallen by 55% under the Meloni government. (Italian government statement)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said Italy’s government was not up to the task regarding migrant arrivals. (Spanish government statement)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen wrote to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez urging a European response to migration. (EU Commission communication)