Italy migration policy reforms

In early August 2026 the Italian cabinet approved a decree allowing police limited use of facial‑recognition technology to counter serious threats such as terrorism and to locate missing persons, with judicial oversight. The same announcement highlighted a sharp improvement in Italy’s migration balance, as net out‑migration fell and foreign nationals continued to drive a positive net flow, prompting criticism from Spain’s foreign minister.

A few days later, the Italian Parliament passed a comprehensive migration‑justice decree that implements the EU migration pact. The law tightens asylum procedures, expands border checks and health screenings for sea‑rescued migrants, and enlarges detention facilities. It also introduces new restrictions on work for asylum seekers and reforms the justice system, including changes to the state exam for lawyers and longer magistrate assignments. Together, the two measures signal a coordinated push by the Meloni government to strengthen migration control while introducing new security tools.