Rome is still not fully accepting the return of prospective asylum seekers from countries such as Germany even though they first entered Europe on Italian territory, in a simmering dispute that could potentially erupt and place further pressure on the EU’s border-free travel zone.
A document released on Friday (6 November) by the European Commission says transfer requests were still being rejected as of the end of September.
“Based on the information provided by the member states between 12 June and 30 September 2026, transfers requested by other member states continued to be rejected by the Italian authorities,” says the document.
“Furthermore, according to information received, there have been cases in which the Italian authorities returned persons to the transferring member states, despite Italy having been determined as the member state responsible,” it added.
Even though it says Italy, as of 29 October, has resumed transfers, according to an administrative letter, the European Commission couldn’t determine if anyone had actually departed for Italy.
The findings highlight a politically-explosive scenario whereby arriving asylum seekers fan out through the rest of Europe, triggering knee-jerk reactions by member states to impose internal border controls on the Schengen area.
It also echoes the scenario whereby Italy slapped border controls on Spain over the summer over unfounded fears that the tens of thousands of people that entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta would somehow end up on continental Europe.
Italy has for years allowed people to leave without first registering them, in a process of self-relocation that has angered other EU states. Many travel through France to reach northern Europe.
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