Diaspora Policies, Consular Services and Social Protection for Italian Citizens Abroad

According to some estimates, about 60 million people of Italian origin live outside of Italy today. To manage and, at first, encourage emigration, Italy has historically built a composite diaspora infrastructure. As discussed in the first part of this chapter, instruments to consult and represent politically citizens abroad have been core features of Italy’s diaspora engagement policies. The second part of the chapter examines the social protection dimension of diaspora more closely and highlights the central role played by the Patronati (welfare advice centers). As explained, the Patronati are to this day a unique institution at the international level, by which Italians abroad can be helped, free of charge, to gain access to social protection in Italy and abroad.