A decree of the Ministry of the Interior dated 18 May 2026—but published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale on 27 June 2026—establishes the average cost of repatriating an irregular migrant from Italy at €3,820 for fiscal year 2026. The figure is crucial: it is the amount courts may order foreign nationals to deposit as a guarantee when appealing an expulsion and the ceiling for charging carriers that fail to observe passenger-screening obligations. The annual update has wider implications than its technocratic tone suggests. Under the new EU Return Regulation, scheduled to enter into force on 12 June 2026, member states must report real repatriation expenses to Brussels and may recover them from employers who facilitate illegal stay.
![Interior Ministry Sets €3,820 Benchmark for 2026 Repatriation Costs]()
For companies and individual travellers seeking proactive compliance solutions, VisaHQ can help navigate Italy’s evolving immigration framework, from securing the correct entry visas to providing up-to-date guidance on carrier obligations and appeal guarantees. Our online platform (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) aggregates the latest regulatory requirements, letting mobility managers calculate potential liabilities and lodge applications or extensions quickly, reducing the risk of costly repatriation scenarios.
The Italian benchmark therefore becomes a reference for payroll audits and due-diligence checks during corporate immigration inspections. For global mobility teams the decree introduces financial exposure in two scenarios: (1) if a posted worker’s permit lapses and the company is found negligent, inspectors can seek reimbursement up to the benchmark figure; (2) airlines and private-jet operators moving executives into Italy must strengthen document checks or risk being billed for return flights plus escort costs. Legal advisers recommend updating Standard Operating Procedures and training gate staff before the summer peak. Human-rights NGOs have criticised the fixed-cost method, arguing that actual removal expenses vary by destination and that a flat rate may incentivise cheaper, less humane routes. The Interior Ministry counters that the €3,820 figure reflects a weighted average of 6,172 removals carried out in 2025 and complies with Eurostat methodology. A mid-year review is planned for November 2026 to adjust for fuel price volatility. Multinationals operating in Italy should map at-risk cohorts—such as seasonal workers awaiting permit renewals—and budget for potential liabilities. Insurance providers are already drafting riders to cover unexpected repatriation charges, but premiums are expected to rise. The decree is effective immediately.
For companies and individual travellers seeking proactive compliance solutions, VisaHQ can help navigate Italy’s evolving immigration framework, from securing the correct entry visas to providing up-to-date guidance on carrier obligations and appeal guarantees. Our online platform (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) aggregates the latest regulatory requirements, letting mobility managers calculate potential liabilities and lodge applications or extensions quickly, reducing the risk of costly repatriation scenarios.
The Italian benchmark therefore becomes a reference for payroll audits and due-diligence checks during corporate immigration inspections. For global mobility teams the decree introduces financial exposure in two scenarios: (1) if a posted worker’s permit lapses and the company is found negligent, inspectors can seek reimbursement up to the benchmark figure; (2) airlines and private-jet operators moving executives into Italy must strengthen document checks or risk being billed for return flights plus escort costs. Legal advisers recommend updating Standard Operating Procedures and training gate staff before the summer peak. Human-rights NGOs have criticised the fixed-cost method, arguing that actual removal expenses vary by destination and that a flat rate may incentivise cheaper, less humane routes. The Interior Ministry counters that the €3,820 figure reflects a weighted average of 6,172 removals carried out in 2025 and complies with Eurostat methodology. A mid-year review is planned for November 2026 to adjust for fuel price volatility. Multinationals operating in Italy should map at-risk cohorts—such as seasonal workers awaiting permit renewals—and budget for potential liabilities. Insurance providers are already drafting riders to cover unexpected repatriation charges, but premiums are expected to rise. The decree is effective immediately.
